Posted by David Hamilton on July 29th, 2009

Progress on the Baldwin Center continues as we race toward our Autumn opening. This Spring’s daily inspirational play-by-play from Geobarns’ George Abetti, covering the innovative and lightning-fast structural framing, hasn’t really been warranted recently, but the achievements of the past month have been no less important. The images here show the unglamorous side of construction, as building systems for HVAC, plumbing, electrical and data wiring have been integrated into the diagonal and conventional framing. Our master carpenter, Matthew Crane, began the process by blocking out areas of the diagonal frame so they can receive (recycled) wallboard, panelling and trim.

Installation of HVAC runs and returns followed immediately, to distribute air from our high-efficiency heat pump. Ductwork will remain exposed in the fir-joist ceiling, reinforcing the Center’s image of a working barn.

Following some clever EPDM insulation and furring of our retaining wall, Safeway Electric came in to install all the wire, lighting and outlet locations. As a building which will no doubt host both an academic meeting, and agricultural and gardening work, the planning for these needs is a bit tricky. We’ve recently been able to remove our temporary power and take down the overhead line, and look forward to wiring this simple agricultural building with a state-of-the-art Cat-6 structured cable network, to handle the potential torrent of data from our fiber optic network.

It’s a little more complicated than expected, turning this magnificent barn into an equally magnificent finished space, but with an extraordinary team, we seem to be on schedule to deliver the project for our fall opening.  The building will begin another phase of rapid and apparent change over the next three weeks, as we move into finish carpentry, and I invite anyone to come by to take a look.  Frank Gehry is only the latest famous architect to comment that buildings are never again as interesting as when they’re under construction.  While I think this little structure is going to be handsome and well-used in its finished state, it does give us some pride to think of all the excellent and careful work that’ll be concealed in its walls.

-DH

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