August 19th The roof is sheathed

Mike and his crew finished sheathing the roof. It now is taking shape as a building. The space within is being formed and the feeling of the character of the rooms is shaping.
The character of the building is taking shape. This is one of the most exciting times, when it starts to look like the architects rendering. I am very disappointed that I could not be there and can not come back to see the development. The building progressed at a much slower pace than was originally anticipated by the builder. So the time that I had set aside to be in Colorado was not the right time. So I am extremely disappointed in how the time frame is coming out.
This view really starts to show the shape and character of the building
A view of the same trusses as before but now the sheathing is on and the building is starting to get enclosed.

Raising the roof trusses Aug. 13th 2008

More truss pictures. Note the beautiful blue sky.
View of the rear of the building over the garage> The trusses make interesting shapes against the beautiful sky.
Partial truss placement
Placement of the second truss

Raising the roof trusses August 13th 2008

I was lucky enough to be there when they put the roof trusses in place. These are some of the pictures that I took.
it was very exciting to see the roof trusses put in place and the building start to take shape as a structure.
The crane operator was very careful as he lifted the trusses into place
This was the first one and it was very thrilling

More framing of the second floor walls

Some of the last pictures that I took when I was there around the 13th of August. They were laying out the interior walls of the second floor. Lots of lumber but it will make sense when they get it all erected.
Some of the closet walls in place looking through to the bath room
East wall looking out to the east.
More of the view of the windows on the east wall.

Catching up with the construction

I have not published any pictures of the project for about a month, but construction has been going along on schedule. So I am trying to get afew updated photos for those who have been following our progress. This is a continuation of the construction of the second floor. It was very exciting to be there to watch the crane raise the walls. This is the east wall with the west wall already raised.
The north side of the building this is the window for Robbin's bedroom
Looking from inside the second floor to the east from the rear unit of the second floor
View of the south side of the building with the second floor framing in place.

Garage rough opening

This is posted so the garage door supplier can have a look at the opening. We had ordered the door, but the color was not available, so the architect suggested that we order a taller door, since there was an error when the building was raised up, they forgot to lift the garage floor also. Soooo, this makes for a very tall garage, which is not really bad and will definately look different once we get the header for the door in place.

This is Ed Ranegar our trusted crane owner and operator. He owns Mountainside Crane Service and handles the walls like a baby. He is carefully around the carpenters and his truck is very cool, everything done by computer and hydraulics. Just push the buttons. But it is so delicate while it is working. A real wonder.

And Then There Were Walls

Getting ready to raise the west wall of the second floor.
Crane sets up to lift the wall
The west wall is going up. The holes in the wall are the windows in the bathrooms.
This is the east wall fully in place.

Start of raising the second floor walls. This is the first section of the east wall going into place.
Second section of the east wall being placed.
Mike doing something in what looks like a very dangerous situation. This is the window in Robbin's upstairs apartment, What a view.
Another section of the wall being braced by Dave on the left and David on the right.

More second floor framing and steel pictures

Steel stablizer beam for south facing balcony. The winds in the Boulder Mountains can get as high as 150 mph. Sounds like hurricane strength to me, but they are not sustained. 150 mph is the new wind code in Nederland.
One of the steel joints.
Overall picture of the salon with the second floor floor joists in place for the apartment in the south end. Note the ADA bathroom and the height of the windows. These are celerstory windows which come directly off the ceiling. The view from inside is incredible as you are looking directly at the sky. Also the light source is high so they light is very diffused.
Closeup of the floor joists for the second floor from the salon area.

The welder and steel

The welder was here to install the steel columns in the building. This one is in the middle of the salon and is just another obstacle that we have to design around, but I think it will work. We are meeting with the designer this morning.
The welder in his full equipment and it was very hot this day.
The front of the salon with the steel in place.
Another picture of the mended beam. Mike and the architect have agreed that it is stronger than before. As my son says, the old steel stretcher worked again.

More Framing pictures

This is the framing for part of the second floor. Mike has lined up all the wall framing studs with the floor joists.
Another view of the problem with the stairs to the garage, which was worked out with the architect today.
More second floor framing pictures, showing who many directions the floor joist go in on the second floor.
Mike showing us the repair to the steel beam that was mistakenly cut too short by one of his carpenters. It was repaired by the welder and checked by the architect and appears to be stronger than before. This was the subject of a lot of gossip during last week, as Mike was very upset and it is a very small town, so any show of anger or frustration is the subject of conversation for days.