projects
Grace Baptist Church Railings
The Grace Baptist Church in Plymouth has a traditional pulpit with a curved dais at the front of the Church. 
The Pastor has a lectern in the center of this and the choir has seating behind that. They contacted us because it has become an issue over the years with choir members coming down the curved steps without railings. They asked us to come up with a railing that would fit in with the existing woodwork and give choir members something to hold on to while they come down the stairs. They were most concerned with safety and aesthetics.
We came up with several options for them and provided sketches. There were different things that could be done with locations and volutes. They selected a curved rail option with newel posts at either end and decorative balusters under the railing. This was the most stable option as well as fitting well into the existing style of woodwork.
Curved railings are always challenging as the railing comes in a sliced profile (See image to the left) that must be bent and glued in the field. In this case it was further complicated by the need to bend the rail around the location where their baby grand piano sits. Also, the rail runs with a curved counter to the curve of the steps. To add one more complication, the existing planters and stairs had different dimensions on either side of the pulpit despite looking symmetrical from the sanctuary. To accommodate this we formed and bent the railing on the grand piano side first and then duplicated that curve with slight adjustments to account for the symmetry issue. The new woodwork was then stained to match. The Church is pleased with the final outcome. Pastor Matthew Elliott said, “They look so nice people do not want to even touch them! I think if you had completed them between services most parishioners wouldn’t have realized there had been a change. They look like they’ve always been there.”
Dave Epley was our carpenter for this project. We’re pleased with Dave’s work on this.
Culver’s Firemen’s Memorial
Should it be Firemen’s or Fireman’s? In any case, Culver Union Township Fire Department (CUTFD) is considering erecting a Memorial where they can honor the firemen that dedicated their time and energy to the protection of lives and property in the Town of Culver and surrounding Union Township. They currently have a two memorial plaques on the building for past Fire Chiefs. It would be difficult to install more without changing the prominence, plus since a new building is being considered, a better location/system is needed.
CUTFD Secretary/Treasurer, Dave Cooper, asked me to come up with a suitable design for this project. He asked that I incorporate the bell that currently hangs in front of the Fire Station. They also have a hose cart that they want included. They want an appropriate memorial where markers could be added over time.
The sketch above (Thanks Mary Ellen!) shows the main memorial wall. It mimics some of the natural field stone work in the existing planter in front of the Fire Station. This is an element that was recommended as a continuing theme in the Culver Design Charrette. The field stone and limestone theme is also seen in the “Welcome to Culver” sign (see picture at left) at the intersection of Lake Shore Drive and Highways 10 & 17 as well as other places throughout town.
The wall is a curved wall on a 15′ radius which would have their antique hose cart as a focal point near the radius center. The original design called for a paver plaza in front of the memorial with the hose cart (picture to the right) in the center. Currently the firemen are considering using the plaza pavers as a fundraising mechanism similar to what was done at Heritage Park.
The bell that is currently mounted in the existing planter (See picture to the left) would be relocated to the center of the new memorial. It would be fixed in place as it is now, but it would be more accessible where it could be touched. It will be recessed into the masonry and supported by a steel lintel.
The sketch shows Tempest Torches on the columns at either end. (See the picture to the right.) These are gas fired torches that would draw attention to the memorial. They could be lit for events or special occasions, i.e. Lakefest, Firemen’s Festival, Lion’s Club Corn Roast, Lake Maxinkuckee Film Festival, etc., but remain decorative the rest of the time if they chose not to keep them lit. It seemed fitting to use fire as part of the memorial and it plays into an eternal flame theme. The firemen are considering these, but they could be removed to save expense.
I gave several other options for them to consider, such as a Philharmonic fire and water fountain. What could be better for firemen than a display that includes BOTH fire and water!?! I also suggested the possibility to add benches or possibly a triple pole flag display.
My suggestion for the individual memorial plaques would be to get bronze castings in the shape of the fire helmet badges (picture to the right) used by CUTFD. The plaques could be cast with names, dates, numbers or whatever other symbols of significance they chose. The sketch shows bands of limestone set into the wall where the memorial markers could be anchored. These could be set permanently with inaccessible epoxy anchors.
The firemen would like to place this memorial in the lawn area on the south side of the firemen’s parking lot. I am suggesting that it be placed towards the corner on the west side, angled with its center line 45 degrees to the sidewalk intersection. This would orient it somewhat towards the fire station while keeping the focus towards Lake Shore Drive. This would minimize the disruption to the site, existing trees and ancillary uses such as the Lake Maxinkuckee Film Festival’s donor dinner.
I have suggested that a donor website be created to generate interest in the project and to solicit donations. The generosity of the Culver community is often amazing and possibly a donor that has had their lives touched by these dedicated public servants may step forward with a donation that would cover one of the larger elements. That would make the memorial that much more significant. As always, comments or suggestions are welcome here. Changes are always easier while the project is at the paper stage, so this is the time for input.
The Edgewater Grille
Reading Jeff Kenney’s recent article in the Culver Citizen and The Pilot News about the new Lakehouse Grille in Culver brought to mind our involvement with the creation of its previous incarnation, The Edgewater Grille.
Phase I Framing September 8, 1999
The Edgewater Grille was already operating successfully when the owner/chef approached us about his plans to expand. As Jeff likes to say, “for those of you that remember…” the Edgewater Grille was started in the old Bait Shop, a small white building with an orange roof sitting on the site of the former bowling alley. (At that time the adjacent Lakeview Tavern was under separate ownership.) The Edgewater Grille sign only partially covered the old sign on the roof that said “BAIT”. There were only a few tables because of the limited space, but the business was brisk.
The plan was to fill the entire site with a new restaurant, but keep the original restaurant open as long as possible in the interim. The owner had a vision of what he wanted in his head. With the help of Brent Martin, (B. A. Martin Architect, P.C.) we got that vision on paper and plans approved with the State. Part of this planning was to find a way to stage the project to keep the restaurant open. We accomplished this by phasing the project with the first phase including the restrooms, kitchen, mechanical rooms and some limited seating at the back of the site. As is etched in limestone on on the parapet, construction began in the Fall of 1999.
MR-24 Seam Animation
The structure was to be wood framed. This allowed for costs to be shifted and allow the bulk of expenditures on the kitchen and finishes. Exposed wood trusses were used to support a BMC CMR-24 roof. We showed various roof systems to the owner and explained the value of this system for the life of the building. It also allowed a low slope (1/4:12) roof pitch which maximized the interior space without requiring a height variance. BMC (Butler Manufacturing Company) has one of the best standing seam roof systems available in their MR-24 Roof. It uses a Pittsburgh double-lock standing seam with a full 360 degree seamed in place connection. The CMR-24 roof combines the MR-24 roof with rigid insulation board and liner panel to keep the interior clean. Look up the next time you’re there and you’ll notice a step in the roof. The step coincides with the transition between Phase I and Phase II of the project.
Detail from the Vandalia Depot
The owner wanted a facade that reflected the community. A brick was chosen that mirrored the brick used in the Vandalia Depot across the street. Even some of the details in the brickwork were duplicated in order to enhance that effect. As the facade was installed, the owner liked it enough to expand its use inside, creating a raised platform along the east wall. (It was removed during a subsequent remodel and replaced by a series of booths.) Mr. Martin proposed the tower on the corner to serve not only as an anchor to the structure, but as a metaphorical lighthouse tower since it sits at a bend in Lake Shore Drive.
With the completion of Phase I, the restaurant closed briefly to allow the relocation of some of the kitchen equipment. It quickly reopened in the new location and the old bait shop was torn down allowing the construction of Phase II to begin.
Phase II Framing Underway
Around the time Phase II was started, the old Lakeview Tavern was purchased, renamed the Lakeview Lodge, and combined with the Edgewater Grille. This allowed for additional seating while Phase II was underway. Phase II went through several changes as construction proceeded. One of the interesting things was the creation of the fountains found on the corners of the raised dais along the west wall. These were commissioned through Susie Black of Black’s Glass in Plymouth. We then added pumps and tubing to create a pool and waterfall effect. The glass was back lit creating a glittering cascade and occasionally a rainbow effect. Unfortunately the water was hard to control and the occasional splatter made them difficult to use when the adjacent seating was occupied.
Tower Framing at South East Corner
Variances were required along the way to accommodate the silver sign on the corner, the awnings and the entrance stairs and ramp. We also modified the sidewalk to create an accessible curb cut ramp. The restaurant was so popular that the Owner petitioned the Town to make changes and add a crosswalk to handle the pedestrian traffic from the parking areas across the street.
All in all we were quite proud of our involvement with this project. We felt the building fit the restaurant and the restaurant helped usher in an era of fine dining in Culver which we were pleased to be a part of.
Kris Bex at Culver Kiwanis
I had the opportunity to introduce Kris Bex of The Remnant Trust to the Culver Kiwanis yesterday. The Remnant Trust is an organization that collects and preserves documents from the 19th century and older. They concentrate their collection on documents that promote the concepts of Liberty and Dignity. They currently have 1206 cataloged works with more being added to their collection as important works become available.
Kris has been President of The Remnant Trust since its inception in 1997. He explained how the idea for the organization came about for this group in the late 80’s/early 90’s. He also spoke about how they came to be located in Winona Lake. It is obviously very much a personal mission for him and he explained how some of his family inspired the creation of the trust. He has board of directors that he reports to which he said, “Limits his Indiana Jones style adventures…”, but he does travel the nation with examples of the works held in their trust.
One of the unique things about their organization is their belief that these documents should be shared with the public. Members of the Kiwanis Club were afforded the opportunity to see some of these documents up close. The opportunity to actually see an original copy of the Federalist Papers is a unique and exciting event. That document was included in the samples brought for the club to examine. Authors represented in the trust include Aristotle, Adam Smith, Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, John Milton, Plato and Alexis de Tocqueville among others.
The Book Vault at The Remnant Trust in Winona Lake
Kris spoke about the care that is taken in preserving and presenting the documents under his protection. He kindly acknowledged our help in creating their facility in Winona Lake and briefly discussed the systems in place to protect them. Not unlike the protection systems some of you may have seen in the movie Angels and Demons, humidity and temperatures are controlled tightly and a specialized fire suppression system is employed that will squelch a fire by removing oxygen from the room while avoiding any residual chemical damage to the books. Unlike those books and documents in the movie, The Remnant Trust believes their collection should be shared with the public. Access is obviously controlled, but they do hold public events. If you are interested in attending one, there is a list of public exhibit dates here.
You can find some additional information on our part in constructing The Remnant Trust facility in Winona Lake here in our blog. Just search for The Remnant Trust in the search box on the right. It was also interesting to learn that Kris attended Hillsdale College, though the group has no affiliation. Some of you may recognize the Imprimis, a publication of Hillsdale College that I have included in the miscellaneous links in the side bar of this blog since its origin.
This is a project we’re extremely proud to include in our portfolio and I was pleased to be able to bring a piece of it to Culver for my friends at the Kiwanis Club to experience. Thank you Kris for making yourself available to give an interesting presentation.
Culver Garden Court Ribbon Cutting
Yesterday was the Open House and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Culver Garden Court. I want to thank all of the Culver people that made this project possible that turned out for the event. The Culver Town Council was represented by Ed Pinder and Bill Githens. (Ralph Winters, a former Town Council member who was instrumental in getting this project approved, was there as well.) The Plan Commission was represented by Ralph Winters. The Culver Redevelopment Commission was represented by Jerry Ney. Pete Trone also came. (Pete was instrumental in helping get the needed variances while he was on the Culver BZA.) The Culver Chamber of Commerce was represented by Sue McInturf, Tony Sellers and Greg Fassett.
Reverend Liechty, President of Garden Court, Inc., was the keynote speaker. He made a nice speech introducing the attending dignitaries and giving some history regarding the organization. He allowed me to speak and I explained how we had worked to make this project happen for over 10 years and through four Town Managers. We both thanked Wade and Claudia McGee for making the property available. I also congratulated the various Town Boards and Commissions for taking the additional steps to annex the surrounding 80 acres, change its zoning and start water and sewer lines to open the area to additional affordable housing.
Reverend Liechty will be stepping down as President of Garden Court and retiring from the board when they elect officers this coming November, so after 7 Garden Court projects, Culver Garden Court will be the last project where we work with him. I took the chance to publicly thank him for the opportunity to work with him and thanked him for his guidance and friendship through the years.
All in all it was a good day. The sun was shining. There was a good turn out. I heard nothing but good comments about the project.
