Glazing - March 8, 2011

With most of the curtain wall framing now in place, the glazers are installing the glass.  The glazing has been specified based on its solar reflectance, color, and thermal transmittance qualities.  (Translation: The cool blue glass on the building reflects like a mirror, and keeps the heat out!)

South Entry from the pedestrian promenade

Booming metal to the roof

Men working on the LEED inspired rainwater infiltration basin on the North side of the building

South entrance detail and a look through the lobby

Curtain Wall - February 23, 2011

New Curtainwall at the Bridge Reading Room provides a frame for a view

West facing Curtainwall framing is underway

South facing Curtainwall at Bridge Reading Room

The opposite side, or North facing Curtainwall

Architect, Contractor, and Owner discuss the wall mounted technology details

Roof work begins

The contractors worked hard over the entire Christmas break to (nearly) finish the exterior brick veneer and begin work on the roof trusses and flat roof framing. Work also continues on the interior, with a focus on the framing in the first floor lobby in preparation for the soon-to-be installed curtain wall mullions, and at the second floor with new rough mechanical, plumbing, and electrical work going in daily.



South elevation: brick completed; note the precast base and window sills.
Framing and sheathing underway for high and low flat roof parapets. 




West elevation: trusses give shape to the main roof.



North elevation: the sidewalk from the center of campus aligns
with the new entrance.

The enclosed egress stair now has a guardrail and handrail.

The second floor is a very busy place now that we have a roof over it.

Brick veneer and precast base

After a couple months of looking at plain concrete block, it's nice to see some brick veneer and a precast concrete base at the first floor exterior. The brick, mortar, and precast all match the colors on the existing library building, and when the platinum-colored curtain wall and metal panels are in place, they will bring a nice, contrasting contemporary feel to the building.

If you walked past the building a few weeks ago, you would have noticed a bright yellow material covering the first floor block. That was the closed cell spray foam insulation, which was sprayed onto the block prior to the exterior finishes being installed. Once the first floor masonry is complete, the process will start all over again with the spray foam insulation being applied to the second floor.




Closed cell spray foam insulation, taken December 1, 2011.

 

Scaffolding surrounds the first floor for brick laying.




Good view of the precast base.



North elevation spray foam insulation, flashing, and stacks of face brick.
The roof deck is visible at the second floor. 





Roof deck at the bridge/connector.







Roof trusses are scheduled for this week, once the deck is completed.



 







Second floor roof framing

While work continues on the first floor ductwork, piping, and ceiling soffit framing, the second floor roof framing is now progressing as well. The steel beams which will form the two-level flat roof over the reading room "bridge" are now in place, and bar joists now span over all major spaces.



View from the southwest




West elevation; steel beams and bar joists now visible at second floor roof




North (future) building entrance



Second floor roof framing



Second floor reading room



Lobby ceiling soffit framing



Soffit and wall framing for first floor study rooms

  

First floor ceilings work

Most of the activity on site last week was at the first floor level, with conduit, ductwork, and ceiling framing being installed during Thursday's site visit. The first floor ceiling will contain a rather complex series of curves, ovals, and soffits, some of which are taking shape in the following photos. Additionally, metal stud partitions are beginning to define some of the enclosed spaces, including the restrooms and study rooms.



View from the southwest



West elevation



Northwest corner



Beginning of the curved ceiling soffit framing



In the lobby, facing west

Ceiling over the open Information Commons space

Second floor slab completed

The second floor slab was poured in the wee morning hours of Friday, September 9th and now the second floor block walls are well underway. Recent heavy rains have made the site a bit muddy, but otherwise everything is looking good. Construction is on schedule for completion in April 2012.

Second floor slab, looking southeast towards the existing library

South elevation: the south entrance will be between the two
concrete columns at the center of the photo.

North and west elevations: view from the Singleton Building

North elevation