projects
Outdoor Living Project II
We previously told you about our work on an outdoor living project here. Indiana weather hasn’t helped us with progress this Spring. We had to wait for the weather to warm up enough to complete the masonry on the fireplace before we could make the tie-in with the rest of the structure. Once that happened in March, we were able to complete the framing, but then April came with nearly constant rain delays. Since that time we have completed the roof structure, installed the shingles and the EPDM roof on the flat section. We have completed the barrel ceiling framing. We have also completed the perimeter retaining wall.
Next on the schedule is the electrical rough-in. The Owners finalized the lighting layout and have made most of the fixture selections this week. We will be running the electric in flexible plastic conduit for maximum future options. The Owners use a computerized lighting and security system in their home. This system will be extended to the cabana to allow remote control of the lighting and other electrical systems.
We are also about to begin the installation of masonry walls that define the room. The walls are solid core decorative retaining wall blocks that are designed for mortarless installation with vertical installation. The critical area will be around the kitchen area where the interior dimensions are crucial for the kitchen cabinets and appliances while the exterior dimensions are crucial to the column alignment and hurricane shutter locations.
Check back for futher updates where we’ll have additional pictures of how it all comes together.
Culver Academies Woodcraft Camp Cabin
We are currently working on a new cabin for the girls’ section of the Woodcraft Camp. We are duplicating the existing cabins as much as possible, using cedar for nearly everything that is exposed.
We had a false start where we got off square due to tree roots, but we regrouped and are back under construction with walls standing and our first rafters in the air.
Culver Academies have 70 cabins in the Woodcraft Camp as well as about a dozen or so other accessory buildings. The camp has been in its current location for almost 50 years. Prior to that it was part of the main campus. The Woodcraft Camp program is celebrating its centennial this year. I’m not sure what all will be included in the celebration, but I’m guessing they will do it up right.
From A Salute to the Woodcraft Camps by Robert B.D. Hartman
The cabins have changed very little over the years. The first one was built as a display and transported to the site for placement on concrete piers. The roofing material has changed over the years, going from cedar shakes to composite faux cedar shakes, to the current use of architectural shingles; and some of the hidden structure has been changed to treated lumber. Beyond those changes, great pains have been taken to match the authentic original designs.
As I’m writing this, more changes may be in the works though. We currently have a variance application at the State requesting a waiver on the new rules that would require this cabin to have a fire sprinkler system. Aside from the fact that this would be the only sprinkled cabin on the site, it would be extremely difficult and costly to extend adequate water lines to supply a sprinkler system.
The plan is to have this new cabin completed in time for the 2011 Woodcraft Camp starting in June. We’re pressed for time due to the wet weather we’ve been having, but we’re making good progress. Watch for more enteries here as we progress.
For those of you interested in additional information on the Culver Academies Woodcraft Camp, I would suggest you take a look at A Salute to the Woodcraft Camps by Robert B.D. Hartman. I have attached a copy here.
Indiana Energy Code
Last Wednesday I attended a presentation/seminar on the Indiana Energy Code presented by Associated Builders and Contractors of Indiana (ABC) and Newport Ventures. Newport Ventures is supporting the State of Indiana in the adoption of the new Indiana Energy Code by conducting stakeholder meetings, developing a compliance roadmap and conducting training on the new code.
The presentation was informative and will no doubt be useful. Though Easterday Construction would not normally be involved in designing the systems discussed, it is still good for us to have a working knowledge of these things. It helps us understand them when we find them on plans, it gives us the ability to discuss them with clients before the design phase begins, and it also allows us to take the best practices found here and apply them to situations where it is not necessarily required by code.
Some of the things presented were already prevalent in the industry as “‘Best Practices”. These mainly related to insulation standards, optimized framing and building envelope tightness. Others such as changes in electrical systems and HVAC systems for reduced energy consumption have been available, but it has been left to the Owner or Developer’s choice as to whether to pursue them. Many have been promoted by the U.S. Green Building Council and tracked in their LEED Rating System and Certifications in recent years. The Indiana Energy Code is based on standards developed by ASHRAE (The American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers). While LEED and ASHRAE share some goals, their standards vary, but suffice to say that following ASHRAE standards are usually the minimum requirements for a project path toward LEED certification.
I have no doubt that all of the standards presented to me on Wednesday will save energy, as defined by the energy necessary to heat, cool, light and generally operate the facility. I was dismayed that when I asked who was researching the Return On Investment (ROI) for these systems, I was told no one. Isn’t it a bit premature to put these practices into law without assessing the final cost? Apparently not, as this was part of a Federal program where Indiana received funds to implement this.
As part of the discussion, the changes to a building HVAC system were discussed. Additional zone divisions will be required. Additional duct sensors, motorized dampers, thermostats (7 day programmable thermostats with off-hour setbacks and controlled overrides only), ducted returns (no return plenums), economizers and heat recovery systems for fresh air intakes including CO2 sensors to determine optimum fresh air requirements and low pressure fan systems will also be required. Again, nothing here struck me as ineffectual for reducing operational energy consumption… But what does it mean if you look at it holistically including construction and maintenance?
- Additional electrical control sensors – additional things to break and things that the average maintenance man won’t be able to service. Optimizing the various control system will require a complicated set-up.
- Ducted returns will require additional sheet metal and associated installation labor.
- The low volume fan systems will require larger ducts and larger heating and cooling units. This could mean additional building height due to dead space between floors for duct work, larger mechanical rooms stealing usable floor space, etc. What about the costs of these additional materials, i.e. the bricks & mortar necessary to raise a building’s height to provide additional system space?
These are just a few of the things that came to my mind during the discussion. Things which could be project killers.
There is no question that Easterday Construction will comply with the new standards. It’s the law now. It currently applies to commercial and industrial projects in Indiana, but we will take what we consider the best of these things and discuss them with residential clients as well. Some of them make sense. Some of them that may not make sense to me today, may do so in the future. I sincerely hope that someone is doing the research to prove that the front end expense (in dollars and energy consumption) of complying with these regulations will pay for itself.
Culver Garden Court Ground Breaking Ceremony
Breaking out the gold shovels. Left to right, Beth Barrett (Congressman Donnelly's representative), Ralph Winters (Councilman), Ed Pinder (Councilman), Ronald Liechty (Garden Court President), Casey Howard (Clerk Treasurer), Ginny Munroe (Council President), Kevin Berger (Easterday Construction) – Picture by Pam Fisher
Today we had the ground breaking ceremony for Culver Garden Court. As you can see in the picture, actual ground breaking occurred over a week ago and we already half completed rough grading and have the building pad in place. There was a pretty good turnout including dignitaries from Culver and Plymouth as well as a representative from Congressman Joe Donnelly’s office. I was pleased that Culver Council President Ginny Munroe attended along with Council Members Ralph Winters and Ed Pinder. The Culver Town Manager, Michael Doss, was there as well as the Culver Clerk Treasurer, Casey Howard.
Culver Garden Court, Inc. is a HUD 202 project. It is a 13 unit assisted living facility for senior citizens. It is sponsored by Garden Court, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation located in Plymouth which has worked to provide affordable housing to Marshall County residents for over 40 years. It will be the 7th Garden Court built by Easterday Construction. We have been working for years trying to find suitable property for a Garden Court in Culver and are extremely pleased that the Culver Town Council had the foresight to help with this project and that Wade and Claudia McGee chose to make property available for this project.
Our contract with Garden Court and HUD allows us 12 months for completion, but we will strive to complete work in the 9-10 month range. We will work to have the facility weathered in quickly which will allow us to proceed with interior finishes even in inclement weather conditions.
Our Customers Say…
Ronald W Liechty - President, Garden Court, Inc.