Septic, Solar PV and Tiling

The drain field for the septic system.















The tiling in the master shower. I still need to grout the vertical tiling.















Their were multiple cracks throughout the kitchen/living/dining room slab--so I had a crack isolation membrane installed before I tiled.













The solar PV panel. Along with the solar hot water, I should be selling KWs back to the electric company during the day.

Interior Stucco and Tile

The garden tub is finished, the grade will be higher than is shown in the photo so that only about 16 inches will be out of the ground.

Below you can see the stucco color of the interior and the way I am laying out the tile. This is the master closet.

This is the master bedroom looking toward the bathroom.

The pond is full, I am conditioning the water before I add some little fish. It has attracted dragonflies immediately after being filled. I plan to cover the bottom and side edges with pond pebbles and gravel, I need to get some more bentonite to help hold the stones in place on the membrane.

Sealing and Scaffolding

The exterior stucco was sealed with this, non-toxic, water-based concrete sealer. The color was not effected at all.











The interior scaffolding to apply a rough coat of stucco to even out the surface, before the final color is applied.

















A portion of the lath in the module that is divided into two rooms, bath and entryway. The ductwork is for the air handler portion of the ductless, mini-split (heat pump)system.














A view from the south of the rear of the house, the scaffolding was for the application of the sealers. I just planted an edible fig plant in the right foreground.











The tub is getting closer to done. I just have some more grouting to do.

Cap on Parapet

I am experimenting with plants that may be able to live on the roof, without much attention. I have planted; perennial peanut, several varieties of Alternantera, lantana, native love grass, fakahatchee grass, dwarf Mexican petunia, flax lily, Asian jasmine (variegated and green), honeysuckle vine, juniper, rosemary, and lavender. These have all survived several weeks, though I am watering them until they are established.
















The front with stucco and cap on parapet. This is the final color. It is 1/2 lb. Irish green pigment per sack of gray stucco. I wanted a very subtle green, that would look like a natural stone color.













Antigone found a sub's lunch leftover. She is not so interested in the white bread as the thin slice of ham stuck to the other side.


















The cap at the back of the house, this photo does not show the finished stucco yet.

Exterior Stucco, Tub and Rooftop

I have begun to plant some ground cover on the house. I am choosing xeric plants that should not need much water after being established.












Here is the concrete block garden tub after being coated with stucco.













I am covering the tub in broken tile.


















This stucco coat is the under coat for the finish which will be similar in color, once the metal cap is installed, the final coat will be put on. The stucco is pigmented, and will not be painted.

Foam Insulation Prior to Stucco

The front of the house has been papered and lathed for the stucco. This went atop a layer of 2" EPS foam.











The back of the house with the 2" foam applied.

















The front with the foam. The only part of the roof left to finish is the right corner where the ramp must be closed off before we can spread all the topsoil. Then the galvalume cap will be installed at the top of the parapet (cement blocks are holding the membrane in place in the photo).











The module that is divided into two rooms and a bath. The ceilings will go up to the dome except in the closets and bathroom.















We had some extra fill so the excavator has made some privacy mounds for landscaping.

Framing and Windows Installed

The framing for the curved, descending wall for the master bath shower. This will be lathed then stucco applied before I tile the inside and out. I designed the shower this way to maximize the light into the bath from the window in the shower.


















One of the 3 panel sliding doors and the master bath window.













The floor pour went well.













The framers are doing a great job framing the domed areas.












Here you can see the vent openings brought out to the side of the building just outside the membrane area.






















The pole installed at the side of the mound on the south side of the house for the solar pv panel.