Outlook: Showers Expected

The master bath and shower begin to take shape. A few weeks ago I showed the massive skylight going in above the shower. Now that the walls are going in you can get the whole view.

The framing at the top defines the entire bathroom space, with the framing at the bottom showing where the shower will be. On the left wall will be bathroom cabinets/mirror/sinks/lights. The doorway in the middle will be to the toilet (left as you walk in) and linen closet (right as you walk in).

On the wall in the shower space you see some plumbing rough-ins. The top one will be a shower head, and the 2 below will be controls for the shower heads; one for the "normal" shower head and the other for the rain head.

The walls around the shower will be glass. I think. We're still negotiating with vendors on price and as you know, this may change the design.

For what it is worth: this week the Triangle has seen 4"+ of rain and winds gusting to near 40 mph because of Tropical Storm Ida. I would not be using the rain head this week.....

They sing: I'm on Top of the World

The rooftop deck is finished (mostly). Here is the view you get when stepping out onto the deck near sunset.

Excellent!

The decking is wood (not composite that was scheduled but changed for cost reduction). The rails are 1/4" x 1.5" iron; with steel cables strung horizontal and capped by a handrail that is made of stainless steel. Iron gates are made of the same material. The effect is perfect; you feel secure but look through the railing as if it isn't there.

The other view is looking back at the structure that now pops up off the original roof. The walls are concrete board painted gray. The roof of the structure is galvanized aluminum, with an aluminum gutter that feeds a rain-barrel.

The windows let sunlight in; sort of acting like a functional skylight feeding both living floors. A slight overhang will provide some shade from the midday sun. But, in late afternoon it washes the walls with an orange glow. Awesome!

You get a better look at the rails and gate from this view. Again, notice that you see them when you look at them but they go away when you're looking at something else.

More singing "....looking down on creation and the only explanation I can find....".

More Storefront: Comparison to Last Year

Yesterday I referenced the construction look. Today, we're going into the WayBack Machine to the time in July of 2008 when the building was purchased.........

On July 13 of 2008, I compared the then storefront as "a face only a parent could love". I didn't love it so it received a makeover. Click the link above to see the comparison photo and then tell me what you think.

All the windows have been replaced. They look original, but are double paned and swing in for maintenance and cleaning ease. The oval windows above were repaired but not replaced. The glass remains in each of those panes.

The street-level front is all new. Instead of an overhang, there is now windows out to the sidewalk. Doors were placed on each side of the central window (commercial door on the left, residential on the right). The doors were set back to meet code and to not impede pedestrian traffic. A steel beam spans the length, with 2 others for vertical support.

I especially like that the lines of the building now are contiguous from ground to roof. It gives an appearance that there may be vertical supports rising 40' up. Nice work to the folks at Center Studio.

Welcome to 308westmain street

I loved the artist storefront, but it got old. And made a lasting impression. Let's hope the "you never get a second chance to make a first impression" isn't true in Durham.

Let's start anew. Durham, this is the new storefront to welcome folks to 308 West Main Street in downtown. We've added much glass to bring the outdoors in, and the indoors out. Window seating or ample visibility for your retail merchandise.

The entrance is tucked neatly off to the side to allow visitors a chance to gather themselves before entering and exiting.

From indoors a large window was installed to provide a view looking west down main street toward Five Points.

This milestone makes me smile. I hope you enjoy and come by for a visit.

Skylight, Sky Bright

Here's a view of the skylight above the master shower. That is the skylight, not just a hole. The skylight is clear so the clouds, or voyeurs, can be seen plainly.

The pipe will one day accommodate the rain head. On a cloudy day you can shower in the rain.......

Blue Tarp = Rooftop Structure

(you might click the photo to enlarge)

Ok, the rooftop structure is taking shape. Framing is complete and Tyvek is wrapped around it. The photo was taken last weekend when rain was expected, so the structure was covered by a big blue tarp.

Of things fire and contractural

Remember that feeling of having an eyelash in your eye? You know, so painful you can't keep your eyes open to get it out.....crying, excruciating pain? Then, you get the lash out and look at it on the end of your finger and wonder how such a small thing could have caused so much discomfort?

That is what contract issues are like during construction.

For 2 months I've been selecting fire/security vendors.....listening to experts.

• "You need a commercial system."
  
• "No, you only need a residential system since you are living in the space."
• "You need a hybrid - commercial on the first floor, residential on the remaining."

They talk to other experts. They talk to me (moron). They provide estimates. Then, just when I'm about to make a decision and get over the hurdle, the lash moves to the other part of my eye causing me to wince and start the whole process all over.

And, I have a contract where security and fire equipment are documented. The contract is signed and payment agreed upon. Why the heck don't I just say, "you know, I thought I could solve this problem but I can't. You guys install the system you priced in the contract and I'll be happy."

The next time I'll say that.......real early. So early I'm already saying it. Don't come at me with more decisions that appear as they should have been made before we ever signed a contract!

Yeah right! I'll get a full more lashes in my eyes before this one is over.