Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Early Childhood Classrooms -- February 7, 2012
Each early childhood classroom will have its own bathroom. This brightly colored facility is in the Pre-Kindergarten classroom.
Level 4 HVAC Units -- February 7, 2012
Improved climate control on Level 4 of the Dent Building is probably one of the highest priorities of the building renovation project. Multi-tasking use of the crane lifted the new HVAC units to the 4th floor through the hole in the roof for the new art room skylight.
Looking up through the hole in the roof for the art room skylight a workman is fastening the caps on the rebuilt chimney.
Looking up through the hole in the roof for the art room skylight a workman is fastening the caps on the rebuilt chimney.
CB Flooring, Inc. -- February 7, 2012
Urban legend said that the floors were sanded down as far as they would go. As we planned for the renovation, after much deliberation on the design team, general contractor, and flooring specialists, the School elected to "save" the old pine floors and take a chance that they could be refinished. Monarc Construction, our general contractor, selected CB Flooring to handle the restoration work on the floors.
CB Flooring is working wonders on the School's fine old pine floors. Amazing craftsmanship.
The small sanding machine takes off a very small amount of wood.
Multiple choices for the final stain. The horizontal stain is the original flooring; the vertical samples are on new pine flooring.
The floor in the former First Grade, soon-to-be Music Room. The wood has been stripped but not yet stained or varnished.
CB Flooring is working wonders on the School's fine old pine floors. Amazing craftsmanship.
The small sanding machine takes off a very small amount of wood.
Multiple choices for the final stain. The horizontal stain is the original flooring; the vertical samples are on new pine flooring.
The floor in the former First Grade, soon-to-be Music Room. The wood has been stripped but not yet stained or varnished.
Water Tank -- February 7, 2012
The gigantic hole in the ground between Dent and 214 is getting deeper. Maby Bridge and Shore, Inc., is supervising the installation of the shoring which keeps the remaining dirt from falling back in the hole with the potential to injure the workers. We are nearly there! The hole will be deep enough when the shoring is at ground level -- about another three feet to dig.
Chris takes a look to see how much more he has to dig. Chris is our field supervisor and operates the earth moving equipment.
Chris takes a look to see how much more he has to dig. Chris is our field supervisor and operates the earth moving equipment.
Monday, February 6, 2012
R and B, Incorporated -- February 6, 2012
R and B Incorporated, Alexandria, VA, was selected by the School to install new heating and air conditioning for the townhouse at 214 South Carolina Avenue, SE
CB Flooring -- February 6, 2012
C + B Flooring is working in the townhouse at 214 South Carolina Avenue, SE to install a new floor in the 8th Grade homeroom.
Cranford Mechanical -- February 6, 2012
The School has contracted with Cranford Mechanical, Hyattsville, MD, to install the water tank reservoir for the School's fire surpression system. The tank will be buried between the School and the adjacent townhouse. Some of the play structure has been removed to permit excavation. Cranford has subbed this part of the project to Creative Pipe Solutions, Clinton, MD, and Chris Spargo, Field Supervisor, is on site manning the bulldozer and other heavy equipment.
Monarc has very carefully boxed our air condenser units to protect them from damage.
The blue shoring plates drop down as Chris excavates to prevent dirt from sliding back into the hole.
The play structure waiting to be re-installed.
Monarc has very carefully boxed our air condenser units to protect them from damage.
The blue shoring plates drop down as Chris excavates to prevent dirt from sliding back into the hole.
The play structure waiting to be re-installed.
Crane on Site -- February 6, 2012
Monarc Construction's crane is on site to hoist the Air Handling Units (AHU's) for Level 4 of the Dent Building, reinstall the chimney caps, and the Art Room skylight.
The Art Room Kiln on the way up!
The largest of the 4th Floor AHU's.
The Art Room Kiln on the way up!
The largest of the 4th Floor AHU's.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Fire and Life Safety -- January 31, 2012
A strategic objective of the Dent Renovation Project was to install a sprinkler system in the facility. This objective has overcome many obstacles in the road to conclusion. Today the underground water tank that will provide a supplemental source of water should the sprinkler system activate was delivered. One big water bottle.
The installation project -- digging the hole for the tank, shoring it, and piping the water to the pump unit in the Dent School boiler room, and providing an underground cable connection between the two School buildings is in the capable hands of Creative Pipe Fitting Solutions, Inc., Clinton, MD.
The contractor has begun work on the site; the tank will be buried under a section of the side yard play equipment between the Dent Building and the 214 Townhouse.
Site prep well underway. Monarc Construction built housing to protect the air condenser units.
Disassembled play equipment.
The water storage tank awaiting unloading.
Down the alley the tank comes!
The workmen were very careful to avoid the overhead power lines as well as protect the brick from the bulldozer treads.
The installation project -- digging the hole for the tank, shoring it, and piping the water to the pump unit in the Dent School boiler room, and providing an underground cable connection between the two School buildings is in the capable hands of Creative Pipe Fitting Solutions, Inc., Clinton, MD.
The contractor has begun work on the site; the tank will be buried under a section of the side yard play equipment between the Dent Building and the 214 Townhouse.
Site prep well underway. Monarc Construction built housing to protect the air condenser units.
Disassembled play equipment.
The water storage tank awaiting unloading.
Down the alley the tank comes!
The workmen were very careful to avoid the overhead power lines as well as protect the brick from the bulldozer treads.
Level 4 HVAC Units -- January 31, 2012
One of the strategic objectives of the Dent Renovation Project is to improve the heating and air conditioning of the facility. The 4th Floor has received significant emphasis with the installation of R-30 insulation and the design of a high-efficiency unit to both heat and cool. Level 4 will have a brand new, state of the art, system. Today we take delivery of the air handling units that will be installed over the common space in the loft. Just in time!
An intermediate objective will be getting these units up four floors. Clover Contracting has its work cut out.
An intermediate objective will be getting these units up four floors. Clover Contracting has its work cut out.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Head of School's Office -- January 24, 2012
A thoughtful design element is the window on the south side of the Head of School's office. Adds light and gives the illusion of extra space. The main entrance to the Dent Building is in the lower portion of the photo.
Millwork -- January 24, 2012
Installing the mill-work is a slow, accurate process to make sure that it all fits in the space and is plumb. Of course these tasks follow the incredibly difficult juggling act to get the mill-work up the stairs and through the doors without denting or chipping any of it. Some of the pieces are huge.
This installation is in the 3rd Grade classroom recessed in the space previously occupied by the center core chimney.
This cubby unit is in the new 5th Grade classroom, last year's Science classroom. Check out the floor; note the outline of the wall that used to separate the former Science Classroom from the Head of School's Office.
This installation is in the 3rd Grade classroom recessed in the space previously occupied by the center core chimney.
This cubby unit is in the new 5th Grade classroom, last year's Science classroom. Check out the floor; note the outline of the wall that used to separate the former Science Classroom from the Head of School's Office.
Rose Window Room -- January 24, 2012
The "new, improved, enlarged" Rose Window Room is coming together bit-by-bit every day. Looking Good!
Stair Railing -- January 24, 2012
New stair railings have been fabricated and delivered. Installation is the next step!
Parking Lot -- January 24, 2012
The staff parking lot is a jumble of building supplies, equipment, trucks, and trash. A far cry from the rows of faculty and staff cars when the site is occupied by faculty, staff, and students.
White is the predominant color choice for contractor vehicles, it seems.
In the center of this picture you can see the slate chimney caps. Once the chimneys are back up a crane will return to lift these heavy caps back up and in their original places.
White is the predominant color choice for contractor vehicles, it seems.
In the center of this picture you can see the slate chimney caps. Once the chimneys are back up a crane will return to lift these heavy caps back up and in their original places.
Level 1 Flooring -- January 24, 2012
The final coat of sub-flooring was poured overnight and the crew is completing a fine polish on the surface. Hard to believe after all the discussion this aspect of the renovation project entailed that the job is near completion. I have learned that the Level 1 floor is now "flat," a distinction from "level."
The surface is scheduled for completion Thursday, January 26th.
The surface is scheduled for completion Thursday, January 26th.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Level 1 Flooring - January 23, 2012
In the complex web of firms working on the Dent renovation project, Monarc Construction, our general contractor, subbed the flooring to CB Flooring, Columbia, MD. CB in turn subbed to floor preparation to Sub-Floor Solutions, Inc., of Atlanta, GA.
Sub-Floor Solutions, Inc., arrived on site Friday, January 20th and informed Monarc that all of the existing leveling materials on Level 1 needed to be removed so the moisture barrier could be installed directly on the original concrete flooring. The material that Sub-Floor planned to use to seal the floor would have caused the layers of leveling agents that have been added over the years to deteriorate with the result that the moisture seal would have failed.
The exercise resembled an archaeological dig. The Monarc crew found wood supports for abandoned steam lines from the original heating system, areas where there was but a concrete skim over dirt, and in other areas several layers of leveling material.
Today, Monday, the floor is sealed and the crew from Sub-Floor will pour the material that will result in a flat surface on which the finished flooring can be installed.
The layers of leveling agent that had to be taken up. This product was most likely that which was installed several years ago by Dominion Floors, Inc., Arlington, VA, when the School removed the Pergo flooring in Level 1 corridors and installed simulated oak linoleum.
Below the leveling agent, shown above, is some of the original concrete covering the wood framing for the steam piping.
Photo: Courtesy of Mark Bellingham, Monarc Construction
A portion of the Level 1 flooring subsurface removed by the Monarc crew.
The hardworking team from Sub-Flooring Solutions, Inc.
The shiny new moisture barrier.
The shiny new moisture barrier.
Sub-Floor Solutions, Inc., arrived on site Friday, January 20th and informed Monarc that all of the existing leveling materials on Level 1 needed to be removed so the moisture barrier could be installed directly on the original concrete flooring. The material that Sub-Floor planned to use to seal the floor would have caused the layers of leveling agents that have been added over the years to deteriorate with the result that the moisture seal would have failed.
The exercise resembled an archaeological dig. The Monarc crew found wood supports for abandoned steam lines from the original heating system, areas where there was but a concrete skim over dirt, and in other areas several layers of leveling material.
Today, Monday, the floor is sealed and the crew from Sub-Floor will pour the material that will result in a flat surface on which the finished flooring can be installed.
The layers of leveling agent that had to be taken up. This product was most likely that which was installed several years ago by Dominion Floors, Inc., Arlington, VA, when the School removed the Pergo flooring in Level 1 corridors and installed simulated oak linoleum.
Below the leveling agent, shown above, is some of the original concrete covering the wood framing for the steam piping.
Photo: Courtesy of Mark Bellingham, Monarc Construction
A portion of the Level 1 flooring subsurface removed by the Monarc crew.
The hardworking team from Sub-Flooring Solutions, Inc.
The shiny new moisture barrier.
The shiny new moisture barrier.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Pack-up to return to Dent -- January 13, 2012
Friday, January 13th faculty and staff began to pack up teaching and office supplies at the Mods to return to Dent. Paxton Van Lines delivered supplies earlier in the week. The excitement is beginning to build!
Library Flooring -- January 18, 2012
Work progressed on rebuilding the west chimney to the point where the subflooring in the library could be stabilized.
Stairwell Enhancements -- January 18, 2012
This grillwork will be added to the emergency stairwells on both the north and south sides of the building. New treads will be added as well to give the stairs a more finished look.
Millwork Installation -- January 18, 2012
The custom mill work was cut and assembled off-site then delivered to Dent School for installation.
The cabinets and shelving were built by Clark's Lumber & Millwork, Inc., 7422 Commerce Way, Ruther Glen, VA 22546
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