Weeks 49-51: HVAC and Framing

We've been meeting every Tuesday morning from 9am until around noon in order to address some of the particulars surrounding each finish detail. In addition to Chris and myself, these meetings include Justin (our friend who is acting as quality control), Emily (interior designer), Jeff and Alison (architect & assistant), Brett and Jerry (contractor and supervisor), as well as any subcontractors that may need to be involved at any point in time.  For the first part of the project (digging out the basement) there weren't many weekly decisions to be made, but as the house has started coming back together these meetings have proved necessary.

These meetings can be long and tiring, but as long as we are making progress it is all worth it.  Because this house is gigantic (some 8,000 square feet when all is said and done) it isn't easy to walk through the whole house at one time, though we do attempt it on occasion.  When it came to final decisions regarding the HVAC systems, we knew that a standard installation wouldn't be the right fit for the house and so a room-by-room detail was necessary.  I'll show pictures of those details as they are completed—it's too complicated to explain without pictures!

Two huge main lines for the HVAC system, which will
be installed in the trench dug in the lower entry.

Jerry (left) and Jeff (right) listen in as Dan (HVAC, middle) explains why
there will no longer be room for a workbench in the garage where it previously
was.  Okay, he was explaining more than that, but the rest went over my head.

One of those huge pipes finds a home under our home.

Fast forward...both pipes have been installed, and the trench
has been filled.  Almost like it never happened.

Chris and the crew discuss possibilities in order to keep the doorway to the
kitchen open (as shown) instead of closing it up a bit.  For reference, the
kitchen is past Chris, dining room to the left, great room up to the right.

Brett (contractor) looks on as we discuss possible ways to use the tiny amount
of space left for storage in the bedroom hallway.  My full-height linen cabinet
is untouched, but the lower cabinet next to it had to be reduced due to the
forced air heating unit that was installed behind it & requiring ample breathing
room.  An access panel will need to remain, other than that, I think it is a puzzle
to hash out with the cabinet maker.

One last look at the original bedroom closets.  They will soon be removed
in order to accommodate HVAC in the walls behind.

Audrey discovered the Warriors series this week—she said the meeting
went by so fast (for the first time ever).  This marks her jump into larger
chapter books - so long Magic Tree House!