Site Visit 10/20/08

10/20/08
7:53 am
30 degrees
mostly clear - slight breeze

Masonry being installed at east wall. Framing at south mostly complete. Fire-proofing installed at first floor (south, east, gymnasium north, east, & south). Roof drains installed at gymnasium roof deck.

There was this architectural/ephemeral moment that stood out. Light coming in from the east through the gymnasium was falling on the cross bracing which was being cast onto the metal studs framing the corridor. It will probably be gone next week, but it creates a striking moment.

Retaining wall at south (progressed to 10- or 12-foot height). Looks like gravel fill with geo-tech fabric and drain pipe. In the framed electrical room within the mechanical room I noticed raised slabs where the electrical equipment is going to be installed. Junction boxes were installed - I think they run locate these first and then run the conduit to and from it (I'd never seen it at this stage). Pipe fitters were hanging pipe at the underside of the gymnasium roof (running along the west wall from south to north).

I took a quick note of all the crews and general work activities. I noticed:
(1) worker on clean-up (clearing standing water from 2nd floor slab)
(2) Carpernters at first floor installing studs + (1) lift
(2) Electricians at mechanical room installing conduit at east wall
(1) Carpenters at first floor north
(2) Pipefitters at first floor east + (1) lift
(2) Pipefitters at welding station set-up at first floor south-east
(4) masons at mechanical room east wall
(4) masons at low south-north wall + (1) lift to transport mortar
(2) masons to mix mortar + (1) mixer
(1-2) mechanical sub(s) + (1) lift

At this stage there seemed to be quite a few lifts in operation and with the studs being installed space is getting more defined and thus more constrained or restrictive.
Another thing I noticed is a notation around the west and north side of the building indicated offsets. There was a triangle with a center hole drilled in it and the notation 2' o/s to 5.5 (meaning there is a 2' offset, from column 5.5).