Archive for the ‘Geothermal Heating and Cooling’ Category

It’s 20 degrees outside, but we are warm and comfortable, thanks to our radiant floor heating.

16 separate runs of Pex tubing bring heat from the geothermal equipment in the basement to the retail area.  The Pex tubing fits into Warmboard – a subfloor that is specifically designed and engineered for radiant heat.

Having all of this tubing in the floor makes installing the wood floor a precise operation.   We are using Eastern White Pine  from a local mill that was delivered with a moisture content of approximately 10%. In order to minimize movement we reduced the moisture content down to 6% by air drying the boards in a heated environment (see the stack behind Tim and Jimmy).

We are then screwing and plugging each board – making sure each screw hole is perfectly in line and that we don’t drill through the Pex tubing.   6,000 screws and thousands of feet of tubing – potential disaster with every hole!! Careful work!

We are also building the racks and shelves that display the wine. Architect Megan Moynihan and cabinetmaker Stephen Demetrick go over the layout.

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.

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

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.