Steel frame and concrete block planter

Today we finished erecting the structural steel frame for Sonoma. The large I beams were placed with a crane and bolted into place. Tomorrow the steel will be inspected by a structural engineer for proper assembly and weld standards. We also started a block wall planter for the front retaining wall and lower courtyard. There is also a picture of the stone we are using for the facing and on the accents for Sonoma.

Sonoma Steel

Sonoma is using a unique foundation system designed especially for hillside development. By using a standard concrete foundation for the front of the home and steel structure to support the rear and decks we minimize the impact on the site. Engineered structural steel is placed on driven steel piling to specified depths. On top of the piling a steel framework is erected.





The cross bracing (round tubular steel) provide for lateral stability and earthquake resistance. All welds are inspected by a licensed inspector either in the shop during fabrication or on site following installation.



The foundation is fully waterproofed with perforated piping in all areas. Then the pipe and foundation are backfilled with drain rock to allow any ground water or surface drainage to be carried away from the foundation. We have installed over 120 yards of piping and 20 loads of rock. This helps prevent backpressures on the foundation and retaining walls and maintains a dry crawlspace area.

Framing is scheduled to start Wednesday or Thursday and then watch as we progress on Sonoma!

Greg

Sonoma, A Donation to the Homebuilder's Foundation

Sonoma has been selected as this year's home to benefit the Homebuilder's Foundation. The Foundation focuses primarily on housing issues for the dis-advantaged and homeless. This is the first year the HBF has benefited from a Street of Dreams home. My personal goal is to have all our suppliers and contractors contribute to this home with the proceeds going to the foundation. We can accept donations toward Sonoma and will be providing various incentive packages to those who contribute. We are working on radio ads, print media, a full page ad in the SOD magazine as well as site signage acknowledging the Donors.

The HBF is involved with the Raphael House, Cordero House as well as many other charitable organizations locally. On a national scale the Foundation is affiliated with "Homeaid". This is truly one of the most focused money raising campaigns to date and we want Sonoma to be a real winner for the Foundation.

Greg

Countdown has begun!

Well we will again do the impossible, less than 16 weeks until the show! Meeting schedules and huge cooperation from our teams will be needed to complete Sonoma. Our design and planning has been focused on creating a special home with economy of time. The design process started last year with topographic studies of the lot, survey of the views and creating our "client profile". In building a speculative home we have to make the residence as appealing to the broadest market possible yet have it feel personal and welcoming to all.

Sonoma is a gracious home with the Master Suite on the main level along with the Great Room, kitchen and dining as well as a very unique outdoor living area. It will appeal to a young family or a client that wants the main living areas on one floor. The lower level has all the active spaces our custom clients desire; 3 bedroom suites, a craft area and large utility room, activity room with entertainment center, wet bar and spacious areas for recreational activities topped off with an elegant wine cellar.

Here are a few shots of the foundation, next step is the steel framework!




Thanks for looking!

Greg

Foundation is poured

The foundation walls were poured Wednesday and we are stripping them for waterproofing, piping and backfill. The steel piling (18 of them) were positioned prior to the excavation for the foundation to assure correct elevations and minimize excavated areas. In essence, half of the house is on a standard spread footing foundation and half on steel piling and framework. The foundation portion took over 100 cubic yards of concrete and about a mile of steel. The walls had almost 80 yards with a sophisticated steel network for structural stability.




This coming week will be getting the site ready for the steel and framing. The show starts on August 9th so we all have a lot of work and coordination to do. We will continue to post updates and photos as work progresses and PLEASE, if you have any questions, leave a note and I will do my best to provide answers.

Greg Heinze, Shelburne

SONOMA - 2008 STREET OF DREAMS

Welcome to Sonoma, this is my first blog experience so any comments and suggestions/requests are very welcome.

Well we are finally underway with Sonoma, our 2008 Street of Dreams Entry. This will be our 5th Street home. Previous entries were the Alderhouse, Villa Toscana, Chesapeake and LaProvence(visit our website to see these wonderful homes)  shelburnehomes.com

Sonoma is in Altamont, a previous site of 4 shows. This year's lots have commanding views to the North, East and West.

Our great team, including Stan Scrutton, AIBD and Ronda Divers of Divers' Interiors with Chuck Buller from Park Place have worked diligently to create a unique and inviting home. Having first selection of the lots, we chose one that has perpetual views of downtown Portland, Mt. Tabor and Rocky Butte continuing to the North with St. Helens and Mt. Ranier. As you view further East, you have Mt. Adams, views of the airport and the entrance to the Columbia Gorge. I would venture to say the views from Altamont are some of the absolute best in all of Portland.

Sonoma, the word describes the feeling and emotion of our home. An open floor plan, master on the main level and windows, windows, windows to capture the spectacular views. Volumes of space yet maintaining a warm and comfortable scale, Sonoma welcomes.

We have taken a different approach to a hillside home, one that minimizes impact. Utilizing the slope as a design feature in the home we have combined conventional foundations and framing with steel piling and framework. Given the bulk of available lots in the Portland Metropolitan area, we are uniquely qualified to complete this type of construction. Using our methods will allow for more cost effective and structurally sound homes on hillside lots. It also allows us to design properties with more usable space and light. Follow our development to watch our solutions!