Posts Tagged ‘Sustainable Design’

Granite Curbs and Gravel Base

The inside is being painted and soon we’ll be laying the WarmBoard, installing the radiant heat, and laying the floor.   But for now…most of the action is outback.

As part of our eco-friendly design we are installing permeable paving stones for all of the parking areas. This will allow the rain water to drain naturally back into the ground and reduce the need for underground drainage and retention ponds. Permeable pavers are initially more expensive than asphalt, but have a much longer life span and can be less expensive over the life of a building.

Preparation is difficult work – the grades must be perfect, the gravel well compacted, and the granite curbs set to exacting tolerances. We are fortunate to be working with Morrone Excavation and Grandscapes on the site work and landscaping.

Candelabras…In keeping with our blend of tradition, green design, and energy efficiency, we are using computer controlled energy saving LED lighting and candelabras that are made from from oak wine barrel staves.  Take a look!

Sean & Mark of Grandscapes setting the granite curb

Mike Morrone and Brendan Friend setting the grades.

Wine Barrel Candelabras

The drywall is all done –  a tip of the hat to Lockhart Drywall and Plastering – and tomorrow morning we start painting.   Meanwhile we are building the prototypes for the wine racks and display shelving.  Oyster Works’ Peter Hess designed the shelves and is working closely with cabinet maker Stephen Demetrick to refine the design and craft the prototype.

Last Thursday Jon Maldon and Jane Gross came to the shop to check the progress and have Peter and Stephen explain how the system will work.

Outside… Grandscapes is staring to plant.  Check out the native grasses and stone walls! The grasses will grown to be about 4 feet tall and will provide a lovely accent to the front of the building.

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

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.