Archinect - Studio 19

Preparing the foundation for concrete pouring

2014-11-18T00:54:00-05:00

On top of the gravel we laid a DPM plastic which was to go below the polystyrene sheets. We had to run to collect concrete blocks and block cut-offs to hold down the DPM from waving around and flying away in the wind before laying the polystyrene with blocks on top too.

Next we bent the D12 steel reinforcing rods down, as well as cutting and bending new D12 rods that would act as perimeter rods. On top of the bars we laid the steel mesh on top, and cut to size for the flooring. We then tied it all together using steel ties and nibs.

Ready for Polystyrene

2014-11-17T07:18:40-05:00

Lastly the truck brought in a finer metal aggregate which would we had about a 50mm layer of, which was compacted to 50mm from the top (approximated from a 45 x 90 timber block placed flat on the perimeter of the floor). We then spread the aggregate evenly to compact and level.

Compacting metal gravel

2014-11-17T06:52:50-05:00

Preparing the foundations for concrete pouring, the gravel needed to be poured on in layers and then compacted. This continued until the gravel was compacted and leveled to about 75mm from the top of the concrete block footings.

Back at site

2014-11-17T06:14:50-05:00

While we were working on the prefabrication of the build at the workshop at Unitec, on site excavation and the footings were being put down. When we turned up it was ready for us to prepare for concrete pouring. First we started with clean up and disassembling the stringline timber boundary bracing, and then de-nailing the timber from the boundary bracing.

We then waited for the metal gravel to come to site so we could compact the gravel down and move on to the next step.

Finishing the Kitchen Cabinets

2014-11-17T05:31:51-05:00

Almost done. Working on wardrobes and installing shelving, rail bars, adjustable shelving fittings and drawer fittings.

Sanding and whitewashing

2014-11-17T04:56:14-05:00

Scotia, architraves and skirtings... Sanding, painting, drying and painting. A lot to do but cheesily: many hands make light work.

First Cabinets made!

2014-11-17T04:38:26-05:00

Today we made a start on assembling the kitchen cabinetry, tricky at the start, but once we got into the groove of things it was quite easy to understand.

Drilling the holes for hinges

2014-11-17T04:21:29-05:00

Today we made a special visit to Blum who kindly sponsored us their kitchen fittings such as our cabinetry hinges, to drill the holes for the hinges to be attached to. Luckily despite the bad weather none of the gaboon for the kitchen cabinets got wet nor weather-damaged.

Kitchen cabinetry

2014-10-30T23:16:05-04:00

Today we picked up the kitchen cabinetry we had CNC routed by rainbow furniture. After arriving we realised that the cabinets would be a giant jigsaw puzzle to put together as there were many pieces. Transporting them back to the workshop at UNITEC so that we could assemble them off site.

Weatherproofing the bathroom pod

2014-10-30T23:12:37-04:00

In order to continue with the internal work on the bathroom pod we need to create a weather tight environment so we could ensure that the moisture levels inside the bathroom were kept at an acceptable level for the pre lining inspection. To do this we needed to install a temporary roof on the bathroom pod and wrap the walls that would become internal walls to keep the weather out until we move the pod to site. As this would only be a temporary solution we used building paper as opposed to the RAB board we had used for the external walls.

Bathroom ceiling

2014-10-30T23:05:28-04:00

Today we set out to build the only ceiling in the house which is located in the bathroom. The rest of the house will have the exposed underside of the SIPs roofing panels although the bathroom will require additional bracing while being transported so a ceiling was necessary to provide the strength. This ceiling was built in a traditional manner being built in place as opposed to much of the construction done so far so this was a great learning experience for the students.

Crawl space

2014-10-30T22:59:19-04:00

Today we removed the boxing from underneath the concrete slab. The concrete slab and walls weighting 5 tonnes made the 450mm crawl space seem less than comfortable.

Joinery

2014-10-30T22:55:59-04:00

The joinery arrived on site and some of the students began painting the jamb liners to prepare the units for installation into our pre fabricated walls. Once the painting was complete we we able to drill pilot holes for fixing and place the units into the walls. Now with the windows in we can install the head flashings for inspection by council and then finish the upper cladding sheets for the walls.

The pre cast bathroom pod

2014-10-30T22:51:18-04:00

After the concrete had set we began removing the boxing from the sides of the concrete slab in order to let it cure and so we could continue wetting the slab during this process. We also began raising the walls on the bathroom pod so that we could start cladding the exterior in preparation for the internal work on the bathroom. Once this internal work can be completed we can move on to the site at Orakei and join the bathroom pod with the slab poured on site.

Exterior Cladding

2014-10-17T20:08:04-04:00

For the past few weeks the team has been working on the exterior cladding of the house.

This has involved cutting, routing, priming, painting, putting the flashings in place and nailing. Accuracy and keeping the walls in square is key to the house being able to fit together properly when we construct on site!

Pouring concrete for the precast slab

2014-10-17T17:24:29-04:00

The concrete truck was coming early so the boys had an even earlier start to the day - everyone in a rush to get the precast construction ready for pouring.

They had constructed a temporary roof that will cover the concrete while it is drying. This is to protect it from Auckland's schizophrenic elements, today it was too much sun.

Everyone was hands-on during the pouring, and when it started to calm down and needed less people, the girls and the interior team started to work on the concrete bench for the build and pavers from the leftover concrete.

Early morning start to bless the site

2014-10-17T16:58:47-04:00

A 5am start before sunrise, we all met up at Orakei on site for a traditional Maori blessing of the land where we would eventually assemble our house.

At sunrise we all met up again to begin working on setting up string lines, preparing the excavation lines for digging.

Details of pre cast floor

2014-10-09T22:32:53-04:00

A question was asked about the pre cast concrete we have been working on as to what exactly was the pre cast concrete for.

To clarify it is the floor of the bathroom and laundry.

These are some drawings that illustrate the area that is the concrete slab we are pouring off site and how it will be connected to the slab poured on site.

Continuing on the walls

2014-10-09T21:49:38-04:00

The team continued work on the wall panels by fixing support bars for the windows in the openings as well as started to clad the external walls on the north and south façades.

This cladding process involved painting the wall panels, laying and fixing the 'z' and head flashings we had made for the plywood shadow clad system to the walls.

With windows being prepared and walls being clad the building feels like it is started to come together.

Engineer inspection

2014-10-09T21:47:41-04:00

Over the last few days we have been working on the steel reinforcing in the pre cast concrete slab. This was a difficult process to get right and took some time to complete the many links and ties to construct the cages of steel.

After we had completed this the engineer came to site to check that the steel was constructed as he had designed to ensure that the concrete slab would have structural integrity. He was happy with the work we had done which was a great feeling.

Pre cast slab

2014-10-06T05:19:41-04:00

While some students carried on with the exterior cladding, others began building the formwork of a pre cast concrete slab. This slab will form the floor of our bathroom and laundry which will be built as a 3d module off site. This module will then be taken to site and connected with the main slab poured in-situ. The boxing has to be build up off the ground to allow access for transport and plumbing. The boxing also needs to be braced heavily to ensure that the weight of the concrete does not warp it, as well as forming a dimensionally accurate, plumb and square concrete slab.

Beginning wall cladding and bracing

2014-10-06T05:04:09-04:00

Before we could fix any RAB board to the wall frames we needed to check that the wall was square and had not grown due to creeping measurements as we constructed it. Once we had check these we were able to apply RAB board to the exterior face of the walls in place of standard building paper. All the vertical joints had to be taped and horizontal ones flashed to ensure a weather seal was achieved. After this we were able to start fixing cavity battens for our two types of claddings (the steel profile on the east and west and shadow clad ply on the north and south). In addition to this we fixed anchors to the bracing walls and beam supports to provide additional bracing to the structure.

Framing almost complete

2014-10-06T04:52:30-04:00

With only a few wall frames left to complete we are almost done with the first step of the prefabrication process. Next we will move onto fixing rab board to the frames which will replace building paper. This is to ensure each wall panel is braced while being transported to site and erected. We started building platforms which we could work on so as to have a level workbench for the cladding process.

The build begins

2014-10-06T04:47:06-04:00

Today we started the first step in our construction phase of studio 19. We began the day with a tutorial by James from crate construction on how to frame a wall. He went through nailing and cutting techniques, as well as important things to think about while framing the wall. We then proceeded to give it a go ourselves.

Presenting at the Ngati Whatua Kaumatua Hui

2014-09-30T03:03:44-04:00

Tuesday 30th September 2014

[Preparing for the Kaumatua Hui at an SGA meeting room]

Today, five of us sixteen students had the job of presenting our project to not only the board of directors and kaumatua representatives, but to the entire group of kaumatua who attend these tribal meetings. So, from scratch we presented to those who saw this project for the first time.

We started with a formal Maori custom introduction, then over to Jack who explained the background of our project. Hannah Stephenson then explained the next stage of our progression; and Craig accounted the detailed design stage. Aseel finished our presentation with the safety regulations that our group are following during this building stage, and the floor was then open for questions.

For some of us students it was a new learning experience of having an open floor discussion with a large group of clients - all who have varied opinions of what should and shouldn't be done. With a final thumb...

Monday 15th First day of building...

2014-09-27T20:11:48-04:00

Today we met at the UNITEC workshop where we will be prefabricating much of the building ready to transport and assemble on site. Sadly there has been a delay with the construction contract that will not be signed until Friday the 20th.
Instead of completely losing a week worth a work we began making cutting lists of the wall framing, cabinetry and pre cast concrete slab boxing so we could hit the ground running when we returned.
We met James who will be teaching us all how to build our design. He showed us some of the differences between the computer drawings we had and the reality of timber construction, such as the fact the timber is not actually 45x90 mm as we specify in our drawings and that it is seldom straight. We looked at how to factor in these inaccuracies to achieve an accurate measurement along a wall and began making 'shop' drawings to build the frames of our walls next week.

Learning the tools

2014-09-27T19:58:56-04:00

The next step in our preparation for the build phase of the project was to familiarise ourselves with the tools we would be using. Dave shared his knowledge with us a showed us the correct was to use the tools as well as explaining the dangers of the tools we were using. Some of the students had experience other had none at all so even now we were helping each other learn. It all getting very exciting and we are all looking forward to getting on with the build.

Site Safety Course

2014-09-27T19:53:13-04:00

Before we were able to start building our design we had to take part in a site safety course. This was a good opportunity to get your head in the game! There are many hazards present on a construction that you need to be aware of. Main lesson was to be aware of your surroundings and to look out for those around so that we are all safe on site.

The countdown to building begins...

2014-09-24T06:54:48-04:00

Friday August 1st, 2014

Hoorah!

Building consent was approved! We have to wait a while until we start building, but the hard yards are finally over! Now we look forward to steel cap boots, safety glasses, ear muffs with a kitted out tool belt and hammer in hand. No more long hours of what it feels like - endless drawing.

Can't wait to get practical and see what we design come to life.

Detail Time

2014-09-24T05:01:20-04:00

Wednesday 4th June, 2014

From Resource Consent to Building Consent, it's now down to the nitty gritty for our kaumatua house, the aim being to make it a buildable and plausible design. Our four teams continue to work on the four core areas, thus making our own groups: the floor team, the roof team, the wall team and the interiors.

Building Consent means research time. Details, details and more details, measuring, calculating and contacting various product companies. The NZBC (New Zealand Building Code) now in action, and for some of us students when it comes to real world projects, referring to this code and alike for the first time!

We've also got to brush up on our ArchiCAD skills. We are going to draw the final details in this software and have a full set of working drawings printed and sent off to the council for approval.