February 7, 2008 |
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Greetings from the
White City on the Hill!
I was looking forward to Monday’s thaw, only to get drenched in 35˚ rain. What’s next? Toads and lizards? Harry and I did manage to get out Tuesday and take some pictures before the world turned white.
Matt Premo, our Findorff Project Manager, predicted that the upper level would proceed more rapidly; there was a “learning curve” involved in our unique framing, complicated by the necessity of making it fit between concrete walls. They started at each end so that if adjustments were needed they would be at the middle.
Sidewalk Superintending
The crew took advantage of Tuesday’s sunshine to prove Matt right and put up about 2/3 of the Upper Crossing framing. The posts are Wisconsin Red Pine, from the Menominee Reservation. The gray steel posts are now more visible. Their job is to help the building keep its shape under wind loads.
We are getting our steel from two manufacturers, and Endres of Waunakee only uses gray primer. All the metal will be a tasteful tan color when the painting is done.
As you look across the West courtyard you can see the gray horizontal steel beam that marks the top of the glass wall of the C wing hallway. It is welded to the beam that supports the B wing soffit.
As you look to the east along the row of wood posts, you can see the gray post that is the corner of the entryway. The entry doors will be perpendicular to the line of posts. To the left of the posts is a covered pedestrian portico.
Out of Sight
Sprinklers are being installed, but the main action is up on the deck.
What’s Next
Look for tongue and groove yellow pine planking to go on the beams. When we are in the building, these will be the ceiling that we see. They will be topped with plywood, insulation, and roofing.
That will be the story for the next three weeks, with first floor windows appearing towards the end of February.
David Weber
Owner's Representative,
First Unitarian Society
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Bottom: Looking South down into Education Hall from the Upper Crossing, with the B-Wing behind us. The balcony of the Auditorium is visible in the distance, upper left.
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Middle: Looking West towards the Green Auditorium from the Upper Level, (the large concrete wall in the distance is just behind the podium) we see...
a) foreground (plywood), the outdoor portico,
b) the supports ready to install which will support the post and glass wall between the new addition and the parking lot,
c) the beams which support the main entry, upper crossing, and the balcony of the Auditorium. We realize it is hard to visualize, but it is taking shape and will become easier to see (and walk in!) soon.
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Looking West across the South end of the Education Hall, we see the folks standing on the the roof of the new classroom complex. It will divide into 3 large classrooms or become a large meeting room suitable for about 80 - to 100. They are finishing the construction of the upper supports of "Education Hall," which will have large west-facing clerestory windows where they are standing.
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