Building with SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels) is very different from conventional ’stick frame’ construction. We engaged Dave Edwards’ team at Earth Bound Homes to install our SIPs, which we bought from Insulspan.

Assembling the SIP Roof

Our entire roof is made of 12-1/4 inch SIPs from Insulspan. Today, Bryan watched the team from Earth Bound Homes assemble the roof over the Garage.

We used a crane to place the panels for the west side of the house on the structural framing last week. This roof area was completed and the team moved the SIPs up and onto the Garage by hand. Today, they started assembling the SIP roof over the Garage.

As with framing, you can ’see’ significant progress when assembling a structure with SIPs. It was satisfying to (finally!) start seeing dramatic progress as the roof was assembled.

Hosting Vistors

We were pleased to host Wido Menhardt’s visit today. His flight to India was delayed by several days so he was able to come to the job site today.  Now, Wido claims to be on ‘India time’.

Also, Dave Cullinane dropped by to review our progress. Dave, who lives just around the corner from us, has attended several of our open house events (e.g., our ‘Open Hole (vs. Open House) event on January 31, 2009).

Celebratikng Nik’s 11th Birthday

11 years old. How did that happen?

We updated the ‘About‘ section of our blog for Nik’s age. Time is marching by!

Today, Jo-Anne didn’t have to remind Bryan to focus on the house and get it completed.

Dave Edwards (foreground) reviewing progress on the Garage roof.

SIPs staged for the Garage roof.

Cutting a SIP to reflect some design tweaks. The team from Earth Bound Homes made some minor changes (enhancements) easily and quickly with our SIPs.

Assembling the third row of SIPs on the East side of the Garage roof.

Wido Menhardt arrives at our job site! Note the casual attiire, complete with sandals.

After receiving the shop drawings for the hollow core concrete panels from John Minton, Bryan marked the locations where we can drill through the hollow core to anchor a wooden post that will support a ridge beam. One of the posts is in the Foyer, which is above the Wine Dining (with a dropped ceiling).

No sooner did Dave Cullinane arrive at our job site than he started receiving calls. (Dave's attire is somewhat more formal than Wido's attire.)

Dave walked the property and approved of our progress to date. He wanted to know when the 'Come SIP with Us' event will be held.

Singing Happy Birthday to Nikolas, who turned 11 today.

Nik likes his new clock (can you solve the equations that tell the time?).

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We were all excited to see the outcome to the Gold medal game for Men’s Ice Hockey at the 2010 Olympics this afternoon.

And we flew the Canadian flag at the job site to celebrate the win in overtime!

Note, this is the same flag that Bryan was waving at the Gold medal game for the Women’s Ice Hockey in Vancouver on Thursday, February 25, 2010.

We watched the Canadian men win the Gold medal for ice hockey today and celebrated by ...

Flying the Canadian flag at our job site! Note, this is the same flag that Bryan was waving at the Gold medal game for the Women

Bryan’s flight was at 9:35 from SEA to SJC. Bob was extremely kind and made Bryan a latte before he left for the ferry to Seattle.

Leaving Bainbridge Island

Bob printed detailed instructions so Bryan could make his way to the ferry terminal on Bainbridge Island and then from the Seattle ferry terminal to Sea-Tac Airport (SEA). Although Bryan appreciated the directions, it was extremely easy to follow the traffic going to the ferry terminal for the 7:05 am departure to Seattle Terminal (where else would traffic be going at that time on a Saturday morning?).  You can see the current status of the Bainbridge Island Terminal through the Ferry Cam.

On the way to the ferry terminal, Bryan saw the new location of the house that was floated from the original site on Bainbridge Island.  The DIY Network is airing the house move (float) several times during the month of March 2010 - see their web site for dates and times).

After getting on the ferry, Bryan grabbed another coffee so he could enjoy the crossing to Seattle and the views of the Wise houses on Bainbridge Island and of Mt. Rainier (Bryan climbed to the top of Mt Rainier with Alan Arnette as part of the Rainier 9 on July 12, 2004).  It is always difficult for the passenger sitting beside Bryan whenever he is on a flight into or out of SEA as they have to listen to the full story of his climb.  OK, in full disclosure, Bryan did say that one of the passengers on the ferry had to listen to the story that morning.

The trip to SEA was uneventful and Bryan’s flight into SJC was early at the gate.

Bob, the ultimate host, makes Bryan a latte at 6:15 am.

The original house being floated to its new location on Bainbridge Island. Note Seattle in the background.

Bryan stopped and took this picture of the original house at its new location on Bainbridge Island. Way cool.

View from the ferry of the Wise houses on Bainbridge Island (with the lights on).

Early morning view of Mt Rainier (yes, Bryan stood on the very top of Mt. Rainier on July 12, 2004).

Arriving at the ferry terminal in Seattle. Next stop - SEA.