Project Abe - Day 1

I have always said "it is always best to live East of where you work" because, typically it will keep you from driving into the sun to and from the workplace. Why don't I take my advice? Now I face a daily miniature jet lag twice a day and my iphone doesn't know what time it is anymore. Do I go to lunch now or did I already go? argh....

I made it to the jobsite shortly after 7AM with minor problems and a major amount of coffee. The contractor and  I jumped on the Lull(a hydraulic lift) and inspected the newly completed roof while it was still relatively cool (80 degrees).  The new roof is a modified bituminous on insulated panels with densglass, rolled-up the parapet with a 2 piece copper flashing (described for you roofers). sweet... In the center of the roof is a copper framed skylight that was designed to illuminate the memorial in the days before electricity.

Wow, text AND photos!!
After reviewing the roof the contractor and I went down a ventilated hatch to the skylight plenum that is between the concrete ceiling and the concrete roof. The space is about 48" tall and surrounds the shaft of the skylight. The skylight has a venting system that recirculates the air to minimize moisture all of which is monitored and tested with numerous sensors located around the plenum. Two separate fans draw air through slots located in the framework of the milk glass panels that diffuse the sunlight into the memorial space below.

 

 The skylight also has a sensor that determines the amount of sunlight and on cloudy days turns on a string of fluorescent fixtures to enhance the natural light. Yes, I agree that these should be LED, but that would be a discussion for the Architect of record not me. not yet...
The rest of the day was spent meeting the NPS staff and pushing paper. Tomorrow I'm back at Mammoth Cave and Wednesday I return to Abraham Lincoln.
Stay tuned
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