Armin's Cubby

Just thought we'd share this with you. In moving the switches for the lobby lighting, a new partial wall was built.

This created a small cubby under the stairs that we decided to name after construction supervisor Armin Bunkleman. Here he is.

Can you say "change order"?

Hmm... 2-1/2 weeks before we move in, we decide to make a major change in the floor plan. Originally, the main entry stairs leading from the ground floor lobby to our 2nd floor reception area was to be a wide, welcoming and inviting structure that would leave the way to the elevator (towards the back of the building) with a clear and open path.

But as we proceeded with the work, we found that the space was 5 inches narrower than originally planned, a support column in the middle of the stairs could not be removed for structural reasons, and perhaps most importantly, a large cross beam at the bottom of the stairway also had to stay.

This made for a sense of having to duck under a large object before proceeding up the narrower stairs. After the temporary stairs were moved to the center of the lobby space, we realized that it really made more sense to keep the stairway in the new location.

It's directly under two skylights, feels more natural, and because the stairs were designed to give a sense of floating and airiness, doesn't visually block the path to the elevator as much as you would expect.

So expect to see our newly configured grand staircase in this space in just a few short weeks!

Moving Right Along

Work continues as we get closer and closer to our move in date. Carpet arrived last Friday and is being installed now. Taping and painting of the interior of the monitor is now complete.


Doors and relites (those are those interior windows in the individual offices) are being constructed on site and installed. Here you can see a sample of the wood being used for the frames . The project architect was very particular about the type of wood to be used to convey a "warm Northwest flavor." White oak? Red hemlock? Only our architect knows for sure.

中秋节

Mid-Autumn Moon Festival was last Friday. Seniors at Sunshine Garden Senior Day Center had a party celebrating the holiday with many yummy treats - and a work party.

Here are some of the seniors helping with the CISC newsletter. In order to keep our costs down, we use Kinko's for copying, and rely on volunteer help to fold, stuff and seal the newsletters when they come out every quarter.

Staff work hard to bring you the lastest news and happenings at CISC. We also try to share some of the stories that help keep our staff and volunteers so dedicated to the work. Support from the community has such an incredible impact on the lives of those we serve. We really couldn't do it without you!

Indestructible

That's what we are. Now that all the bracing is all done, we have nothing to fear in the event of an earthquake - or an eruption of Mount Rainier.

Check out all the bolts that anchor the top of the brace through the 8 8 inch thick beam.

And then my favorite is the giant wrench this guy's using to tighten the bolts.

Even the two entrances on the Maynard Avenue side of the building got extra support above their doorways. Good news for our new downstairs neighbors!

Elevator

What a roller coaster ride it's been! First we thought the elevator work would be done on time. Then we found out the parts had not yet been ordered. Then we got it so the parts would arrive on site in time, but the work on the hydraulic cylinder would delay the completion.

Without the elevator up and running, we can't move the furniture upstairs. And without furniture, we can't move in and be open for business Nov 1. Then the issue of a new controller emerged last week (just 4 weeks before our move in date!!).

After many e-mails and phone calls back an forth, we found out that we will be able to complete all the elevator work in time and that we won't have to change out the controller before we move in. Yeah!

Here is a picture of the elevator between floors. Hopefully, something we will not see often after it is all fixed!

Restrooms

What a luxury! Staff restrooms in designer colors!

Yes, staff will have their very own restrooms near the break room (also an added feature of this space).

Public restrooms will be near the waiting area and, thanks to building owner Sophia Ho, have stone tile floors and cool northwest colors on the walls, partitions and ceiling.

Almost makes you want to go!

Steel Moment Frames

Part of the rennovation of the building required extra support for the building through the addition of steel bracing. There are 2 sets of these huge steel bars running up from the ground through the 1st and 2nd floors up to the ceiling.

They will be bolted onto these huge metal plates at the ceiling and floor. Although the building held up well in the 2001 Nisqually earthquake, we want to be sure our clients and staff are safe for the next 60 years!

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!

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?

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!

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?

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!

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!

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.

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.

We Have Mechanical

At long last, we have received our approved mechanical permit from the city. This means that we can begin work on installing our HVAC units. That's heating, ventilating and air conditioning, for those of you not in the trade...

We've got 5 different zones in our space and have done analysis on how much power each unit will need to adequately heat and cool the space it serves.

They're also installing an additional 3 units for future tenants on the ground floor. Just have to wait for the roofing guys to finish pulling off the old roof and start laying down the new one and then the HVAC can be set in place and connected to all the duct work that's already inside.