Underway and Going Strong

Three weeks in, and what a year it's been so far! After spending much of the first week covering important safety topics, the students in the architecture and construction program have hit the ground running. With an already-exciting list of projects ahead, we have added two more projects, a complete restoration of a 1950's era mahogany runabout and a new 12' x 24' storage building for the Career Tech Center's custodian. Braving the instense summer heat, the students from Lafayette and Valley High Schools have been learning to properly use the power and hand tools commonly found in the construction industry while working to get the canoes and storage building projects off the ground.

With the storage building to be located on a steep hillside, the importance of proper planning quickly became evident as the students learned to use a builder's level to set up batter boards and site the project on the hillside. With these tools and detailed instructions, the students have sited the structure, determined the finished floor elevations, and dug footings in preparation for the concrete that will be arriving soon.

With our non-air conditioned shop providing little relief from the heat, the afternoon classes have industriously approached the tasks involved in constructing their wooden strip canoes and beggining the restoration process on the mahogany runabout. Rough sawn sassafras and walnut has been planed, jointed, cut into 1/4" x 3/4" lengths, and run through the router to create cove and bead strips. Now the construction process can begin in earnest.

With all of the excitement around the shop, it's hard to imagine more is yet to come. But, the groundbreaking Langdale Mill guesthouse project is still in progress. Beginning around the middle of September, the students from Valley High School will spend two or three mornings a week working to continue the restoration of this home. They will complete the installation of the environmentally-friendly exterior siding and finishes and build a small addition onto the rear of the house. We would love for you to stop by the school and see all of the exciting projects underway!

2010-2011 School Year: Here we come!

As a new and exciting year begins, it is with great anticipation that I introduce this year's class projects. The students enrolled in the Building Construction program will be maintaining their focus on sustainable green construction technologies by continuing to work on the restoration of the Langdale Mill guesthouse.

Over the last two school years, our students have dedicated countless hours to the careful deconstruction and restoration of this wonderful example of a classic mill house. We encourage you to stop by and take a look at the progresss they have made. The new front porch begs for a rocker and a cold glass of iced tea, while the clean new paint (low VOC of course) coats the durable and low maintenance Hardi siding. Throughout the upcoming year, they will continue to complete the exterior finishes and add a wonderful new mudroom and laundry room to the back of the house.

In addition to the Langdale Mill guest house project, students in the Building Construction program will be embarking on a project that is completely new to the Career and Technical Center. While learning traditional skills and fine wood craftmenship, our Carpentry students will be constructing a series of wooden strip-built canoes. With nothing more than a pile of material, traditional hand and power tools and a set of blueprints, they will learn and apply the skills of great craftsmanship to construct a boat that oozes of history and elegance. I look forward to sharing photos and updates with you as they progress through this exciting project.

I hope you will enjoy following the exciting journey of our Building Construction students throughout the 2010 - 2011 school year. Keep checking back; this year promises to be an exciting one!