From the Scene: May 1, 2008
by Bill McNew, ASHRAE video consultant, DSG Productions

At first blush, little has changed. As I pulled into the now-familiar parking lot, the exterior glass gleamed and reflected the dozens of cars and trucks arrayed in ordered chaos. It takes a lot more workmen to finish than it does to start. A few men are working on the entrance walkway into the Learning Center, but the action outside is sparse.

Inside, the pace is feverish. The tile is going down in the first level restrooms. Watching professional tile men at work only reminds one of one’s own tile misadventures. “You wanted them straight?”

These guys are artists of the first magnitude; every move precise; every cut, exact. No wasted motion and better…no wasted tile.

The light fixtures are being hung upstairs. These are very modern, low wattage fixtures that give the ceiling a MOMA look. Very today.

Outside, the last of the curbing is being poured to make ready for the asphalt. When that will happen, I don’t know. It seems a ditch or hole has to be reopened every week. That won’t look good in the new pavement. In the back (the old front) the grass is already growing in the catch basins. Mother Nature works nights and weekends.

The geo-thermal closet is now fully installed. Bright red pumps, shiny copper pipes, valves enough for everyone. I hope I’m on hand when they light it off…I love that whole geo-thermal thing! In one of the downstairs rooms, I spied a giant water heater. I immediately said, “I want one.” But it’s not a water heater. What it is, I don’t know…but I still want one.

All the grids for the ceiling support are in place, most all of the sheetrock is up and painted. The power is on and the electricians are doing final hook-ups. The building is at that stage where you say, “I could live with that.” But, you can’t. If you’ve ever built a house (watched while one was built for you) you know the feeling all too well. Now comes the hard part. Making it pretty.