There is a two-story, formerly red brick Traditional (I think) on Bellaire across from TCU that began to be remodeled with a Mediterranean style roof and upstairs, what looks like either floor to ceiling windows or a terrace. It looks like the builder/investor just stopped in his tracks - the upstairs is exposed and the front facade is gone. Some questions: If you've seen it, what do the architecture experts here think of the change in style? And, how much longer can a half-finished home stand, in the elements and all, before its structure begins to be compromised? Finally, should the city or some other authority step in to compel the investor to complete a project like this?
Major remodel on Bellaire
Started by McHand, Jul 30 2009 10:03 AM
2 replies to this topic
#1
Posted 30 July 2009 - 10:03 AM
Voice & Guitars in Big Heaven
Elementary Music Specialist, FWISD
Texas Wesleyan 2015
Shaw-Clarke NA Alumna
#2
Posted 04 August 2009 - 07:11 AM
avvy,
I live just around the corner and I know the house you speak of... I wasn't aware that construction had stopped.
But, with regard to normal building practices, new construction or major renovations, you want to get "dried in" as fast as possible meaning you want the roof decked and the tar paper on, this and windows and at least temporary dunnage doors. Work can then begin inside the home.
Once you hit that stage, the house is pretty well insulated from the elements. My best guess is it could stay in such a state for many months as they often do. But, one would want to have the exterior house wrapped and whatever facade up eventually as without these final elements, you are going to have moisture penetrate the wall sheathing. Too, a home without heat and air conditoning will suffer more if closed up for protracted periods of time as the moisture isn't regulated as well nor is the air circulated properly.
There is a house just as you go down the hill into Tanglewood on Bellaire... north side of the streent. The remodeler did a good job of removing walls and portions of the roof to expand the house. Nobody likes rain when in the process of building, but homes get rained on... the trick is to move fast to get dried in and then take precautions to keep it from long exposures to the elements... the tar paper will disentegrate via sun exposure, boards will warp, some building materials deteriorate in the presence of light (PEX plumbing, for example), etc.
I have no idea what may be going on at that house, but lots of projects have lost funding here and there. If I were going to buy such a property, I'd want to give it a thorough going-over before I'd buy it.
Brad
I live just around the corner and I know the house you speak of... I wasn't aware that construction had stopped.
But, with regard to normal building practices, new construction or major renovations, you want to get "dried in" as fast as possible meaning you want the roof decked and the tar paper on, this and windows and at least temporary dunnage doors. Work can then begin inside the home.
Once you hit that stage, the house is pretty well insulated from the elements. My best guess is it could stay in such a state for many months as they often do. But, one would want to have the exterior house wrapped and whatever facade up eventually as without these final elements, you are going to have moisture penetrate the wall sheathing. Too, a home without heat and air conditoning will suffer more if closed up for protracted periods of time as the moisture isn't regulated as well nor is the air circulated properly.
There is a house just as you go down the hill into Tanglewood on Bellaire... north side of the streent. The remodeler did a good job of removing walls and portions of the roof to expand the house. Nobody likes rain when in the process of building, but homes get rained on... the trick is to move fast to get dried in and then take precautions to keep it from long exposures to the elements... the tar paper will disentegrate via sun exposure, boards will warp, some building materials deteriorate in the presence of light (PEX plumbing, for example), etc.
I have no idea what may be going on at that house, but lots of projects have lost funding here and there. If I were going to buy such a property, I'd want to give it a thorough going-over before I'd buy it.
Brad
#3
Posted 09 August 2009 - 01:38 PM
Well I'm certainly not looking to purchase it or anything! In my dreams. But actually I would have prefered to live in it in its original state, interior renovation notwithstanding. I am more of a minimalist/traditionalist when it comes to housing design.
avvy
avvy
Voice & Guitars in Big Heaven
Elementary Music Specialist, FWISD
Texas Wesleyan 2015
Shaw-Clarke NA Alumna
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