The Dry House Weekly - Week 1
- Yuri Gijselman
- Jul 21
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 11
Welcome to the first entry of The Dry House Weekly, where we explore the unique process of building a tropical villa using only dry construction methods only — no concrete, no plaster, no wet applications.
In this series, we'll walk through each phase of design and construction, from the ground up.
Phase 1: Ground Preparation & Foundation – Building Without the Wet Stuff
In most conventional builds, foundation work involves heavy use of concrete. But for The Dry House, we reimagine this stage using entirely dry or semi-dry methods suited for tropical climates.
1. Site Clearing & Levelling
Manual or mechanical clearing of vegetation, topsoil stripping, and shallow grading.
Care is taken to preserve natural site drainage and minimize disruption to native flora.
2. Soil Stabilization (Dry Alternatives)
Crushed gravel compaction for leveling pads and pathways.
Geo-textile membranes are laid to prevent erosion and allow for water permeability without using cement-based soil binders.
3. Modular Foundation Systems
Screw piles or ground screws, a dry-installation technology using galvanized steel piles driven into the soil without the need for excavation or concrete.
Raised timber or steel framed flooring, elevated above ground for airflow and protection from tropical moisture and termites.
4. Drainage & Moisture Protection
French drains made with gravel trenches and perforated pipes, without any cement linings.
Recycled plastic footings or base shims beneath structural members to prevent water capillary action.
Why It Works
Dry foundations are ideal for tropical areas with seasonal rains, high humidity, and soft soil, enabling:
Faster installation
Reversibility and minimal site impact
Immediate load-bearing capacity without curing time
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