Cool Stuff
All Around Interesting Things
Reframed Lab
Deep Energy Retrofit Initiative
Grace is privileged to be part of the Reframed Initiative because she believes that it is crucial to address the high energy usage of older buildings. Working together in teams to find the best strategies to apply deep energy retrofits with the least amount of disturbance to buildings and occupants is a goal she is determined to work towards. The results and findings of the teams will be shared with the rest of the industry to be a template to follow.
She is on the Crossroads Team.
Blasting!
This was a unique project that required blasting. Holes were drilled for dynamite (deepest ones were 13 feet down), and blasting was done in 5 sessions. Rock was turned to rubble, and many dump truck loads hauled it away.
First picture shows the oak tree and fencing, and
the second picture shows them cleared away.
Excavator stripped away the top soil and organics to
expose the rock, and then the drilling rig got to work.
Large machine brought in to move blast mats, and clear away rubble between blasting shots.
Smaller excavator fine tuned the excavation pit to prepare for foundation work
Prototype House at Camosun College
Grace had a unique opportunity to work for 2 days in the Camosun Innovates Trades Building on a prototype building using new framing methods. Click here for an article by Camosun.
The Anomura Housing Society and Clemson University teamed up to build a proof-of-concept housing structure to help towards the goal of building affordable housing: Flat pack shipping, minimal fasteners, and the ability to re-build it again after disassembly.
Time Lapse video of 2 Day build at Camosun
Fabricating right on site at Camosun – in the same room as the build.
Computer calculates how to maximize the sheet of plywood for as little waste as possible.
Extra strong “jigsaw puzzle” joints.
Assemble tabs into slots, etc. using only a rubber mallet.
Follow instructions and drawings to put it all together.
Completed base.
Wall assembly set into place, and locked in under the subfloor with a “hook” joint.
Not your typical truss system
2 days later, and the main structure is in place. At any given time, about 6 of us were actively working on the build.