Next Level Building Construction: Whatcha Know About Structure!!!

Hello, I guess I get to finally post my blogs on this wonderful site, thank you Peter. I have to apologize for the length of this post but shorter ones will come. Enjoy.

Day 1

                Upon arriving at the fair ground it was clear to see that we were all very anxious to start on the project, an enthusiasm that probability won’t be there tomorrow. It was nice to see everybody so ready to dive into building something, something real. The thought of creating the design that my classmates worked so hard to realize was also an energy that I could perceive in their presents, so much so that I really started to get excited. Creation is an act of sheer will: and everybody seemed willing to start.

                We first received our daily tasks and were sent on our way. Personally, I’m not most familiar with the job site and all the complexity it possesses but I do have both the willingness to work and the hunger to learn. Luckily, I had Master Mike Dawson and Brittany Greenwood in my group both who seem to be well more knowledgeable then myself. I’m terribly excited to learn as much as possible about the construction process and I’m sure they will awesome to work with.

                The weather was cloudy at first then the sun came out, not much of this mattered because we were inside and the warehouse seem way more present then I thought it would be.

                Today we framed all the bays for the floor and connected them. Then Chris and Mike made sure that the whole structure was level and straight. Then we covered the floor with plywood that had really convenient tongue and grooves. It seems that we are slightly ahead of schedule and will start the wall tomorrow then the lumber arrives.

                It was a good day, good work and great speed (when we know what’s going on-ha ha).

 Nic Pietron

Group 2                    

Day 2

After yesterday, I slept like a rock and woke up an hour early thinking I was late: I must have been dreaming about the build. The air was cool as Dusty and I commuted to the fair grounds. We arrived early and came to see that the floor looked wonderful and some final touches were being applied. It really looked wonderful; Chris and the rest did a wonderful job with the sanding.

Then the others arrived. The enthusiasm that I saw yesterday had lessened but in its place was a sort of resolve, like a warrior contemplating his next battle. The talking was lessened but the will to work was strong; perhaps it wasn’t the will to work but the will to accomplish the task that was set before us. Initially the segregation of jobs was slow due to the debate over how we should proceed. But sure enough it was resolved and then we started. Mike, Brittany and myself started cutting wood for the structures that where to be build today. First build was a diaphragm that ran along the south and west side of cabin then: the columns. At first I didn’t ask what the wood we were cutting was going to be used for because I wanted to see if I could figure it out. I was lost in the process for a while but realization dawned on me as the wood was being laid out and this moment was one of the moments that I enjoy most: realization. This acuminated when we raised the first column and when the first header was installed. As the day progressed and people started to understand what jobs needed to be done; this really sped up when after lunch, when a bunch of small groups formed and a sense of what needed to be done was shared with the whole group. Before I knew it eleven hours had passed and we left around seven o’clock. Again, it was another good day.

Yours,

Nic Pietron

Day 3

                Today was a ridiculously productive. We all started strong and kept going through the whole day, all 13 hours.

                It started with east side column, dusty and I made it out of some 2X 10’s and had it risen by lunch time. Next we created the diaphragm that surrounded the west and south wall. My small group finished framing it and Dusty cut some of the floors over the diaphragm. Then we proceeded with the second set of headers.

                I especially enjoyed both putting up the column and the headers. The column was satisfactory to me because my small group made it and we tilted it and framed it, it was fun to see our work up like that. The header was nice because I’m not really used to heights but this was a great chance to get used to them.

                Today was a day of accomplishments and now I’m going to crash because I’m sure there’s room for more accomplishment tomorrow.      

Ciao,

Nic Pietron

7-30-11

Day 4

                Stepping out of my car onto the fairgrounds I had a couple feelings about how today was going to go. Firstly, that the moisture condensing on my car and the heaviness of the air I breathed was prophetic about the intense mugginess that this day would hold. Secondly, we had the framing finished for the east wall finished just waiting to be installed. Lastly, I was sitting among a much energized crew that wanted to get right down to business. This was the vibe that I got this morning and boy was it contagious.

                A small group when to cut and assemble some very awesome roof frames and another installed some cripples onto the large column on the west wall. I assisted in the configuring and the assembly of the north wall. After the wall started coming together I was pulled to install a cap for the second header on the south wall. With my experiences with the scaffolding and heights, today’s task was a walk in the park. After they were installed and the north wall was finished (which is extremely long and needed to be assembled separately and then connected) we were ready…for lunch.   

                Then after a restful lunch we were really ready…to install the last walls. We started with the east wall. We all carefully lifted it into place and a crew secured it into place. Then it was the north walls turn. We realized that it would have to be spun 180 degrees and the easiest way to do this would be standing it upright. When we got the wall up we ran into a hick-up, as we started to spin it we could feel the wall twist because of its length. We braced it…then continued with the installation. Then, with extreme care, places and secured the last wall. Boom!

                After the wall went up we cleaned up and were free to go but some force kept up back; perhaps it was the awesomeness of the completed enclosure that we built in a few days together. Perhaps it was the sense of accomplishment that permeated through the air, like a hard victory. Or perhaps we’re a bunch of architecture-nerds that enjoy looking at built things. Whatever the reason: it was hard to depart from that muggy warehouse and enjoy the rest of our afternoons before we set our sights on our next goal. 

Love,

Nic Pietron

Group 2     

Day 5

                I’d have to say that today’s been one of the more peculiar day’s we’ve had thus far. I’ll elaborate.

                Firstly Dusty, Chris and I started a platform that resides on the western wall. The platform’s part of a ramp system that, I believe, runs along the south and west side but that system is yet to be built. I’m curious about how it’s going to look and how it’ll be built. I guess the unusual thing about it that we didn’t really complete it; we built it 16 feet from the west wall’s door and stopped near the corner. The reasoning is that we will be meeting this ramp with on from the south side with reclaimed wood from Home & Garbage. Another thing that’s unusual about the ramp is that we didn’t completely fasten it because the incline’s going to eventually change. Finally it’s strange but this platform’s frame was built the first day. Funny, huh?

                Then John, Mellissa and I started and finished sheathing the bottom of the west wall with O.S.B. That was interesting because due to the large openings in the west wall we it seemed that we weren’t really doing that much; but the precision required and visual difference are both ridiculous. John, Melissa and I needed to be super careful lining everything up and making sure that all of the openings were flush with the framing. When we were done, it was fun to  see the skeleton of a building become a solid form.

                Ok, and finally, this is probably the thing that stood out most… I’m sure a hurricane hit our site today. It started in the morning with a small sprinkle, no big deal. Then the lightning came and struck right behind the building. John and I were standing outside near the east entrance of the warehouse then we both saw a blinding flash that came from nowhere. We stared at each other for a moment before an earsplitting BOOM shock the ground and the building; we could actually here crackling in the air. Then we decided it’d be in our best interest if we went inside. Then the rain and the wind came and visibility was lost, all the saws were brought inside and we continued building away.

Crazy day.

Later

Nic Pietron

Group 2

Day 6

                The day started off with light showers and some gusts of wind then the sun came out and it became a nice day, why I’m I starting with a weather report? Well I’ll get back to that in a moment.

Today’s task was quite simple, John and I tackled the bottom layer of interior sheathing with O.S.B. I didn’t really know that much about O.S.B. except that it was a type of particle, glue lam, plywood-ish thing. But I guess that it is also a vapor barrier. So the glue and the material being pressure treated make it impervious to water? That make scenes, I guess. Then what happens to the barrier when you punch a screw into it? Does it still keep its vapor repealing attributes? I’ll believe that it does and that’s why it’s important to punch through it a minimal amount of times.

                While sheathing the northeast corner, creating a sweet cut away detail (this detail is awesome and it showcases all of the wall’s inner workings), John was up on a latter making sure the angle was correct for the cut away when I hear from him, “Oh, our tent just did a flip!!!”, a sight that he saw through the upper window. To this comment I responded, “I’ll be right back,” and promptly ran out to gather up the saws, cords and the tent.

                Then the sun came out and it became a nice day.

Out.

Nic Pietron

Group 2

Day 7

                Today’s been of the most interesting and rewarding day’s yet.

                Firstly, I went up onto the high scaffolding and wore the harnesses. Yesterday Ty and Andrew wore then and went up to secure the gables to the top of our structure, now it was my turn. I strapped on, not an amazing feeling, then proceeded to climb to the top with Andrew to take measurements and install sheathing to the uppermost peaks of the indoor sheathing and John would cut the boards. The experience was slightly exciting but I kept my poise and stayed on task, no screwing around up there. Speaking of which, is there some secret, magical property that exists with O.S.B., screws and heights. In general, it’s sometimes hard to screw O.S.B., but up there, it seemed impossible!!!! But hey, John did some fine skill sawing and it looks pretty sweet.

                Then it was time to go…and then we had the team meeting. At this meeting Nick made a deal with us, stay…and we get pizza. I was all over that deal. So we constructed a giant cross beam in two pieces and broke for pizza. Mmmmm, pizza. Then Nick and I, with the power of the scissor lift, brought up the beam pieces to the top and slid then into place. The Andrew and Ty secured them. At this time Mike finished up his mock up of the shading structure. We moved I into place and marveled at its awesomeness because we’re all architectural nerds.

Yours,              

Nic Pietron

Group 2