Above 1200 Sq/FT Swiss Garage / Workshop / House Build

[Bogdan M.]

Epic thread! Congrats!

 

[rixtrix1]

First found your build, then found George's on the other side of your country and both are so interesting. Seems like he had a much easier time with permitting. Glad to hear you found a contractor. I'm looking forward to your progress reports. Thanks for sharing!

 

[JDMjunkies.ch]

Just a short update today:
Brought home the LISTA bench from work. Luckily it just fit's into a Mazda 6 station wagon

Not much more to see otherwise. they were only two workers today, so they fiddled around with the sewage pipes today, until they realized that two were missing and had to redo-the whole thing. Luckily we negoitated a flat-rate deal so the extra work is on their charge

And a bit more of the chunky "light" concrete temporary support walls were completed.
The "podium" is were the workshop and parts-storage rooms go, while the lower area is for car storage and where the lift goes. it needed to be lower so the lift can go up high enough.

 

[GeorgeK]

we negociated a flat-rate deal so the extra work is on their charge

That is the single best line so far. I did the same and am sooo happy.

 

[JDMjunkies.ch]

While at work, my wife just sent me this picture:
Sewage line channels are beeing closed, while first load of rebar has been delivered:

 

[JDMjunkies.ch]

today's update:
Frost barrier was completed and already some "hooks" for the rebar were integrated. Also the Formwork for the concrete base plate was installed:

Sewage / drainage lines were filled with rough concrete and the manhole as well. it's not finnished yet and will get a smooth surface at the end:

Second load of rebar was delivered today. Tomorrow the metal guys should start work with the rebar. while the other guys complete the formwork for the concrete:

and since i totally forgot to post this: Every construction site in switzerland needs a mobile toilet for the workers. so here's ours

And as we left today, we just had a beautiful sundown shining on our future site

will be out of town for two days, but already excited to see what happened until my return

 

[JDMjunkies.ch]

The good thing about parents-in-law who live next to the construction site is that constantly someone is overviewing the build if i'm at work and sometimes they send me updates too when i'm on a business trip

So this is going on right now: Rebar guys working at lightspeed

 

[buildingup]

Love the build so far and how you thought out of the box to get this to work! With the construction so far what do all the neighbors have to say?

 

[JDMjunkies.ch]

Love the build so far and how you thought out of the box to get this to work! With the construction so far what do all the neighbors have to say?

Thanks. So far the neighbours are all friendly I ask them whenever i see them if it's ok with dust and noise, but they all expected that at one point someone will build on this last free property. Most of them built their houses a few years ago and know exactly how it works.
Came back from my business trip today only to see the rebar guys went full-on

Now it depends all a bit on the weather. the floor is all so called mono-concrete. it can only be done when the weather fits. so we'll see. let's cross fingers for early next week

 

[buildingup]

That is a ton of rebar!! Any drainage in the garage floor if you choose to wash a car inside? How are the slopes going to be set inside for water drainage?

 

[GeorgeK]

That is some serious slab. It is good news that it's being poured in one piece, less risk of cracks later on.

Let's hope for good (but not too warm) weather.

 

[JDMjunkies.ch]

That is a ton of rebar!! Any drainage in the garage floor if you choose to wash a car inside? How are the slopes going to be set inside for water drainage?

It's not planned to have a drainage for the carwash inside, but we have that manhole, that can be used as a drainage. we live close to a car wash so i probably prefer to wash it there

That is some serious slab. It is good news that it's being poured in one piece, less risk of cracks later on.
Let's hope for good (but not too warm) weather.

yeah, thanks

 

[JDMjunkies.ch]

Not much to show you. haven't been able to visit the site since a few days, but got an update today and will check it out tomorrow.
yesterday the in-laws base plate has been poured with mono-concreted, today the Formwork has been changed, so that tomorrow our base plate (aka the garage/workshop floor) can be poured with mono-concrete and smoothened out. hopefully the weather stays dry, so they can do it before the rain appears...

 

[JDMjunkies.ch]

good news. just got this update from my parents-in-law. Weather seems to stay stable for the next few hours which should be enough to pour concrete and smoothen the surface, so the contractor decided to do it, even if there's thunder and rain for later afternoon.
Currently the concrete is poured and this is the truck who brought it. Will have a look at it later today in person, but then probably all is covered already to protect it from rain:

 

[1/2 Cup]

JDMjunkies.ch great progress so far.

 

[JDMjunkies.ch]

Todays real update:
Wife scored a office table from her sisters work. Quite the deal for such expensive stuff. Will be used in the office in our new home


Checked out the construction site to see that workers had already finished pouring and surface treating the garage floor. Since it's quite hot these days they covered it up and watered it, so it dries slower and prevents from cracking:


These are the machines the use for the surface "polishing". they had three of these and a big "go-kart style" one which they took back to their shop when they left:


Here's a picture from the ground to get an idea of the size of our future garage:


Please also let me know if i should do less but bigger updates? I feel like i spam this forum daily

 

[fartymarty]

Spam away every day...or save it up and dump it on us...just don't stop!

 

[Lotusnut]

Please also let me know if i should do less but bigger updates? I feel like i spam this forum daily

Nils,

I hope I am speaking for most of us that are quietly following your progress.

More please!! As much as you are willing to give us and as often as you are able. This is one of the best solutions to a shop and garage I have seen in a long time while working with the limitations most of us must live with. While the unlimited funds builds are nice, this is dealing with limitations that most of us have to deal with in our lives.

Congratulations on what seems to me to be a good solution and I will continue to check in twice a day for any updates you will give us.

Rob

 

[JDMjunkies.ch]

Allright then guys - more daily updates coming whenever i can *lol*

 

[rixtrix1]

Updates, YES!

 

[JDMjunkies.ch]

You asked for it, so here comes your daily dose of update
Today the guys went back to work and put up the formwork for the "podum", which is the floor of the workshop and storage room, as well as the room for all the electronic cabinets, heater, automation, server, Boiler, etc - which is on a bit of a higher level.

Also the metal guys went to work and put down the rebar for pouring the concrete on that higher level:

Here's an overview of the whole situation. now you really start to get the feeling of the size of the different rooms and departments, when you can actually walk on the garage floor and see the rebar where the walls once will go.
what is not pictured is a big truckload full of special rebar elements which got delivered today for the upcoming work.

wasn't able to talk to anybody today since i was a bit late, so i'm not sure if it's planned to pour the concrete on the upper level basement floor tomorrow, or by next week. it seemed a bit like rebar is not finished, but i don't have a clue anyway so that's just pure speculation. Will need to check it out tomorrow again.
Also we had a big jump on the "backend" of all things with all the paperworks, bank and so on. Our case is very tricky, since so many people, banks and others are involved, but it appears that in a few weeks everything should be finalized. Luckily that doesn't affect the build anyway.

 

[wasfast]

Wow, they don't mess around when it comes to forms and rebar. That house should survive just about anuthing.

 

[JDMjunkies.ch]

Wow, they don't mess around when it comes to forms and rebar. That house should survive just about anuthing.

That's just the norm here we have to follow. Usually houses in switzerland are built to last hundred or hundreds of years.
Unlike other country you usually only build or buy a house once in your lifetime and then stay there forever, so you want to make sure it will withstand the test of time and still be nice when you're old and grey

and with the cold winters and hot summer you also have to make sure it's well isolated and will withstand the often underestimated power of nature (Ice, frost, snow, etc..). However sometimes i do feel that houses are a tad over-engineered here in switzerland. Things can get a bit complicated for the simplest things because of this, when i really think it shouldn't..

 

[JDMjunkies.ch]

today's update:
Some formwork for the final garage-walls are up (See wife for size comparison). since concrete pouring for the upper "podium" won't be able before tuesday (due to rainy weather) they will work on more formwork, rebar for the walls and other small stuff that needs to be done. Meanwhile we have a week full of appointments ahead with the Kitchen builder, Bathroom suppliers, architect, electrician, etc..

Oh and while not garage related, we got some first renderings of the fireplace. Will make some changes, but looks good in my opinion (ignore the surrounding, which is totally random and has not to do anything withour plans )

 

[JDMjunkies.ch]

Due to workload (probably the busiest week of the year) i don't have much time to check out the site this week, but luckily i get regular updates which i share with you. from next week everything should be back to normal again

today's update: See the guys at work: Upper "podium" level has been poured with mono-concrete and the guys are smoothening the surface. The formwork used for the now finnished base-plate has been completely removed and more of the formwork for the high garage-walls have been put up with rebar inside. I'm excited to see the next update soon

 

[JDMjunkies.ch]

Whoah. i was quite a bit shocked when i was finally able to check out the site in real life today. But i mean shocked in a good way. Those guys really work fast in my opinion. I came today and expected the floors finished and some formwork removed. but this is what i saw. First garage walls are up already

You can clearly see the higher wall on the left side of the garage, which is made so the car lift has enough space to go up We decided to have the ceiling lower on the "normal" parking space, so there is enough space for soil on top of it so the grass and plants can grow nicely, which wouldn't be possible on the high roof area.

Then they already started formwork for my future workshop, storage space and technic room (where all the electrical cabinet, boiler, heater, etc will go):

This is a view in my future workshop area. Unfortunately my wife wasn't on hand this time, so i don't have anything for size comparison. But just for reference - the wall on the right side is 5 meters long, so it will nicely host my two big workbenches and have some extra storage space

 

[JDMjunkies.ch]

Not too much to see compared to my last time. but formwork for the rear and intermediate garage wall has been completed including rebar, and concrete poured. Once they have the formwork removed hopefully there will be nice walls


Also they started formwork in another corner (behind the existing garage-box):


And they put some basic water-insulation / protection (the black plastic-mat) on the finished rear corner in case of water during the next days and some additional big gravel so that water can drain inbetween the stones...
btw. the green "hole" you can see in the wall is for ventilation, which might be useful in a garage / workshop, we thought (there will be more)

 

[rixtrix1]

Quite the project. I take it this will be a very expensive undertaking, even considering there will be 2 residences!

 

[JDMjunkies.ch]

Quite the project. I take it this will be a very expensive undertaking, even considering there will be 2 residences!

Let's say with all the nice circumstances it is about the price of an average simple house here in switzerland. But we get much more for that price and feel very fortunate

 

[JDMjunkies.ch]

This is an update from yesterday: Formwork of the completed walls have ben removed and already set up for the next wall and poured. Today the work should have continued, but wasn't able to check it out. will see tomorrow, when hopefully more walls are visible Had a good meeting with the architect yesterday and need to choose a lot of things now. from kitchen sinks to tabs, over where to put the fireplace ventilation piping and so on. many little things that add up in a lot of travelling, many appointments and discussions with the wife. but i guess we have fun doing so

Here's the outside of the garage including a fresh air and light duct:

Here our Architect and foreman are discussing a few details:

 

[ConCretin]

Wow, another epic Swiss concrete garage project! Loving the serious concrete construction. I'm looking forward to following this through to completion. Thanks for posting!

 

[JDMjunkies.ch]

Wow, another epic Swiss concrete garage project! Loving the serious concrete construction. I'm looking forward to following this through to completion. Thanks for posting!

Thank you sir. yeah it will be a mix of concrete and brickwalls at the end and a wooden roof. typical modern swiss build. but thanks to the big garage it's a bit more concrete than usual

btw: i guess your "concrete underground" build was one of the big inspirations for this project. thanks for that

 

[JDMjunkies.ch]

Another day at the site...
The guys were working a bit longer today than usual so the concrete truck was still there when i arrived:

Concrete is beeing poured in the last remaining section of the garage rear wall:

After vibrating it to make it more compact and get air bubbles out. this is what it looks. tomorrow the formwork can be removed again:

While taking pictures the also were pouring the section on the left front in the picture, which is already my in-laws house section. and if you look close, you will see that to the right one section behind the existing garage box has already been finished yesterday and the remaining section on the right side garage wall has been poured today as well. Means tomorrow most of the garage section wals are completed.

 

[buildingup]

What is the total estimate (yards) for concrete going into this build?

 

[JDMjunkies.ch]

What is the total estimate (yards) for concrete going into this build?

Good question. I added all the concrete positions from the contract (which is an estimation and not definite). and it sums up to 460,5 m3 concrete of various grades, which is approx 602 cubic-yards, if i read it right....

But the concrete will only be used for the structural walls, the non-structural parts will be made with bricks.

 

[ConCretin]

Yikes! 6000 cy's sounds like a lot! Might be an error in there somewhere but it doesn't matter if it's 600 or 6000, it's still one of the coolest builds I've seen. The concept is amazing and the execution so far is very impressive. It's not often that I get concrete envy!

 

[JDMjunkies.ch]

Ah yeah, that little decimal error - It's of course 602 cubic yards
Personally i dont think i can ever beat your crazy concrete build, which is another level. My house is just a standard swiss concrete/brick construction with a garage/basement a bit bigger then average. still more than happy with what i will get.
Due to all the circumstances it's way more than people like me usually could afford

BTW. our build is still quite oldschool. these days a lot of houses here are built with pre-manufactured hollow concrete construction that you just puzzle together on site and then fill the empty spaces with more concrete. it's a lot faster and you save most of the formwork. But we decided to choose the traditional route here.

 

[GeorgeK]

Nils,
Traditional method is the only way to go, I agree. I have seen some pre-fab builds with nice crack lines at all joints, through the final wall treatment...

 

[JDMjunkies.ch]

Nils,
Traditional method is the only way to go, I agree. I have seen some pre-fab builds with nice crack lines at all joints, through the final wall treatment...

Thats what i thought too, Those hollow concrete elements look super thin. but i'm sure it's also depending on which company installs it. we have a quite big area with houses build with these pre-fabbed modules over here built by the same company and they really seem to know what they're doing. and the build speed is impressive, no doubt. but still i prefer some solid concrete

 

[JDMjunkies.ch]

Todays view from Above. As you can see, more sections of the Basement / underground walls were completed:

Currently the concrete work is concentratring on the in-law's part of the house:

which is also part of the garage entrance (view from inside the garage, through the currently under construction entrance portal:

Our part of the garage, workshop, Lift-area and so on is almost completed. just few inner walls missing and the left-hand outisde walls.

For the inner non-structural walls, first load of lightweight brick-stones got delivered:

Let's see how far they come next week. currently busy planing some last details so they can put wires, hoses and other stuff into the concrete floors and walls for the first (ground) level of our house within the next one or two weeks. Also the upper levels have a lot of brickwalls, which will then be a lot faster construction wise with additional workers on site

Oh and almost forgot. Got the latest renderings of our future kitchen (which i absoltuely love). Will change some small details, so it looks a bit smoother in the isle, but otherwise. i think we nailed it (at least for our taste and needs):