The platform
On and on we go! Now is the time to finish the rough and tough job. Steel netting is lifted up to the roof. The netting is laid out on the roof of concrete beams and buns. Next they are tied to the steel for the beams that will be poured in concrete. Cutouts are defined in the surface. These are needed for all kinds of drains. Like the one which we are obliged to install by the Portuguese law, for our future satellite dish. Of course. For those moments in your life that you are in dire need of satellite dishes. Next to your fiberglass connection. Anyway, a beautiful piece of art is growing. Too bad it will be covered in that heavy grey stuff in a while.
Porridge
The huge truck with its fascinating high and long hose has arrived once more! A thick layer of concrete is pouring out and the men hurry to divide the stuff over the surface and into the holes. This is real heavy work under a hot sky. But we are happy with this speedy progress!
Smooth surfacing
Soon the roof is covered with a huge weight of concrete. This has to be smoothed out carefully, and made even. And this is how we created our fantastic super intergalactic helicopter platform! With a great parking for all our supercars underneath! Ha, you thought we were building a mansion?!?
Moisturizing
And now the roof must dry, harden, and this must be a slow process. Or else your concrete will be brittle and could tear apart, which is of course very dangerous. Summer has started and every day is a hot one. Too hot for this process. So Mr. Architect climbs his roof every day with a hose to water his concrete. Something else than watering your lawn (or your lousy azalea’s) in the squinting sun.
This is patience. A couple of weeks. Before the jack posts can be removed and the building will not collapse. Before they can start the masonry of walls. Luckily there are a few more chores to be thought of in the meantime. The other building only has a floor. The septic tank needs to be put in the ground. The eaves of the roof must be prepared. And on, and on, and on…