www.vipfripp444.com

11/15/07

This is the first entry in the construction log,

 Ange de Mer began on September 10^th. We began with moving the two existing palm trees out of the construction line and set Helical Piers - essentially 2 ½" steel tubing with split 10" plates welded onto them. They were augured into the ground to a depth of about 14 feet and take the place of traditional wood pilings. A metal cap was bolted on to the top and the footings were dug and poured around them. We are in the Velocity Zone - a FEMA designation that means we have to comply with stringent engineering requirements which include the possibility of a tidal surge and scouring of up to seven feet of sand from under the foundation. The house is designed to stay in place in that extreme event!

After the 27 helical piers were in place, the grade beams and garage slab were formed. The foundation inspection went off without a hitch and concrete trucks began arriving on the 28^th.  The weight limit on the Fripp Island Bridge will only permit six yards of concrete per truck (normally filed to 10 yards), so that was a very long day with trucks lined up on Tarpon Boulevard for a half-mile.

Block piers were next, and they were laid, and then filled with steel rebar and concrete.

The framing crew began on October 8. They set the first floor frame and sub-floor, then had to pause while we had a crane come to set the steel for the rear elevation - the ocean side. There is so much glass on that wall that wood framing will not provide enough sheer resistance for hurricane force winds, so a steel frame was erected - it had the look of a cathedral for the week it was standing alone.

The framers returned the following week and resumed their work. The first floor walls, second floor frame and walls, and finally the rafter system were put in place. Currently the roof sheathing is being installed.

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