Montessori Childrens House and School Renovation Update

OPEN HOUSE

2009-04-10T15:20:00.004-06:00

The ribbon cutting and Open House was a great success. The hard work put into this by the Board members involved really paid off. In addition to the parents of currently enrolled students we were also fortunate to serve as host to alumni and their parents as well. The efforts of Board members such as Susan Cowger resulted in the news media being present to cover the attendance of City Councilman Allen as well as Dallas Mayor Leppert.

Awaiting the ribbon cutting...

Dr. Gamino welcomed our guests and recognized one of the schools founders and earliest board members.

After remarks by the Mayor and City Councilman, the official ribbon cutting was celebrated. The our guests then toured the school enjoyed refreshments including Frito Lay products and a really terrific cake emblazoned with the school logo.

On I personal note I want to thank each of the guides, the school director, the Board of Directors and Board President Jacque Gamino for the honor of having been selected to work with them on this wonderful project. It is an honor that will live with me forever.

Seeing this project through from the earliest meetings in 2006 has been one of the most gratifying experiences of my life. I hope to continue to be of service to MCHS. The benefit the school provides to the lives of the boys and girls that attend is without measure and I am delighted to have contributed in a small way.

Thank you all.

Alexander Dahlgren
The Ancon Group

An Invitation to Everyone

2009-03-16T21:30:00.004-06:00

FINAL CHAPTERS

2009-03-11T16:12:00.005-06:00

While the building construction is complete, the landscaping and interior design continues. Here is a hint of the work in progress. You will see even more when classes resume after Spring Break and during the open house for students. The date and time has been sent out to all parents. This will allow the students to see their new school prior to classes resuming.

The Guide Resource Room

The Directors Office

The Reception Room

The view to the South of the Hall which reinforces the woodlands motif established by our color scheme and the heirloom stained glass panels at the entrance to the BAC. All of which was inspired by the views of the Nature Area on the West side of the campus.

The Classroom Area Rugs.

We will certainly post photos once the landscaping is complete. We are eager to show each of you the totally new Montessori Childrens House and School. It has been an honor to build this for the students that begin their education here on Abrams Road.

FINAL CHAPTERS

2009-02-21T18:37:00.006-06:00

Each day we are closer and closer to completion. The parking lot is now striped, the curb stops in place and the dumpster container has been built. As you recall, in the old parking lot, we had a lot of standing water when it rained and the edges had broken away over time. Additionally, the entrance to the parking lot was constrained by the flag pole and the dumpster placement. The new enclosure for the dumpster is located at the far end of the parking lot and the flag pole has been moved to a place of honor. The movement of the dumpster now allows the security cameras full view of the parking lot and creates a much safer driving environment.

The parking lot is now clean and organized. There is both an entrance and an exit which will allow for smooth movement into and out of the area.

The old driveway has been repaired, seal coated and the fire lane repainted. The front sidewalk now extends fully to the parking lot. It is now possible to move from cars to the building without walking in the driveway.

Rather than the standard single coat finish that most new VCT floors receive, we have treated the classrooms with four coats. The flooring is durable and beautiful. Jeff Everest, the office manager for The Ancon Group, visited the school today and commented "My school never looked like this! The sunlit rooms and handsome finishes will provide a great space for kids. The atmosphere is homey rather than institutional."

The work on the new fire hydrant made great headway today since the crew was able to work much longer hours. They are restricted to working between 9am and 2pm during the week due to the school zone. At the time I left MCHS this afternoon, the fire hydrant was being connected via 6" water lines to the City main. They will then pressure up the line and cover it in special gravel and sand, time permitting. The deadline for work today is 30 minutes prior to sunset. The trench is left unfilled and covered with the large steel plates. Monday, the crew will flush out the line and turn the project to the City of Dallas. The city will then open a valve and add concentrated cholrine to the line under pressure. This will allow to rest for one day. Tuesday is "blow out" where the line is allowed to run for about three hours via a hose into the storm sewer. The City should then collect a sample of the water from the hydrant and send it to a laboratory for testing. The new fire hydrant is a direct pathway to the drinking water supply and as such is treated with great care. Once the sample is tested and approved, the hydrant then becomes the responsiblity of another City department to approve. The approval will be noted by the painting of the hydrant. It is now red which indicates that it is 'not in service'. If everything were to go perfectly, we could have our Certificate of Occupancy by Friday. However, if a single thing were to go awry, we could be pushed back as much as a week. The work on the hiring of an engineer for the design of the new fire hydrant, the selection and hiring of the contrator for the work and the permitting of the hydrant, have all been far more complicated then the work on the actual building. The first step in the process began back in August.

I wanted to present one additional before and after set. At the time of previous post, I did not have a shot of the completed reception area. So without further ado...

Before:

And after...

We are eager to introduce each of you to the all new MCHS. The same wonderful education in a property to match.

FINAL CHAPTERS

2009-02-20T16:56:00.011-06:00

They say you never want to see how sausage or political deals are made but hopefully you have enjoyed seeing how the work has progressed at MCHS. We present some 'before' and 'after' images for your enjoyment...

The West wall of Miss Jeanne's Classroom before:

And today.

The BAC Kitchen area before:

And after.

The computer desk in the old rear office:

The computer desk in the new Guide Resource Center. Notice the dedicated adult restroom. No longer is a trip through the laundry room required.

The old nap area under the stairs:

The new Nap Room which will be outfitted with blackout shades and has a sound reducing wall dividing it from the Enrichment Classroom. When needed the wall can be folded flat and allows for one large space to accommodate Adult Education and meetings.

The former library space was shared by Enrichment Classes, the laminating machine and served as an overflow cloak room. It was the old rear office.

The Library now will provide ample storage for an expanded book collection and cultivates the proper respect for books and how a library works.

The old rear office had a small amount of storage and little working counter space. This is the extent of storage previously.

Now, ample storage and a dedicated work area for the Guides. They will no longer be waiting to prepare materials while other meetings are being held or Enrichment Classes taught.

The new standard in storage and kitchens for the Classrooms.

Hand washing and drinking fountain is located between the large and well lit restrooms that are inside each class. No longer is a trip out into the hall required.

The BAC now has a covered walkway and a private entrance for easy arrival and departure for those students that are in the program. The porch ceiling was just recently completed with two tone paint accenting the steel structure which supports the roof.

We have begun the placement of the bricks which acknowledge the donations to a specific MCHS program. This is at the base of the flag pole which now occupies a place of honor across from the Entry Porch

And finally, while we had nothing to do with it, I wanted to share this photo of a really lovely tulip tree that is now visible in the Nature Area now that the large windows on the west side have been added.

FINAL CHAPTERS

2009-02-19T12:32:00.003-06:00

This is a very different campus than the one we left at the end of term last year. When the trees leaf out again, it will be really beautiful.

The interior and exterior paint touch up is almost finalized and we are installing the final touches like the washroom signage and the handsome building numbers you see above our new front entrance.

Self reliance is a key element of the Montessori way and these child sized cabinets make that a simpler process. Project Manager Dale Buchanan reluctantly posed next to one of the children's sinks in Miss Lynne's class to give the image a sense of scale.

More soon!

FINAL CHAPTERS

2009-02-18T16:04:00.004-06:00

As we continue toward our completion, we wanted to update you on our progress. We signed an agreement for the wax finishing of the classroom and BAC floors today so that they will be shiny and clean with an incredibly durable new finish.

The painting detailing is moving along as well as they touch up the areas where hardware was installed and the shoe moulding that was installed after the floors were completed. We have had the driveway cleaned today and it is set to have the seal coating placed on Friday so that the driveway will be clean and black (like the new parking lot) with stripes and fire lane markers all replaced.

The work on the fire hydrant for the school continues. It turns out that the depth of the water main was almost double that which was indicated on the charts so they have had to dig a substantial distance. The gigantic valves are assembled and ready to be installed. We are awaiting an inspection today to confirm that the sides of the hole are safe enough to allow workmen to enter and cut into the water main. This is done in conjunction with insuring that the valve which controls this main is functioning properly. Once that is insured, they will cut into the city water supply and install the new valve which directs water into the new line which will supply the fire hydrant. This line is lined with high density chlorine which will be left to dissolve prior to turning on the water which will mix the city water with the water in the new hydrant line. Once tested to confirm that it is at the proper level, the line will be made active and filled with city water with no fear of contamination. Once this test is completed, they hydrant pressure is tested and the water is left to run clear via a hose into the storm drain. The hydrant is then painted by the city and considered complete.

The valves with control the flow of water underground to the new hydrant. The scale is hard to discern in the photo but they are quite large.

Again the scale is an issue, but this hole is about 14 feet deep. The water main is visible in the bottom.

This image makes it a bit easier to tell exactly where the giant valves you saw in the first image are to be installed. At this junction, the valve is installed and the new water line moves up toward the surface until it reaches four feet below grade. It then turns and heads over toward the school.

As move in day approaches we are almost there! While the beauty of the new building is that which most notice immediately, we can not overstate the importance of the new safety and energy conservation features that are now a part of Montessori Childrens House and School

BLACKTOP

2009-02-11T13:00:00.003-06:00

The work continues and soon we will have a great, new parking lot and driveway without the potholes, loose gravel and muddy puddles.

Can asphalt be called a beautiful thing? I think so!

TRANSFORMERS

2009-02-10T10:51:00.003-06:00

While they won't turn into giant robots, there is nothing dearer to many a young boy's heart than earth moving equipment. The excavation is now going on for the new flag pole base. We are placing in directly opposite the front door and will install the donor bricks on the base. This will make it possible to view flag raising from the Front Porch and allow it to be seen from the Reception Room transom as well.

Additional equipment is being used to clear and prepare the parking lot for its new asphalt topping. The curb blocks will be removed and replaced on the fresh black parking lot with new stripping. The driveway will be freshened with curb repairs and fresh paint. The pile of dirt you see below was the accumulation of debris on the parking lot from the years it has been in place as well as the construction of the new building.

The place is looking great and we are eager to show off the fruits of the last few years of planning and work. The contributions of the Board and the various committees and donors can not be overstated. We believe everyone is going to love the new building.

FINAL CHAPTERS

2009-02-09T17:53:00.004-06:00

With more and more of the final inspections being completed everyday, we wanted to update you on our progress.

The latest security and fire protection systems are in place and have been completed.

This includes the color video security cameras that oversee the entrances and the parking lot which are all managed from the reception area.

The flooring is completed and the looks GREAT!

As we wrap things up the cleaning is beginning in earnest. Here is what a difference clean windows can make. The view is to the Playground from the Nap Room.

And here we see the Nature Trail from Miss Lynne's Room.

More to come!

PART TWO

2009-02-05T14:46:00.003-06:00

Our second post today...

The BAC Entrance is complete...

The courtyard sidewalks are complete. This is the walkway travels from Miss Lynne's classroom to the Playground.

Easy accessibility to the parking lot is assured with the extended sidewalk as well as providing additional loading space.

The flooring for the Reception and Library adds great warmth to the space.

Back to work....more later.

THE INSPECTORS

2009-02-05T08:29:00.002-06:00

As we work to wrap things up, the inspection process has begun. Inspectors from the City of Dallas, the engineering third party inspector and the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration have begun their work. We have passed the first two inspections of electrical and HVAC systems.

Below is the completed hand washing station typical for the classrooms.

Child sized toilets are standard to each of the 10 restrooms.

The glass inserts to the BAC doors.

Each of the seven units that heat and cool the building is managed by a programmable thermostat. These combined with the highly efficient equipment and insulation will make the building economical to operate and comfortable for the students and Guides.

THE ICE STORM

2009-01-29T10:19:00.003-06:00

The weather of the past two days played havoc with the ability of the electric company to complete the connection of permanent power to the building. We are hoping they are able to get back on track today. We can not complete the installation of the flooring in the school until the heat has been on for two days to allow the floor material for the Reception Room and the Hall to acclimate. This is required for proper installation.

In the meantime, the concrete flatwork contractor is moving ahead with the forming of the new sidewalks that are being placed in each courtyard. These are a requirement to allow equal access from classroom to playground for children of all physical abilities. Miss Sarah's courtyard is pictured below.

FINAL CHAPTERS

2009-01-22T14:21:00.004-06:00

Moving closer to completion...

Below, the Entrance to the BAC with the new lights and handsome red door.

The new fence is being stained and sealed. Notice how nicely it works with the color line on the main facade.

Just a reminder of what we used to have...

The classrooms are now very well lit with natural sunlight. The photograph does not really convey how bright the classrooms are now. Those are not light fixtures you see but rather skylights with lenses and dampers which allow for light control.

I have mentioned before the large amount of hardware involved in this project. Here is a glimpse.

Beautiful solid surface counter tops with stainless steel sinks are standard in the new classrooms. Here you see the child's height cabinetry with the sink for dish washing.

Stainless warming drawers will allow lunch to now be fully experienced with each classroom.

Self reliance is a critical part of the Montessori way of learning. Child sized toilets play in role in this philosophy.

More to come...

DON'T FENCE ME IN

2009-01-21T17:01:00.003-06:00

Unless it is with a fence as attractive as the new cedar fence surrounding the courtyards for the classrooms at MCHS. Many details are being wrapped up in these final days of construction including the staining and sealing of the beautiful cedar. If the wood is maintained the fence will give us years of use and provide an attractive background to the landscaping that will be added.

The countless bit of hardware, door closers, levers, hooks, pulls, grab bars, towel dispensers, door stops and more are all being installed. Here is a glimpse of the handsome stainless hardware on the cabinetry for the classrooms.

The iron fence has been completed which will provide sunlight as well as security. The gates are easily locked with keys and yet will allow easy arrival and departure from the BAC each day.

IRONMAN

2009-01-14T15:51:00.005-06:00

Well maybe I should say IronMen since the fence installers arrived today to begin the work of installing the iron panels for the fence in the front of the BAC. The new iron fence has a powder coated finish (which is terrific). Powder coating is a type of paint that is applied to the iron dry, then has an electrical current passed through it which causes it to flow over the material providing a smooth and consistent finish. The fence is glossy black.

It also provides an open and airy approach to the BAC. Using a material which follows the contour of the retaining wall is also a new feature. These spindles each have a dimpled twist which allows them to adapt to the position in which they are welded. Very nice stuff.

The electrical work is moving along nicely. The decorative exterior lights now have their lenses and the hanging fixtures (along with the many exit signs) have all been installed. The school is looking great.

The door hardware is nearly complete and the grab bars are installed. The 190 cabinet pulls should be delivered on Thursday and then the installation of this hardware can begin. We will soon measure for mirrors and order the fire extinguishers and paper towel dispensers. The design for the flagpole base and arrangement of the bricks which acknowledged gifts by earlier donors has been completed. The paving contractor has now been scheduled to begin on the new parking lot and repairs/re-coating of the driveway. There is no limit to the number of details, large and small, that make up a project such as this one.

Now that the transom has been installed over the new front doors, we can see how bright the new reception area is. This light combined with the light flowing in from the SolaTube above will make task lighting seldom needed. This is a big change from the old desk that greeted visitors in the past.

The vinyl flooring tiles are being installed. Above you see an insert in the BAC. Each set of inserts within a space are unique with the central insert being a balance of the group. The colors are really beginning to come together with each additional step that is taken toward completion.

The stain color has been selected for the cedar fencing and we are meeting with sub-contractors to begin the process of pricing the work for the sidewalks that will link each classroom with the playground.

We recently had a brief tour by the board and hope that all of you are as excited about the way in which we have reused the leaded glass inserts from the old front doors. We believe they have never looked better.

Have a great day!

PS. It was just pointed out to me that I keep including pictures of the Reception Desk. I can't help it. It is one of my favorite areas so bear with me ;-)

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2009-01-09T07:07:00.008-06:00

Back from a really wonderful trip to Tokyo to celebrate New Years and I am delighted with the progress that has been made by Dale and his team at MCHS. What would a vacation be without photos! But I will only inflict one of them on you. Below is yours truly on a crystal clear day at Mt Fuji. We were fortunate enough to be blessed with perfect weather for each of the 11 days we spent in Japan.

But enough of the travel slides and on to business at hand. Below you see the new doors which will welcome students and visitors to the school each day. The transom above coupled with the skylights fill the Reception with soft light

The interior painting is now 99% complete with only minor touch-up work to be done. The work performed by Rolando Vargas has been really superior. We could not be more pleased. You can also see that the ceilings are now enclosed. The bright white when paired with the brightly patterned floor will create a wonderful background for learning.

The 'above ceiling' inspections of the electrical and mechanical work has been completed and passed. The electricians are currently installing all the surface mount fixtures and will be installing all the breakers as well. The School is currently operating on temporary power and will soon have the permanent power connected.

Now the job of hardware installation begins. Over 650 cabinet pulls and almost 200 coat hooks are waiting to be installed. This in combination with the door knobs, grab bars, towel dispensors and mirrors really finish off the spaces.

Many of the counter tops have been installed including those for the new Laundry. This large, well lit space is a huge change from the small closet which existed before.

The new Reception desk , Guide Resource Center and Director's Office are all now complete with cabinetry and counter tops.

The plumbers are setting sinks and faucets currently. The flooring installers (who have a huge job ahead of them) will begin the prep work on Monday. Getting the old concrete slab ready to accept the vinyl tiles is no small feat. Then laying over 8000 sq feet of material one square foot at a time will also be a very big job with the specific pattern placement that must be followed. Once the flooring is complete, we will begin installing the large appliances. The warming drawers are being installed at this time.

Things are a bit dusty here at the end, but once the flooring is installed and the interior properly cleaned, we are confident that parents and students alike will be delighted.

While we will post a few teaser photos, we will likely keep the final product a bit 'under wraps' until the complete unveiling. Expect that very soon. But do check back for project updates. Again our wishes for a very happy 2009!

WHITE CHRISTMAS

2008-12-18T11:17:00.002-06:00

Well not exactly but we did get some sleet which makes things outside a bit messy but inside the work continues on.

The painters have completed all the priming of cabinetry, cubbies and mouldings as they prepare to begin applying two coats of enamel to everything. As you can see from the small view of the BAC cubbies, there are lots of them to have been primed, sanded, caulked and filled.

In addition to the cabinet boxes, there are doors, drawers and hundreds of adjustable shelves. Since these are all very high quality custom cabinets, the shelves are not interchangeable and each must be marked to be replaced into the cabinet from which it came. The primed cabinets for the Guide Resource Center are pictured below.

The BAC cabinetry is now ready for enamel.

Here you see the huge amount of dust that is generated in the sanding process. The sanding is all done by hand, then then dust must be removed to avoid problems during the spraying of the enamel. You can also see the masking that occurs around the woodwork and cabinetry. The paper is applied in a tight light around the area to be primed. The Library is pictured below.

The SolaTubes are really amazing. Even on a very dark day the Reception area is still very bright.

As we prepare for the Holiday break at MCHS the work will continue. The countertops have all been ordered and are in production. Dale Buchanan, Ancon Project Manager, will be running things totally while I take a two week vacation. I will make one further post before heading to Japan for the Christmas and New Years but then the blog will go a bit quiet until I return January 7th. We will have lots of exciting things to share!

THE WALL

2008-12-15T10:01:00.002-06:00

The painters are continuing to make great progress in the interior of the school. Unfortunately the lighting does not really work for photography since we have to keep the solatubes covered. I also have to stay out of the fumes which are pretty intense.

However during the beautiful weather this weekend, they were able to complete the priming and painting of the long wall that borders the driveway. When I first recommended this, some were concerned that it may make the area seem to narrow. However, it actually disappears now which has had the effect of enlarging the space.

The strong neutral colors on the schools exterior allow us to use a small shot of strong color on the outside of the exterior doors. The satin nickel door hardware is covered for protect it in the photo below (we don't really had red door handles).

We have approved the custom mix paint colors for the cabinetry and cubbies so enamel work is next on the interior painting list. We hope to have photos for you on this later this week.

Stay Warm!

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

2008-12-09T18:04:00.004-06:00

Beast indeed. Today certainly felt like the first day of Winter here in North Texas even though it is a few weeks away. But the beauty is the continued progress the Ancon team is making at MCHS.

As the clouds first rolled in SolaTube installers were continuing with the work they had begun on Monday. First the fixtures are exactly placed in the ceiling grid. The exact centers are located. This is then translated up and through the plywood roof deck and shingles. As you may remember from earlier blog post, there are lots of things for these installers to avoid, a/c ducts, trusses, conduit and security wires. So the installation is no small thing but the results are really dramatic.

Once the fixtures are exactly located, the installers must cut through the insulation that covers the underside of the roof deck. We showed the insulation earlier but the photos do not do justice to the thickness of the material. This you can see below in the 'plug' that was removed to allow the mirror finish tube to pass through. This portion is almost 12" thick.

The classrooms all have dampers/dimmers in the tubes to allow for the control of the sunlight. In this way the electric lights will seldom be used in the classrooms.

Below you see the domes that allow the sun to pass into the tubes. You also get a glimpse of the new courtyard fencing and the Nandinas in their fall colors. The exterior painting is almost complete (except the doors).

The electricians have been busy finishing up all the work above the ceiling grid and placing the boxes for the electrical service to enter the building. These are on the north end of the BAC.

Here is the new fence on the East side of Miss Toni's courtyard. Once it is sealed, the landscape will be installed as well as the new sidewalk area.

The HVAC contractors are also installing all the supply and return grills into the ceiling system. There are a lot of them which will keep the classrooms a consistent temperature without hot or cold spots.

Wednesday is the last day for a while the multiple tradesmen will be working in the building. We will then turn it over the painting contractor so that he can continue his work without interruption. This will insure the best possible job.

THE DAY AFTER

2008-12-05T13:03:00.003-06:00

...the completion of the cabinetry installation the painters are in full swing. They are currently removing all the cabinet doors and covering all the drawer hardware so that they may begin applying the primer to all the new wood work. The last portions of the interior carpentry trim are being done today just ahead of the industrious painters.

Planning ahead is always a good thing. One of the requests from the staff was that we provide extra deep window sills (called windows stools in the industry) so that the children may place small plants on them. We have done exactly that.

While the work moves ahead inside, the outside is moving on as well. The demolition required for the new universally accessible sidewalk has been completed. The fence installers have now placed the posts for the courtyards and will be moving ahead next week. The iron, chain link and wood fences are all included in the next step of our exterior work.

And what would the blog be without an update on the Library. It is really a wonderful space.

THE SECRET OF MY SUCCESS

2008-12-05T08:40:00.004-06:00

It isn't really a secret. A great team makes it all work.

The ceiling grids are almost complete which now allow us to have the Solatubes installed as well as fittings for the HVAC system as you see below. This image also indicates the final placement of the cubbies with clear access to the Children's Kitchen. Most of the interior doors are also in place.

Speaking of cubbies, the final sets have been installed in the BAC. You can also see the half light doors that will allow classroom observation without interruption.

With the bulk of the interior carpentry completed the painters are now working hard to prepare the millwork. Sanding, caulking and filling all occur even before the priming begins. Then the painters go back and start the prep for the application of the finish coats. One of the crews are shown working in the BAC.

A glimpse at the many systems that will be hidden behind the new ceilings.

Even without the heat being on, the insulation is keeping the building far more comfortable on these cold mornings then might be expected. I am as excited about the new operating systems for the building as I am the Library (we all have our 'hot buttons').

RISKY BUSINESS

2008-12-02T09:09:00.003-06:00

Risky business indeed. Yesterday was gutter installation day. With the colder temperatures came high winds which made carrying and installing the seamless one piece gutters very difficult. Especially on the South side of the building. Imagine attempting to put up a single aluminum tube 80' long in the wind. But the installers did it and the gutters look great. The section you see being prepared below is tied into the drainage system to help keep Miss Sarah's courtyard dry.

The kitchen and storage cabinetry has been installed in the classrooms with the top trim in place. The cubbies are being assembled in single large units and are being set as well. The quality of the cabinetry selected by the Board is really extraordinary. With drawers that fully extend and are supported by heavy ball bearing drawer guides, we can expect them to really perform. Dovetailed drawer boxes will last easily the lifetime of the school. German engineered adjustable hinges will make maintaining the operation and appearance of the cabinets themselves possible. No more sagging doors that fall off! As you can see below, there is no shortage of enclosed storage for the classrooms. The assorted mismatched cupboards have seen their last days.

The custom cabinetry for the Director's Office is also now in place. From Miss Christa's desk she can easily see everything. The office also allows for comfortable meetings with parents.

Miss Tamara's desk in the reception area is also in place. The sun-filled reception room is ideally suited to her bright personality.

So many great things are going on. Work continues at a great pace under Dale Buchanan's leadership. There is not a day that goes by that something new and exciting is added. We are very excited about the exterior painting. Once complete we will certainly post the photos here.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

2008-11-27T09:54:00.002-06:00

Before I head out to spend Thanksgiving with my family, I wanted to update the MCHS family. A lot of great progress was again made this week.

The interior doors have all been delivered. As you can see there are a lot of them! The new doors to the class rooms will have a large window to allow observation of the children without interruption. The slightly lower light levels in the halls combined with the reflective film will provide parents the opportunity to see the great work going on inside without causing a disruption.

The front doors have also been delivered. The double doors have three windows in each with a very large transom above. The water glass in the panes is really handsome. The transition from the porch to the interior of the school will be a really dramatic one. The noise of Abrams is quickly left behind as our attention is fully directed to the beautiful Nature Area at the rear of the new light filled space.

The cabinetry has all been completed and is being installed. Below you see the computer station in the Guide Resource Center.

While it appears that the Guides have a very large kitchen area, actually the bulk of this cabinetry was designed to contain the many supplies and colored papers that are used in the creation of study materials.

Self reliance is a big part of the Montessori way and the child height cabinetry plays a part in that. Dale Buchanan, the project manager for the MCHS renovation, stands along side the hand and brush washing sink outside the restrooms in Miss Jeanne's class. As you can see, the cabinetry barely reaches his knee making it perfect for the students.

The classrooms will now each have its own kitchen area as well as a huge amount of storage for the materials that were formerly held in a series of mismatched cabinets. The lower section of cabinets is for post luncheon clean up performed by the children. A warming drawer will reheat the hot lunches and a dishwasher will really make the classrooms fully self-contained. The new refrigerators will complete the kitchens.

The painters are doing a really terrific job. The exterior body color in now in place (the grey blue is primer) and they have started on the soffit and fascia. The interior walls are all primed and have at least one coat of color on them. This was done prior to the installation of the ceiling grid which is set to begin on Monday. Once the grid is installed the sola-tube installers will be coming in to install the many skylights. A lot of great things are going on in the next few weeks.

The final grading has been done. It will be fine tuned a bit by the lanscapers. We are meeting with the asphalt contractors on Friday and Monday as we continue to move ahead.

All of us at Ancon wish you and your families a very happy Thanksgiving!

THE NATURAL

2008-11-18T11:27:00.007-06:00

is the best way to describe the skill that Dale Buchanan, your MCHS project manager is bringing to the job. There is no one in my professional experience that can keep things moving so beautifully. I am very proud of our team. Currently the following are all happening at the same time...

The electrical completion above the new ceiling line as well as the build out of the electrical in the Laundry/Mechanical Room as seen below.

The drywall finishers are wrapping things up in record time. We expect to have the tape and bed work complete this week with the texture being applied on Friday. The image below is the view from Miss Christa's office into the Guide Resource Center.

Miss Jeanne's classroom is currently flooded with natural light and will be even better once the SolaTubes are installed. This work is set to begin next week. Mirror lined skylights with a dampener system to control the light will create a great environment with tremendous flexibility.

Miss Toni's cabinetry would not fit inside the storage containers we have on site, so we placed them in the center of the class and wrapped them to keep them clear of any drywall compound. As you can see, when stacked together, they make a pretty impressive pile.

Miss Lynne's classroom shares the great view of the nature area and will have a new courtyard space that takes advantage of the shade from the tree line at the edge of the playground. You will note that the sheetrock is running about 8'6" up the wall. This is slightly above the height of the suspended ceiling system we are installing. But since we have fully insulated the walls and roof deck, the attic space will be far cooler than any you may be familiar with reducing our operating costs in winter and summer.

Regular readers as well as all the MCHS Board members know that I am a bit Library crazed. This is one of my favorite spaces in the new school. I don't know a single great man or woman that is not a reader and including this new dedicated area where books are readily available yet treated with a type of respect is so important. While many of us get our news and information from the internet and may even read on hand held devices, there is something about the tactile experience of holding a book and discovering the language between the covers that will always be exciting. The Library space with its raised ceiling and spaces for the built-in bookcases is seen below.

The new reception area is coming along as well. Miss Tamara's built-in desk serves as the boundry between the Reception Room and the Gallery which serves to bridge the North and South Classrooms. With the view into the trees and the natural light provided by the skylights, this core area will be a great introduction to the quality of your new MCHS building.

The exterior stucco has been patched and replaced as needed and the new finish coat is being applied. The entire school exterior will essentially be brand new. The view of the West facade is below. The top coat has been applied here and the masons are working on the East facade as well.

East facade is nearly complete. Once the stucco is finished we will continue with the exterior painting.

The school also has some really great details on the exterior hinting at how great the interior will be. Below the beamed celing of the BAC Porch has been primed and will be painted in a two-tone color scheme.

While the photo does not do it justice, there is a handsome detail that occurs between the columns and the lintel at the Porch roof as well. The proportions of these elements were carefully studied to create a harmonious assembly while relating to the mass of the existing building.

Don't be alarmed. The battleship grey color is primer for the top coats to come. These are nothing like the final colors except in their intensity. The primer serves to make the top coats cover better and last longer.

The many modifications of the South facade are now invisible since the finish coat is being applied.

Next week, we return to the really exciting changes. SolaTube installation, cabinetry installation, walls will be primed and a lot more.

It just gets better and better!

WHILE THE CAT'S AWAY

2008-11-12T11:48:00.002-06:00

The mice certainly were not playing! While I was away the last few days more great progress was spearheaded by project manager Dale Buchanan. The exterior detailing on the BAC Entrance is being completed. We also have received the delivery date for the beautiful front doors.

I mentioned the solid foam insulation that would be applied to the underside of the roof deck creating the best possible energy savings. The applicators did a wonderful job.

Once the insulation was completed and the sheetrock hangers immediately began their work. Below you will see the view from the BAC toward the Reception Room.

Working on scaffolding and stilts, the hangers are covering the walls and ceilings as needed.

We also just completed a terrific meeting with the painting contractor who will begin the exterior prep this week. Once the sheetrock hanging is complete, we will then recoat the stucco exterior of the building. Things are looking terrific.

THE PINK PANTHER

2008-11-07T20:00:00.003-06:00

is, of course, the mascot for one of the most widely know insulation manufacturers in America. If you like pink then you will be very happy with the exterior wall insulation that is being installed today at MCHS.

The batts are installed all the way up to the roof. These combined with the solid foam insulation that will be applied to the underside of the roof deck will give us a very comfortable envelope. This also prevents the requirement to ventilate the attic or place insulation directly on top of the ceiling tiles. A cooler attic space means a much more comfortable building interior.

A huge quantity of sheetrock has also been delivered and is ready to be hung once all insulation and the Energy Inspection is completed. Wrestling around those 12' long sheets is not an easy thing but the men who do this work are accomplished and make it appear simple. I will never forget a TV show I once saw on home improvements. It was hosted by a tiny woman (no more than 5'1) who opened the show on a ladder with a hammer in one hand saying "I have just finished hanging the 'gypsum wallboard' on this ceiling and am now ready to nail the rest up on the walls". The ceiling was easily 12' tall and there was no way on earth she had done it. After they returned from commerial the walls were all complete "Well that was a fast and simple job you can even do at home". I can only imagine the reaction from anyone who attempted to even wrestle one sheet of this heavy and very unwieldy material into the back of a truck. But fortunately, we have the pro's at work here.

I will be working in my California office until Tuesday evening at which time I will return to Dallas. Your Project Manager, Dale Buchanan has everything totally under control. We will update you on my return.

Have a wonderful weekend!

GOOD NEWS

2008-11-06T14:13:00.003-06:00

It has been a busy busy week. We have passed the electrical wall, mechanical, framing and plumbing inspections. We have also been inspected by the accessibility specialist as well as a third party independent inspector. Our exterior concrete is now poured and is curing. In two weeks it will be cured enough to allow us to perform our final earthwork. At that time we can build all the fences that surround the courtyards and the BAC Entry court.

We have scheduled the insulation installers as well as the delivery of the sheetrock for the interior. The next stage is not as exciting as the previous stages. Will the sheetrock is hung and finished, it doesn't seem as though great things are moving along.

However, once the sheetrock is up, we will again be able to move ahead with multiple crews: Cabinetry installers, ceiling spline hangers, electrical ceiling completion with a lot of exciting changes occurring. Great things ahead!

HALLOWEEN

2008-10-31T16:24:00.004-06:00

It may be a big holiday today, but nothing scary is going on at the MCHS. More and more inspections have been scheduled and completed as the days go by. Our plumbing and mechanical inspections have both been passed by the City of Dallas. Our electrical wall work was wrapped up today and is set for inspection on Monday. The electricians were at work hard all week with 6 man crew on the site today.

Above you see them working in the reception area. There will be a large built in desk for the MCHS Secretary. Two of the many Solatube skylights in the building will be in the new Reception Room. One will placed directly over the desk work area.

The structural engineer inspected the framing, concrete forms for the retaining walls and all the structural steel today and each passed with flying colors. He was very impressed with the speed with which the work is being completed and the correct adherence to best practices. Those comments always make me very proud of our team.

Above you see the retaining wall that surrounds the Entry Court to the BAC. The concrete was poured this afternoon. The forms will be stripped early next week. After the concrete cures for three weeks we will then be able to preform the final grading on the site and build the new fences. The fencing contractors have all be selected and are ready to go.

The final design details for the porch have been completed and will be contructed next week.

Hundreds of feet of ductwork serve the new units (7) and will left hanging until the ceiling system is installed. They will all be tied into the framework for the suspended ceiling.

The project will be inspected mid-week by the specialist in Universal Design. An additional third party inspection should be completed as well.

Things are moving along beautifully.

THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY (well almost)

2008-10-23T16:59:00.004-06:00

The work continues with the installation of the plenums which carry air into and out of the new Carrier units. High performance and very efficient units will keep MCHS comfortable in our North Texas weather extremes.

One of the first projects completed during the remodeling was to repair and lift the foundation below Miss Jeanne's classroom. It had dropped considerably over the last (almost) 37 years. While the foundation was raised, it was not possible to do the same with the small patio outside the classroom door. It had fallen away from the building and settled a great deal. Now with the classroom level, the patio is a big step down from the class. In order to meet accessibility standards, it must be removed and properly poured. The demolition began...

and was completed the same day. These are the same great concrete crews that poured the foundation for the new BAC wing. They will be working on this area as well as the new retaining wall.

EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT STUCCO*

2008-10-23T08:12:00.008-06:00

*but were afraid to ask.

Even with the rain yesterday, the stucco men got a good start on their work. Stucco (true stucco) is a cement base finish. We are filling in the old openings by chipping away any loose material (as you saw in earlier photographs) and attaching metal lath (screening) to the sheathing of the building. Then a brown coat is applied with pushes through the lath is used to hold the stucco to the building so the solid attachment is needed. However, space must be left between the lath and the sheathing so that the brown coat can be embedded by the lath. This is the stage we are at now in the stucco application process. We will then stop the stucco work until all the sheetrock is hung inside the building. The exterior walls undergo some stress and movement during the sheetrock process and we do not want the finish coat of stucco to crack. All existing stucco is being repaired and will then be reskimmed so that no patches appear and the old cracks and patches are no longer in site.

Infill of the old tiny arch windows on the Main Facade
The brown coat is mixed in the parking lot and then moved to each work area in a wheelbarrow. Not an easy task. It must be the correct mix to stick to a vertical surface, not sag after it is applied and still be maleable enough to trowel to a rough finish. This rough finish then gives the finish coat somthing to attach to.

It can be a very messy job, but as you see, the masons have covered the work area to protect the concrete. The windows and frames are also protected.

Working up on the scaffold, this mason puts the finishing touches on the plastic wrap for the clerstory windows in the Reception Hall. As of the end of the day, all the scratch coat had been completed!

Stucco is just one of the exterior finishes while both have cement as part of their content. The Hardi siding has been completed and is awaiting some final weatherproofing at the windows so that we may install the trim. Below you see the view toward the BAC Courtyard.

View to the Nap Room and Enrichment Class Room

The North Elevation including the BAC Porch.

The miles of electrical wire are being run while the plumbers and HVAC contractors are getting close to requesting inspections.

More on Friday!

HEIGH HO HEIGH HO ITS OFF TO WORK WE GO...

2008-10-21T14:44:00.005-06:00

It is another busy busy week as we work toward completing the electrical rough, the mechanical rough and the plumbing top out so that we may have them all inspected. It takes a lot of manpower to put it all together.

Dale Buchanan sent along these photos of the team installing the ductwork work for the new and highly efficient HVAC system. Previously the guides had a daily game of thermostat "musical chairs" since the entire building was served by only one ancient and very noisy unit.

The new mechanical plan calls for seven units which will allow the building to be very effectively zoned for heating and cooling. That combined with an advanced insulation system will make a major improvement in the health and comfort of the students and adults alike. No longer will the Northeast classroom be chilly while the heat is too great in the Southwest classroom. Additionally, it is environmentally responsible. Our calculations show that the larger building should cost about the same, if not less, to operate than the smaller space. It will be a real benefit to be able to heat and cool the BAC comfortably after regular school hours without having to condition the entire building. We are also bringing in clean air from the outside to avoid 'sick building syndrome'. A lot of new structures are so tightly constructed that the air inside them becomes very stale. That won't be a problem at the new MCHS.

We are also installing a serious drainage system in Miss Sarah's courtyard to carry away the water that has been a problem in this area in the past. Since we have lowered the ground level to create a really beautiful outdoor space for the children, the drainage was a "must have". Because the large North plane of the roof and the new East plane both will be guttered to this area, we must be very careful about how we deal with water.

The work is continuing at a great pace and we are very excited. Again, we want to remind everyone that construction sites are, by nature, very dangerous places. It is a violation of Dallas City Ordinances for anyone not directly related to the construction of the project to be on the job site at anytime without prior approval of the Fire and Rescue Depart and the City of Dallas Building Inspection Division. Effective Thursday, the building will be secured and the monitored security system operational. So please do not make visits to the site. We will invite everyone for the open house and be very eager to show you what we have accomplished.

I was reviewing some documentation today and came across my original agreement with the school to work with the Board on the design of the new space in 2006. It has been a long road, but the results are absolutely worth the wait. With the dedicated efforts of our Project Manager, Dale Buchanan and his entire team of top notch sub-contractors, we are building something each and every contributor to the process can be proud of!

RETURN OF THE JEDI

2008-10-17T12:18:00.006-06:00

While I spent 5 great days celebrating my father's birthday in the Ozark mountains, Dale and his subs (sub-contractors) have been very busy indeed. With the exception of one rain day, this has been a great week.

The plumbers work continues as the run the Pex plumbing lines throughout the building. PEX is ideally suited for potable water plumbing applications. It is flexible, making it easy to install and service. PEX is able to withstand the high and low temperatures found in plumbing and heating applications, and is highly resistant to chemicals found in the plumbing environment. Flexible systems are quieter than rigid piping. The smooth interior will not corrode which can affect other materials long term pipe flow characteristics. PEX is also very freeze- break resistant. PEX systems have fewer joints and are easier to install providing a lower cost installation over traditional plumbing materials.

Another load of cabinetry has been delivered and stored. The cabinetry for the classrooms is over 50% completed. Having this custom, shop-built cabinets ready will further help keep the project moving along as smoothly as it has to date.

The South facing roof is complete and the roofers are moving along quickly on the North face as well as the addition.

The electricians have also been busy. The bulk of the boxes for outlets and switches have been placed as well as the final inspection and approval of the undergound service. Once the power is brought into the building on the North face, it will then be carried via these very large conduits over to a series of breaker panels located in the storage laundry room.

The the framing of the new door way through which most will enter the beautiful new building is now in place. With 8' doors and a large transom, we will certainly send the message that this is a facility worthy of the fine work done by the guides and administrators that work inside.

Now that all the windows are installed and the sheathing in place, the stucco installers are now back at work applying lath to the rear facade. The exterior is ready for the application of stucco and we will move ahead at this time.

The siding is complete and now being punched out (small details completed). We have also finalized the exterior color scheme and are very excited at what is to come. The interior finishes are now being selected and will soon be ready to present to the Board.

What's next? The electricians and plumbers will continue to be ready for the inspections of their work hopefully at the end of next week. The HVAC contractor will begin on Monday and is on track as well. Once these inspections are complete, we will insulate the interior, have all third party inspections done of our work completed and review the interior with the Board, well will lock this portion down and begin hanging the drywall.

ALL ABOUT EVE(S)

2008-10-10T11:19:00.003-06:00

Teams of carpenters and roofers are swarming all around and on the project today as they have been all week. What many refer to as the eves on a building is most commonly called Cornice (pronounced cornish) These are made up the soffit, the fascia and frieze. Today the fascia work is moving along very nicely as well as the siding on the addition.

The roof penetrations are being installed by the plumbers. These are the vents that allow the plumbing to work. They are also installing the drain arms.

Below you see the progress with the siding (all of which is cement fiber board).

With the roof deck installed you can now get a better sense of the scale of the new BAC and Nap Room.

The electricians have placed the boxes for the outlets and switches and will begin running the wire on Monday. The final proposals have arrived for the insulation and guttering which we will approve next week. Based on current progress we expect to begin our inspections for electrical, mechanical and framing sometime during the week of November 1st. Once those are passed we will quickly insulate and hang the sheetrock. I am taking a few days away with my family next week so the blog may not see much activity until I return to my office on Thursday morning. But with Dale Buchanan on top of things you can expect that the project will move along as though I were right down the street.

So many exciting moves ahead.

LUCKY 13

2008-10-08T16:05:00.002-06:00

When I arrived on the jobsite today, we had 13 men working away on the roof, carpentry, electrical and site clean up. As is my practice, I arrived to reply to any requests for information from MCHS Project Manager Dale Buchanan. Dale and I have worked together since 1989 and is well tuned to my desire to have each detail mesh together. The carpenters are now working on the soffit and facia details as well as the decorative ceiling that will be placed under the BAC Porch. Below you see the view from the porch to Miss Sarah's courtyard and classroom beyond.

The framing is attached to the steel with fasteners that are driven by gunpowder. It fires with enough force to drive a nail into the steel frame. No small trick. I wanted you to see the under pinnings for the BAC Porch so that you might enjoy the completed area even more.

The decking for the project is complete as you see below and the fascia work is moving along really nicely. It becomes easier and easier to see exactly what we are building as each day goes by.

The storage container is now completely full and a second one has been delivered to accept the first shipment of cabinetry for the classroom kitchens as well as the warming drawers and exterior decorative light fixtures that have arrived. The roofers will continue with the roof on Thursday The plumbers and electricians will continue as well.

FEELS LIKE FALL FOR REAL

2008-10-07T13:15:00.003-06:00

This morning we all woke up to much cooler weather and a great cool breeze that certainly reminds us the summer is well on the way out and that our Fall (such as it is) has begun. But most of all I was delighted to see the clear sunny skies so that we might return to work at MCHS.

The truss work is now complete. We were very concerned that we may have to wait a long time for the steel and trusses since they are currently in high demand and very short supply. But due to some serious pleading and the persistence of your project manager Dale Buchanan we were able to get them all in a timely way. The skeleton of the school is now complete.

With the trusses in place over the new space we are able to begin the installation of the roof decking for this area. We expect the decking to be complete today. This will allow the roofers to begin the installation of the underlayment and the ice shield.

They have nearly completed the new roofing with the exception of the shingles for the old part of the building. The new roof will not be black. That is the ice shield you are currently seeing. But doesn't the new facia look crisp!

The inspection of the electrical underground will be rescheduled. All the water in the trenches has to be removed before that can be done.

Inside the school the plumbers and electricians continue. Another great day!

Rain

2008-10-06T09:44:00.002-06:00

Well we can't complain because we have been so lucky with the weather but we will see little progress on the site today due to the rain.

But off-site the work continues. We are completing the designs for the custom entry unit (the front doors and large transom window above) as well as meeting at the school with the fire and security alarm company.

We also received a great report on the progress of the cabinetry for the classroom kitchens. It is well underway. In fact we will soon be adding an additional storage container at the school to accommodate all the cabinetry that is coming out of the mill shop as well as the fixtures and fittings that are beginning to arrive.

So while there may not appear to be much happening, in reality there are lots of people working on the project, rain or shine. If it clears (as the weather man says it will) then we can be back in full force on Tuesday. Cross fingers!

WIDE OPEN SPACES

2008-10-03T10:25:00.003-06:00

Project Manager Dale Buchanan sends along this photo today showing the removal of the last bits of rotted decking on the north face of the roof and the beginning of the new, heavier deck material for the roof. There were so many layers of roofing installed, it is not hard to understand how difficult it was in the past to pinpoint any roof leaks that did occur.

While bringing in a lot of natural light into the new classrooms was an important goal of the Board of Directors of MCHS, I don't think they quite counted on this much light. This really shows what a great thing engineering is. The individual components that make up a structure may not be very sturdy as a stand alone material but when they are connected properly they hold a tremendous amount of stress. Here is a view to the sky in Miss Lynne's classroom.

The old fascia (the wide green band that surround the gable and eve portions of the roof) is being replaced. When the drip edge (wide metal cap under the metal roof) was removed, the rot that we found was alarming. The fascia is being replaced with cement fiberboard in a slightly greater width which is more in proportion with the building. Even without paint, it looks better already. The material will not rot, feed termites or other insects and holds paint beautifully.

The soffit (the wide flat area which overhangs the porches) had fallen away in many places and was suspended over these areas. While never in danger of falling, it did warp badly. It takes several men, as you see here, to raise it up into place and properly reattach it. The old soffit vents are being infilled from the back side of the soffit. In the past these allowed air to circulate to help cool the attic. However, the Board determined that it would be far more effective to dramatically increase the energy usage in the building by insulating the bottom side of the roof deck. These will keep the attic space much cooler and remove the need to have insulation placed directly on top of the celing tiles. While a common practice in the past, it is drafty and not a responsible approach to take to construction.

The choices of materials and systems have all been heavily researched to provide the best possible environment for the students of MCHS. We are certain the students, parents and the entire MCHS family will be delighted with the new building.

Next week: Exterior carpentry continues along with electrical, plumbing and mechanical roughs. The decking will be completed and the roof weathered in.

BIGGER AND BETTER

2008-10-02T16:30:00.003-06:00

The work continues on several fronts today with plumbers, carpenters, electricians, roofers and your project manager Dale putting in a very productive day.

A few of the trusses were damaged during shipping. The replacements arrived today. The timing was great since the roofers began their demolition of the undersized decking. Demolition is a bit like archeology. The green metal roof you may be familiar with had formerly been installed in its natural galvanized finish. Beneath the galvanized, we have found three layers of bright green rolled roofing as well as one layer of rubberized green paint mixed with sand. The weight of the layers is so great that we were only able to fill a dumpster 1/3 of the way least we exceed the weight limit for the container.

The windows for the rake ceiling arrived and have been installed. Now that they sheathing has been put in place it is much easier to see exactly how terrific the new reception space will be.

The windows as seen from outside. This is one of the few details we were waiting for to enable the stucco men to proceed.

Here is a view you may not have seen before: the BAC entrance from the playground.

TRUSSES

2008-09-30T17:00:00.004-06:00

It is great when things come together. The trusses where indeed completed on Friday and delivered to the job site on Monday. We didn't let any grass grow under them as the installation began less than 24 hours later. They are so large that the trusses were fabricated in two parts with the joint being placed on the load bearing wall that divides the BAC from the Enrichment Classroom and the Nap Room. Below you see Chad's men raising the first truss into place.

With this largest section in place, the work continues. Each lightweight steel (easy name for something that isn't really all that lightweight) is anchored to brackets which are in turn anchored to the heavy steel which constitutes the frame of the building.

The electricians continued with their work on the underground power supply to the building and will soon begin on the trenches to get the power over to the south end. There will be no more electrical lines run along the fences.

The plumbers are fine tuning the placement of waste lines as they prepare to run the water supply lines inside the building.

We met again with the inspector from the City of Dallas Fire Department today which reminds me that it is again time to remind everyone that construction job sites are active and dangerous places to the uninitiated. Additionally is is a violation of Dallas City ordinance for anyone to be in the building that is not directly associated with the construction. We will have a great celebration at the proper time. We are very eager to show off our work!

LOOKS MORE LIKE A SCHOOL EVERY DAY

2008-09-27T16:44:00.005-06:00

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!

2008-09-24T16:32:00.005-06:00

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

2008-09-23T12:02:00.004-06:00

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

2008-09-22T12:40:00.004-06:00

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!

MAKING HAY

2008-09-18T10:30:00.008-06:00

Dale Buchanan, the Ancon Project Manager assigned to MCHS has certainly kept things moving along beautifully while I have been working in my California office. During the past few days, the foundation has been completed and the steel work is beginning on the addition as well as work moving along inside the existing space. Dale (seen here) also installed security lighting on the property for use during the construction period. Director Christa Montague is contacting the Dallas Police Department to increase their patrols of the area.
Much of the interior wall framing inside the existing building has been completed and work on the heavy steel has been completed for the infill of the former flat roofed area. This will compose the tall central core of the building.

Here you can see the long steel in the drive as it awaits placements. Most of the men you see in the foreground are welders while the ones on the roof are carpenters working on the removal of the old waterproofing system. You also see welders, two electricians, four carpenters and one site assistant all working away.

One of my favorite parts of the building is the new reception area. In the image above you see the view from just inside the front doors. The height of the space and bright natural light will be a huge change from the dark cramped (and horribly narrow) corridors in the old building. The large amount of glass on the back wall will provide a beautiful view of the nature area.

After the steel is delivered it is primed. You see an iron worker priming the material above in preparation for installation.

The square steel (a bit of a misnormer since it is actually rectangular) is welded to plates that are welded and bolted to these plates which have been anchored deeply into the foundation.

The posts which support the large steel beams are placed on the plates and held level in two directions by a helper while the welder joins them. (Above you see the view to the BAC Porch.)

Things are moving along beautifully. We are very happy with our progress and hope that you will be as excited as we are when you see it next. Driving by on Abrams gives you a pretty good hint at the extent of the work that is moving along.

A STRONG FOUNDATION

2008-09-12T11:39:00.003-06:00

While parents were dropping off their young ones at the interim facility, we were pouring the foundation for the additions at Abrams Road. If you have never seen a concrete pumping truck inaction it is quite a sight to behold.

The concrete truck backs up to the pumping truck's hopper and pours the material in. The powerful pumps move this thick and very heavy material far overhead through a boom.

Concrete enters the hopper.

View of the hopper at the rear of the pump truck. As you can imagine, the weight of this vehicle and the material is extraordinary. Hence the heavy axles and the balance struts you see extended here.

The boom then extends far overhead to place the concrete in the furthest part of the forms. It takes great skill to do this. If you imagine being able to calculate the amount of material in the boom and being able to start and stop the flow of the material.

These images were shot after the first concrete truck had fully discharged the material and pulled away. Once the truck is empty we pull in another one and start again until the entire foundation has been filled.

Here is the completed area in the rear where the Guide Resource Center will be located as well as the restrooms for Miss Jeanne's class.

Today's work started extraordinarily early in an effort to miss the coming rains. We really do appreciate the tolerance of our good neighbors.

While the foundation is proceeding, the steel work continues. Our windows were delivered to day and have been stored in our on-site container. The roofing contract has also been signed effective today so that we may proceed with the weathering-in of the existing structure as quickly as the roof framing is completed. We will not be installing the shingles, but will do the underlayment to keep the interior dry so that work may continue.

BEFORE THE STORM

2008-09-11T19:39:00.004-06:00

All of us that were raised on the Gulf coast are very aware of the weather at this time of year. The forecasters are telling us that we are in for a major show even this far north. As we prepare for the upcoming rains, we are moving to get as many things buttoned up before they hit.

Another load of cabinetry was delivered today. Cubbies, cubbies and more cubbies!

The overhead steel framing for the existing building is also moving ahead.

The termite pretreatment was completed today in anticipation of the foundation pour. Here's hoping the rain holds off long enough to let it happen. The City of Dallas, the concrete material, the concrete pumping truck, the engineer for testing, field supervision and a whole lot of labor are all critical parts of the pour.

RAIN RAIN RAIN

2008-09-10T11:35:00.003-06:00

While the rain is preventing us for doing much with the new foundation, we are continuing with the work inside the existing building. Partition walls are going up and it is exciting to see the shape of the actual classrooms. It is hard to imagine the scale of the spaces without any furniture or young MCHS students around but taking a walk from one side of the classroom to the other makes it pretty clear.

The steel for the foundation has been inspected by the structural engineer that designed it. It has also been inspected by the City of Dallas and has passed inspection so we are set to pour our concrete as soon as the weather allows. The rain effects not only our project but hundreds of others as well. This plays havoc with the concrete suppliers. Needless to say, we are looking forward to having the building "'weathered-in" to minimize the impact that the weather will have on our schedule.

We made our final choice of interior doors today and have placed the order. We are now going to be able to personalize each door to each classroom with a color that relates to the space.

The Library is framed and we can now see what a great space that will be. The bookcases are also in the works.

A final determination has been made regarding the placement of the lovely blue leaded glass that was formerly installed in the front doors. This will now be installed in the double doors leading to the BAC Wing and provide a handsome backdrop for the Library.

Preliminary color selections are moving forward and the project is becoming more real every day. We hope that you are as excited as we are.

Alex Dahlgren

The Ancon Group

2008-09-08T21:58:00.003-06:00

Introducing Alex and the Project To Date

2008-09-07T14:25:00.008-06:00

Good Day!

To those who do not know me, I am Alex Dahlgren, the design/builder that has been working with MCHS for the past two years on the development of the school project. I have been invited to participate in the MCHS blog so that it may be easier for the many interested folks to follow along with the work and progress on the project. Check back often for updates and photos of the work. I would remind everyone that construction sites are by their very nature dangerous places. As such, we must request that no one enter the job site without a board member as an escort.

Now on the to fun part.

As you can see below the steel has been installed in the trenches and is ready for the inspection by the City of Dallas Building Inspectors. That has been requested for Monday 9/8/08. Fingers crossed, we will pass and be ready to pour concrete mid-week. You may click the thumbnail to see the full sized image.

We have also completed the rough plumbing (everything that goes below the ground) and it has passed the city inspection process. This has been done for the addition as well as the complete reconfiguration of the school interior. All the old plumbing has been removed from the system so everything the school will be using is brand new. Once that was complete inside the existing building, we doweled the concrete slab and poured new concrete.

In the image above you can also how great the windows are in the walls facing the Nature Area. With a little judicious trimming, that view is going to be spectacular.

The exterior windows (yes there are interior windows) have all been ordered as have the exterior doors. The cubbies for the class rooms are well underway with one classroom's set being completed. These are being built by our cabinet maker and once they are complete, we will have him begin on the cabinetry for the classrooms, offices and the library.

The heavy steel is ordered and we will be doing some serious steel demolition this week. This will make the interior of the existing building easier to imagine when combined with the interior wall layout and construction that is also now occuring

That's all for now. More later.

Alex

"The best for the smallest...." Maria Montessori

2008-09-05T20:15:00.014-06:00

After years of legwork and planning, and despite many setbacks, Montessori Children's House & School renovations are underway! It is with great excitement that we bring our latest progress to you, the parents of current, past, and future students. We also warmly welcome those alumni who are now old enough to search the web for themselves (some of whom have children of their own!) to the first MCHS - renovation blog.

We are excited to be adding a new classroom and an entirely new wing that will hold our Before and After Care (BAC) room, after school enrichment classroom, and nap room. In addition, the entire building has been gutted and all the classrooms will have new bathrooms and kitchen space. The reception area will be large and open. Our administrator, Christa, will have a beautiful new office, and the guides (teachers) will have a lounge.

Finally, we will have a building that is as stellar as our school's reputation! We know everyone is curious, so we will keep you up-to-date with photos so you can see what's happening. Keep checking back for new photos as we post them!

Remember, MCHS is currently a construction site and it is imperative for safety reasons that NO ONE go down the driveway. You can view the construction from the Abrams Road sidewalk above the school if you really need a first-hand look at the progress.