Eager for more updates...

29th April 2008

Just one day after visited the site, I was so eager to find out more on the progress they had made. Nothing much had changed accept for them installing lots of wooden support below the wooden frame before intalling the steel bar and cement. Today they also had started working on the wooden frame for the round stair case. It must have taken them ages to position and carve them perfectly in place. Here are some pictures that I had taken today.

The whole overview of the project

From the main entrance

The round wooden frame for the stair case

The top view looking at the kids bedroom and the formal living room

The family area at the 1st floor and the kids bedroom at the back

The master bathroom

The walk in closet

The study area and the ac platform at the back of the house

Fantastic progress while I was away in Brisbane...

28th April 2008

After work this afternoon, I was feeling very excited to visit the site for the progress of the house construction. To my amazement, the construction workers had made great progress while I was away. Today, they were in the phase of installing the wooden frame for the first floor beam and for the past 1 week they had completed the ground floor column and the outdoor floor skirting and the drain. Enjoy the pics below...

The whole overview

From the right side

From the left side

The main reception foyer. The double staircases are yet to be constructed.

The main living room emphasizing the high ceiling in this area.

The majestic twin towers of Syafi and Safiya's house

The back garage and the wet kitchen

From the back view at the left side of the house

The back view at right side of the house

Back to work!

28th April 2008

I've arrived from Brisbane at about 6 a.m. today. I'll definitely post new updates on the house... I'm sure the contract workers had accomplished quite a lot since I've been away for more than a week! I'm anxious... but I have to go to work first!

We bought some lighting fixtures from Brisbane

27th April 2008

While in Brisbane, we went shopping for some stuff for the new house. My main aim is to search for uplights that can withstand weight and moisture to be fitted outside the house as is included in the house plan. We wanted the house to be lit from the ground to create a beautiful effect at night. I had difficulty finding suitable uplights in Brunei, and I am delighted that I was able to find them in Brisbane instead.

My wife is still looking around for some more fixtures in Brisbane, and I'm sure she will find beautiful and elegant looking ones... she has quite a good taste and she loves interior design. Hehehehe!

Anyway... So, what have we bought so far? Here they are:

We bought lots from IKEA. We got 6 ceiling lamps, two long spotlights for the master walk-in-closet (my wife's idea) and some other fittings. We'll definitely go there again during my next visit in July.

This is the IKEA ceiling lamp that I was referring to. We bought them at good bargain, it was on sale for AU$4.95 each (original price is AU$39.00).

We bought this spotlight (lighting track) for AU$16.95 each.

Uplights, wall lamps and cool-looking exhaust fans for the master bathroom and powder room. All from Bunnings Warehouse.

(Below): My kids helped out their mummy packing the stuff with bubble-wrap... all ready for me to bring back home!

Artist impression of Syafi & Safiya house

27th April 2008

For the past 1 week I had been away to Brisbane to have some quality time with my family. Its been quite a while I had seen them (except from the video conferencing via MSN). There were quite a lot of things to catch up with them.

The picture above is an artist impression by me when my wife and I designed the house more than 2 years ago. It is not an exact picture of the house after my fisrt architect i.e. Faisal, drew the house plan for approval, but its close. This post is especially posted for Your Greatness.. enjoy!!

Preparation of the house columns

15th April 2008

Today after work I visited the site to see any progress that has been made in the past few days. I observed that the construction workers had started erecting steel bars for the foundation of the house columns. I guess the next step will be putting up the wooden framework for the cement. I also noticed that the perimeter drain has been marked and dug up. I am delighted to see such positive progress. I sent some pictures to my wife in Brisbane and she is also as excited as I am with the development.

As usual, I start with the whole overview of the project.


View from the front. Workers are busy digging up to make way for the perimeter drain.


The steel bars that has been erected.


This is the view from the car port.


I can't wait to see how the staircases will look like!


View from the right side, adjacent to the prayer room. You can also see clearly the future perimeter drain from this picture.

The cement had dried!

13th April 2008

After lunch today, I went to the site just before I drove to Seria for the weekend operation on the land rig (if any of you are not yet aware, I am a Petrophysicist working with Brunei Shell Co.). I am so delighted to see the cement that was poured yesterday had completely dried...Yippee..!

The whole overview, as usual.


The project as viewed from the guest bedroom.


View from the dining room.


The view from the back, showing the car port area.


View from the back entrance. By the way, that white bungalow across the road is also still under construction.

Cement works

12th April 2008

This morning I decided to go to the site and I was very surprised to see a crane and 2 cement trucks parked in front of the house. Frankly I did not expect them to cement the floor that soon.

The sight of the heavy machineries welcomed me on site.

When I arrived, they had completed cementing the guest's and the maids' bedroom area. I was very impressed with the scale of the operation and I'm feeling very excited at the same time with the progress they had made.

Cement being poured at the dry kitchen area.


Leveling the cement that has been poured.


Main living hall ready for some cement.

Luckily, I was at the site before they cemented the dining area as I spotted a small error whereby the contractors had missed preparing the pipe at the centre of the dining area for a floor-mounted power socket. This was included in the electrical layout of the house plan. The purpose of this socket when I checked with my wife is for any electrical item such as food warmers if we are to put them on the dining table.

The electrician made a last-minute alteration by adding the piping for the floor mounted power socket.


"Octopus wiring"

I also noticed that some contractors were busy expanding the workers' quarters. I was informed that this was to make more room for extra man power, so altogether there are currently about 10 workers on site.


This morning too, I went to Bee Seng company in Kampong Bunut, the sole supplier of Mitsubishi brand air-conditioners for a preliminary discussion on the proposal of the aircon installation. I was very happy with the outcome of the proposal and they promised to come back to me by next week before I fly to Brisbane. The proposal should also include the schedule of the piping installation since we requested it to be readily installed in the walls.

After the appointment with Bee Seng, I went to Batu Bersurat to meet with my second architect, Mr. Lai for the anti-termite services payment. By the way, thanks Mr. Lai for the pictures during the course of the anti-termite treatment.

Anti-termite treatment

10th April 2008

Before the completed soil filling is to be covered with plastic and BRC steel frame for the flooring, I had requested for the whole area i.e. inside and outside the house to be sprayed with anti-termite chemical as the land was once a swampy area. I was also advised to re-apply the chemical outside the compound of my house once in every two years. (Well, we'll see how it goes...)

As I was out at work this morning, I was not able to witness the whole operation. However, my 2nd architect, Mr. Lai made the effort to come and supervised the job. My parents in law were also at the site when they were preparing the chemical mixture, but did not stay long as they couldn't stand the pungent smell of the chemical. It was so strong even all the construction workers had to take a break.

This operation was performed by Tatco Enterprise at the cost of $1800 (Brunei dollars). This was an extra cost since it is not included in the building contract (I should have insisted for that!). From the photo, you can see that for every litre of the chemical, 50 litres of water need to be added before the spraying works is carried out.

The chemical already mixed with water.


Initial preparation: getting the mixing drum and hoses ready.


Connecting the hose with the air compressor.


Spraying works being carried out at various part of the house, inside and out.