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The drywall brings out the geometry and dignity of the mortise and tenon timberframe.

Three phases of the project are in transition.   On the outside we are finishing up the siding (our project was featured in NuCedar’s recent newsletter) and starting the planting. Inside we are installing and taping the drywall.  And in the basement we are running electrical lines and finishing the piping for the geothermal system.   All of the lighting will be monitored by computers linked to touchpad controls.

The Charlestown Package Store is a fluid blend of old and new.   Timberframe, stone walls, native landscaping and thermally broken EPS panels, computer controlled LED lighting, geothermal heating and cooling, low VOC finishes.   Designed and built by local architects and contractors, the project demonstrates design and construction that is sustainable and sensible.  We are proud to be part of the team.

Geothermal Heating and Cooling & Lighting Control Panel

Landscaping the front of the store.

Century Electric's Tim Robar explains the switching to owner Jon Maldon.

Grandscapes' Stone Masons Mark & Sean

The Charlestown Package Store marries traditional forms with energy efficient technologies and building systems.  Grandscapes’ stone masons Mark & Sean are building a stone wall along Old Post Road with native field stone and granite columns salvaged from the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.

Oyster Works’ commitment to environmentally friendly design began with how we understood the site.   Landscape architect Jenn Judge developed a plan utilizing non-invasive native landscaping, permeable paving stones, and natural stone walls.   We are very pleased to have a Charlestown based company, Grandscapes, doing all the landscaping, building the stone walls, and laying the permeable paving stones.

The store is being sided with NuCedar, a Leed eligible recycled PVC product that is factory finished with a solar reflective ceramic coating.   Painted to our specifications and installed by Charlestown’s T & J Construction, NuCedar is a new product that promises to be virtually maintenance free.

Stone Walls and Recycled Siding

Jeff Brennan (UBS) & Megan Moynihan; Breck Tully & Tim Van Wormer

Oyster Works’  commitment to sustainable design and building a sensibly green building is dependent upon an efficient and coordinated team that includes subcontractors and material suppliers.

We are very fortunate to work with Jeff Brennan of United Builders Supply (UBS), pictured here with architect Megan Moynihan and Breck Tully and Tim Van Wormer of T & J Construction.  In addition to providing lumber and fasteners, Jeff has gone the extra mile and helped us purchase specialty products, including NuCedar Siding and Unilock Permeable Pavers.   A tip of the hat and thanks to Jeff and the team at UBS!

Elsewhere on Site…

On the outside we are finishing the NuCedar siding and preparing the site for landscaping and paving. All of the underground systems are installed and Morrone Excavation is screening the top soil.

Morrone Excavation Screening the Top Soil

When we started the project we removed and stockpiled all of the topsoil. Before we spread the soil  to establish a base for the landscaping, we are screening it to remove all the stones.

Inside we are working to complete the rough plumbing, finishing the electrial wiring, and installing the geothermal equipment. All of this is precise work made more difficult by a timber frame builidng with exterior walls made out of solid EPS panels.  T & J Construction is doing the siding and general carpentry, Stedman and Kazounis  the plumbing,  Century Electric the lighting and fire alarms, and Alares and Mercury Tec the geothermal system.

Thanks! to all.

Phil Boster and Architect Megan Moynihan

Doug Ainley installing the geothermal equipment

The Charlestown Package Store is located at 4625 Old Post Road in Charlestown, RI.  Scroll back through earlier postings for a complete history of the construction.  For an overview of the design and approval process see the blog entry  on the Oyster Works website.

We are siding the south and west sides of the store and think it looks great!   We are using NuCedar siding which is a product made out of recycled PVC and painted to our specifications.

Ezra, Breck, and Jimmy at the end of the day.     Oyster Works’ Jeremiah Bowman watches as Ezra and Tim install the exterior door to the loading area.

Yesterday we poured the cement slab in the retail area of the store.   After installing the drywall we will strap the floor with 2×4 sleepers, cover the sleepers with 11/8″ Warmboard, install radiant heat, and then a wood floor. But first, before we poured the slab, we had to put in all the pipes and wires!   Planning, coordination, drilling holes in the foundation……

Once the floor is poured, all the pipes and wires will be encased in concrete and correcting mistakes or making changes will be difficult.  First thing yesterday morning the concrete arrived and now we have a floor.   Take a look.