The "Next Generation" Solar Home Click here to return to the Clean Energy Exhibition home page.

Location - Floor Plan - Excavation - Site Preparation - Rebar
Concrete Pour - Slab - Concrete Blocks - Underground Walls
Surface Bonding - Wood Framing - Waterproofing - Backfill
Subfloor - Upstairs Wall - Solarium - Downstairs Finishing
Upstairs Finishing - Tiling - CableRail Deck - Solar Array
Power Station - Wind Turbine - The Completed Home



A mason's line is stretched between corner blocks to help maintain level as blocks are mortared (LEFT).
Mortar is placed loosely on slab, not packed, to allow block to be pushed down firmly (RIGHT).
We used 80 lb. bags of QuickCrete Type S Mortar Mix with 5 1/2 quarts of water per bag.




A concrete block is placed and then brought to level by hammering on a 9" x 9" x 1-1/2" board (LEFT).
A block's surface isn't exactly level, so the "average" of four Bulls-Eye levels was used to level each block. (RIGHT)




First row of blocks mortared into footing. (April 11, 2005)




View of blocks mortared into footing with drainage area next to footing.


Location - Floor Plan - Excavation - Site Preparation - Rebar
Concrete Pour - Slab - Concrete Blocks - Underground Walls
Surface Bonding - Wood Framing - Waterproofing - Backfill
Subfloor - Upstairs Wall - Solarium - Downstairs Finishing
Upstairs Finishing - Tiling - CableRail Deck - Solar Array
Power Station - Wind Turbine - The Completed Home

Click here to return to the Clean Energy Exhibition home page.