We enjoyed hosting almost 100 people today at our second of six Collaborative Informational Sessions. 

The day was structured with an open house from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, with formal 60-minute presentations at 10:30 and 1:30 pm.  The Mayor of Monte Sereno, Don Perry, and Vice Mayor, Lana Malloy, opened each formal presentation.

Cleaning Up the Site from the Rain Last Night

It poured last night so we were scrambling to clean up the site and get rid of the water this morning. 

Dave Edwards (Earth Bound Homes) had several of his team on site helping unbutton the site, pulling back the tarps and cleaning up the water. 

Eric Venzon (Teamwrkx) had his safety superintendant, Craig Butcher, ensure the site was safe and that signs were in place for our visitors, and had Dustin Barclay set up the presentation screen and providing electrical connections for the computers and projects.

Dave Stevenson (Insulspan) arrived and coordinated the presentation equipment so we were good to go.

John Rider (Jrider+Design) had just picked up the three new overview signs profiling the key green features of our house from San Jose Blue.  He placed these boards in three strategic locations around the house so our guests could identify and understand the various functions and benefits of the various green features around the house today.

Hosting the Morning Collaborative Informational Session

The sun came out and warmed the project site, drying up the pooled water all over the site.  And then our guests started to arrive.  Darrel Kelly (Builders’ Energy Services) stepped in graciously to receive each guest.  Darrely ensured that all of our guests signed a Site Tour Release form (waiver of liability), received a green Teamwrkx wrist band noting they had done so and then they entered the house.

We held a Q&A session on the ground floor where Eric introduced Bryan to respond to questions from the guests.  During this time, Don Perry (Mayor of Monte Sereno) and Lana Malloy (Vice Mayor of Monte Sereno), Perry Haviland, Architect of Record (Haviland Associates Architects), and Bill Brown (Bill Brown Construction) arrived.

Both Don and Lana spoke briefly, outlining how the City of Monte Sereno supported this project and are actively working with citizens of Monte Sereno to encourage ‘green building’  Specifically, Don outlined how the City had changed their ordinances to allow window wells in the setbacks, which was required prior to our project receiving our building permit.  Also, Don explained that the City Manager, Brian Loventhal, is updating Monte Sereno’s sign ordinance to allow a sign under the LEED for Homes program (which is currently prohibited).

Then, everyone went to the lower level for Dave Stevenson’s AIA accredited presentation on Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs).  After Dave’s presentation, Dave Edwards presented an overview of green building, providing examples and insight that he has gained over the past eight years with Earth Bound Homes.

The group moved upstairs, into the warm sunshine for a final look at the house and to see some of the details that our presenters had explained.

Hosting the Afternoon Collaborative Informational Session

The weather continued to improve and it turned into a beautiful, blue-sky California day.  Don and Lana returned to open the afternoon session and Judy Peterson, the local writer from the Los Gatos Weekly Times, was on site to cover the event.

We were especially pleased to have several students from Richard Holman’s classes at De Anza College attend our event this afternoon (Richard’s first visit to our site was on Saturday, February 6, 2010).  Richard teaches classes on building performance and energy systems.  As well, Jerry Kauffman came to the site today.  Dave Stevenson is presenting to Jerry’s Wednesday class tonight at San Jose City College.  Jerry and Bryan will coordinate a field trip for his students to visit our site next Wednesday, March 17 (St Patrick’s Day!).  Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders in sustainable building so we encourage and support their visits to our site.

The author of the first book on Eichlers, Jerry Ditto, stopped in to see our progress.  Jerry, who wrote Eichler Homes:  Design for Living, has been involved in our project since the beginning and testified at the Site & Architecture meeting where we received our Site Development permit.  Interestingly, Lana Malloy, who is now Vice Mayor, was on the Site and Architecture Commision at that time.

Wrapping Up

After everyone left, we decided not to wrap the house with tarps as the overnight forecast was for clear skys.  Jo-Anne arrived and climbed the ladder to see the lower roof in the warm sunshine.

It was a good, full day.

(Left to right) Darrel Kelly receiving guests and having them sign Site Tour Release forms. Toni DeWaal and Patrice Green were among our first guests. Maria Dohadwala (white hard hat) had just signed in.

John Rider (Jrider+Design) put together a new overview, profiling the green features of our house. These boards helped our guests to identfy and understand the functions and benefits of the various green features around the house today.

Just before the formal presentation started, Bryan provided an overview of the project and then answered questions from the group.

After the group moved to the lower level, Don Perry (Mayor of Monte Sereno) opened the presentation on behalf of the City of Monte Sereno.

After Don Perry spoke, Lana Mally (Vice Mayor, Monte Sereno) stepped into the sunlight and took the stage.

Dave Stevenson, from Insulspan, presented the AIA-accredited session on Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

There was a full audience for Dave's presentation.

Meanwhile, Joel Lemons (Jrider+Design) was reviewing the green features of the house with Vivienne Kelvin (left) and Wendy Parker (right).

Bill Brown (left) and Bryan answering questions on the ground floor.

The presentations were the very first use of our home theater, in the lower level. Note the water from the heavy rains last night.

When Dave Stevenson started the second presentation at 1:30 pm, it was much dryer and warmer.

The second presentation went very well.

Some interested guests climbed the ladder and walked around the SIP roof. It was much warmer in the sunshine of the roof. Eric Venzon is on the left and Rory Faber, from Stramit International, is on the right.

Jerry Ditto (left) and Bryan, in the Garage.

Paul Dodds (left) speaking with Bryan on the roof.

We've been working with John Rider (Jrider+Design) since July 2008.

Jo-Anne, on the roof, at the end of the day.

We had a several tasks going in parallel today with one delayed until tomorrow.  The tasks on the critical path were progressing as planned, so our overall timeline remains intact.

The one task that was delayed was picking up the beams from Watsonville.  The beams could not be ready by noon today, as planned.  Fortunately, Bryan was able to reschedule the pickup by Dave Merchant for tomorrow morning at 8:00 am.  It will be an early start to the day.

Removing the Temporary Steel Beams

Pete Janovich was on site with two members of his team and they set to work unbolting and moving the steel beams clear of the existing West and East walls.  As well, they removed part of the concrete haunches to provide more access to the existing walls. 

The steel beam on the West is now clear and ready to be removed by the crane next Wednesday.  Pete’s team will complete the work on the East side tomorrow.  This task is on the critical path and is progressing as planned. 

The temporary steel beam that was supporting the existing wall on the West side is not detached and moved clear of the existing wall.

Scott Heeschen Comes by for PEX Training

Our friend, Scott Heeschen, who is building a house in Campbell dropped by for training on how to connect PEX tubing.  Matt Jung (88HVAC) trained Bryan in November and, since Scott is putting in PEX plumbing, Bryan offered to train Scott on how to connect PEX tubing.

Scott Heeschen takes a full tour of the house. He was impressed with the scale of our project.

Bryan showed Scott how to connect PEX to fittings. And, how to disconnect the PEX and remove kinks.

Receiving More FSC-Certified Lumber

Our small lumber order was delivered today.  We need lumber to complete the structural framing on the ground floor before we start framing the SIP roofs.  Another task stroked of ‘the list’.

Our small lumber order arrived and was dropped at our site. This FSC-certified lumber is required to complete our structural framing so we can stage the SIPs on the West side of the house next week.

It is always nice to order #1 or better and receive Structural Select, which is better than #1. Note that all the lumber in our house is FSC-certified.

Assembling Our SIP Wall

Since we retained the existing East and West walls, and the North Wall is either concrete, sliding glass or Hardy-Frames, the only wall that we could build using SIPs was the south wall.  This is the wall facing Via Sereno.

After preparing the wall plate, assembling our SIP wall went quickly.  The following photos show how the SIP wall was assembled with some of the connection details.

Given the probability of rain tomorrow, Dave Edwards’ team covered all the SIPs to protect them from the rain.

It was a long, but good, day today.

There is a 3/4-inch pressure treated plywood plate against the concrete, with a 2x6 mud sill on top of the plywood plate. This assembly is anchored to the foundation with longer holddowns extending above the plate. The 6.5-inch SIP walls will go on top of this assembly and be nailed into the 2x6 plate.

The SIP wall sits on top of the plate assembly and has insulated splines between each panel.

The SIP wall will go at the end of the stud wall, and be placed over the plate assembly on the concrete foundation.

The panel has sealing mastic on the inside of the OSB and foam, and the plate assembly is cleaned of dirt and debris with an air hose.

Interior view of the completed SIP wall in place.

We used Simpson Stong Tie HTT22s for hold downs for our shear wall. There are 16 rows of 2 nails per row attaching the HTT22 to this 6x6 post. The hold down is a Simpson Strong Tie SSTB24, which is embedded more than 20 inches into the concrete foundation.

Exteior view of the completed SIP wall at the front of the house. There are two window openings, then the front door and garage door. The garage door header will be delivered on Wednesday with our three other beams.

Given the forecast is for rain tomorrow, we buttoned up the site and covered our SIP walls and framing lumber with tarps and plastic.

‘That’s it Bryan.  If you bring any more beams then we won’t make the Thursday deadline.’  Steve Jackel was smiling, but firm.

‘No problem, Steve.  There aren’t any beams left.’  Bryan was smiling, too.

Delivering Another Two Beams to Watsonville

After coordinating the 2-inch rigid insulation for the exposed slab this morning, Bryan delivered the two 22 ft 6×14 reclaimed Douglas Fir beams to Jackel Enterprises in Watsonville.  Tim was there and unloaded the beams in minutes.  Then, Bryan set to work.

Bryan went through each beam, looking for reinforcing steel (rebar) and nails.  In less than 45 minutes, he removed five pieces of #5 rebar (5/8-inch in diameter) from the two beams a number of nails, and a strap tie.  Steve’s team will use metal detectors to verify no more metal fragments are in the two beams, then the beams can be milled.

Tim had done some initial milling of the 12-1/4 tall by 5-inch wide beam that will be in the Foyer and Master Study.  It looked magnificent.

Tim unloaded the two reclaimed beams with the forklift so Bryan could de-nail them and remove all the metal.

Within 45 minutes, Bryan had removed five pieces of rebar and a number of nails from the two beams.

Steve Jackel enjoys the sunshine while writing up the milling tags for these beams.

Tim started milling the 12-1/4 inch beam that will be visible in the Foyer and Master Study.

The end of the beam looks magnificent.

This beam will be milled to 12-1/4 inches tall. This face will be visible in the Foyer and Master Study.

Driving to Bonny Doon

After removing all the metal, Bryan drove north through Santa Cruz to Bonny Doon.  As he was driving along Highway #1, Bryan reflected on the same day (February 15) in 1998.  On that day, just north of Davenport on Highway #1, Jo-Anne married Ian Fowler and Merril Schmitt.  We’d love to complete our renovation/construction project and host their visit in February 2011.

Out of the Woods

To get to Dave Mechant’s mill site, one has to stop, open the gate, drive through, close the gate and get to the mill location.  When the sun is shining, as it was today, it is a pleasant break in the day.

Dave and his team were milling some spectacular wood flooring.  They had an order for 1,200 sq ft of vertical grain flooring, with no knots.  Absolutely beautiful wood.

Stop. Open the gate. Drive through. Close the gate. Drive to the mill location.

The Out of the Woods milling operation. It was a great day to be milling wood in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Take a look at the vertical grain with no knots. This is very, very nice wood. Dave had an order for 1,200 sq ft that he was filling. (You can click on this photo and expand it to full size in your browser.)

Completed bundles of flooring, measured and wrapped very carefully. Dave finds that having eight layers of wood in each bundle is the best, yielding approximately 28 sq ft per bundle.

Measuring Our Beams

Dave will be milling our beams tomorrow so Bryan had to complete the specifications for Dave.  A few minutes with the measuring tape and reviewing the beams.  No problem.  Just have to e-mail Dave the measurements tonight.

Back through the gate, and back to our project site.

Finalizing the milling requirements for these four beams.

John McLaren Visits Our Project Site

John stopped by for a quick visit.  He hadn’t been to the site for several months and we’d made visible progress since then  John and Bryan walked through the framed rooms on the ground floor and lower level. 

He was wearing sandals and shorts, hardly appropriate for an active construction site.  But he was careful.

John McLaren reviews our progress the the Master Bathroom. Note the smile, open toe sandals and shorts (February in California).

John leaves the 'empty' Wine Dining - sorry John.