A flat area is excavated for the floor slab and any external living areas. The depth of cut at the rear is about 3.5 metres. The soil removed is stockpiled on site for later backfilling of the walls.

The floor slab, external walls and roof are constructed in reinforced concrete formed in-situ with form-work that is usually used in the building industry for civil construction and retaining walls.

The entire structure is waterproofed with an applied membrane, then covered with a geotextile composite to allow water to drain away.

The rear walls are back-filled and the roof covered with half a metre of sand, which allows for the collection of clean water to the tanks.

The windows facing the front and courtyards are built-in and sealed to the structure providing a spark-free envelope.

At this point the house is at the "lock-up" stage and the internal fit-out begins, which follows standard residential building techniques.

After the major structure and waterproofing has been completed by a licence builder, the fit-out is occasionally completed by the client - taking on the role of 'owner builder'.