Great System

A glassblock panel provides daylighting at the rear commercial vestibule. We used Pittsburg Corning ProVantage Glass Block Installation System, and it was the one of the easiest products I have ever used. Big Impact.

Green Building Open House October 3, 10am-4pm

The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association has organized a Green Building Open House this coming Saturday. Visit the Smart Growth Mixed-Use project to tour and learn about the sustainable building practices we have used for high value solutions.

View Open House & Studio in a larger map

Just down the street you will find Fort Tabor with fantastic views of Buzzards Bay and an impressive fort and walking trails.

New Bedford Open Studios is also being held on Oct 3rd & 4th. effortlessdesign practices modern artisan design/build. Include visiting our project on your tour to the studios at 21 Cove Street. 

Putting the Pieces Together

The final touches are being brought together on the storefronts, new accessible entrance, and exterior. 

The rough construction phase of the townhouses is nearing completion, and we are planning to schedule walk-thrus and energy performance testing prior to starting the interior finish.

Recycling Everyday

Recycling has been a daily practice in the construction of the townhouses. This photo shows roof tiles saved from the original side parapets now  capping new parapets.

Other recycling has included:

- use of leftover flat roof insulation in the rear bumpout walls.

 - donation of leftover insulation from the EIFS to an area cultural group (see results).

- use of shipping panel from metal siding as a ceiling soffit.

- mixing paint leftovers to create the color and amount of paint needed for small areas.

- contractors putting drink bottles and cans in the recycle bin!

- cardboard packaging put out on the curb.

- all raw wood has been separated for wood stoves.

Throughout the construction of the townhouses, a dumpster has not been on-site. All construction debris has been transported as needed in the back of a hatchback, making the recycling  even more useful and practical.

Super Wiring

Medieros Electric passed our electrical rough wiring inspection. It was truly music to my ears to hear Larry Medieros, son of Joe Medieros, say how impressed he was with the wiring chases in the SIPs. The credit belongs to Branch River Plastics and R Control for their consistent, systematic layout.

Metamorphosis

These photos taken last week show the completion of the exterior of the townhouses. Almost like a cocoon, lots of work has also been going on inside the two commercial units in preparation for the new storefront to be installed. The ATAS standing seam metal roof sourced from Beacon Sales is one of the elements used to distinguish this building from its traditional surroundings. 

The rear elevation shows the horizontal install of James Hardie Sierra 8 cement board panels to wrap the two story entry vestibule. In contrast to these "before" pictures, the transformation is almost complete.

Assembly Model

Our Masters Student from the Boston Architectural College, produced this model of the SIPs panels from the shop drawings. Generally these days physical models have been replaced by 3-D computer  modeling. However, this model was a test of the shop drawings and provided a visualization for the contractor that drawings just can not produce.