Ready for Rush

We made it!  With a few hectic weeks of work, we wrapped up the key details and delivered the undergraduates a stunning set of spaces just in time for Rush!  Check out the results!

The 2nd Lounge Fireplace will double as a focal point for presentations.

The 2nd Lounge Bar looks great with its new black marble.

The Dining Room really opens up without the extra bump outs.

The Library is all dressed up with its new trim details, windows, floor and radiators.

The extra height paneling in the Annex really helps to bring out the formality in our reception space.

We'll be back through for punch list items in two weeks, but first, Let the Rush Begin!

It just keeps getting better

We are pressing forward on all fronts.  A bunch has happened over the past week.  The millwork continues to go up - the stained wood looks really nice doesn't it!  The LED recessed lights have been installed and really fill the space with even light.  The bar parts are now on site and will be assembled next week.  We are super busy as rush is just around the corner and the place has got to look great when the freshmen arrive.

Mantel now integrated with paneling in the annex.

Dining room paneling and paint is getting very close.  Can't wait to see how it looks with the flooring!

New flooring installation underway in the library.

Bar parts stand ready for installation at the 2nd lounge.

And Now for Some Finishes...

We are proceeding across all fronts in a race to be ready for rush.  The long pole in the tent is the millwork which is underway on the first floor.  The annex gets the full stain treatment while the dining room will be a lower painted version.  On the second floor we've proceeded with the new flooring.  It makes quite a difference compared to the patchwork left by the previous renovation.   

Paneling Underway at the Annex

New Yellow Birch at 2nd Lounge

It shall be green, Very Green!

Plaster is Done

We finished plastering this past week.  It makes a big difference and it's quite a relief to see everything coming together with Rush just around the corner at the beginning of September.  We're pulling the humidity out of the space with air conditioners and dehumidifiers so that we can proceed Monday with paint and paneling.
A quick key to the images.  Plaster surfaces are getting painted.  Plywood surfaces are where paneling is going.
Here's what it looks like now.

Annex - Lots of paneling coming.

Dining Room

2nd Lounge - Note the new door!

2nd Lounge with reduced soffit.

Plaster is Underway!

Hurray for plaster!  Makes a big difference to see where the room actually is.

2nd Lounge looking to Mass Ave

2nd Lounge looking to the Patio

Enter the Windows

While rough inspections were underway last week, we pushed forward with the window install.  These are going to make a huge difference as you can see in part from the photos below.  Historic profiles fit the exterior look, while double panes are going to make a big difference with heating and sound.

With the rough inspections mostly wrapped up, we moved Friday into insulation.  Then later this week we will be underway with the blueboard (for plaster).  Things are finally turning the corner and coming back together!  And none too soon, as Rush is just around the corner at the end of August.

The last of the windows are installed at the Library.

Once fully trimmed out and painted, these are going to look really sharp.

You can already hear the difference when you close the window in the Annex.

Temporary plastic applied Friday in preparation for the new spray foam insulation.

Getting to the Home Stretch on Roughs

We've been slogging through rough work for a while now and it looks like we're finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.  For the uninitiated this consists primarily of carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection.  In each case, we're now at the point where the trade has a day or two left before their inspection.  After that, wall board arrives and things start to change quickly.  We're not far off with our new windows either - they've arrived from the factory and will be brought to the site for installation in the next few weeks once the guys lugging the big metal pipes are gone.

Annex Pool Area - Additional Subflooring Ready

We had originally planned on working with the original plank subfloor with patching as needed.  However after consulting with the hardwood installer this past week, it became apparent that an additional layer of thin plywood was going to be important for stability.  That layer just went in on Friday in the Annex and Dining room.  They'll have it in place in the 2nd lounge early next week.

Dining Room - Additional Subfloor Layer

The fire protection (aka sprinkler) contractor has a few leftover pipes still hear, but they are getting very close.  They have basically all of the new heads in place - most will be concealed which will be a nice change.  They have a day or so left to swap in a replacement valve at the stack, tie in the new heads, and remove the old piping.  Working with new guidelines to tie into the old system has created a few challenges that delayed the project a bit, but we've cleared through enough of that to get the rough inspection done.

New bar platform framed. 

There was a bit of a snafu in the 2nd lounge when the contractor got started on demo.  We had them under contract to keep the existing bar, but to put on new finishes, counter top, etc.  The demo sub was quite enthusiastic.  When Becky was out to meet with the contractor the morning of the demo, she said to the PM, let's go up and look at the bar.  The site super said "we're keeping the bar?", at which point the PM turned to her and said "I guess we're giving you a new bar!".  So our apologies to Richard Perkins who put so much into the previous bar that served us well for the last 20 years!  The new one will at least largely follow Richard's vision including location, sizing, platform, sinks, ice pans, etc.  The use has changed a bit over the years however, so we do have an opportunity to work in a spot for AV equipment and a small podium.

2nd Lounge looking to Fireplace

 Soffits have been reworked to the right.  Most of the electrical is in as as the new sprinkler heads.

2nd Lounge View to Door

Now that the soffits are all straight, the electricians will be back through next week to finalize light can locations.  A bit more framing to do including for the Steve Baker memorial landing going in at the door.

Parking Solution

We normally allocate the rear of the building to parking for construction and WILG during major projects.  Recently with the end of the term things got out of hand and we had to get serious with traffic cones and barriers to impose some order on the situation.