UCSC Hay Barn Raising - Part Two

The Hay Barn was raised in three stages over the course of the weekend: first the lower-tier timber frames were positioned and secured. Followed by the upper-tier timber frames and finally the addition of the rafters.

A crew member on the ground, delivered hand signals to the crane operator, as he raised and lowered each of the 11 lower-tier timber frames. The timber frames were lowered onto sill plates, some portions of which had been salvaged from the original 1860’s Hay Barn. The timber members were joined together by interlocking mortises and tenons, then secured by hand crafted wooden pegs.  By mid afternoon on Saturday the first stage was complete.

Following lunch the timber framers began adding the upper-tier timber frames, which consist of the straining beam, purlin posts and counter braces. Working on top of the lower-tier the crew carefully balanced on temporary catwalks and beams. Coordinating between the ground crew and the crane, the craftsmen secured the upper-tier timber frames, demonstrating incredible dexterity. 

The third and final stage was the addition of the rafters and ridge beam members. This was carried out on the Sunday afternoon, by both qualified timber framers and volunteers. The ridge beam members were added after every sixth rafter had been secured. By the end of Sunday all the timber framing was complete, bringing us one big step closer to a restored Hay Barn.

For more photos from the Hay Barn Raising - Part One and Part Two, click the link to our facebook page Hay Barn Raising Photographs. 

 

Before the Barn raising event.

The first of the lower-tier timber frames is secured by crew members and volunteers. 

The last top plate is lowered into place, completing the lower-tier.

 

Timber framers carefully position the first of the upper-tier timber frames.

Ladders and catwalks allow the crew to install the upper-tier.

The second upper-tier timber frame is lowered into place.

2x boards are used to temporarily shore the structure and ensure the members are straight and plumb.

The crew, balancing on beams and catwalks secure an upper-tier timber frame.

  

Crew members prepare to join a brace to an upper-tier timber frame.

The crew listen to instructions from a framer on the ground.

As the crew progress the catwalks are repositioned by the crane.

All upper-tier timber frames secured.

The Hay Barn with all rafters secured.

UCSC Hay Barn Raising - Part One

This past weekend, timber framers from around the state descended on Santa Cruz to assist in the raising of the Hay Barn. Once the scaffolding was assembled, work began in earnest. Beginning at the south end of the barn, the timber frames were meticulously lowered into place one by one via crane. A combination of qualified timber framers and community volunteers secured the wall posts into the sill plates and guided wall girts into their pre-prepared mortises. Hand-crafted wooden pegs secured all the members in place. Seeing salvaged Hay Barn members be reused, although sparsely, was very rewarding.

For more photos from the Hay Barn Raising - Part One, click the link to our facebook page Hay Barn Raising Photographs.

Scaffolding is assembled at the north end of the Hay Barn.   

The crane lifts the lower tier of a timber frame.

The Hay Barn as seen from the south west, most of the lower tier timber frames have been installed.

Principal Laura Hartman helps raise a timber frame.

Workers secure the timber frame in place.

A new wind brace is slotted into an original sill plate.

Workers watch as a timber frame is lifted over the barn.

A top plate is carefully lowered onto the wall posts and wind braces.

Lower tier timber frame installation complete.

An original intertie beam meeting a new wall post.

Workers prepare the installation of the upper tier timber frames.

Photographs © Ben Walker 2015 

1908 Shattuck - Construction Update 2

The shoring for the PT Deck at the 1908 Shattuck construction site has now finished. All of the formwork from the pour last week is still standing. It will remain until the second floor slab's shoring comes down after the pouring of the PT deck in a months time. From the second floor just the Nelson studs can be seen standing proud of the PT deck.

Lark Motel - Interiors Update

With the Lark Motel opening just under three weeks away, final preparations are underway. The bedrooms each have unique graphics to provide guests with information about the State of Montana and the city of Bozeman. 

Sheltered walkway to Upper Level rooms.

Graphic showing information about the State of Montana.

Graphic showing destinations in relation to Downtown Bozeman.

Graphic showing highways & transport routes through the State of Montana.

Full sized print of a Bull Moose.

The Lark logo, ready to be hung.

1908 Shattuck - Installation of the Base-Isolator Columns

This morning once again the 1908 Shattuck construction site was the place to be in Downtown Berkeley. People put their morning commutes on hold to watch as the Base-Isolator's and Column Tops were hoisted from the truck by crane and carefully lowered onto the site. From there one by one they were positioned on top of the existing columns. 

        

1908 Shattuck - Base Isolating Columns

The upper section of the base-isolating columns for 1908 Shattuck, are ready for installation next Tuesday!

UCSC Hay Barn - Preparing the Frames

With under three weeks of production to go, the crew at Santa Cruz Timber Frames is working briskly. This model sits outside, amidst the workers, serving as a reference tool for planning the assembly of the Hay Barn. The photographs below also show a series of tenon templates, which are used to make sure each mortise is perfectly consistent.

    

This model, made by Dos Osos Timberworks, serves as a reference for the timber framers.

A girt tenon template.  Girts run the length of the Barn, connecting each of the bents.

This shortened, portable wall post template includes the top tenon, tie beam mortise, and bottom tenon.

A scarf joint template, used to produce the sill plates.

A comparison of what the original, aged wood will look like against our new members. 

Once a tenon is completed, it's coated in wax to ease the assembly process.

Waxed mortises in completed posts, awaiting shipment to the Hay Barn site.

Fernau & Hartman Book Work

For the past few months Fernau & Hartman have been working hard on preparing spreads for our book release. Stay tuned for more exciting updates.