Portfolio News Release

Portfolio /NEWS RELEASE

Creating new spaces that adapt existing neighborhood charm yet offering the size and amenities of contemporary mansions.

Fitting In This Palo Alto house built for..., was acclaimed to have had such charm while it was still under construction, by the Palo Alto Times. Beaumont and Associates are the architects who developed the working drawings which inspired this award winning project which was executed in association with T.C.C. Inc. general contractors. Blending into this well preserved 1940’s neighborhood is a 3,000 sq. ft. luxury home with four bedrooms, three baths, office, family room, full kitchen and dining, with entry and living room having high ceilings.

The house boasts a colonial layout faced with sculptured lines to give the appearance of a simple/elegant country Tudor. The success story was published as the best use of space offering luxurious living without the imposing appearance usually associated with like modern single family dwellings.

The front door opens into an imposing living room space. The two story high ceilings. The light beams through windows exposing the outdoors from above casts shadows of heavenly qualities. The transition continues through neatly staged living and dining areas, through full height French doors, out onto a rear veranda.

Following from the veranda/deck a paved yard ends at the rear cottage with double garage doors more like carriage stalls. This 45 sq. ft. parking area is notched into an in-law cottage of additional 700 sq. ft. living quarters; sleeping loft, ground floor full bath, living, kitchen and dining areas.

In the far corner of the rear yard and outdoor patio accents the manicured urban vineyard to complete this exemplary notion of wine country living.

Other examples will soon be published or may be viewed upon demand.

PO BOX 8770, EMERYVILLE, CA 94662; TEL: (510) 812-4404; FAX: (510) 836-3719

Photos of Recent Project in San Leandro, California

CARIBBEAN DEVELOPMENT

Where sound management makes the difference

The guidelines and standards established by government agencies are very important for evaluating a builder. And, for the most part a builder/contractor will meet those criteria. But, the cost of the project will reflect the needs for high insurance premiums and bonds designed for their protection. Another consideration is the staffing needs to accomplish most projects. Although the contractor may be quite knowledgeable and experienced, the labor is extensive, requiring skill sets in many specific fields to properly accomplish the tasks and in a reasonable period of time.

Today’s builders are specialized in the many aspects of building offering services in repair and maintenance for those specific fields. This offers a pool of opportunity for “Caribbean Development” with strong management skills to harness and schedule those talents working alongside a home owner/builder and bring them the assurance typical provided to commercial clients, which is necessary to insure the desired outcome for their project.

Most importantly, your construction is oriented towards your specific needs.

How we worked to make this recent project a success

After excavation and trenching for footings

forms are made for foundation

Foundation poured, girders & mud-sills are placed

Shed already built and sheered, Sub-floor laid for the first floor on the house.

Please note the extensive amount of work performed before demolishing the rear walls allowing the home owners some degree of comfort for as long as possible

For most individual families, building a new home or making significant addition to an existing home can often be the most expensive single undertaking of their lifetime. For the most part, they have to be guided by a strict budget.

This challenging two-story addition is a good example of where strong management skills paid off for the homeowner. A slightly sloped back yard with a partially concrete surface and solid steps off a sliding glass door; demanded to be excavated to accommodate adequate foundation and crawl space. Aligning floors and ceilings were challenging, but minor compared to the task of adding stairs to join the old structure to the new. Matching the roof slopes (old and new) in the field, presented limitations for adequate construction alignment, and also required revisiting the approved drawings to solve that along with foundation issues under the stairs where the footings needed shoring under the existing structure, we wedged the new stairwell from new foundation, through the existing floor, through the existing roof for greater structural integrity. We then added a window up high to accent with natural sunlight; features typical of high cost developments.

Next the first floor walls are framed in.

Rear walls are skinned to access/relocate plumbing, electrical etc.

The existing rear wall is completely opened in sections to start the run for the staircase

The house is completed with the same exterior finish to the new addition as well as the existing house. The result is a picture of a building which appears to be built all at the same time. The home is distinguished within the neighborhood but ostentatious; a lovely curbside appeal.

The house and family is weather safe. The interior work begins simultaneous with the exterior finish.