Well the last week has been pretty crazy busy which is why I have not had a chance to update the blog lately. Sorry about the short entry this time but I am so tired, I’m falling asleep by 9pm most nights! and the next couple of days will be even busier as we attempt to finish the two classrooms.
Over the past week, we have completed the heavyweight walls situated on the back of each classroom. These are constructed of block work in a rattrap pattern. These will hopefully absorb the heat throughout the day as they are north facing, and then release the heat during the night, making sure the rooms are warm in the morning. In the summer they keep the classrooms cool. It took a while to get going but the students did amazingly well and produced much better walls than the staff team (I was not included in that team!). They’re a little wonky in places but it kind of gives it a little charm!
As the trusses have now all been raised, the purlins that tie the structure together and support the roof have now been completed. Working on the standard SA scaffolding is quite scary at times but the guys managed pretty well and it only took a couple of days to complete.
On top of the heavyweight walls, there are windows that are boxed in, in situ and offer ambient light at the back of the classrooms. These are situated on the northern side of the building. They are covered by the curve of the roof so will not receive direct sun or solar gain. These were completed by Saturday (Day 35) and are currently in the process of being painted orange or blue.
The lightweight walls, which are on the east, west and southern side of the classrooms, began on Thursday (Day 33). They were constructed of standard timber stud walls, which primary horizontal beams and secondary vertical noggins. The lightweight walls have actually taken quite a while to complete due to the complexity of the different measurements in some areas. They are all completed now, bar one, which was somehow forgotten about!
The front elevation of the classroom has been quite difficult. It has taken us quite a while to decide what to do with it and only yesterday (Day 37) did we start construction on it. The four trusses per classrooms create 3 bays, which are divided into window and door units. The outside units have full height large windows and the doors are in the central bays that will either slide or open outwards – it’s still to be decided! The front elevation has just begun to be clad externally in horizontal battens. This should hopefully be finished tomorrow.
The lightweight walls have also begun to be clad externally in corrugated galvanized steel. It’s pretty reflective but the finish is actually pretty good and it’s quick to install too.
The toilet block has also taken shape over the weekend with all trusses raised on Sunday (Day 36) and the purlins completed today (Day 38). It is now ready for its roof to be put on over the next couple of days by our roofing contractor. The roof of the classrooms will also be completed over the next couple of days, so fingers crossed by the time we leave we will see a roof on this building.
There have been many other tasks going on including beading the windows, placing insect mesh in the roof voids, painting the columns and window boxed. Everyone is extremely busy and tomorrow (our final day on site) is going to be absolutely crazy. We’re aiming to complete the two classrooms by the end of the day and use Thursday as a final day to clear up the site and hand it over to the client.
I’ll try and update the blog tomorrow and Thursday to keep you all up to date with the latest news. I arrive back in the UK on Saturday morning so will have some photos added to the blog hopefully by the end of the day. Wish us luck!
