LOOKS MORE LIKE A SCHOOL EVERY DAY

While at MCHS today I took these photos after putting up some sample colors for the new exterior.


As you can see the exterior walls are all up for the addition and they have begun to apply the DensGlass Gold Sheathing to the exterior. The new exterior walls are fire rated with 2x6 fire treated studs and the special sheathing we are using. Additionally you can see the bundle of cement fiberboard that will be used on the addition creating an almost residential feeling. It has another benefit, beyond its fire retardant quality. This material never rots or becomes a termites lunch.

The exterior wall framing for the BAC is complete, as you see here. Those of you who have a child in the afterschool program will see them coming out of the door in the corner when you arrive in the afternoons.


The rough grading for the school has been completed so that we may now begin planning the retaining walls and fencing. The drainage for Miss Sarah's courtyard has not yet been installed but it is easy to see here how lovely it will be with the trees just outside her door.

Above you can see the combined nap area and Enrichment Class space. The steel post between the windows is the aproximate location of the sound proof folding partition that will divide the spaces yet allow them to be combined for meetings and parenting classes. With a large closet included so that plenty of adult size chairs will be readily on hand.

More exciting things to come next week!

ELECTRICIANS, CARPENTERS AND STUCCO! OH MY!

More progress today at the school as the heavy conduit for the underground electrical is being laid (lain?). Once all this large pipe is put in the ground then the power company will actually pull the wire through for the new service. We had hoped to be able to tunnel beneath the driveway but the substrate under the asphalt is pretty much solid rock. The must have had a time putting in the drains.

The lines are installed even deeper than we might normally do it since we are putting in drain lines to carry away all the ground water from Miss Sarah's courtyard. The crepe myrtles will appreciate it in the long run. The haven't been a lot of fun to work around but the end result of having them is well worth the effort.

The interior framing is 99% complete for the existing building. So now it is possible to see how great the layout really is. The view above is from the reception area into the Directors office and beyond into the Guide Resource Center. Some believed that a rather grand name for a lunch room but it is really so much more. The laminater, the supplies and the Guide's computer access is all located here. Resource materials all in one spot.

The scaffolding is going up as well. This provides the access the stucco masons need to infill the old openings and to patch the holes. We should have a beautiful new exterior when complete.

While we await delivery of the steel trusses for the roof of the addition, the work doesn't stop. The framing contractor is infilling the steel skeleton with fire treated studs. The pvc pipes you see are the waste lines for the restrooms in Miss Lynne's class as well as the restroom for visiting parents. We are certain this restroom be much appreciated during the many MCHS functions and classes. The large opening in the wall will ultimately accept the windows that will be installed in the Enrichment Classroom. No longer will the Spanish, Cooking, Art, Dance, etc. Classes be sharing a space with the Library, Laundry and Guide Workroom. I have heard it rumored that an even more extensive group of Enrichment classes may be added in this dedicated space.

While it may look a bit like a ghost town, it looks like a huge picnic in the South Courtyards since I shot this at lunch and the best shade at noon is on that side so the men take their lunch over there.

I am certainly enjoying reporting on the progress each day. Especially during this phase when big changes happen every day. Once the underground electrical work is complete the electricians will move inside accompanied by the plumbers as they run the supply lines overhead for the large number of fixtures in the school. While that work is important (VERY) it is not very dramatic to see. Once we have completed our selection of a roofing contractor, he will 'weather in' the existing building and the ductwork for the HVAC can begin.

There are lots of great things to see as the work progresses. Once the building is up and the systems in place, it seems to be less exciting as they begin to hang sheetrock and do the tape, bed and texture work (which takes some days and doesn't make a big visual impact). But once that is complete we begin to install cabinetry and ceiling systems which again make for an exciting project.

ALL THINGS JUST KEEP GETTING BETTER

Another great day weather wise as we continue. I realized that I had not shared a view of the rear elevation of the new building. Previously this area was mostly dead leaves and a couple discarded trash cans. We will now included this landscape in our views. The trees here at the edge of the embankment can certainly use some trimming. There is also a good bit of vines that have overgrown into the trees. Sounds like a great clean up project for the Dad's Club ;-)


We expect to complete the interior framing of walls and ceilings today. Look for a whole series of great pictures to be posted on Thursday. Below you see the hall outside Miss Toni and Miss Jeanne's classrooms. Lots of comfortable space and a nice tall ceiling. Nice!

We are also removing the rotting wooden fences that surrounded the two existing courtyards. The views that this will allow is a real plus. We are keeping some solid fencing for security purposes and to help the children stay directed toward their courtyard rather than the adjacent one.



As part of the complete rebuilding of the systems for MCHS a new electrical service is being provided. Here the underground for the 600 amp service is being dug.


The majority of the exterior doors and windows are now installed so the stucco men have begun their work. The preparation includes the removal of the old metal trim around the old openings. The will install flashing (to prevent water from running in to the building around the new openings) as well. Once that is complete metal lathe will be attached. This screening is the material that actually holds the stucco to the building and becomes integral with the concrete skin that we are applying. The yellow sheathing you see is DensGlass Gold. This is a superior sheathing material.


I can't wait to post the interior pictures later this week.

Alex

Heavy Steel Complete

The heaviest of the steel work is now complete. As you see below the covered walk from the BAC to the street has been completed and all the perimeter steel is in place. We are currently awaiting the deliver of the steel truss system which creates the roof system for the addition.

Work inside continues. We have completed the infill of the trusses for the roof in the area that was formerly flat and it is decked as well. We are making our final selection of roofing contractor and once we have we will remove the balance of the old green roof and get the existing area weathered in. As you can see the interior work is coming along nicely. The view from Miss Toni's room toward the laundry shows this below.

I know I am probably posting too many pictures of the future library area, but I am so excited about it that it is hard not to do. Many folks indicated some concern that the Library was basically just some shelves in a hall. Now that it is being framed up, I believe the intent will be clear. During the school hours, the library works like an alcove away from the classrooms. After hours, it becomes an adjunct to the BAC.

The exterior windows have been delivered (with the exception of the custom made rake windows that go above the Guide Resource Center) and are all being installed. Below you will see the new energy saving insulated windows installed in the old openings in Miss Toni's Classroom. You will also see the new exterior steel doors with the large windows.


The stucco contractor will be starting this week to infill the old stucco and do the repairs that are needed. We are also testing color samples for the new exterior which is always a lot of fun! We have received the modified engineering drawings for the underground electrical today and will soon begin the excavation for that work.

While I would again warn everyone that construction sites are very dangerous places (both during and after work hours) and for your safety we must restrict access. However, we will be setting up a mini-tour very soon for those that would like to attend.

We are all looking forward to showing you what we have accomplished as we have moved forward. Have a wonderful week!