Progress Update - Week 6

A completely rotted out beam from inside the buidling.

Marc using the chop-saw

This week was all about getting the foundations in. On Monday and Tuesday we finished up processing the remaining beams, joists, and clap board. Between the de-nailing and cutting processes everyone got to put their hands on the power tools. Sahar used the Saws-All for the first time, she reports that her arms were numb after two cuts. By Wednesday we were ready to start digging some footing holes. First we measured and marked the column grid using the triangulation method, the good old 3, 4, 5 right triangle. Admittedly we had to do it twice because the first time we assumed the existing foundation wall was square, it ended up being 3” off on one side.

Sahar using the sawzall

Footing digging was a somewhat experimental process. Because the soil in this area is organic matter (i.e. clay) it is not suitable to bear weight, the result is that we have to create 36” x 36” x 1’ footings for the piers to sit on. To begin we marked out the 36” footing based on the previously established center points, then using a skill saw we scored the footing outline and broke up the concrete slab with an electric hammer drill. We started hand digging the first two holes and quickly discovered the soil is dense wet clay, it was like digging into solid cheddar cheese.  Soon a buddy developed where one person gets the clay out of the hole and the other moves it to the pile, mostly because the hole was not big enough to have two people. At one point Arial felt a few drops on his head thinking it was the eminent rain but turns out it was Anthony dripping sweat on him. It was grueling work, so grueling that eventually we decided to have Brad dig out the holes with the back hoe, it isn't as pretty, but it's faster.

Footing holes.

In the middle of the week Chris had to leave us for 24 hours to present as a featured artist at the Furniture Society Conference at Maine College of Art in Portland Maine. We really missed her, but she reported back that her lecture went well and she really enjoyed the gardens of her host.

We also got an extra set of hands. Paul is an experienced carpenter and friend of Brad’s who came from Florida for the week. We are going to try to make him like us so much we will want to stay longer.

In other excitement we had a toilet back-up at the parsonage. There was so much water that it went through the floor to the basement below and soaked the ceiling tiles. Brad saved the day with his “plumber’s moves” with a plunger.

Gary and Jennifer stopped by and used a transit to make a level line for the foundation wall to be cut down. Our line level system wasn’t super accurate. They also got hold of a pneumatic drill for a few hours and busted up the concrete stair. We were shocked to discover that the rebar used in the stair was 1” iron bars used to tie back coal mines, plus some scrap iron railing, guess nothing goes to waste here. Anthony jumped in and took a turn, it was quite a photographic moment.

Jennifer teaching Sarah to use the transit

Anthony working the pneumatic drill

On Friday we spent the morning over at Duane’s house milling the larger oak beams into smaller pieces using his portable saw mill, the WoodMizer. Duane is even more our hero that before, he is super strong and works that WoodMizer like a pro. We ended up with beautiful cross sections of lumber.

The portable saw mill area at Duane's house.

Duane using the WoodMizer.

Design Concept

During the third week of the project the team presented their design concept the the congregation and larger community. The goal of the meeting was to present the concept and get feedback. Everyone was nervous and had worked so hard to get the presentation together. In the end it seemed that the community was impressed with the work and expressed that the design exceeded their expectations.

The community meeting included all our favorite people.

Teem picture, the space in the middle is for Brad, he got stuck talking to folks while the picture was being taken.

The design concepts include:

• Intimate space to serve the community in the ways they requested; funeral services and other small gatherings
• Space for contemplation and reflection when services are not in progress (most of the time), space doubles as foyer for larger gathering space during services.
• Strong sense of entry and procession. Designed as a ramp, framed openings, and a continuous central axis
• Adaptation for diverse climate at site. Slating is designed to buffer wind on north side but still allow air circulation.

 

Word concepts for contemplation space.

 

Word concept for main space

Existing site plan

New Design site plan

Overall View of model

North Side elevation

Closeup of eaves showing the slat detail to echo the original windows

Plan with elevations.

Enlarged plan. Shows location of larger "service" space and smaller "contemplation" space

Progress Update - Week 5

 There was major visual progress this week! We started with most of a building and ended with nothing but the foundation.We took down the walls by cutting them into sections and then pulling them down with rope. It was like a giant tug of war chain, only there is not other team. Below is a video of some of the walls coming down. Big thanks to Sahar our video editor as well as Sam and Ariel who produced multiple angle shots.

 

After the walls fall we have to process the walls. We descend on the wall like locusts. We remove the lathe, pop-off the clapboard, and move the studs to the pile.

Here are a few series pictures of the progress this week.

Beginning of the week, the roof and trusses are totally gone.

Mid-way through Wednesday

End of Thursday, all that remains is the floor.

End of day Friday, the sub-floor, joists, and beams are totally gone. Left with the foundation and the basement walls.

 Another series from the south side.

At beginning of week, the unstable portion has been removed but most of the walls are still up.

Mid Wednesday, the long walls have been taken down in sections, all that remains is the corners.

Thursday, walls are down, the floor is still intact.

Sub-floor carefully removed, we took care not to damage the tongue and groove by taking it out all together working simultaneously on a single piece to pop it up all at once.

View of the floor joists and beams totally removed by the end of Friday.

Deconstruction Olympics - Brick Shot Put

We have to have some fun on the site too. Given all our practice throwing brinks onto the pile we thought we would make it official.

In the end the winners were pretty predicable. Anthony in first, Sam in second, and Marc in third.

On Food

Food is a major part of our existence here. Given all the manual labor we are constantly re-supplying our calories. In addition to that we also have been given tons of food from Terry, Dorothy and the Meadowbrook community. We are so grateful. Also, Terry's daughter is in culinary school and doing an internship at a local bakery, she keeps us in parties and cakes. To make meals out of what we have we get pretty creative. So far here are our favorite concoctions: 

Fruit at Hopewell kitchen

We have donations of food and water

Jessica's Pastries

Dry goods pantry at Hopewell

7 Layer Nachos by Chris

• 350 degrees preheat oven
• Layer of tortilla chips
• Layer of refried beans (about ½ can
• Layer chopped onions (red or white)
• Layer chopped green, yellow, and or red bell pepper,
• Layer chopped tomatoes
• Layer shredded cheese (lots)
• Bake for 10-15 minutes, after baking add salsa and sour cream

Banana Walnut White Cake by Sarah and Chris

We had three bananas that were going to go bad, so we found some Pillsbury white cake mix and replaced the oil with banana, then added walnuts. Turned out pretty good right out of the oven with coffee ice cream.

“Breakfast for Dinner” Blueberry Pancakes by Chris and Sarah

Griddle Burgers – by Anthony, Marc, and Ariel

Somehow we scored a large griddle as part of the kitchen equipment. We made burgers.

Hand-made spaghetti and meatballs ( beef and vegetarian)

There is a large supply of pasta, so we have spaghetti and meatballs, for the vegetarians we replaced the meat with Morningstar meal starter loose “sausage”. A good Sunday meal.

Blueberry Corn Muffins

The great thing about this is that we started with two boxes of jiffy mix, then add apple juice, blueberries, and sugar. Came out lovely.

Brown Lentils with bell pepper, onion, and cilantro

A pretty simple meal by hearty just the same.

“Breakfast for Dinner” Breakfast Quesadillas by Chris

Sort of a combo meal, egg and veggies in a tortilla and pan crisped

The “ChrisLee” – sliced apple, cream cheese, and cheddar on toast

Our new favorite snack that everyone enjoys. Try it!

Hot dog and Cottage Cheese By Sahar

Sahar pan seared hot dog slices by replacing the butter or oil with cottage cheese. In case you are wondering, the cottage cheese got stringy and the result was a little iffy in looks, but tasted okay.

Kielbasa with peppers and onions

Fruit Salad Topping by Joanne

This stuff is totally amazing!

•  8 oz cream cheese 
• 16 oz marshmallow cream
• 2 tbls brown sugar