10/31/2004: Happy Halloween! The staining of the windows and doors turned out great. Here are the before and after pictures. The house has 20 windows, two single glass doors and two french door systems. The six clerestory windows above the porch have yet to be done. Anyone want want to volunteer? I hope this does not have to done again anytime soon. It took two of us, 4 days to complete the job.
10/29/2004: Roof work is still ongoing. We ran into HVAC issues and the house will need 2 separate heating and cooling units. Windows are in the process of being stained. I put some before and after pictures on the Oct section. More updates later.
10/21/2004: Roof work is still in process, HVAC is being installed this week. Plumbers are scheduled to finish by the weekend. Remainder of windows should have been installed today. When the windows, plumbing, and HVAC are complete the rough framing inspection should happen and if approved, stucco and drywall can begin. The contractor is targeting next week for inspection. We are making progress, Oct has been very busy. I am on site working with Three Little Pigs Construction, 2-3 days per week these days so it makes it easier to track the progress.
10/14/2004: Roof is almost complete, plumbing has started, windows are 90% installed, lathing has started. We are still several months behind schedule and should be pulling out all of the stops to catch up. Dave Exline and the Three Little Pigs Construction crew added another person, hopefully this will help. There are some interior pictures that have been added. Here is the Kitchen, Theater Room, and Master Bathtub. Updates will be few and far between as I will be on site 3-5 days per week for the remainder of construction. We have FINALLY found someone who should be able do the concrete counter tops. Here is his website. It is also Tarantula month on the central coast. Those little critters are running all over the place these days. I saw at least 5 crossing the road on my way to the house last week.
10/04/2004: Appliances have been ordered and will be shipped out as soon as the contractor gives the go ahead. We got a great deal on appliances from Carlson's Appliance in Santa Monica. They have $59.00 shipping in the SoCal area all the way to Santa Barbara. Ask for Jack! Special thanks to Nena, Suzi and Janet at European Bath in Solana Beach. They got some much needed parts out to the job site overnight. I owe them both lunch. If you are still trying to figure out why I would choose Paso Robles, check our these articles in USA Today or the L.A Times
9/28/2004: We live in earthquake country as evidenced by the 6.0 on 9/28 and the 700 aftershocks, several being 5.0 or greater. There are some additional cracks in the flooring but overall, the house withstood the shaking and baking very well. Dave Exline of Three Little Pigs Construction, remarked that most straw bale structures In other news, the windows are 70% complete and roof is 55% complete. I started the structural wiring for the stereo system and should be complete no later than 10/6/04. Lathing and Plastering/Stucco not yet started. Days like this I wish Dave Exline of Three Little Pigs Construction had a project schedule.
9/7/2004: Lathing and Plastering should be happening this month. If all goes according to plan, we plan to have a small gathering to do the plastering. Dave Exline of Three Little Pigs Construction would give a demo on how to plaster. Could be a good time for a mud party if it is still hot. Speaking of, it was over 105 degrees when these last pictures were taken. 105!!!! Thanks to Pedraum for giving me some space on his blog. He is one righteous dude
8/15/2004: Work party is over. We did not get as much done as we would have liked but it was a great experience. We are considering having a plaster party. If you would like to join us, please email me here . Dave Exline of Three Little Pigs does several plasterings per year. Contact him for more info Special thanks to J.R., Scott, and Sharon for putting in some back breaking labor in 100 degree heat. They are good folks and are always welcome in my house.
8/5/2004: The first course of straw has been stacked. As you can tell from this picture, there is still a lot of straw waiting to be stacked. Dave Exline does several bale raising per year, contact him directly at Three Little Pigs Construction in Paso Robles if you want to join in.
Aug - 2004: I added some pictures of the engineering that is going into the house. Rumor is that the house had been engineered to withstand an 8.0 earthquake. Ya gotta love straw bale construction. Check out the straps from the foundation to the post, and the extensive use of steel. I hope I never find out HOW well it is engineered. Dave Exline of Three Little Pigs Construction believes we should withstand most major quakes in good shape.
Aug - 2004: Window bucks are in. We can now REALLY see what a Straw Bale Building will look like. Updated pictures have been posted. Go take a look HERE.
Aug - 2004: Straw has been delivered. If you have wondered how the straw bale homes stay in place, check THIS out. Looks like the set of a B Horror film to me. Speaking of B Movies, someone said there was a giant KING SNAKE in the straw. I guess he will take care of the Rattlesnakes. JOY!
July - 2004: Trusses complete and installed, Plywood for roof installed, facia board in place. Interior framing 80% complete.
June - 2004: Bathrooms are designed and ready to be ordered. Many thanks to Nena at European Bath, Kitchen, Tile and Stone for the lunches and design advice. She gets to take the first bath! :-)
June - 2004: All trusses delivered.
May - 2004: Roof trusses measured and ordered. Three Little Pigs/Dave Exline informs me that trusses were not built to spec and have to be re-ordered. Interior framing continues
Mar - 2004: Straw Bale Building Exterior Framing begins.
Jan - 2004: Foundation poured.
Dec 22, 2003: Paso Robles struck with 6.5 earthquake. 2 People killed, several historic building in downtown Paso Robles are destroyed. Straw Bale buildings perform well and no damage reported
Nov - 2003: Foundation forms laid, rough plumbing installed
Sept - 2003 Sign contract with Three Little Pigs Construction/Dave Exline to complete house by 7/28/04
Mar-Apr 2003: House site constructed and approved
Jan-Mar 2003: Building Permit and plans approved for Straw Bale Construction
2001-2002: Conducted 2 well pressure tests, 2 potability tests, 4 soil samples, and countless plan reviews.
2001: Preliminary Straw Bale design work complete.
Sept - 2000: Applied for Building Permit from San Luis Obispo County
2000: Choose Three Little Pigs Construction/Dave Exline to build Straw Bale home.
2000: Purchase 13 acres in Paso Robles wine country.
