Two floors become one

I really like this shot because it shows the relationship between both floors. On this floor is the closet on the left, bathroom/shower behind that and then utility closet on the right with the stairwell coming up to it.

In front of me is the loft opening to the second floor. I love the way you can see the entire space.

The windows are set to come in this week, as are the stairs up to the roof. Following that will be the roof-structure which will finally dry the place in. Southern thunderstorms drive me crazy knowing the rain is soaking my new (old) floors.

Flooring material and 3rd Floor Design

(click photos to enlarge)

The framing is complete and the flooring has been laid. The stairs are nearly complete.

This is an excellent shot of the 3rd floor. The opening nearest me will be the stairwell up and down. The framing on the left is for the closet (big). Just behind that where you see framing on the floor is the shower (big). The framing on the right will be a utility closet.

Can't wait to see the stairs.

Framing: The Design Takes Shape

David's framing work is moving along. It's excellent. It's exciting.

I'm standing here on the second floor near where the bathroom will be looking toward the front of the building. Above you see the suspended hallway; the stairwell up will be to the left of this photo, and the open loft cutout to the right.

The framing header that is going across the photo is a steel I beam with wood in the middle to frame against. The beam is attached to the walls with anchors that are bolted in.

The woodpile to the right is material to be reused.

Below is another view but now from the 3rd floor (same back wall but now opposite corner). Here David is walking across the hallway; stairs will be to his left. Stairs up to this floor is the opening below his feet. Notice above, a framing structure where he is beginning to frame the opening to the rooftop. I think it's gonna be real cool having stairs stacked. The view from the top clear to the bottom will be very excellent.

Note, the new floor joist you see were required because the old stairwell used to come up here. So, the need to frame that opening, and non-code framing from before required completely new framing to go in. Every other joist will have another attached to it making the floors more rigid.

The New Train Station

Visiting the new train station makes me:

1. even more excited for Durham's potential and
2. wanting to ride and encourage transportation by rail

The place is beautiful. The train pulls up under a metal awning, with awning escorting you to the door of the station. At the door is signage welcoming you to Durham. The outdoor signage is plain in an old school, yet new kind of font. Very simple. Very cool. Inside (photo) the place is awesome in the same juxtapositional (sp?) way. The place seems like it could have been there for 100 years, yet you are certain it's new.

Old photos hang on the back wall showing Durham architectural, train and cultural history. Simple signage shows the Amtrak route and fare options. Benches beg for you to read the paper while donning hat and trench coat.

Thanks, Durham. Thanks, Amtrak. All aboard for a day in Charlotte.

Framing: 3rd Floor Loft has begun

Framing is underway on all floors. Here is a view from the second floor rear, looking toward the front.

The large opening is the span width for

1. 1) my open loft which will be from approximately the metal "bridge" you see across the middle over to the right wall and
2. 2) stairs from this floor up to the 3rd. These will be on the left hand side (as you are viewing here).

1. More photos of this to come. Here I'm standing on a ladder 16' up from the ground floor. I feel fortunate to have snapped this photo successfully......
   

Eno Festival Weekend

Is it graffiti when you write "Hi Mom" on the sidewalk in chalk?

The weekend weather was perfect for the Eno Festival. 4 stages with bands playing rock, country, blues, and bluegrass. There were dozens of artist displaying their wares: pottery, painting, photography, metal sculptures and the like.



Kim and I rode bicycles up to the Eno, which made even the journey fun. Only 2 sketchy points in the trip; one crossing Duke Street and the other Roxboro Road. I've written to organizers asking them to consider posting their suggested bike route next year.

Kim is standing in front of a bike some person fashioned into a camel.


Here's the real reason for the Eno Festival. Entrance fees go to preserving and purchasing land in the Eno River basin. Here is a man-made dam with tree trunks used to climb and dive from.

Great fun.

New Term: LVL - Laminated Veneer Lumber

Last week the LVL's went into the first floor ceiling/second floor flooring.

LVL's are 6" thick products of laminated wood that spans the entire width of the building. They are heavy, approximately 400 lbs each, and are bolted to the walls on either side.

These new framing items will provide 1) support to existing framing and 2) material to support new structural material. In this photo, these 2 LVL's (light colored wood) will frame out the opening of the elevator shaft on the right hand side.

It was interesting watching how they were put in place. Metal forms were bolted to them while on the ground. Then, from above, they were hoisted up using eye bolts by a winch that was on the second floor with the wire material going through holes drilled in the floor. Because they expand the entire width, there was little clearance side-to-side. So, these were hoisted level otherwise they would wedge between the walls.

Similar framing material will be used on each of the next 2 floors.