Building Larry's "Desert House" -- 13

With the slab and walls finished, it was time to build the post & beam structure that would carry the roof rafters.  It would also define the mostly-glass front wall of the house.
 

First I bolted the 8x8 posts to their hardware anchored to pier-blocks in the slab below.  Then I installed the steel cradles on top of the posts.

Then I bolted heavy beams to the cradles atop the posts and to pre-positioned bolts in the poured walls.

After that...  Up went the rafters.

I did the rafters single-handed, and developed a system where I could "roll" them into place.  I'd have one lying flat and roll several others down it using pipes as rollers.
 
A good view of the posts & beams finished.  About half the rafters are in place, too.

Note the "Buttress Wall" in this photo and in the photo above.  It carries the far end of the beam supporting the "garage" roof rafters.

We needed more than just a post here.

Years later, Larry & I added another wall, sealing off the old "garage's" driveway".  It was great to build another one of these walls again.
 
The rafters finished and ready for roof planking.

I've always liked the look of heavy-timber houses at this "Woodhenge" stage.

Note the pile of red volcanic pumice on the right.  This was Larry's genius choice for roof insulation.  It's light, cheap, holds plenty of air, and is indigenous to the area.
 
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