Today, we started to work on our new post and beaam house for our dear friends Leaf and Irene in Playa Venao.  We did the foundation layout, batter boards and strings.  Here are some photos of the first day of work.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

In the tropics clothes need air otherwise they get moldy…these closet doors let the air through, helping to keep it nice and dry!

This concrete project was very exciting  mostly because My friend Seth here in Pedasi had previously built  a beautiful kitchen counter out of concrete and his fine work is really inspiring !  The craftsmanship involved with this sort of project is multi dimensional, carpentry, masonry and cement finish must all work hand in hand.  The big challenge for me was the color that must be added to the mix, every batch that goes into the mixer must be the same to get an even color on finish. During this project I was having a great time remembering the work of my past with the great carpenters and masons of the Central California coast…Guys like Travis in Big Sur, the very finest concrete finisher I ever met, also the DeMaria family of Monterey awesome masons and of coarse Andrew Lino and his never-ending  commitment to quality that is always a point to strive for, a master carpenter is he.

Dex

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Ojo de Agua, Panama, Custom Concrete Granite Inlayed Bar

www.ojodeaguapanama.com/blog

As to keep with the theme of mixed element construction in the house being built in Ojo de Agua we decided to build a concrete bar. The bar was built and formed with plywood screwed together in the living room floor a few feet from where it had to be finally set. It took a few days to build the forms and wire the rebar skeleton, place the granite, glue the inlay, a day of classifying and cleaning the sand and river gravel and a day to actually pour and work the concrete. After letting it set on the floor and cure for over a week I encouraged (two cases of beer paid for at the local cantina) ten of my strongest neighbors to come over on a sunday afternoon to help lift it into place. Once in place Dexter spent a couple of dayssanding, polishing and sealing the finished product. Dexter really got into it, I have never seen him so excited about a concrete project… more info…

 

   Panama Carpentry.  As always and every day I work hard and try to honor my ancestors who crafted the masterpiece, Panama canal.  When ever I have doubts or am frustrated with progress or unsavory developments I think of those amazing craftsmen who under conditions immeasurably more difficult, built a monument that has stood the greatest test here in the tropics…Time. I know they are watching,  and I pray proud.

D ex

Location: Hacienda La Perla

Type of Wood: Almendro

Week 1: Wood arrival and work on Batter boards. Click here to SEE MORE

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

   Here in Los Santos, Panama the dry season is very hot and windy making construction almost unbearable. We have finished the panel to post instalation and are finishing now all other carpentry projects sans finish carpentry. We will build all the doors and shutters after the masons have completed the big job ahead of them.

Here are some photos of the project up till now.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

We began installing finish ceiling boards.

After some problematic weather, we are back on site and lucky enough to have the ridge and common rafter project started. We should finnish in two days.

Project Website www.ojodeaguapanama.com

About Panama www.panamasurfingguide.com