ᐅ Modernist Concrete Villa with Cavity Wall Insulation – Experiences
Created on: 11 Sep 2018 07:32
R
rick2018
Hello everyone,
I just wanted to briefly introduce myself and say thank you.
For about a year and a half, I have been a silent reader here to gather inspiration and especially to gain more knowledge about construction technology.
Now a bit about me:
After more than a year of searching for a plot of land, I was able to purchase one from a developer who couldn’t move forward quickly with his plans.
So we found our dream plot (good location, 2500 m² (0.62 acres), slight slope, underground private spring that we have to preserve and are allowed to use).
There was an old house on the property, which we have since demolished.
There is no zoning plan, so §34 applies. During an initial informal inquiry at the building authority, almost everything we planned was rejected.
So we submitted an official preliminary building inquiry, involved the right people, and had lengthy discussions. In the end, we received a positive decision.
Therefore, there is nothing standing in the way of the building permit. The building permit should be granted within the next few weeks as there are no changes from the preliminary inquiry.
My wife (37) and I (36) want to build a Bauhaus-style villa in southern Baden-Württemberg.
It will be constructed from concrete (with core insulation) or in combination with insulated precast elements.
A lot of glass (full-glass system), textile shading, KNX, fast network both wired and wireless, strong mechanical ventilation with additional cooling coils, stainless steel pool, large cistern, and more.
The electrical planning must be 100% spot on since it’s almost impossible to make changes afterward.
Since I am friends with an architect from a larger firm, it was clear which route we would take. Such a house can basically only be realized with an architect.
I also personally know the electrician and KNX system integrator, as well as the owners and work approach of the heating, plumbing, and ventilation companies involved.
Some trades have already been contracted, and part of the equipment has already been ordered.
I’m really looking forward to getting started and to the final result. The goal is to move in by the end of 2019.
Once again, many thanks for the information I have received from you so far.
If you have any questions, just let me know.
Attached is the design, though not the final version. There have been a few minor changes.
Greetings from Swabia
I just wanted to briefly introduce myself and say thank you.
For about a year and a half, I have been a silent reader here to gather inspiration and especially to gain more knowledge about construction technology.
Now a bit about me:
After more than a year of searching for a plot of land, I was able to purchase one from a developer who couldn’t move forward quickly with his plans.
So we found our dream plot (good location, 2500 m² (0.62 acres), slight slope, underground private spring that we have to preserve and are allowed to use).
There was an old house on the property, which we have since demolished.
There is no zoning plan, so §34 applies. During an initial informal inquiry at the building authority, almost everything we planned was rejected.
So we submitted an official preliminary building inquiry, involved the right people, and had lengthy discussions. In the end, we received a positive decision.
Therefore, there is nothing standing in the way of the building permit. The building permit should be granted within the next few weeks as there are no changes from the preliminary inquiry.
My wife (37) and I (36) want to build a Bauhaus-style villa in southern Baden-Württemberg.
It will be constructed from concrete (with core insulation) or in combination with insulated precast elements.
A lot of glass (full-glass system), textile shading, KNX, fast network both wired and wireless, strong mechanical ventilation with additional cooling coils, stainless steel pool, large cistern, and more.
The electrical planning must be 100% spot on since it’s almost impossible to make changes afterward.
Since I am friends with an architect from a larger firm, it was clear which route we would take. Such a house can basically only be realized with an architect.
I also personally know the electrician and KNX system integrator, as well as the owners and work approach of the heating, plumbing, and ventilation companies involved.
Some trades have already been contracted, and part of the equipment has already been ordered.
I’m really looking forward to getting started and to the final result. The goal is to move in by the end of 2019.
Once again, many thanks for the information I have received from you so far.
If you have any questions, just let me know.
Attached is the design, though not the final version. There have been a few minor changes.
Greetings from Swabia
untergasse43 schrieb:
Either you have known these guys for a long time, or you have had a lot of time and/or luck during your search. @hampshire already hinted that the attitude of a respectful and fair client can help to find craftsmen of a different quality than the commonly assumed average ones. Additionally, this attitude makes it easier to focus on quality when selecting materials, methods, and so on, rather than cheapening every detail down to the last tenth of a cent.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
untergasse4320 Apr 2020 20:33100%! I also see our craftsmen as partners, not as lackeys. After all, they are building my home for many years to come. I often work in an advisory role on the client side and know this all too well. No one is more motivated to do a good job than when the client treats them like serfs from the Middle Ages. And while we are still in the construction industry, we are at least in the business of wearing suits—or at least turtlenecks.
But even then, finding the right people can really feel like a lottery if you’re not from the industry.
But even then, finding the right people can really feel like a lottery if you’re not from the industry.
I believe it’s a combination of several factors.
- Local tradespeople (where possible), some personally known
- Some tradespeople regularly work with my (friendly) architect
- Fair payment (can you still say that with these prices)? No haggling over the last cent, but rather “letting them earn a living.”
- Being on the construction site daily, personal contact, even occasionally offering a cigarette...
- Many tradespeople know each other from other projects
- Appreciation and genuine interest in their work. Not just the Swabian attitude of “no complaint is praise enough,” but really giving praise when the work is done well.
- No nitpicking over regulations
- Happy to have things explained to me
Fortunately, I was/am flexible enough with my time to be very involved in the planning, even though someone was officially paid for it. This way, I could participate in many decisions and ask the right questions.
I am familiar with the work of most trades. They all delivered equally good quality. But maybe they enjoyed this project more and gave a little extra effort.
With the Swiss, the chemistry was right from the start. It just felt right, and the quality was beyond doubt.
Some trades don’t usually work on detached single-family houses, but they would probably approach smaller projects the same way.
I have a case in my family involving a general contractor (GC). That was more of a total disaster. Everything went wrong, and eventually, the GC went bankrupt...
For us, it was always clear that we would contract directly with individual trades. With a project like this, there is no alternative.
Since I do some work myself and don’t mind getting dirty, I’m probably more likeable than if I showed up on site in a suit and tie.
I once visited the shell construction phase when workers were having a smoke break. It was an easy way to start a conversation. They weren’t stressed when a few days later I had a cigar with a buddy on the garage roof...
Overall, the relationship is very relaxed. The workers know they can always approach me. I don’t get angry if something goes wrong—we just focus on how to solve the problem.
My ladder is also popular with the workers. As long as they put it back, I have no problem with it.
On our site, communication in German is possible (okay, some might say the Swiss don’t quite count).
- Local tradespeople (where possible), some personally known
- Some tradespeople regularly work with my (friendly) architect
- Fair payment (can you still say that with these prices)? No haggling over the last cent, but rather “letting them earn a living.”
- Being on the construction site daily, personal contact, even occasionally offering a cigarette...
- Many tradespeople know each other from other projects
- Appreciation and genuine interest in their work. Not just the Swabian attitude of “no complaint is praise enough,” but really giving praise when the work is done well.
- No nitpicking over regulations
- Happy to have things explained to me
Fortunately, I was/am flexible enough with my time to be very involved in the planning, even though someone was officially paid for it. This way, I could participate in many decisions and ask the right questions.
I am familiar with the work of most trades. They all delivered equally good quality. But maybe they enjoyed this project more and gave a little extra effort.
With the Swiss, the chemistry was right from the start. It just felt right, and the quality was beyond doubt.
Some trades don’t usually work on detached single-family houses, but they would probably approach smaller projects the same way.
I have a case in my family involving a general contractor (GC). That was more of a total disaster. Everything went wrong, and eventually, the GC went bankrupt...
For us, it was always clear that we would contract directly with individual trades. With a project like this, there is no alternative.
Since I do some work myself and don’t mind getting dirty, I’m probably more likeable than if I showed up on site in a suit and tie.
I once visited the shell construction phase when workers were having a smoke break. It was an easy way to start a conversation. They weren’t stressed when a few days later I had a cigar with a buddy on the garage roof...
Overall, the relationship is very relaxed. The workers know they can always approach me. I don’t get angry if something goes wrong—we just focus on how to solve the problem.
My ladder is also popular with the workers. As long as they put it back, I have no problem with it.
On our site, communication in German is possible (okay, some might say the Swiss don’t quite count).
rick2018 schrieb:
Some trades usually don’t work on single-family homes either.Do you mean because of features that are more common in commercial construction and clearly not mainstream in single-family home building, like bituminous terrazzo?https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
untergasse4320 Apr 2020 21:02rick2018 schrieb:
Since I also do some of the work myself and get my hands dirty, I’m probably a bit more likeable than if I showed up on the construction site in a suit and tie. Same here. It always reminds me of the scene with the teacher couple wearing matching rain jackets in the movie "What Doesn’t Fit Is Made to Fit."
I have heard from several sources that they have never had a client so deeply involved in the building process. Especially with more exclusive projects, clients rarely even visit the construction site...
Anecdote from today: We had a partial inspection of the flooring. The site manager was also present. He thanked me for the prompt payment of the deposit invoice, which apparently is not very common.
I replied that I also want the work to be completed on schedule, and since the money earns (almost) no interest, there’s no reason to take full advantage of the payment terms.
In return, they fully accommodate our schedule for sanding the floor.
A few agreements were made with a handshake. Some contracts were later formalized.
Anecdote from today: We had a partial inspection of the flooring. The site manager was also present. He thanked me for the prompt payment of the deposit invoice, which apparently is not very common.
I replied that I also want the work to be completed on schedule, and since the money earns (almost) no interest, there’s no reason to take full advantage of the payment terms.
In return, they fully accommodate our schedule for sanding the floor.
A few agreements were made with a handshake. Some contracts were later formalized.
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