Sunday, November 28, 2010

November update

Dan has arrived from Maho with the recycled glass countertop,
making the final cuts before installation.







Bedroom area of nearly completed eco-studio waiting for furnishing to be installed next week.






Andrew working on final unit floor tiles. Steve and Chris will come in to complete the electric when Andrew finishes up later today, Sunday, Nov 28.





Edward helping out Andrew with the thinset.








Jason and John putting finishing touches on the porch railings.














Lennox installing the HardiBacker board which provides support for the floor tiles.







Jay is painting the pocket doors. These house the sliding glass and screen doors.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Eco-Panels contact information

For those interested in obtaining more information on the Eco-Panels used in constructing our units please check out their website at www.eco-panels.com. They have been wonderful partners in this project. Thanks to Charles, Andy, Pete and the entire Eco-Panels crew.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

October Wrap Up






It's been quite some time since our last post. Here's the catch up. Both buildings had the Tekfoil placed over the purlins then the Energy Star Rated insulated metal roof attached. We were wise enough to run the pipe for the Solar Hot Water system and conduit for for the Photovoltaic panels under the metal roof this time. click on any image to enlarge.




The CGI Windows were installed, it required quite a bit of work to build out the openings to accommodate the window sizes, a result of the Eco-Panels being built before we ordered the windows. You know those Eco-Panels guys don't mess around. They have already completed the Phase 3 panels and this time we gave them them the exact window dimensions so the next phase install should be a breeze. The smaller awning windows came with very small opening mechanisms, which the company is swapping out for us since it's critical that we have maximum airflow in the units to keep them cool. We had some problems with the PGT pocket sliders. We intended to build the pockets inside but it proved unworkable and had the potential to be a real maintenance nightmare for the resort staff keeping the tracks clean and dry inside the pockets so we moved the pockets outside. The good news is that it increased the amount of space in the units and when we recently had a visit from Sean Corsaut of Horizon Energy Systems VI of St. Croix (we hope to use some of his insulation products on our next phase) he tested the Solar Heat Gain from these windows and found them to be 80% less than clear glass. So all's well that ends well.



Since we're going with ceramic tile floors instead of the sound absorbing cork tiles (recall they didn't work for us in Phase 1 due to high humidity and wet guests) we insulated the lower unit ceilings then attached the ceiling plywood. This is A Building. B Building insulation and ply is completed.






Here's B Building with all interior walls, plumbing and electric complete so Jay is prepping the unit for painting.







Tim is completing the HardiPlank Siding install on A building. Sam completed B building a couple weeks ago. They are each amazing, working alone with just occasional assistance they're doing this install in half the time we needed on the last phase. The simplification of the building design, the use of the nail gun and experience all helping out on this one.



We're in good shape on the plumbing. All the rough-ins are complete. We insulated the lines this phase and will have a recirculating pump on the hot water system so each unit will have hot water immediately, reducing overall water usage. More on the solar hot water system when we install it next week.

Electric is complete on B Building and right in line with the carpenters on A Building.


We have a big project underway to build a track for the water lines to run the roof water to our 50, 000 gallon cistern about 500 feet from the Eco-Studios site, and potable water back up. Jabuddha has installed 4x4 posts and 2x12 lumber that will support two 4" rain water lines and one 2" potable water line. We don't trench due to the site damage it would create and since we're bridging over two freshwater gullies or ghuts.


This is Jones and Edward of Sol Carpentry preparing the baseboards.
Many thanks to Jones for all his contributions to the project. He's taking a vacation next week and we are all very jealous, and happy for him.

Click on any image to enlarge

Thursday, September 16, 2010

A Building Ready for Metal Roof


The felt and purlins were completed on Tuesday.
Wednesday the guys loaded the container and framed in the porch roofs. The container had the windows and doors, metal roofing, Hardiplank siding and toilets. We now have all material to complete the structures except the pipe to connect the units to the cistern, soon come.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Final Panel Install - Roof Complete











Alfredo and Jabuddha carry up the penultimate panel, Jason applies adhesive to the panel edges and Lennonx moves it into place. The installation of the Eco-Panels is complete. We had high hopes of seeing this day two weeks ago but Hurricane Earl and other complications kept us from succeeding. Still we're on track for our Thanksgiving completion. Next up, applying the roofing felt and purlins so the roofing crew can get started.

Friday, September 10, 2010

September 9












Segundo checks the entry ramp, getting ready to build the short run of steps. We use the Trex composite decking on all boardwalks and steps.





The rafters are in place.








Notice the growth on this turpentine tree. We keep all vegetation as close to the work area as possible and prune only when absolutely necessary. This cut was needed to have room to build the main staircase to this pod. It is growing back rapidly.




Here also.

Sept 3 and 6


Ramp and steps between the buildings will provide access
to the upper floor of B building and lower floor of A.








The interior wall supports the center
ridge beam.