Construction Update April 29, 2011
Springville residents are getting a real feel of how the new library will look. Construction crews have set glass windows on most of the building (that is glazing in construction terms—glass set or made to be set in frames), gyp board is up in much of the 1st and 2nd floors, and framing, with the exception of interior columns, will be finished this week. The roofers have needed 3 consecutive good days to finish the domes. With 21 out of 29 days in April receiving rain or snow, this has been an unusually difficult feat.
The final load of limestone has arrived from Indiana so the brick and stone masons have moved to finish off the southwest wall and the south rotunda. The motor for the partition that drops from the ceiling in the multipurpose room to allow for division is in place. The interior main stair is up, but not in use, and the elevators will arrive the first of next week.
On the inside, crews are still working on insulation while some electrical and plumbing work continues. The soffits and ceilings levels throughout the first floor are starting to take shape. Our architect, JRCA, has done an amazing job in making the interior space both definable and interesting with varied heights, curves, and lighting.
A few quick facts:
• Each of the 15 counter weights on the tower crane weighs 2,715 lbs. with a total counterbalance of 40,725 lbs.
• Each of the large limestone slabs weighs approximately 800 lbs.
• All of the mechanical elements such as fans, heating, and cooling which are often seen on roofs will be housed in the basement to prevent damage from the elements.
• The heating uses a displacement system which is more efficient than a typical system that blows heat down. It heats only the lower 8 ft. Radiant heating panels in the ceiling assist this process.