And we’re back… again. Soooooo we fired the last mason, another got fired before he even started but hey… we got a new one and we’re plastering walls. Told ya; there’s only so much BS I’ll tolerate before I terminate. (at 500 Chaguanas)
flashbacks /
Facebook reminded me of what I was doing a year ago today. At that time, I thought getting all my products ready for my first Upcycled sale was stress. Fast forward one year later to managing a construction project in T&T
new things on the horizon /
All building approvals received. Let’s hope we could get construction started this summer. #ajdesigned #foundationtofinish #newconstruction #architect #caribbeanrealestate #provsconstruction #tobago (at Bacolet)
electrical and plumbing /
While we wait for the new masons to start on Monday, let’s get all the electrical and plumbing services roughed in. #jaderenovation #architecture #provsconstruction #caribbeanrealestate #trinidad (at 500 Chaguanas)
tiny living /
1 bedroom apt @ 398 sq ft definitely qualifies as Tiny living. #halfwaythere #smallspaceliving #provsconstruction #caribbeanrealestate #architecture #trinidad #jaderenovation (at 500 Chaguanas)
look to the sky /
Windows to the sky. Sliding clerestory windows in the main house will boost cross ventilation across the living room as well as provide even northern daylight for the space. #jaderenovation #caribbeanrealestate #provsconstruction #trinidad #architecture #smallspaceliving (at 500 Chaguanas)
beautiful "wood" plank tiles /
Checking out floor tiles with the friendly folks at Interior Harmony, Long Circular. 48" plank tiles are just damn sexy. #jaderenovation #smallspaceliving #architecture #trinidad #provsconstruction #caribbeanrealestate (at Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago)
doors: half or full? that is the question /
Door selection: Bedroom and bathroom doors. Half glass or full? Don’t be afraid to use glass doors in small spaces to share light and create depth between spaces even when the door is closed.
#jaderenovation #smallspaceliving #architecture #trinidad #provsconstruction #caribbeanrealestate #smallspaceliving
the new addition /
Taking shape. 8 feet of windows in a 10 foot living room. That’s one way to make a small space feel more open. #jaderenovation #architecture #trinidad #provsconstruction #caribbeanrealestate #smallspaceliving (at 500 Chaguanas)
main beam form work /
The view from the front door of the main house. the block work in the background I fondly call the Tetris baths. The original HDC ugly/wasteful shower with separate toilet room and a sink in the corridor is now two L-shaped bathrooms: a more compact shared bath and brand new en Suite. I now pronounce you, 3 bedroom/2 bath. #jaderenovation #provsconstruction #trinidad #architecture (at 500 Chaguanas)
cracks! /
Can’t turn your back for a second 😞 Forgot to confirm that the guys had a plan in place to keep the concrete damp over night, to make sure it didn’t dry out too fast. They didn’t. These are probably the result of poor vibration and not enough moisture during the first 12 of curing. They aren’t life threatening at all, just ugly. Good thing we’re tiling. But extra steps will have to be taken to make sure the cracks don’t show thru. Boooooooo #jaderenovation #architecture #provsconstruction #trinidad #caribbeanrealestate (at 500 Chaguanas)
the pour /
The pour. #jaderenovation #provsconstruction #architecture #trinidad # (at 500 Chaguanas)
how cool is this? /
Concrete pump in place. Waiting for the concrete supply truck. #jaderenovation #provsconstruction #architecture #trinidad (at 500 Chaguanas)
in with the new /
Oh yeah. We hired a new plumber. Notice the waste line is now COMPLETELY under the thickness of the floor slab, not a ½" or 2" under the surface. Lesson: if you are not happy with the job someone is doing, don’t spend your money keeping them around to screw up the job. Plenty of fish and all that… #jaderenovation #provsconstruction #architecture #trinidad (at 500 Chaguanas)
industrial sized vibrator. yeah. seriously /
Form work and reinforcement: done. Inspection: passed. Concrete vibrator: holy check 10 minutes of this and your arm is noodle-city. Bring on the concrete truck because we are ready to cast! See you tomorrow! #jaderenovation #provsconstruction #architecture #construction #trinidad (at Edinburgh 500 Chaguanas)
ready for inspection /
Week one is over. Meeting with the building inspector tomorrow then it’s time for concrete truck #jaderenovation #provsconstruction #architecture #trinidad # (at 500 Chaguanas)
/
Getting the slab ready. Always be sure to prepare a sound sub base for your floor. Don’t skip this step. Earth. 6" of hardcore fill. 2" of sand. Compact as you go. Then you’ll be ready for your 5" concrete slab. Special thanks to Tricon Industries for use of their plate compactor in our crunch and providing quality PVC products for this build. #jaderenovation #provsconstruction #architecture #construction #trinidad (at 500 Chaguanas)
sheer wall construction /
That’s how you grout a wall solid! Pour your mortar Every two rows. Leave about an inch from the top of the block so that your next pour interlocks into this one. #jaderenovation #provsconstruction #architecture #construction #trinidad (at 500 Chaguanas)
surgical demolition /
Surgical demolition. We’re taking the wall apart block by block so we could reuse them. #jaderenovation #savethatmoney #architecture #construction #trinidad (at 500 Chaguanas)
FUBAR! /
To get that coveted open concept living room/kitchen we have to put in a new mason beam atop this wall. The problem is the wall was build like sh!t TWICE! that’s why we had to get rid of the last guy and start anew. #ajdesigned #jaderenovation (at 500 Chaguanas)