Step on the gas!

Our  proekt designer has visited the site… accepted “payment” and we can now actually have the gas, water and drainage in the green zone as opposed to having three trenches down the tarmac road at great expense and disturbance.

From us getting technical conditions the gas must be installed and connected within 3 months – by law – as covered previously. 3 Months!… beggars belief but at least by February 2014 the boiler will be connected.

In the meantime we may connect it to LPG with an adapter…

In meantime the “gas woman” was impressed with the house design but remarked that our overhead electricity cable could fall 4.5m onto the gas pipe below causing a massive explosion. If it was 5m then this would be ok.

In the house itself she could not get her head around the open plan design and gave up thinking about how she could ask for “ventilation holes” near the cooker. I think she was also a bit puzzled when we mentioned that any gas leaks would trigger and alarm and an SMS to our phones.

Wizardry…

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GASK deliver and the mini roofs are near completion

After considerable delay GASK have produed the commissioning certificate with a flourish and that means we can apply for Gas – and get cracking with the water and drainage connections. Wooooo hooooo!!!

As stated in previous posts, the gas connection some 15m away will take 3 months because that is the maximum period they are allowed. And soon it is winter.

Meanwhile our “old school” roofing company have been busy with the roofs to the front tower and main staircase (the gap is for the windows that will open by remote worm from the lower landing and make the stairwell act as natural ventilation chimney).

Spent all weekend tidying up – tired but happy today.

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Vision

I think I’ve alluded to it…. but only now – at the end of the project – with a few months to go – can the end result really be seen. We’ve had a to face a lot of criticism – quizzical looks from family, and especially sub-contractors, about what we are trying to achieve – all the time conscious of costs – and spending what some might see as “excessively” on items that are unnecessary – like the central tower – but which make the design complete. Glass blocks? The builder thought I was mad. But is it just me that likes the nodding reference to Soviet industrial design?

I did start to wobble at one stage.. I thought the walls would be too faceless – too blank – it would end up as someone once said “looking like a prison”…

There are still finishing touches – our Soviet railway station lamp over the main door – the copings to the parapets..  lighting will be key. But overall we are glad we stuck to our guns.

We like our house!

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