Phrase-For-The-Day: Monolithic Slab

Karl-the-Builder has been talking about pouring a 'monolithic slab' for the garage foundation. Figured I'd go ahead and Google it to see what the heck he's talking about. We were looking at the flattened dirt pile in the back yard, wondering if there would be footings or foundation walls to keep it all from sliding down the gentle slope...to the steep slope at the edge of the property that drops 80' off a bluff. Found this drawing and zipped it over to Karl, who confirmed this is the plan, which I also found this morning drawn out on the final plans he gave us (DUH!). Since nothing goes under the concrete slab but plumbing pipes, they'll pour the slab and footing/foundation edges in one big glob of concrete, with the sides framed in so there's a thick edge, like the edge of a pizza but rolled underneath and squared off on the top and sides. We'll paint the exposed concrete 'wall' and plant gardenias to cover it up...maybe build a low deck sometime in the future.