Build progress

From jungle lot to home, one photo at a time

What building on raw land in the Peruvian jungle actually looks like, from May 17, 2024 to August 28, 2026: the slab, the frame, the roof, the stonework, the pool and the garden. Tap any photo to see it larger.

Before

  1. The spot before any building: an old palm-roofed shelter on the slope.
    The spot before any building: an old palm-roofed shelter on the slope.

Slab and frame

  1. Concrete slab poured and the first wooden posts standing.
    Concrete slab poured and the first wooden posts standing.
  2. The wooden frame going up, walls and roof structure together.
    The wooden frame going up, walls and roof structure together.
  3. Roof trusses on and the stone base wall going in, with the crew (and the dogs) at work.
    Roof trusses on and the stone base wall going in, with the crew (and the dogs) at work.
  4. Wood siding starting along the back wall.
    Wood siding starting along the back wall.

The roof

  1. The red metal roof going on.
    The red metal roof going on.
  2. Roof finished; siding and stone walls rising.
    Roof finished; siding and stone walls rising.

Walls and stone

  1. Inside, the bathroom walls taking shape.
    Inside, the bathroom walls taking shape.

The roof

  1. The finished roof, with the little cupola on top.
    The finished roof, with the little cupola on top.

Walls and stone

  1. The stone base along the side walkway.
    The stone base along the side walkway.
  2. The ceiling going in upstairs, under the roof vents.
    The ceiling going in upstairs, under the roof vents.
  3. Brick going up for the bathroom.
    Brick going up for the bathroom.
  4. Interior walls and the loft framing.
    Interior walls and the loft framing.

Windows, kitchen and finishes

  1. Windows in, and the rooms starting to feel like rooms.
    Windows in, and the rooms starting to feel like rooms.
  2. Kitchen counters in, looking straight out at the forest.
    Kitchen counters in, looking straight out at the forest.
  3. The kitchen from the other side.
    The kitchen from the other side.
  4. The finished loft ceiling.
    The finished loft ceiling.
  5. Looking down from the loft into the kitchen.
    Looking down from the loft into the kitchen.
  6. Stone and wood outside, finished.
    Stone and wood outside, finished.
  7. Pouring the patio around the house.
    Pouring the patio around the house.

The pool

  1. Clearing and leveling the ground for the pool.
    Clearing and leveling the ground for the pool.

Windows, kitchen and finishes

  1. The shower, with a window onto the trees.
    The shower, with a window onto the trees.

The pool

  1. The pool site dug out beside the house.
    The pool site dug out beside the house.

Windows, kitchen and finishes

  1. The house from the new patio.
    The house from the new patio.

The pool

  1. Pool walls: rebar and formwork.
    Pool walls: rebar and formwork.
  2. Pool walls poured.
    Pool walls poured.
  3. The pool tiled.
    The pool tiled.
  4. The pool at sunset, nearly done.
    The pool at sunset, nearly done.
  5. The pool deck, looking out over the valley.
    The pool deck, looking out over the valley.
  6. The pool finished, ready for water.
    The pool finished, ready for water.

Moving in

  1. The home office, set up and working.
    The home office, set up and working.
  2. The shower, finished.
    The shower, finished.
  3. The house and pool at night.
    The house and pool at night.

Garden and stonework

  1. Stone steps built into the garden.
    Stone steps built into the garden.
  2. A stone retaining wall and the new garden beds.
    A stone retaining wall and the new garden beds.

What's next

  1. Next project: the apartment above the woodshop, floor going in.
    Next project: the apartment above the woodshop, floor going in.

The itemized costs are coming in What it really cost.

Want to build something like this?

I've been through every step here: finding workers, sourcing materials and waiting out the rainy season. Tell me what you're planning and I'll tell you what's realistic.

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