After a  grueling day of pouring the upper slab yesterday, the house is truly coming to life. Seeing the progress made in just over two weeks is astounding and motivating for the remainder of the project. Each day brings new lessons and struggles to work through thus challenging us to work more cohesively as a group. All in all a very positive learning experience thus far with many lessons yet to come.

Well today the Bluff Buffs from Colorado arrived at our site and broke ground for out DBB house!  We staked out the house for Maxine and her son Maurice, which is our great Navajo family that we are building for.  We spent the rest of the hot afternoon until the rain rolled in digging for the foundation!

Matt & Katie

Thanks to Lindsay.  She has been working her ass off, sanding and sanding and sanding, while Mitch runs around and does his ‘Mitch Jobs.’  Please note the dust and lack of proper sanding equipment.  Anybody else want to come down and work for free?  Honestly, a huge improvement — thanks for the initiative and smile.

yeah, we went swimming too.  Pretty much the same spot where you were.

We are honored to have so many generations willing to help us this year.

Who knows what is actually going on, but it appears that everyone is more than willing to follow the one guy who remembered to bring the drawings.

With a bit more sense, Maxine watches the parade from the shade.

Okay, so things are getting exciting again in Bluff and nobodies knows — as usual, blame it on Mitch.

The Colorado Crew presented themselves nicely over the past weekend, showing Maxine and Maurice 3 spectacular schematic designs.  After dinner and conversation concerning the presented models, our clients threw the students outside to make their choice.  Without the students, Maxine admitted true shock and bewilderment — it must be impossible to choose, each model a raft of basswood and cardboard glued together with amazing amounts of soul and love.

So we showed some models and stuffed our faces and had fun.  Maxine had the hard decision, but she made it.

Although in the minority, Mitch still doesn’t like the roofs.  But that’s cool.Stay tuned.  With apologies, the next real postings will be delivered by the students themselves, as it should be — it is their passion and hard work that makes such wonderful ideas happen.Thanks to Rick and Rob for the direction that made this weekend happen with such style.  Thanks again to Rick for supplying the images.

Saturday was a bittersweet day as we finished up a few things, did a thorough clean, and took pictures of the completed house.  As the last remaining students leave Bluff, our minds are filled with reminiscences and pride.  But, we’ll get to those reflections later.  For now, a few photos of the completed house.

hallway

living area... and curtains!

stove - southeast corner

kitchen

movable kitchen island

shelf detail

loft area

bedroom closet/stair

view from southwest

view from west

water collection at studio

It’s bonus week, and we’re still working hard.  Tomorrow will be a short day so we can take time to enjoy the sunshine and river.

Colorado University students joined us at the Scorup property on Tuesday, they have spent the week touring Bluff, interviewing potential clients, and visiting previous projects.  We’ve enjoyed the time getting to know the next Bluff group and passing on our infinite wisdom.  INFINITE.  Like, how to turn on the stove;  How to avoid the morning breakfast rush;  How to get the dogs to stop bothering  you;  Where to find food in Bluff;  Where to find the sweet hiking & camping spots in Bluff.

AND… what happens when Mitch spends too much time with a group of people in one semester.

safety first!

Several projects in progress, coming along slowly but surely.

studio sink, done.

gutters, done!

water catchment system, almost complete

prepping kitchen shelves

kitchen shelving, complete!

stove & hearth (done! pictures to come)

Two more “last days” to come, with lots of small things to complete.  Final product… coming soon!

Lindsay (and sometimes Trent)

its extra credit week down in bluff and we are starting out with a small group.

the house is so close to being done.

first on the to-do list – another coat of stain on the concrete floors

finish the plumbing. the sink and toilet are working in the bathroom!

still working on the kitchen sink and counter backsplash.

we also built and installed a bench for the bump-in of the studio.

in general, we are just enjoying our last days of Bluff.

-erin & lindsay