Concrete Pier Foundation Completed for Modern Home in Denver's Washington Park

drilling hole for concrete pier foundation by West Standard

pouring concrete for foundation pier by West Standard

completed concrete foundation pier by West Standard

concrete forms by West Standard

completed concrete pier foundation by West Standard

Foundation work has been completed on the Huff Residence, a Mid-Century Modern inspired home in Denver's Washington Park. Due to the site's high water table and somewhat unstable soil, a pier system was employed to support the entire foundation. Although mostly buried, the piers in this application serve the same purpose as the stilts of a beach house.

Given the site's challenging geology, a typical foundation system was not sufficient to provide structural integrity. The pier system overcomes this condition by allowing the entire home to "float" above the soil, thus greatly reducing the possibility of damage from water and shifting soil.

Thirty-two concrete piers are the backbone of this foundation system. The piers are placed along the perimeter to support the foundation wall, and within the foundation's interior to provide additional support for the suspended concrete floors. The piers are created by: drilling approximately 8' into the bedrock, placing three reinforcing bars (rebar) in each of the holes while leaving the rebar extending several feet above top of pier; and, lastly, concrete is pumped into the hole. Voila: a pier.

Next, concrete forms are placed along the pier lines to define the foundation walls. The forms provide a cavity into which concrete will be pumped. Additionally, the forms maintain the shape of walls until the concrete cures. The rebar extending above top of pier serves to secure the foundation walls to the piers.

The next step will be to pour the suspended concrete floors. This system will help promote the homes clean modern aesthetic by allowing for an interior finish of stained concrete.

Photos (top-bottom): drilling a pier hole, pumping concrete into hole, a completed pier, foundation forms, completed foundation

West Standard Design Build is a, Denver based, architecture firm and custom home builder.
More information may be found at:
www.WestStandard.com