Earthworks
January 2025
A tricky pad to excavate on a steep site with falls to the north and east.
Clay soil and a seam of ironstone are scattered with quartz from a gold-mining past.
Formwork
20 January 2026
Almost a year to the day, and the formwork was set out along the solar north axis.
The two small pavilions will be connected with a timber deck and run perpendicular to each other.
Concrete bore holes
January 2026
A few bore holes ready for concrete piers.
Pier holes were drilled on a corner of each pad into a small amount of compacted fill.
Pipes
28 January 2026
Plumbing pipes for both buildings and an electrical conduit between the two buildings installed.
Council inspected to meet building code.
The Big Kahuna
29 January 2026
The day to rule all days.
Waffle pods, mesh, insulation and termite protection installed ready for a second council inspection.
Oh and did I mention the 40ºC heatwave?
Concrete pour
Three small concrete trucks versus one big truck with a pump allowed for better positioning on the pad.
Work started early with heatwave conditions and temperatures hitting 36ºC.
Wet curing the slab
An intensive seven days of slab-watering to prevent cracking and ensure proper curing during the continuing heat.
A few gruelling days - think watering cans, trips to town for water and SPF50.
And now we wait...
As a protection and final finish to the slab edge, the XPS green foam insulation will be rendered over.
In 28 days from the concrete pour, the slab will be ready for straw bale wall installation.
