Coming along....

I'm happy to be back on track after this lengthy absence!  Look for regular posts from now on until the new library opens later this spring.  Dates for closing the current branch for the big move and the grand opening of the new one are being finalized, and will be announced soon.

I was finally able to get back on the new site last week, and I can report that the interior is quickly taking shape.  The walls are up, most of the windows have been installed, and the ductwork and electrical wiring are nearing completion. Not exactly pretty yet, but all part of the big picture! 

The long tube that carries warm air from the outside generator into the building - a necessity during winter construction.

The windows on the east side of the multi-purpose room.  Blinds will be installed for privacy and light control.

On the second floor now, looking up to the ceiling, where the underside of the roof decking is being painted a beige colour, in contrast to the un-painted silver.

The computer lab - it's hard to appreciate the size of this space, but the natural light from the windows (facing east) will be nice. Blinds will reduce glare on the computer monitor screens.

The hanging wires for the suspended lighting system make quite an artistic image, I think!



  In preparation for the exterior finishes, the coverings and tarps make the building look particularly colourful!

Still on track

Since my last post almost a month ago, much has been happening on the construction site, although perhaps not so noticably and dramatically as when the exterior walls and roof were going up!

The focus these last few weeks has been on mechanical and electrical work, insulation, and most recently, the installation of the glazing (windows).  With the onset of colder weather, the construction crew will be very glad to have the building sealed, and some heat turned on inside!

The photos below were taken last week:

                           Glazing at the main entry to the library - very bright and welcoming

The clerestory windows beneath the roof line, bringing in plenty of natural light to the second floor 

The beautiful big windows in the children's area

Windows on the exterior wall of the multipurpose/meeting room - what a nice change this will be!

A view of the western side of the building, showing the glazing on the second floor.  When the long orange tarp is removed, the dramatic two-storey glazing in the main stair area will be revealed!



Topping out

A high point, literally, was reached in the construction of the new library this week with the traditional "topping out" ceremony.  The last piece of steel was raised to the highest point of the building's structure, marking the completion of the skeleton.  The finishing touches can now begin, including flooring, windows, paint and many other details.

A small tree was attached to the piece of steel, and if you look very closely in the photo below, you can see the tree at the top of the concrete corner "tower."

Following the ceremony, I had another walk-through the building, and indeed, those fir beams visible on the second floor are a thing of beauty!  I can hardly wait to see the reactions from our customers when they see them for the first time!

The roof is still being completed, with several layers, including membrane and insulation, still to come. The photo below is looking north, with the elevator shaft in the middle:

This photo is looking up toward the clerestory windows; the railing is temporary.

The view from the windows still impresses me, and I'm happy to see that our customers will be able to enjoy these views while sitting in the many chairs around the outside walls.  The photo below is looking southwest.

Gluelams

This has been an exciting week in the construction of the branch, with the addition of the beautiful gluelams - the long (100 feet long!), curved wood pieces that are the main architecural feature of the second floor. 

The gluelams were manufactured by Structurlam in Okanagan Falls. The photo below was taken at their facility in late August and shows the flat glued pieces being pressed, before the sanding, drilling and finishing processes.

The gluelams were shipped here to Vernon by truck, and made an impressive sight on the highway, indeed! The photos below were taken during the installation process on the library site, late last week:

 Now that the gluelams are in place, the decking can now be added, in preparation for the installation of the curved roof.  This photo, taken just this morning, shows this process.  Very impressive, I'm sure you'd agree!

Beams

I saw some excellent progress on the new building today on all three levels.  The lower parking level has just been painted, and the light colour, combined with plenty of natural light, give the area an open feeling, not dark and oppressive. The photo below shows what I mean.

More wall framing is taking place on the first floor, giving definition to the spaces, but the most exciting development is the addition of the beautiful support beams on the second floor. The clerestory windows and of course the massive curved roof will be built above these beams, but even still covered in plastic, they are impressive on their own!
            

                               Looking northwest

                          
                                Looking southwest       

Beginning to take shape - guided tour

At my visit to the new library site this week I could see considerable progress, particularly on the main floor, where the walls are going up, defining spaces such as the multi-purpose room and the children's area. Because we're far enough into the project that it is possible to get a feel for the layout, ORL's public relations officer, Marla O'Brien and I have created a video tour for your enjoyment:

 http://www.youtube.com/OKRegLibrary

Parking and picture books

The parking level for the new branch will have 36 stalls and is filled with plenty of natural light, due to the slope of the site. The photo below shows not only the progress on this level, but also the west-facing windows (on the lower part of the slope) which will provide much of this light.

The most visible corner of the library on the ground floor features curved windows which are part of the children's area, in particular where the picture books will be shelved.  This will be a wonderful area for children and parents to browse and read together - watch for additional "clover" tables and "seat-belt" chairs in bright colours! The open spaces below show where these (north-east) facing windows will be.