Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Building the field stone wall at the east entrance.

The snow has melted, the ground is thawed and we are back at work outside finishing the permeable pavers, building the Connecticut field stone wall at the entrance, and finishing the landscaping.  All of the parking is in the rear of the building and the main store entrance will be on the east side of the building.   Above the wall that Granscapes’ Mark and Sean are building will be a glass enclosed entranceway.   The bright green material is a barrier to stop any water that penetrates the stone and the detail below illustrates how the stone is anchored to the frame wall.

Field Stone Wall Detail

Package Store Interior

Back on the inside we have finished the floor and are installing the kitchen cabinets, light fixtures, wine refrigerators, and plumbing.

The is a lot to do to finish the project – below Oyster Works’ Jeremiah Bowman moves the paving blocks – he has three pallets to unload before dinner.

Jeremiah Bowman moving the paving blocks.

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.

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.

Tommy (LT) and Ryan finishing the tower

The project is about to turn the corner as we finish setting the last of the Climate-Block panels.  But first we have to construct the tower and stairwell that will serve the mezzanine areas. Tricky angles, tough cuts, and a fair amount of head scratching, but we got it right.

We constantlly make adjustments in the field and architect Megan Moynihan is often on site (in this case on the roof) working with the team and figuring out the best way to take what is on paper and bring it to life.

Tim Van Wormer and Megan Moynihan