Friday, September 29, 2006

Cabinets on Site

Yesterday, all the cabinetry for the building was delivered. Via forklift!

The elevator is still not up and running, so this was the only way to get them up to the 2nd floor (because we sure weren't going to carry them up the stairs!).

We're still working with the elevator people to try to get the thing operational, at least for a couple of days so we can move all our cubicles (which have been stored downstairs) and drywall up for the installers to work on. Turns out there may need to be another more expensive fix before we can move in though. We'll know more next week.

In the meantime, we're keeping our fingers crossed. 5 weeks and counting!

Thursday, September 28, 2006

Windows are Done

In case you haven't been by the building lately, here are some pictures of the newly installed windows. The 2 story curtain wall for the International Family Center and International Community Technology Center is the most obvisous from the parking lot. Up in on the 3rd floor, it's almost floor to ceiling.

The windows on the monitor (raised roof part) have also gone in and the open
ings have been wired for possible future blinds. We wanted to prepare for the possiblity that it actually might be too sunny in that space and might need to cover part of the windows at times. Kind of hard to imagine for Seattle, isn't it?

Thursday, September 21, 2006

Expanded Entryway

This past week, the old entrance to the building was removed then reinstalled flush with the exterior building wall so that we get an extra 10-12 feet or so as you enter the new space. Doesn't sound like much, but because it's open up to the top of the 2nd floor, it really makes for a dramatic entrance.

We're getting a new electronic card reader for the main entrance. Sounds simple enough, but figuring out how it was going to work with double doors that need to allow for emergency exit when they're locked, but also have the ability to remain open during regular business hours took about 2 weeks and several consultations with the window supplier, general contractor, and low voltage wiring people.

Happy to say that we finally got it just the way we wanted, which will let us have a larger, more welcoming entryway, good security, and safety all at the same time. You really can have it all!

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Elevator Work

Our elevator, which has not been run in over 2 years is in need of a major upgrade. In addition to getting it going again, we're having to make it ADA accessible. This means ripping out the control panel, lowering it to wheelchair height, putting in braille, a handrail, and a phone for if it gets stuck.

In addition, the hydraullic cyllindar is going to be replaced so that should give us another 40 years or so of operation. Before they can do all this, though, they have to test it by putting something like 10,000 pounds in the cab and seeing what it does. So how many of these 500 pound blocks does it take to make 10,000 pounds?

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Paint

Even as workers are struggling to continue work on the roof with the weather turning bad, insulation, ceiling grid, primer, and first coat of paint have gone up on parts of the interior.

With the heavy rain we had last night and this morning, we had the construction supervisor on site at 4:00 a.m. (!!) mopping up some leaks where the roof work had stopped. But not to worry, the completed section of the roof was tight and dry as a bone.

We're thinking we should have a contest to name the color of our new walls. What do you think this color should be called??

Rain, rain, go away

With the recent rains, work on the roof has been proceeding slowly. They were supposed to be finished by Friday, but it looks like it may be another week.

On the plus side, the good heavy rain today will give the roofers a chance to check for leaks and plug them before insulation gets installed on the inside. Workers have already completed insulation on the areas where the roof is finished.

The ceiling grid and lights have been installed as well. Here you can see a typical office set up minus the acoustical tiles. Those come later.

As soon as the roof is done, the insulation is ready to go!

Friday, September 08, 2006

Laminate Colors

So you think our carpet colors had funny names? The laminates for our counters and cabinets have names like Beige Pampas, Graphite Nebula, Neutral Glace, and Green and Natural Tigris. Can you guess which one is which?

Who comes up with these names anyway?!?



Cathay Bank

Besides having to put up with noise from saw cutting, hammering, big trucks, drilling, and general all around pounding, our future neighbors downstairs, Cathy Bank, recently opened up one morning to discover their entire office covered with a 1/2 inch of dust and debris covering everything! This was from the work being done on the roof, which, much to our dismay, impacted them significantly.

The contractor is trying to help the bank clean their space and protect it somewhat (with newspapers during the day and giant sheets of plastic overnight), but I'm sure our new neighbors will breathe a sigh of relief (literally) when the roof is done.

We are told that the work will be done on the roof early next week. And then we can all get back to business as usual. By the way, Cathay Bank recently made a donation of $15,000.00 to our Moving On Up campaign. Thank you!

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Progress on Monitor

Here's what the monitor looks like now (you know, that big rectangle we cut in the roof, then pushed up 8 feet?) . They've finished sheetrocking the ceiling and sides and have put in the electrical connections for the lights.

Next to come are windows, 4 feet high, divided into 3 sections each, and 6 hanging light fixtures over the open office area.

We've purchased some high quality (expensive) used office cubicles for a very reasonable price that will go into this space. We think we can get 29 or 30 8' x 8' cubicles in here. Not only are they slightly larger than many other workspaces, they also have glass panes on the top part of the panels so there will be more light and an airier feeling - while still maintaining roughly the same amount of sound blocking.
Here's what they looked like at their old home.

Saturday, September 02, 2006

Break Room


Not only will we have staff restrooms in the new building (whoopie!!) we're also getting a lunch/breakroom too. So staff won't have to eat lunch at their desks any more and will be able to relax a bit during the lunch hour.

The architect also included a bar along one wall with stools to increase the seating capacity. These are the lights that will be installed over the counter space. Well, one of these colors anyway. Right now the designer is leaning toward the yellow.