WIP05 – Tiles & Stones & Co.

This WIP05 is about details, tiles & stones. How to make something good even better. And we are “back on earth”. Or rather on the floor, which in this project is made of tiles and stones.

Magi Marques, our architect on this project, wasn’t entirely happy with the way the beautiful rounded edges of the truly exquisite Ezarri glass mosaic tiles were being installed. He then jumped into the pool and explained how to do it better. A great eye and a love of detail! The Ezarri tiles had already been a bit of a drama beforehand. For cost reasons, our project manager had rejected these beautiful pieces that the Aina Company (Interior Design) and I had selected. But in the end, we did get our way ;).

The walls between the houses are rising. Of course, we can’t close them up yet—otherwise we won’t be able to get to the houses anymore … Finished in white hand-applied textured render, they will be a highlight. At night, illuminated from below with recessed ground lights. The rear wall will be a masterpiece of solid natural stone in the Mallorcan style—meaning without render. The stones will “simply” be placed together. A difficult craft that only a few locals still master. Most of what you see are just replicas; there are thin facing elements that are often used. Cheap and quick to build. But we want the original.

Behind the barrier tape lies the screed with the already installed loops of the underfloor heating. On top of that comes the floor covering, which the colleague with the pallet jack brings from the truck to the houses by the pallet load.

In search of the right natural stone, the right surface, and the most perfect shade possible, we went on a bit of a tour as well—here in the picture on the left you see José Manuel González Ferreiro from the construction company IslaBau, Tomeu Salom, our aparejador (“technical architect”), and Magi again, our architect on this project.

So, it’s moving along. We’re right on schedule. The site is full of hardworking tradespeople, and IslaBau is doing a really good job!

Until next time, yours Arnd