Joe. Blogs #46 – Sunday 01 October 2023
Howzit guys!
Rain, rain, rain!! Just when we thought there was no more rain left in the sky! Hectic winds as well as a spring tide swell just to make things a little more exciting!! Lots of roads and bridges were washed away and our power was out for nearly two days. Sunday was the worst of it and our Mayor was in the thick of it wearing his gumboots and making plans to help the stranded people in the community. Inspiring from the top, pushing from behind. This week the weather has been sunny and hot again but for how long who knows?! Even the locals don’t know! 😊
So, the rugby was a bit of a surprise, but I always believe things happen for a reason – perhaps playing the French is better than a wounded All Black team?? Either way we have a kicking problem which needs to be resolved, especially in the Northern hemisphere and a World Cup. We left too many point behind due to inconsistent kicking. The northern hemisphere teams are pro’s at this. I see Handre’ Pollard has been drafted in for the game against Tonga so lets see. There is no doubt in my mind that we lost the game, Ireland didn’t win it. It was a good lesson to learn…
Whenever I start a new week, I wonder if its this week that I get writer’s block!? Each week is different; some weeks it comes easily, and I’m almost finished in the first few days, others come together slowly as the week goes along while most come to me at the last minute!
This week I’ve been working hard getting the plans done to submit our new house to the local council. This is the house in Gordon’s Bay, located in an area called Mountainside. We are high up against the mountain with an uninterrupted view of the ocean. Initially I wanted it to be a POD house but logistically this was a bit too challenging and restrictive. The house will still be built using lightweight steel technology and completed in 3 months! The structure will be built off site in parts, flat-packed and delivered to site. I designed the house to be modular in concept, having separate POD’s linked together with walkways and stairs, all floating on steel stilted legs. We are aiming to start construction in January 2024.
I decided to sell our current home privately and managed to sell it in three days for almost what we wanted.
My refurb project in Kommetjie has commenced on site, we are almost ready to start cladding the existing house with the clapboarding supported on a lightweight steel sub-frame. The sub-frame has been designed to accommodate all the existing rainwater downpipes, pipes and conduits, helping to give the house a cleaner look, while the clapboarding adds the beach effect! The house is located very close to the ocean and will fit in nicely with its context. Chris, the owner, is an avid surfer and I have also designed an external shower area to clean the wetsuits and rinse off after a rad surf session! All beach houses wouldn’t be complete without a timber deck, so we have replaced the existing deck with new timber and extended the deck along the full length of the house and around to the viewing deck in front of the new-look lounge, kitchen and dining area. I have decided to remove the ceilings to this living area, exposing the timber trusses and painting them white. There will also be additional high-level windows bringing in some extra sunshine, warming this new space. The pool will be replaced with a new one, located in the heart of the new external deck area and complimented by a seating pavilion structure acting as a privacy barrier to the road.
On the work front, I am currently rebranding my architectural business, calling it Sean Pearce|Architect + Creative| The business will focus on architectural work but also include interior design, 3D visualisation, graphic and content creation. Anything creative.
I am looking to link up with a talented young designer to partner with and help build my brand and offer a unique service to clients. Our website will be up and running by the end of the year, maybe sooner but I’m always open for business!
On a personal note, I just wanted to share a special moment I had recently with my son Kai. As you know, the father son bond and relationship is very important to me and key to bringing up a well-balanced young man. We were sitting at a restaurant called Pyjamas & Jam (one of my absolute fav’s) and we were discussing golf and how well I play. Kai looked at me and said, “dad, you played professional golf, right?” I said, “thanks my boy I played quite well but no I wasn’t a professional” to which he replied “ well you are to me” 😊 wow, how special is that?? I live for moments like that and personally don’t think it would’ve happened if I hadn’t changed my workstyle and spend more quality time with my family. Moments like these happen when we slow down and take time to appreciate life and everything in-between.
Have a super week everyone, GO BOKKE!!! Any more rain and we might need a houseboat! Or go surfing!! See you on the other side!
Later,
Joe.blogs
