Posts Tagged ‘New England Hardscapes’

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.

This weeks’ 100 year storm broke all records and brought devastation to much of Rhode Island.  We were concerned about what would happen to our site with open foundations and no way to channel the water.   How did it look?   Great!

Thanks to the careful work by Morrone Excavation the grading and gravel base was sufficient to handle nature’s worst.  Look at the pictures – no standing water, no mud, no problem.  And, as a bonus, the existing package store, which always flooded after a heavy rain, was dry as a bone.

Of course, once we build the building and install the driveway and parking areas we will have to channel the water and make provisions for it to be absorbed back into the ground.  We are committed to handling all of the water and runoff on site.  Our site plan, developed by On-Site Engineering, calls for an underground detention area to handle the roof drains and for permeable pavers in the parking areas and on the side walks.   The permeable pavers will allow the water to penetrate into the underground gravel base and be absorbed into the earth.

Preparation of the base is critical as the pavers are set in small stones (no cement to hold them in place) and can’t move or shift with the weight of cars and changes in temperature.   We asked Matt Foley, of Unilock, to meet with Mike Morrone, and Steve Richardson of New England Hardscapes.  We want to take advantage of Unlock’s experience and make sure that we are installing the pavers as per the manufacturer’s specifications.  Our plan calls for a 6″ subbase of 2 1/2 stones, then a 6″ base course of 1″ stones, and a 2″ bedding course of 3/8″ stones.  Morrone Excavation will put down the base and subbase and New England Hardscapes will lay the bedding course, install the granite curbing, and set the pavers.

Will our plan handle the next hundred year storm?  We hope so!