Destruction and Construction

Still lots of progress at the Sahyun Library with construction of the new wing, but also destruction of part of the old wing prior to its renovation.  Our contractor found evidence that the red tile roof on the old wing was at least 30 years old, maybe even 60, and besides some moderate termite damage, it was way out of line with present building codes, so he recommended and we agreed that it ought to be replaced while we're putting the roof on the new wing.   About half of the old tiles can be salvaged and recycled and will be placed on the driveway side of the old wing, as well that part of the roof over the kitchen and computer room.  We learned that all roofing tile is not the same shape and color, but we found a close match.

Here the roofing crew is removing the old tiles from the roof of the old wing of the library.

This is heavy hard work.  Good thing the weather is nice.  The stacked tiles will be recycled onto the driveway side of the old wing.

Meanwhile, the crew is preparing to put new red tiles on the new roof.  They will be fastened to the wires as required by code.  The tiles in this picture are the old, recycled ones and are stacked here temporarily while the old roof is being cleared.

The first load of sheet rock has arrived to drywall the interior!  That work will start in the next few days.

Lastly here's a picture of an alien being that Jim Friestad caught lurking on the premises.  We shall see much more of him once the interior is drywalled.

The Busiest Construction Day at the Sahyun Library!

Several members have often asked " Where are all the workmen?"  They see only a couple people now and then, but that all changed today, the First of February.  We had two carpenters and their two helpers, two electricians, six roofers, and four fellows from Service Master cleaning up the attic.  16 people in all.  Quite a show and quite some progress!  

The Service Master crew was very enthusiastic about their task.

They got right to work up in the attic.

And look at some of the trashy stuff they removed!

Meanwhile, the roofers were roofing.  They are putting a layer of red asphalt sheeting on a layer of tar paper and sealing everything with hot, low odor tar.  Red tiles will go on top of all that.

This fellow is cooking up a batch of hot tar where the Cherry of the Rio Grande used to be.

The hot-mopping process seals all the seams and nails, and it ties the tar paper and asphalt sheeting together.

And indoors the electricians are putting in conduit for lights, outlets, and the electrical panel that will back up our computer facilities.

Here's how we look from Montecito Street.

 And here is the latest look from the corner of Montecito and Castillo.  We cannot hide any longer!

Boxed In

During the past week, the boys boxed in the addition to the Sahyun Library with oriented strand board (OSB), worked on the roof in preparation for hot mopping tar on it, and set the posts for the main entry way. 

Carlos has cut a sheet of OSB to fit around a window.

Covering the walls with sheets of OSB gives the addition a boxy feeling, but also makes it seem  large enough to be a roller skating rink.

These posts will hold up an awning over what will be the main entrance.

WE Have Rafter Tails and the Beginnings of a Roof!

Great progress in the wake of December's rains!   The roof trusses have been tied together and sheets of roofing plywood have been lain.

Roofing sheets precede the tar and tiles

Our library addition is beginning to take shape and look like a real building.

View from across Castillo Street

And we have rafter tails!   Don't they add to the character of the rising building?

Contractor Tony and his rafter tails.

The next step will be addition of the roofing tar and then the roofing tiles.  We're moving right along.

Recent Rains Don't Slow Addition Library Construction

In spite of the recent inclement weather, one of the rainiest Decembers in Santa Barbara history, few days were lost in construction of the addition to the Sahyun Library.  Tony, Bruce, and Carlos focused on tying the roof trusses together and to the wall framing, and they placed rafters across the front of the building.  All this work gives the structure a more closed in feeling and continues on schedule to completion.

View from the street down the length of the new addition.  This area will contain the stacks.

View from the north corner of the addition toward the front and the old wing where the new entrance will be.

View of the street end of the addition toward the new librarian's room and the old wing.  All those rafters were added between Christmas and New Years in spite of the rain.

The Addition Takes Shape!

The crane arrived early, the roof trusses arrived on time, the first lift was at 9:45 am, and the last one was at 11:45 am.  By 3 pm all the roof trusses were up and in place, and what a difference it made in the look and feel of the addition.  Now it really begins to look like a building.  The crane parked between the library and the Victorian and lifted the roof trusses over the library and placed them on the framed walls.  Tony, Bruce, and Carlos  shifted and tacked them into place.  Spacers, trimming, and bracing will take place over the next few days.

The first of 31 roof trusses is lowered into place.

The roof trusses and crane blocked the driveway for the day.

Some of the rafters are in place, too, over the former solarium and librarians' room.

The ceiling gives a feeling clastrophobia.

The last roof truss is in place.

The Framing Continued This Week

Demolition and framing continued this week.  The remainder of the walls around the librarians' room was demolished as well as the roof over it.  The framing focused on the new librarian's office.  The next step will be to rebuild the roof over the old librarians' room and solarium.  That work will start next week.  Click on this first image to get a panorama view of where we were last week.

This will be the new librarian's office.

It sure is going to be a big addition!

Compare this one with previous views from the same position.