Latest Update from Barrett Studio Architects

This just in from the Architects:

SOIL REPORT:  "We received the soils report this week from Scott, Cox and Associates. Leafing through the report, the news for foundations as relates to the soils and water table is positive.  The ground water depth is well below the depth of where a crawl space will be for the new construction.  Soils encountered in the depths of where we will be excavating are of low expansive potential, meaning traditional spread footings are possible and we will likely avoid any expensive caisson or pier construction."

SURVEYING:  "Ehrhart surveying confirmed they will be doing the survey work within the next two weeks and will forward us the survey document immediately after completion."

FLOOR PLAN LAYOUTS:  "We've continued to develop floor plan layouts for each 'wing' of the project, both for remodeling existing space and new construction.  Programming meetings have been very helpful in understanding the space needs, but we do anticipate more in-depth programming meetings once the project concept is approved. "

MASTER PLAN:  "For now we have enough information to create an overall layout of the master plan, which we'll be working on next week.  We'll also be looking at the exterior design of the concept in more detail, considering door and window locations and materials."

REMEMBER:  Don't miss the Town Hall Meeting on Sunday, September 10th.  

At that time the architects will have had all summer to put our conceptual ideas together to provide us with some preliminary drawings and computer graphics... in 3D! 

"Right now we’re designing an idea, not a building."

It was a very busy week for Building Committee members.  We sat in on 3 different meetings for a total of about 6 hours.

The architect from Barrett Studio requested conceptual input from the Administration/Main Office team, the Education staff and the Ministers.

Some pertinent and interesting comments by the architect:

• Right now, we’re designing an idea, not a building.  We will come back, after the fund raising, with specific questions.  Can we fit what you need into this space?  Give us feedback so that we can say yes, there’s a way to work. 
•  We tend to start small.  It’s easier to grow instead of shrink.  We want to get to the goal where it feels good.  
• What are the priorities?  We’re talking about floor space.  We’re looking at square footage issues.  
• We've walked the property and we see lots of positives:  the garden, the pine trees, the space.
• The asbestos report is great news.  We’re pretty sure that the trusses go all the way across.  The foundation is in good shape.  You’ve got embodied space in this building. 
• A central point draws people to Reception.  Maybe it's also a rest stop, a reading nook, a retail area, a place for folks to wait for a meeting.  It’s the node of activity.  It would be open. Maybe pop open the ceiling, to get lots of light in.  That light would spread throughout.  The monitor of light would draw folks to the Reception area.

Don't miss the Town Hall Meeting on Sunday, September 10th.  

At that time the architects will have had all summer to put our conceptual ideas together to provide us with some preliminary drawings and computer graphics... in 3D!

Sort 'n Toss

To all those Fellowship members who are in charge of implementing The Storage Plan:

Find > Review > Sort > Toss or Save

I have set up a work station in the Barn with the following supplies:

• Written instructions (Several copies)
• One copy of the Storage Catalogue (Use but please do not remove.)
• White adhesive labels
• Black marker pens
• New banker's boxes

All the best on our march to de-stuff the place! 

W. Highsmith, July 29, 2017

Timeline - Updated - July 27, 2017

In the right-hand column you'll see a heading that says "Important Sites to Visit".  Click on the first site,  Timeline - Updated July 27, 2017 , in order to see our latest timeline with Barrett Studio, our architects.