The 2018 FHB House is a net-zero energy, high-performance home in California’s Sierra Nevada foothills designed to meet the goals of the California 2020 initiative and comply with the most progressive energy code in the country. The project combines a very tight, well-insulated envelope, cutting-edge mechanical systems, and unique material choices, all wrapped up in a one-of-a-kind modern design.
We always get some extra hands for a pour to make sure it goes well. Placing concrete is basically permanent. For this pour we used the keyway as our screed level and concentrated on troweling a nice platform to build the wall forms upon. The keyway form “floats” on steel stakes that are pulled ASAP. The vertical dowels are studded out through notches in the keyway board. In areas of cascading rock, we needed to form steps and dowel into the granite. The next day we pulled all of the forms, salvaging what we could for future uses.
The footings were troweled and allowed to set overnight. Steel columns will land on the four square footings seen here to support our elevated floor structure.
Closeup of one of the stepped footing sections and 2×6 keyway.
The basement boulder surrounded by footings. The footings for our basement are in the foreground. The basement footprint shrank because of this boulder.
Old House Journal Recommended Products
Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Plate Level
A plate level allows to you plumb walls accurately because it registers off the plates without touching potentially warped or twisted studs. This one can reach the plates on 12-ft. tall walls.
String lines — sometimes called dry lines — are invaluable for straightening walls and a million other things. The reel makes it easy to stretch and wind the string.
A Speed Square or rafter square can help you cut rafters, measure angles, and accurately guide your saw for straight and angled cuts. It's a must have.
The 10-in. Jobsite Saw PRO has a wider table, a new dust-control port, and a more versatile fence, along with the same reliable safety mechanism included in all SawStop tablesaws.
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently
say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.
We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you.
We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners.
You can view our Privacy Policy
here and our Terms of Use here.
View Comments
Ever hear of blasting?? Why not drill and blast BEFORE U shrink basement???