SingingTree

The Great Wall

Retaining wall of interlocking landscape blocks

Made from blocks poured in hand made plywood moulds

Preparing for the first row

This is the mould concept: the 2x2 framework supports removable panels which slip out when the cement is firm, eliminating the need for greasing the moulds.

A bottom insert 3/4” thick, and 1 inch short at the back end to form the lip that interlocks with the row below.

Wedges are driven between the 2x2 frame and the removable panels the tighten up the mould - when these are removed, the sides slip right out leaving the finished block. Stepping up production! three continuous moulds forming 6 blocks each. We released them from the moulds after 4 hours by pulling out the 1/4” side panels and carefully stacked them to finish drying.

The pvc pieces that were inserted to reduce the weight and amount of cement needed were removed after 2 hours The hand turned cement mixer – it rolls on large fixed casters mounted on the work table. We forgot to remove the pvc “holes” in time - had to cut this batch down.

. . . . . three years later . . .

Front yard – first try

Window wall – before the “land hurricane’ blew it across the room – (unbreakable glass did not break!)

Beginning the first terrace section -

Concrete pad in front of shop under the “roof” which is the floor to the terrace outside the Master Bedroom – one wall, two columns and two beams, poured in place

Edgar, my new construction guru and a neighbor down the street with Seth helping put the beam mold in place.

THE FIRST WALL

for the first terrace section.

Labels: Gardens and Additions

3 years later

After settling in

Making veggie gardens and planting fruit trees

Labels: Planting the Singing Tree

LISTA!! All moved in !!!

Oscar and son, Dayton, who completed (and continue to work on) most of the "problems" left behind by the builder, who decided to walk off the job and forfeit his final payment leaving behind a lot of unfinished and poorly done work .

Oscar did the decorative metal work on the front door and side lights. He seems to be able to do just about anything, and do it well.

Sala & window wall

Great room with fancy kitchen cabinets (cinder block and plywood) Lots of finishing to be done gradually, including construction of kitchen cabs and pantry area.

Guest room and "gato bravo" - Tonto thinks this is his room!

Hallway with small ramp (instead of stairs) to Main Bedroom

Master bedroom - built-ins will be installed on far wall for storage of sewing and art materials.

Like living in a tree house! - large walk-in closet to bathroom will have storage area for the "stuff" that has no home yet.

Red tile roof trim, terrace, and driveway to come later - for now, it is a comfortable living space -- with lots of projects to keep me happily occupied for a long time.

Major goal is to have roofed terrace and driveway finished - probably not for a year or so.