Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Slide Show

Photo courtesy of Clark Construction Group

1812 North Moore

----- Advertising -----

Measuring 385 ft tall, the 1812 North Moore office building is one of the tallest buildings in the Washington, D.C., metro area. Capped by a distinctive steel-and-glass pyramid, the 30-story building provides 600,000 column-free sq ft of office space designed to LEED Core and Shell-Platinum certification standards. The building, which includes five below-grade levels, comprises structural steel and cast-in-place concrete.

To erect the structure, cast-in-place subcontractor Clark Concrete was charged with completing concrete pours over an 87-week period. To perform its contracting responsibilities and keep the project progressing smoothly, the company, a subsidiary of Clark Construction Group, had to maintain a close working relationship with the structural-steel contractor.

Collaboration proved particularly crucial in the construction of the building's north side, which cantilevers over the substation beginning at Level 11. Full-height structural-steel girders supported by 10,000-psi concrete columns support the cantilever from its starting point at Level 11 to the top of the structure, at Level 35. The girders also support two levels of hanging structural steel and slab-on-metal deck, which required the cast-in-place concrete contractor to work around ironworkers as they completed their welds.

Installing 1812 North Moore's signature translucent pyramid also required intense coordination due to the introduction of a bonded, post-tensioned system into the concrete slabs at Level 34, where the building's concrete begins interfacing with the pyramid's steel. To prepare for this, the team cast anchor bolts into the top of the Level 33 concrete columns while structural-steel members were set and encased in concrete. These members had base plates welded to them that support the shoe-and-pin connections for the structural steel trusses. At this level, the structure's perimeter columns become "cranked" and begin to follow the slope of the pyramid's facade.

The building's exterior comprises a curtain-wall skin, metal finishes and a black-granite base. Floor-to-ceiling perimeter glass provides natural light to every floor.

In addition to achieving LEED Core and Shell-Platinum status, the Rosslyn, Va., office building, which was built as a speculative development, also earned LEED Neighborhood Development Gold certification, making it one of the largest commercial green buildings in the state of Virginia.

Read the original post:
Best Small Project (under $10 million)

Winter flowers are wonderful, writes gardening columnist Brian Minter in The Tri-City News.

image credit: photo submitted

If you enjoy having fresh cut flowers in your home, especially during the holiday season, take a look at some of the many new, long-lasting varieties now available. They add so much colour and fragrance to the festive season and with proper care their lifespan can be almost doubled.

Cleanliness is the single most important factor in making fresh flowers last. Dirty vases are no place for fresh flowers. Not only should they be clean, but a few drops of bleach should also be added to the water to kill any bacteria that can reduce the capillary action of water flowing up the stems. The water should be warm and the addition of floral preservatives will greatly extend the lifespan of your cut flowers.

It is always a good idea to re-cut the stems on all fresh flowers the moment you receive them, but it is very important to make that cut while the end of the stem is held underwater. Special machines are now available to florists for doing just that. Another re-cut should be done in about a week to keep that water flowing.

Research has also proven that exposure to constant, rather than fluctuating temperatures, increases the lifespan of flowers. In other words, keep them at a reasonably cool room temperature rather than in a hot sunroom by day and in the cold at night.

I would never discourage anyone from picking up fresh cinnamon-scented carnations or long lasting chrysanthemums at this time of year, however, I would suggest trying a few different flowers that have great keeping qualities as well. Locally grown anthuriums are exotic looking. They are also very reasonably priced, as are cymbidium orchid stems, another long lasting flower. Colourful alstromerias fit in nicely with any bouquet. If you are really tropical minded, South African proteas last and last.

Spring flowers are now here and ready to bring a breath of fresh colour to brighten our winter spirits. Tulips, pussy willows and iris push aside those winter blues.

Were right in the middle of the cool, dark days of winter and fresh flowers brighten everyones spirits. According to research, fresh flowers are the gift that makes people the happiest. Although prices will vary, always buy quality and look for both fragrance and varieties that last.

Read more here:
MINTER: Winter is wonderful for fresh-cut flowers

Clarke County Hospital is renovating the north side of the hospital facility to house the new Materials Management Department. Construction will be completed February.

The materials management department is responsible for all supplies and medical inventory throughout the hospital. By moving the department from its current location on the basement floor to the main floor, many challenges will be resolved.

We will be closer to the medical departments once we move to the main floor, so we will be able to distribute the supplies efficiently, said Deb Mathes, materials manager at Clarke County Hospital. Moving our receiving area to the north end of the building will also allow supply trucks easier access to our loading dock, improving the flow of street traffic.

Other facility improvements include a new emergency generator, new water piping in the kitchen area and new air handler for heating and cooling on the north side of the facility.

Just like our medical equipment, we keep our facility equipment up to date in order to provide patients best care possible, said Brian Evans, chief-executive officer of Clarke County Hospital. The new emergency generator, for example, will produce nearly three times as much power in the case of an outage. In disasters, we will be the place of refuge for anyone needing emergency medical assistance.

These renovations at Clarke County Hospital are the start of a five-year facility expansion. Funding for the $24 million project will come from hospital savings, hospital revenue bonds, general-obligation bonds and other identified sources. The financial forecasting of debt repayment does not include tax increases.

We are dedicated to the people of Clarke County and therefore feel that it is important to keep our commitment of not asking the Clarke County tax payers for additional tax dollars, Evans said.

Clarke County Hospital has reduced its ask for county taxes the past nine consecutive years. Savings to Clarke County taxpayers equal over $1.7 million to date.

About Clarke County Hospital

Clarke County Hospital is a 25-bed, critical access hospital with advanced diagnostic and telemedicine technology.

See the original post:
Clarke County Hospital remodels facility’s north end

home section Interior Design Housekeeping Entertaining Home Improvement Gardening & Plants Landscaping eHow Home & Garden Building & Remodeling Exterior Remodeling How to Replace T-111 Siding on House

C.L. Rease

C.L. Rease , based in Texas, has been a professional construction and outdoor writer since 2003. His articles have appeared in The News-Press, a local Southwest Florida newspaper and a small Southwest Florida fishing magazine. Rease served a four year apprenticeship to become a union sheet metal journeyman and earned a construction management degree from Florida State University.

View my portfolio

T-111 siding is untreated. The paint covering the siding is the only protection the siding has from moisture intrusion. Even the most well painted siding can become damaged by moisture. Replacing the T-111 siding on your house is a major project that is best broken down into sections. Houses with T-111 rarely have sheathing under the siding and when you remove the T-111, the studs and wall insulation will be exposed. Therefore, the T-111 siding you remove needs to be replaced the same day to avoid disruption of the insulation or water damage to the wood studs and sub-floor.

Remove all the trim from the wall having the siding replaced. Wedge the pry bar under the trim. Pry away from the wall to lift the trim and loosen the nails holding the trim in place. Work the pry bar along the entire length of trim.

Inspect the installation of the windows. If the windows are mounted on top of the T-111, you will need to remove the windows before proceeding.

Determine the lap of the siding. Siding is installed in one direction. The last piece of siding installed will have an outside lap. This is the first piece of siding that you need to remove. Work the pry bar under the siding at the outside corner. Pry away from the wall. Work your way along the vertical length of the siding. When the corner is free, pull the siding away from the house, removing nails as necessary.

Apply the vapor barrier to the studs. Staple the vapor barrier to each stub to hold it in place. Remove the vapor barrier from window and door openings. Staple the cut ends to the framing studs located around the window or door openings.

Measure, layout, and cut the first piece of T-111 siding. Nail the T-111 siding to the wall. Start the first nail 2 inches from the edge of the siding and then place the nails 12 inches apart.

See the rest here:
How to Replace T-111 Siding on House | eHow

After the first of the year, homeowners across the state planning to remodel will have to comply with a new year's resolution of sorts: Installing water-conserving plumbing fixtures.

The state law applies to all single-family residences built before Jan. 1, 1994 and requires that water conserving plumbing fixtures be installed throughout the home as a condition of building permits applied for after Jan. 1, 2014.

"I think a lot of people may feel that it's time to do it because they can see their water bills go up and see losing a lot of water with inefficient water fixtures," said Woodland's Chief Building Official Paul Siegel. "All it takes is one drought and you're rationing people."

Specifically, the law states that all residential buildings undergoing alterations, additions, or improvements must replace non-compliant plumbing fixtures with water-conserving fixtures (Think: Low-flow toilet).

The law does not apply to maintenance, however, such as water heater replacement, HVAC replacement, re-roofing, sewer replacement or window replacement.

A resale inspection would not trigger compliance either, unless a permit is required as a result of the resale inspection.

"Imagine replacing a water heater and spending five times more than you needed to," Siegel said. "That would have been brutal and people wouldn't have done it.

"This (law) will trigger during a major remodel of a home. A lot of people do that anyway.

The law isn't new. Senate Bill 407 actually came into effect in 2009, and stipulates that low-flow fixtures be implemented with home improvements starting in 2014, in all homes by 2017 and in apartment and commercial buildings by 2019.

When passed four years ago, the law went to the California Civil Code, rather than the health and community development department, which covers building codes. For this reason, some people are only learning of the law now.

Read more:
Homeowners planning to remodel face new water-conservation rules

BMW E46 led angel eye wiring installation

By: Sumit Goyal

See original here:
BMW E46 led angel eye wiring installation - Video

Our Tomball, TX client is in need of an Electrical AutoCAD Designer for a Contract to possible hire opportunity.

Job Summary: Apply practical knowledge of electrical systems by preparing wiring diagrams for installers. Specify the layout, materials, and procedures needed to implement a new electrical system. May work in conjunction with electrical engineers or architects, and will use CAD programs to complete technical drawings.

Duties: Review job information and confirm specification and code compliance, equipment compatibility, and look for possible cost savings Layout equipment locations for CAD Run calculations on systems that require it (suppression, air sampling, etc.) Panel layout and interconnection if required Check and verify completed CAD drawings before submittal to customer Review submittal prepared by Engineering Review field as-build drawings and give to CAD Review O&M manual prepared by Engineering Provide technical support for field personnel when Installation Manager and/or Service Manager is unavailable or unable to help Provide support to sales/estimating when necessary

Qualifications: Minimum of Associates degree in Electrical Technology 3+ years of recent and related experience Candidates who have worked directly with the design of control panels would be ideal

Equal Opportunity Employer, M/F/V/D. Candidates must have authorization to work in the U.S. Clients will not sponsor visas.

Frontline Source Group is one of the fastest growing Information Technology, Accounting, Legal, Human Resources, Administrative, and Clerical staffing and direct hire firms with offices throughout Texas (Arlington, Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, Houston Galleria, Lewisville, West Houston, San Antonio, Sugar Land, and The Woodlands), Tennessee (Nashville and Brentwood), and Arizona (Phoenix and Scottsdale).

Frontline specializes in matching top talent with companies for direct, contract, and contract-to-hire placements. We work with clients and candidates in all areas of the United States and Canada.

Go here to read the rest:
Electrical AutoCAD Designer

Santa Rosa Fir Tree Removal
Fir tree removal in Santa Rosa, California by TreePro Professional Tree Care.

By: TreePro Professional Tree Care

Here is the original post:
Santa Rosa Fir Tree Removal - Video

Emergency Tree Removal of Santa Rosa Redwood Tree
Emergency Tree Removal of a Santa Rosa Redwood Tree by TreePro Professional Tree Care.

By: TreePro Professional Tree Care

See the original post:
Emergency Tree Removal of Santa Rosa Redwood Tree - Video

A beautiful tree can really add a lot to your yard, but sometimes even the nicest tree can become damaged or diseased. In such cases, you need to have the tree taken down and removed from your yard before it poses a hazard to your home. Leaving a tree standing when it is in poor condition means that it could come down in a storm and cause a lot of damage.

However, after you have the tree cut down, you are often left with a stump that you have to deal with. Many arborists only remove trees, and leave the stumps behind. If you want to have the stump taken out, you need to find a good stump grinding and removal service.

Grinding a tree stump requires special equipment. You can try to find this equipment on your own, but a stump grinder can be difficult to use if you do not have a lot of experience using one. It is usually safer for all concerned if you hire astump removal expert to take care of the job. This way, you can feel confident that the stump will be removed as quickly and safely as possible.

Be sure to hire a removal service like Simons stump grinding service that has a good reputation and a lot of experience. Before you hire them, ask for a quote. It can be a good idea to talk to more than one service so that you can compare their quotes. This way, you can make sure that you get the best price for the job.

When you have to have a tree taken down, removing the stump can be a whole other job. With the right stump grinding and removal service, you can make sure that this goes as smoothly as possible.

For tree removal needs, you may visit our website; http://www.SimonsTreeSurgery.com.au

Read the original:
Tree Stump Grinding and Removal