From the Scene: May 15, 2008
by Bill McNew, ASHRAE video consultant, DSG Productions

Another gloomy day. As luck would have it, rain began as I pulled into the lot and the chances of shorting out my digital camera increased exponentially. I opted for interiors.

Upstairs, the cabinet installers were hard at work. The cabinets are a very trendy (and appropriate) mottled green…very earthy and eco-friendly. The interior is starting to take on a very finished look with all the walls and glass in place. The restrooms are sporting their new partitions and most of the toilets are installed. “Do Not Use” signs are very prominent leading one to think…well, do not use. Downstairs, I counted nine stalls in the women’s facility and three in the men’s. Sounds about right. The showers are installed; sort of CDC looking cubicles clearly designed for decontamination rather than relaxation. A spa it is not.

The elevator is in its shaft, though not yet operating. I stuck my head in the shaft and looked up at the bottom of the car. The prospect of it recklessly descending was completely unnerving and I withdrew in haste. I may not have the makings of a war correspondent.

The window washers were cleaning the front glass as I arrived; a messy job with copious amounts of water that will never be duplicated once the building is finished. Windex and paper towels for everyone.

The huge soffits have been demolished and the scaffolding crew is expected on Monday with the welders to follow. I expect the new soffits will be the crown of the new look and a beautiful addition.

This is the slow part of the job. Paint, trim, tile, flooring, fixtures and fixings; the beauty of a building is in its finish and a proper finish takes a proper amount of time. The care and concern of everyone on site (especially my good friend Hugh, who makes it all work) is very evident.

This has been quite an education.