Every construction project, whether a small family house or a multilevel appartment building begins with an empty buildable plot, which is appropriate for desired usage according to urban planning. It is not that common for project manager to start participating in construction project at the very beginning in the planning phase. Yet it is undoubtedly the future, to be a part of a so called integral planning / construction, that progressive environment already performs. It reflects in co-creating ideas, rationalisation, quality technical solutions, that are easy to execute, on-time performance and finally, achieving estimated economic structure of the project. The last one is a crucial factor for every investor. Being an investor and project manager simultaneously makes this case a bit different, even more interesting and demanding.

The story about "The Hayrack" under the mountain range of Kamnik-Savinja Alps began in december 2012, when the two investors, after a long search for a place to settle down, finally found a beautiful piece of land at the very end of a small village called Trata. Steps that follow are obvious at first glance. Still amateur investors often underestimate the process that follows. For every construction project it is of great importance to have professional experience in managing it. Knowing the meaning of different stages, critically evaluating estimated financial structure of necessary works, building time-frame of the activities, needed along the process. Our role - construction project management has begun. Let me continue with the next stage.

As an investor one needs to find an architect, the one, who's perception about the quality of living ought to be similar yours. Understanding the client's needs is the key to success. At this point I'd like to expose one of the common problems of a construction project. Straight and clear idea of what investor wants. One'd say it's obvious. When you start digging deeper, there exists a black hole, that needs to be solved. A great task lies in architect's arms! Through intense pre-prepared conversations, creative thinking process and in-depth research of local conditions giving this empty plot a new appearance, strictly speaking it's first iteration.

Traditional surroundings required an architecture, closely connected with typical house of "Gorenjska" region, still the solution was not in copying old, it came forth through a long building, typologically similar to hayrack, that follows the terrain with its decreasing ridge. Challenge was excepted, decision was made. Structure should be timber-made.

"The Hayrack" model, made by the architect

It's my responsibility as an engineer to say more about the decision of building a timber-frame construction. I decided to write more about its characteristics, advantages and disadvantages in the next blog.

Unfortunately the stage that comes after, depends of the authorities. It takes a great deal of patience and tranquility to gain a legal building permit. Despite the "fully built" application the bureaucracy took its victims that were necessary to proceed. It is inevitable, at least in this country. Delay in schedule.

After getting permission there was a long list of tasks to be done. Through comparison of various offers for different stages of construction we finally picked the right contractors. Well, whether they are the right ones or not, it's not in our power to know yet.

The number of project participants grew, contractors for all stages of works, that need to be done: foundations, timber-frame construction, plumbing, heating, sewerage, electrical circuit etc.

Work meeting at timber-frame construction contractors' - Bauta, Trata pri Velesovem

Finally we've reached a point, when the excavator first dug into the ground. There is no going back anymore...

No sign of the idyllic meadow under the church. It has begun.