Enjoy this continuing series as we follow Jonna and Doug through the design and build of their family’s new Kenilworth home. In this episode, the couple sees their plans begin to take shape.
Building a new home takes vision, patience and trust. In Jonna and Doug’s case, they had to see the possibilities beyond the home already on the lot they chose, and spend months planning before their contemporary farmhouse would start to rise from the ground. But they knew what they wanted and have taken the process one step at a time, working through design options and making decisions until it was time to build.
Once the previous house was torn down and the plans and permits were finalized, the Pickell team was ready to start digging. “It’s nice to see the fruits of all those conversations and all that work coming together,” offers Doug. “It’s an exciting phase. Excavating, pouring the foundation and framing are surprisingly quick.”
Digging Deep for a Supersized Basement
The house features an exceptionally large, deep basement that extends beneath the garage and patios, maximizing square footage beyond what was allowed above ground. As a result, most of the property’s footprint required excavation, and precast concrete was used to provide stability for the patios and garage. However, once these preliminary steps were complete and the roof and exterior sheathing were installed, the house became real.
“There’s a lot of work that has to be done inside the walls before the drywall goes up, so you’re back to being patient,” adds Doug. So the family has turned their attention toward the next group of decisions to be made.
