The email came Wednesday afternoon! The blueprints are ready.
I know we expected them at the end of February, so actually they are 3 days late, but I was still startled by the news. Each step makes this more real.
Send them to Dan's office was the reply.
And of course in good Toronto fashion we anticipate overnight delivery - ya right!
Friday's message - how long for delivery? probably 5 days - just wait - they'll arrive!
And so they did today. What seemed like a little roll of paper.
The first thing was a drawing of the lot with the house positioned on it - the first time we have ever seen that - exactly how it fits, the drive, the house, the pool - very neat!
Page after page, floor plans, foundation drawings, plumbing, electrical, roof plans - we are supposed to sign off on all this technical stuff - oh my god! and even better - - it's all in Spanish!!
Brought it home. Lisle excitedly took it downstairs and unrolled it. I went down 20 minutes later and said - so what do you think? It's too much to take in - was the reply.
Guess we will start into the review tomorrow!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Design Thoughts
So since we got home from the last trip and signed off on the plans, we have been sorting our thoughts on all the other design matters ahead.
What should the doors look like?
What material for the counters?
What colour for the walls
A dark stain or light for all the wood?
So, we have been compiling a selection of photos, scans from magazines and moving those we think are right into a separate folder.
Our current thinking ...
What should the doors look like?
What material for the counters?
What colour for the walls
A dark stain or light for all the wood?
So, we have been compiling a selection of photos, scans from magazines and moving those we think are right into a separate folder.
Our current thinking ...
Friday, March 5, 2010
Welcome to the Neighbourhood
Having rented homes twice in the past 6 months, and attended the inaugural meeting of the condominium corporation (the municipality can't afford to maintain the roads and infrastructure in the expanding areas, so handed the responsibility back to the owners - a very nice housewarming gift!) we have had the good fortune to get to meet the neighbours.
Sonya and Jan are from Toronto - 40'ish - have been there full time for about 18 months. They work for Ventana but also have a business managing properties for those of us who have built but aren't able to live there full time - their dog - Coffee - is a delight, as are they.
Keith and Karen are also from Toronto - in fact they lived about 2 blocks from us before moving to Ojochal full time in June 2009. In their 50's, Keith keeps busy as the local 'pool boy' and Karen is on the Board of the Condo Corp. They are right next door to Sonya and Jan with the most spectacular view of the ocean and sunset. We rented their home in January.
Carol is from Calgary - something to do with real estate I think - 50'ish - was quiet in the group setting but we understand she can be the life of the party.
Bruce and Barbara are in their early 60's I would guess. They are from north of Toronto and have been in Ojochal for a couple of years. Besides waving as we drive past - as their house in on the only road in and out - we first encountered Bruce at the Ventana office. He arrived on his newly acquired Quad (a 4 wheeled all terrain vehicle - like a motorcycle but with 4 wheels). There were comments about the size of it (large) and the winch on the front - to which he responded - It's so I can hoist Barbara up the hill! We encountered Barbara later that day in her blue flowered sun dress standing on the side of the road toasting the sunset with a glass of white wine. They really love their life!
There are 3 houses nearing completion, and another 3 underway. We hope to add to that activity in the coming weeks!
Sonya and Jan are from Toronto - 40'ish - have been there full time for about 18 months. They work for Ventana but also have a business managing properties for those of us who have built but aren't able to live there full time - their dog - Coffee - is a delight, as are they.
Keith and Karen are also from Toronto - in fact they lived about 2 blocks from us before moving to Ojochal full time in June 2009. In their 50's, Keith keeps busy as the local 'pool boy' and Karen is on the Board of the Condo Corp. They are right next door to Sonya and Jan with the most spectacular view of the ocean and sunset. We rented their home in January.
Carol is from Calgary - something to do with real estate I think - 50'ish - was quiet in the group setting but we understand she can be the life of the party.
Bruce and Barbara are in their early 60's I would guess. They are from north of Toronto and have been in Ojochal for a couple of years. Besides waving as we drive past - as their house in on the only road in and out - we first encountered Bruce at the Ventana office. He arrived on his newly acquired Quad (a 4 wheeled all terrain vehicle - like a motorcycle but with 4 wheels). There were comments about the size of it (large) and the winch on the front - to which he responded - It's so I can hoist Barbara up the hill! We encountered Barbara later that day in her blue flowered sun dress standing on the side of the road toasting the sunset with a glass of white wine. They really love their life!
Casa Faust is owned by Dean - a physician in the U.S. We rented this home last July, and except for the terrifying drive it is a wonderful place. He unfortunately doesn't get there much.
The Taj Mahal is a grand home at the highest point in the development and includes a separate 2 car garage and a large guest house - no one ever mentioned the owners by name - it's just the Taj Mahal.
There are 3 houses nearing completion, and another 3 underway. We hope to add to that activity in the coming weeks!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
All Done - Now to Start!
January and time to escape the Toronto winter. Yes a vacation, but more importantly time to sit with Robert and get the design done.
2 weeks renting another house in the area. A great chance to live with what works and what doesn't. It is also really interesting to see how each house fits its particular environment - almost sculpted into the landscape - maximizing light, air, view.
2 weeks renting another house in the area. A great chance to live with what works and what doesn't. It is also really interesting to see how each house fits its particular environment - almost sculpted into the landscape - maximizing light, air, view.
So we met with Robert on Monday and again, sitting with Christianne we talked about the need for storage and alternatives, location of the garage, the placement of electrical panels, the size and location of the pool. This shifted, that shifted - still some work to do to be certain. We left very pleased.
With what was almost final plans, Robert arranged to have the land cut (the six foot razor grass makes it hard to move about on the lot) and the perimeter of the house and car port staked and for us to meet at the lot on the following Tuesday.
Another beautiful Costa Rican morning - 9 am and already over 28C - found us standing on the lot. There it was - our house set out on the lot. We talked about what would be levelled and how much space there would be behind, where the pool would go - you know what - we are too close to the neighbouring lot - let's shift the whole plan over 3m and back from the road 2m. PERFECT!
Back to the office to look at the final plans - - YES YES YES all as we had discussed. A handshake and smiles all around - draw up the contract.
2 days later, on January 28, 2010, we put pen to paper and the contract was done - blueprints will start and likely be April 1, 2010 they will start site work - 10 months to completion - - OH MY GOD - this is real!
And, so here we are planning done - waiting for blueprints and planning for all the decisions yet to come - what colour stain, what is the real layout of the kitchen, what tile, what bath fixture, where do you want the light switch ... All that and more to come.
So here is what we are building.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
The Home Stretch on Design
We thought we were there - one less bedroom, a great balance of indoor and outdoor, all the space really usable, with little waste or excess.
Somehow, it was lost in translation, or version control or the gremlins of the internet.
Having provided the feedback, including the detailed floor plans, elevations and written description of changes, we eagerly awaited version 6, with pen at the ready to sign off and start building. It arrived with the larger living area and adjustments to the entry and 2nd bedroom, but the 3rd bedroom was still there, as was the awkward jog at the front of the house.
Let's try that again!
Version 7 - fixed the living area - but that damn 3rd bedroom just wouldn't go away.
Version 8 - the 3rd bedroom is gone - but what are those little windowless rooms added to the garage side of the house - OH! Storage rooms - of course they are useful, but there! Instead of windows for the 2nd bedroom?
Hmm .. what to do with this?! 4 variations on version 8 later, hopefully a solution
Version 9 - yes they got it!! And just in time for another face to face.
Somehow, it was lost in translation, or version control or the gremlins of the internet.
Having provided the feedback, including the detailed floor plans, elevations and written description of changes, we eagerly awaited version 6, with pen at the ready to sign off and start building. It arrived with the larger living area and adjustments to the entry and 2nd bedroom, but the 3rd bedroom was still there, as was the awkward jog at the front of the house.
Let's try that again!
Version 7 - fixed the living area - but that damn 3rd bedroom just wouldn't go away.
Version 8 - the 3rd bedroom is gone - but what are those little windowless rooms added to the garage side of the house - OH! Storage rooms - of course they are useful, but there! Instead of windows for the 2nd bedroom?
Hmm .. what to do with this?! 4 variations on version 8 later, hopefully a solution
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Face to Face and Then ...
So version 4 seemed to be there - the right look a feel. But there were still a lot of questions and making decisions without actually being there was uncomfortable.
So, we decided to head down - a good excuse for summer vacation and actually bring this to a good conclusion.
July can be beautiful in Costa Rica. While it is the rainy season, July is usually calmer, with rain in the late afternoon and early evening, or overnight.
Also a good opportunity to live the life and learn from others - we rented a house built by Ventana, overlooking our property.
We met with Robert and his Master of Computer Design - Christianne. Talked about why the different roof levels were important (architectural interest as all the rooms are open to the hardwood line roof), that the outdoor living space was still too small, that the indoor space still wouldn't easily accommodate the furniture, that laying in bed you would be looking at the toilet, that the little den that got introduced in version 4 was a good idea, but useless given its size.
While we sat there, the house got deeper, the mix of indoor and outdoor space shifted, the bathroom door moved and the 3rd bedroom appeared. Version 5 was born - all was right with the world.
Was this it, were we really done - OF COURSE NOT!! That evening over dinner, Lisle and I looked at each other and said - "It's way too big!"
With no time to fix it now - we were leaving the next day - we told Robert of our thoughts and that we would send him some ideas in the next few days. I also said, "can you email me the design file?"
As soon as we arrived home, I purchased the same design software they were using - a bargain at $400 - and with the electronic version of the plan dove in. What if we make it 1 storey - NO - what if we get rid of the 3rd bedroom - YES - what if we make the living area more square - YES - the pieces fell into place - now to tell Robert!!
Some of the variations on version 5
So, we decided to head down - a good excuse for summer vacation and actually bring this to a good conclusion.
July can be beautiful in Costa Rica. While it is the rainy season, July is usually calmer, with rain in the late afternoon and early evening, or overnight.
Also a good opportunity to live the life and learn from others - we rented a house built by Ventana, overlooking our property.
We met with Robert and his Master of Computer Design - Christianne. Talked about why the different roof levels were important (architectural interest as all the rooms are open to the hardwood line roof), that the outdoor living space was still too small, that the indoor space still wouldn't easily accommodate the furniture, that laying in bed you would be looking at the toilet, that the little den that got introduced in version 4 was a good idea, but useless given its size.
While we sat there, the house got deeper, the mix of indoor and outdoor space shifted, the bathroom door moved and the 3rd bedroom appeared. Version 5 was born - all was right with the world.
With no time to fix it now - we were leaving the next day - we told Robert of our thoughts and that we would send him some ideas in the next few days. I also said, "can you email me the design file?"
As soon as we arrived home, I purchased the same design software they were using - a bargain at $400 - and with the electronic version of the plan dove in. What if we make it 1 storey - NO - what if we get rid of the 3rd bedroom - YES - what if we make the living area more square - YES - the pieces fell into place - now to tell Robert!!
Some of the variations on version 5
Monday, March 1, 2010
Design Development
So, it's a good start!
But now the really hard part starts - how do you fine tune what is a solid plan into a real solution - via email no less.
Well, with the help of our great friend - and great architect - Claudio Santon - we set out to transform the initial scheme into the plan of our dreams.
We moved the design forward - slowly - very slowly - very very slowly. You can imagine taking this drawing and the floor plans, sifting through them figuring out what needs to change, why and how, writing it down in an email and waiting to see if Robert understood what you wanted. Each round was 3 months and never was it exactly right.
We needed to fix all the angles (too many for our liking), simplify the roof lines and levels (again too many for our liking), open the living space to the outdoors more, balance indoor and outdoor living spaces, create a space for the TV, and on and on.
At the same time, as we hit the 2nd version of design, the markets hit their road bump. Maybe it is a good thing this is taking a while to work through!!
What follows are versions 1 through 4 - April 2008 to July 2009
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