Above 1200 Sq/FT Hillside Barn Build

[Corvette Cave]

Started a similar thread in 2019 but too many delays to show much progress until recently. The construction has been halted several times for weather, covid and a range fire. Also, I didn't like the title on the original thread.

The unusual thing about this barn is that most of the north wall and part of the west wall are set into the hillside. One other somewhat different feature is a road/driveway that gains 16 feet of elevation to access a carport which is even with the second floor.

As of today the project is not complete but there is enough done to tell the story and add some pictures every few days.

Let's start with the building site:




The flat spot was used to park our trailer. The trees, fence and a few rows of grapes would need to go.




The black rectangle is close to the barn location. The trees with the red dots (plus two) have been removed.




Here's the site with the trees removed.


The Big Dig begins....

 

[fourbyford]

Congrats on the build... pics not showing for me

...D

 

[Notgrownup]

No pics for me either.

 

[Corvette Cave]

No pics for me either.

Working now?

 

[Chris705]

I can see them on my phone

 

[53PontiacSD]

They are working for me.

Billy

 

[Corvette Cave]

They are working for me.

Billy

Good

Here are a few pictures of the excavation

 

[fouckhest]

Looking forwards to watching this!

 

[Corvette Cave]

Looking forwards to watching this!

And the hole kept getting bigger....

Briefly thought about digging into the hillside just to have the garage match my screen name..

 

[Model A Fan]

Is that Eastern WA or OR? Looking forward to seeing your progress.

 

[Corvette Cave]

Is that Eastern WA or OR? Looking forward to seeing your progress.

Eastern WA

 

[coldh2o]

Sounds interesting, subscribed.

Beautiful view!

 

[MrScott99]

Beautiful spot. Can't wait to see the pics of the build!

My brother and sister in law are probably just a little ways down the hill from you. Hopefully you made it through the fire ok. Their place was fine, but it was quite a scare for them. My wife's folks live up the highway a few miles, try to get over there often to visit. Covid sure has screwed that up. Haven't been there in a few months, sure miss it!

 

[Corvette Cave]

December 2019
spread some gravel and stopped work for the winter

 

[Corvette Cave]

Spring 2020

Concrete Footings

[/url]

[/url]

 

[Corvette Cave]

Building on a hillside probably added 30% to the cost of this project. The forms on the left are 16' tall. About 5 feet from the top the contractor built a cat walk.










Looks something like the photo of Rock Island Dam construction in 1931. (Just need to make the Barn bigger... ) My grandfather worked on theses forms. I wonder if he is in the photo?




April 2020
The job is shutdown due to the covid pandemic. All government construction was allowed to continue but we are shut down for a month. The government must have some a rule that prohibits covid entering their job sites.

 

[fouckhest]

Those are some awesome walls, can't wait to see how this comes together.

 

[NickH]

Wow, looks great! Can't wait to see more...

 

[stingry]

This should be interesting! What are the rows of trees?

 

[Corvette Cave]

This should be interesting! What are the rows of trees?

Grape vines
We grow Chardonnay Grapes for a local winery




The last couple of years our grapes have been part of the blend for Karma French Kiss

 

[Corvette Cave]

Waited about 3 weeks for the covid restrictions to be lifted. Don't know why we had to stop. The three people working were at least 20' apart.

Anyway here's a view of the walls with the forms off

 

[Merbesfield]

How are you waterproofing the back walls? I have a garage that may be built similar to this.

 

[Corvette Cave]

Yes

I think the product was called Hydro Stop

 

[Merbesfield]

If you haven’t backfilled yet, I strongly suggest you look into a product called dimple sheeting or drainage plane material. The spray on stuff is not great and can allow moisture into the concrete. By using a drainage plane you take the pressure off the wall and give the water a clear path to the foundation drainage system.

 

[tj675]

Thanks for taking us on the journey. What size will the building be when finished?

 

[Corvette Cave]

Thanks for taking us on the journey. What size will the building be when finished?

48 x 55
16' ceiling in the garage

Might not use the 55 feet (or the 16' ceiling) but for resale I made it big enough for a motorhome.

 

[Corvette Cave]

Getting ready to pour the garage floor.

Compacted gravel, insulation, rebar and pipes for the heated floor.

Interesting thing about the hot water heated floor is that for even heat each loop is approximately the same length.

 

[Corvette Cave]

 

[Corvette Cave]

Both sides of the building needed a retaining wall so we built them with these oversized concrete blocks.


8" of compacted gravel made the base.

 

[tj675]

Definitely doing things right!

 

[Corvette Cave]

Definitely doing things right!

Thanks. Not sure about any number of things. Will find out when I start to use the place.

Here is the start of the framing. Then setting the Glulams with the construction forklift.

 

[kruizer66]

Love the pics and surrounding scenery. Can’t wait to see how inside is finished off. Subscribed

 

[Merbesfield]

Who is the manufacturer of those wall block? I am in the Hardscape business and like the look very much. Thx

 

[Corvette Cave]

Who is the manufacturer of those wall block? I am in the Hardscape business and like the look very much. Thx

I think they are called Redi-Rock

 

[Corvette Cave]

Garage level framed

The original plans had parking on the second floor. That plan was amended due to the cost. After seeing the spacing on the floor joists I wonder if the floor could support a few cars....

 

[Merbesfield]

I think they are called Redi-Rock

Thank you

Regarding the parking of cars on the second floor. Was the floor originally going to be poured concrete?

 

[jar944]

Nice start on the build. The hillside barn or "bank barn" is/was a standard building practice in the east. Drive in access to the 2nd floor was needed since its hard unload the hay into the loft if you can't just back the wagon in.

 

[Corvette Cave]

Thank you

Regarding the parking of cars on the second floor. Was the floor originally going to be poured concrete?

Yes

I think the engineer didn't change some of the specs.

The last time time we had a tornado was the end of the ice age...but we are ready.



World's largest foundation strap?

 

[Corvette Cave]

For the driveway to the carport we needed to back fill and compact quite a pile of gravel.

 

[Swanny1953]

Very cool start - can't wait to see progress. Subscribed!