architecture residential sunhollow residence construction
Burbank, California, USA - 1976
Aside from the concrete work, block masonry, rough plumbing, and carpet laying, all the construction work on this home was done by the architect, his wife Lynn, and friends and family.
Work experience included some excavation, surveying, rough and finish carpentry, insulation, siding, roofing, electrical, drywall, tilling, flooring, windows...
LINK TO THIS WEBSITE'S PAGE ON THE FINISHED SUNHOLLOW RESIDENCE
unless noted otherwise all images copyright d. holmes chamberlin jr architect llc
Surveying the property for placement and excavation of foundation work, Sunhollow House, Burbank, California, USA, 1976.
Using the backhoe to do rough excavation and taking the dirt to the dump, Sunhollow House, Burbank, California, USA, 1976.
Learn by doing... Troweling the foundation footing, Sunhollow House, Burbank, California, USA, 1976.
Although I hired subs to do the concrete foundation and block masonry, they encouraged me to try my hand and the work.
They had great joy in handing me the huge concrete pump hose, turning it on, and watching it pitch me all over the ground.
Lynn keeping the concrete and block grout damp to insure proper curing and me bolting down a sill, Sunhollow House, Burbank, California, USA, 1976.
The first two stud framed walls on the second level... and then later with more walls, Sunhollow House, Burbank, California, USA, 1976.
Crane lifting the main laminated ridge beam and me trimming a beam intersection, Sunhollow House, Burbank, California, USA, 1976.
Note the exposed steel fasteners for the secondary roof beams have been attached to the ridge beam before lifting into place.
It was fun trying to seat the ridge beam in their "pockets" alone with only the crane operator to help.
Thankfully, he was very good.
Nailing down the 3/4" CDX plywood roof sheathing, Sunhollow House, Burbank, California, USA, 1976.
Cedar shingle roofing, Sunhollow House, Burbank, California, USA, 1976.
Putting up the stainless steel flashing and cedar shingle siding, Sunhollow House, Burbank, California, USA, 1976.
Moving the insullation on Lynn's old VW and installing it throughout the house, Sunhollow House, Burbank, California, USA, 1976.
Chiseling out the recess for the glass block wall at the entry, Sunhollow House, Burbank, California, USA, 1976.
Putting on the finish stain and sealers, Sunhollow House, Burbank, California, USA, 1976.
Drywalling, mudding, and putting on a knock-down texture, Sunhollow House, Burbank, California, USA, 1976.
Friend and fellow architect, Brock Thoman, built our cabinets and helped me install them, Sunhollow House, Burbank, California, USA, 1976.
Reinstalling tile floor after sub contractor did it wrong, Sunhollow House, Burbank, California, USA, 1976.
copyright d. holmes chamberlin jr architect llc
page last revised december 2025