Sunnyhill New Home

Workers installing the BlueDuct.

The biggest news of the past two weeks is the arrival and installation of the underground HVAC duct, which was a critical path item. The delay in specifying and delivery of the BlueDuct has put us about three weeks behind schedule, which we may be able to make up.

The decision to use underground duct was largely aesthetic.Suspended, horizontal steel ducts would have detracted from the beauty of our soaring cathedral ceiling. 

The company's website describes BlueDuct as follows:

"The BlueDuct is the only proven, direct-burial underground duct system made from ultra-durable, advanced HDPE (high-density polyethylene). The products are engineered to protect against corrosion, mold and mildew, radon, rust, water and air leaks. The BlueDuct systems have been installed in thousands of buildings, for over a decade, with trouble-free, long-term performance."

Color coded work site - HVAC (blue), electrical (gray)
waste pipes (white), Pex pipe to floor drain (light blue). 

The day after the HVAC duct installation was completed, electricians installed the underground conduit that will carry data and electricity under the floor from the rear of the sanctuary to the stage.

Gravel will be spread to provide a base for the
concrete floor.

Now that all underground work is complete, four inches of gravel will be spread to provide a base for the concrete floor. Pouring the concrete floor was expected to be the next part of the project, However, the concrete will now wait until the steel structure that will support our roof has been installed. Steel erection is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, Dec. 6 and be completed by Friday, Dec. 9.

A small village has been erected on site to provide
offices and storage for the construction crews.

If you have been to Sunnyhill recently, you probably noticed the arrival of a new office trailer which will be the operations center for the many framers who will soon be on site to construct the framework for the addition. 



In other news, the storm water containment unit is nearly complete and has been partially covered with soil. The unit still must be connected to our existing storm water sewer. To do this and achieve the proper slope, a trench will be dug down the hill behind the garage across the driveway to a point just behind the RE garden. The new storm water sewer will connect with our existing pipe at that point.

Matt Johnston and Jon Volkwein with the sawyer.
Picture taken by Dennis Sweeney.

The wood saved from the removal of the Sunnyhill red oak tree has been sawed into boards for future use. Like wine, the wood will now be aged (dried) for a year or two before it can be used for woodworking projects. We are looking for a place to store the lumber, but for the time being it is being stored by Jon Volkwein who has taken the lead on this important project.