When we (Applegate Johnston) started this project, we knew about the emblem that identifies the United Methodist denomination. From the very early elevation drawings that Pacific Design sketched out, the Cross and Flame emblem was a prominent part of the building, but it seemed less significant on a black and white sheet of paper. Even when Pacific Design produced the rendering (or hallucination as Lin Martin refers to it), it seemed much less powerful than it does in real stucco and styrofoam!
The pictures on the right still don't do justice to the size and scale of this symbol, but here's a little "behind the scenes" that went into this element of the project...
The topic of the sign came up in one of the weekly project meetings, "what is the Cross and Flame going to be constructed out of?" "wood?" "how about metal?" "should we just paint it on?" "metal sounds good, that would look great... so what type of backing will we need for a metal sign of that scale? How much would that weigh?".
Engineers were consulted, and those who know such things explained that it would probably weigh approximately 1000 lbs. After further discussion, someone suggested making it out of styrofoam and plastering over it... good idea! Then the task of making a template that size! Pacific Design was able to put together a full scale paper model of the Cross and Flame, which was given to the stucco subcontractor.
When the model finally arrived, all were a bit anxious about the final product... that is until it went up onto the building! Even before color, all that saw it knew God had His hand on the craftsman that carved the Cross and Flame from the block of styrofoam. As if that wasn't enough, the subcontractor that provided the Cross and Flame mentioned that he made two of them, and offered the second one for next to nothing (you don't suppose God had anything to do with that do you?).
If you haven't been by the building lately, take a trip out there and see all the action that is taking place... there is something new every day!
Point Pleasant - Live Job Site Camera
Monday, September 22, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Home Stretch
Well, we're looking down the home stretch! As we near the end of the project look for some important milestones. Just as in every other stage in the process, every step is dependent on the step before completing. Now that we are close to the finish, they start to funnel down to the last items. Following is the type of logic that goes into the final portion of the schedule, and how everything hinges on the other:
Windows and Doors - Stucco cannot continue until the windows are completed, as we have to lath and seal around every penetration to the outside.
Stucco/Lath - Drywall cannot begin until the building envelope is sealed - until there is lath all the way around the building, sealing all exterior penetrations.
Windows and Doors - Stucco cannot continue until the windows are completed, as we have to lath and seal around every penetration to the outside.
Stucco/Lath - Drywall cannot begin until the building envelope is sealed - until there is lath all the way around the building, sealing all exterior penetrations.
Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing - Insulation and Drywall cannot begin until all of the MEP items are completed and inspected.
Insulation - Drywall cannot be completed until the insulation is all installed.
Drywall - None of the finishes can be completed until the drywall goes on and the texture is complete.
Paint - The T-Bar, tile, flooring, and MEP trim cannot be completed until the paint is on the walls.
T-Bar - The ceiling light fixtures, HVAC registers, fire alarm sensors, and fire sprinkler trims cannot be installed until the T-Bar ceiling has been installed.
Tile - The plumbing fixtures and some electrical trim cannot be installed until the tile is laid and grouted.
These are some things to look out for as you visit the site and wonder why something isn't happening yet! The question to ask is not "why has xyz not started yet?" instead ask "what isn't finished yet that xyz hasn't started?".
We'll keep you posted...
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
New Camera Angle Coming!
As requested, we are looking for a new and exciting camera angle. Expect a new view later this week.
Please feel free to use the blog to ask any questions or concerns you may have. The more interaction we have, the more successful the blog and ultimately the project will be.
Please feel free to use the blog to ask any questions or concerns you may have. The more interaction we have, the more successful the blog and ultimately the project will be.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Word of the Week #6
Substantial Completion
Substantial Completion is a legal term used in the construction industry to signify that a project is ready for beneficial use. Substantial completion does not require every item to be complete and the items that are not completed are listed out on a document called the "punch list".
There is much argument as to what substantial completion really means and every project has its own definition. Because payment, warranty issues, early completion bonuses, late completion fines and many other important legal issues are tied to the substantial completion date, it is important for a construction company to plan for substantial completion (however it is defined on that project) as early as possible. You may be excited to know that this project is undergoing
Substantial Completion is a legal term used in the construction industry to signify that a project is ready for beneficial use. Substantial completion does not require every item to be complete and the items that are not completed are listed out on a document called the "punch list".
There is much argument as to what substantial completion really means and every project has its own definition. Because payment, warranty issues, early completion bonuses, late completion fines and many other important legal issues are tied to the substantial completion date, it is important for a construction company to plan for substantial completion (however it is defined on that project) as early as possible. You may be excited to know that this project is undergoing
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Word of the Week #5
Story Pole
A story pole is used to transfer dimensions from one place to another or to check a clearance. To create a story pole, cut a piece of pipe into the desired length. To check a stairwell for clearance, you may cut a piece of pipe 44" long. As you walk down the stairwell, the pipe should pass freely between the handrails.
Story poles work great for clearances. But imagine setting your ceiling height via story pole. By cutting your pole 8 feet in length and building your ceiling to match your story pole, you will unwittingly transfer all of the variances in your your concrete finish from the floor to the ceiling. A 3/16' variance in the floor is almost imperceptible to the human eye. The same variance in a ceiling will cause you to question the sobriety of the installer.
You may have noticed John Napoli (the Italian Master of Concrete) using a laser to set the elevations of his form work. In modern commercial construction, lasers are used to transfer dimensions from one point all around the building site. If you get the chance, ask Mr. Napoli if his concrete is flat enough to story pole. Just don't make the mistake of calling it "cement".
Bottom line: If you use a story pole to top of window/door elevations or ceiling heights, you may not like the ending of the story!
A story pole is used to transfer dimensions from one place to another or to check a clearance. To create a story pole, cut a piece of pipe into the desired length. To check a stairwell for clearance, you may cut a piece of pipe 44" long. As you walk down the stairwell, the pipe should pass freely between the handrails.
Story poles work great for clearances. But imagine setting your ceiling height via story pole. By cutting your pole 8 feet in length and building your ceiling to match your story pole, you will unwittingly transfer all of the variances in your your concrete finish from the floor to the ceiling. A 3/16' variance in the floor is almost imperceptible to the human eye. The same variance in a ceiling will cause you to question the sobriety of the installer.
You may have noticed John Napoli (the Italian Master of Concrete) using a laser to set the elevations of his form work. In modern commercial construction, lasers are used to transfer dimensions from one point all around the building site. If you get the chance, ask Mr. Napoli if his concrete is flat enough to story pole. Just don't make the mistake of calling it "cement".
Bottom line: If you use a story pole to top of window/door elevations or ceiling heights, you may not like the ending of the story!
Friday, April 18, 2008
Thanks PPUMC!!
What a great day at the job site. The wonderful people of Point Pleasant United Methodist once again provided food and drink for the work crews during lunch. It's going to be difficult getting people to move on to different projects after being spoiled so much during this one.
We were provided with chili (from a mild, meaty mix to smokin hot and a couple of in betweeners), refreshments and some great fellowship with folks that remain important clients but have grown into so much more.
We have been blessed as a company and as individuals to be yoked into this grand undertaking with a congregation, a building committee and a Pastor that exemplify the Body of Christ. Thanks again PPUMC for all that you have given to us at Applegate Johnston!
We were provided with chili (from a mild, meaty mix to smokin hot and a couple of in betweeners), refreshments and some great fellowship with folks that remain important clients but have grown into so much more.
We have been blessed as a company and as individuals to be yoked into this grand undertaking with a congregation, a building committee and a Pastor that exemplify the Body of Christ. Thanks again PPUMC for all that you have given to us at Applegate Johnston!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Word of the Week #4
3 Week Look Ahead
Sometimes we just call it the short term schedule or the 3 week, this is the schedule that the job is actually built from. This isn't the pretty schedule with the bar graphs, it is a list of very detailed activiities that must occur over the following three weeks to meet the dates we have committed to on the contract schedule.
The site superintendent spends most of his time revising and adjusting the short term schedule prior to distributing it on a weekly basis. Activities that don't occur as planned impact others and we use this weekly update to alert everyone of the changes. Somteimes things go well and we are able to make positive adjustments, sometimes we experience rain delays, material shortages, undermanned crews, etc. and need to push dates back.
When Rusty publishes a 3 week, he has already made contact with those on the schedule and alerted them to the upcoming activities. When a date is missed on the 3 week, the responsible party can expect a "follow up" from Rusty. There are so many variables that go into the planning and execution of a days work that one small hiccup can start a chain of events that impact many companies and crews.
Believe it or not, some crews show up to work unannounced. The work shown on the 3 week always takes precedence and is given an umbrella of protection. If two workers are working in the same area, the person that is working according to the short term plan is accomodated. If they are both working according to the plan, Rusty gets a "follow up" call.
Sometimes we just call it the short term schedule or the 3 week, this is the schedule that the job is actually built from. This isn't the pretty schedule with the bar graphs, it is a list of very detailed activiities that must occur over the following three weeks to meet the dates we have committed to on the contract schedule.
The site superintendent spends most of his time revising and adjusting the short term schedule prior to distributing it on a weekly basis. Activities that don't occur as planned impact others and we use this weekly update to alert everyone of the changes. Somteimes things go well and we are able to make positive adjustments, sometimes we experience rain delays, material shortages, undermanned crews, etc. and need to push dates back.
When Rusty publishes a 3 week, he has already made contact with those on the schedule and alerted them to the upcoming activities. When a date is missed on the 3 week, the responsible party can expect a "follow up" from Rusty. There are so many variables that go into the planning and execution of a days work that one small hiccup can start a chain of events that impact many companies and crews.
Believe it or not, some crews show up to work unannounced. The work shown on the 3 week always takes precedence and is given an umbrella of protection. If two workers are working in the same area, the person that is working according to the short term plan is accomodated. If they are both working according to the plan, Rusty gets a "follow up" call.
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