Final Comments -- (maybe)

The construction phase of Casa Montana Alegre is more or less over. Except for the yard, stuff remaining to do revoles around the houses's service systems and correcting what is already in place. I've started tackling the grounds and landscaping but can see that, like a house, it will never be complete. Houses evolve.

This photo may be the signature image of Montana Alegre.

Over a Saturday and Sunday last week-end, I hired two guys to help me lay out a possible yard design. They moved over 400 concrete pavers up 30 steps and into the yard. I've done a lot of thinking about this yard even though most of the plantings were chosen on the availability of plants during three trips to the nursery last August and September. I have a landscape plan but decided to do my own plan, starting with the pavers and existing plants. The pavers have made a big difference.

I work for the City of Los Angeles as a planner in the City's Construction Service Center. As far as I know I'm the only person, in my 17 years there, who has ever done their own house: design, entitlements, permits, financing, and construction. People ask me what I thought of the experience.

Don't do it yourself, hire someone who knows the system.

It is it an incredible amount of work to build one's own home and quite complex to get through the approval processes. Designing was fun but plan check nerve-wracking; organizing plan correction details was overwhelming as well as getting sign-offs from other City departments for the building permit. Financing was okay even though I hit it just as the mortage industry was imploding. These comments are from someone who worked in the system but I also think it was worse because it was my own home.

I am going to carve the Casa's name on this rectangle of raised stucco. I haven't worked out the details but I know I prefer something very simple, almost imperceptible. Perhaps when this is done I will feel the house is finished.

One final comment about creating something that is entirely of one's own imagination. I asked advice from everyone but I made all the site planning, architectural, and interior finish decicions--everything--so if it didn't turn out well the responsibility was squarely on my shoulders. I was a little nervous about that. However, I needn't have been. There are a few things I would change, and I made a few changes during construction, but overall I am quite pleased with the result.