Construction

HVAC stands for “Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning.” It’s an acronym architects, engineers, and builders use all the time. We’re getting 2 new 5-ton HVAC units installed at the restaurant at 7 Holyoke St. We’ve been back and forth with engineers who would like one more (3 5-ton units), but we’ve ended up with 2 in part due to cost constraints, in part due to space constraints. 2 instead of 3 should mean less energy used (I like that). And we are using something called “heated make-up air” in coordination with our hood which should also contribute to keeping everything balanced.

The real test will come when we operate the restaurant. We can always add another unit later if necessary.

You’re looking at a 400 Amp breaker panel. This is for 7 Holyoke. Our landlord is installing new electrical systems for us because they want to separate our usage from the building. It’s an enormous undertaking. Just look at that switch!

We’re making progress on the Harvard Square (or at least our landlord, who is doing the work at this point, is making progress). This picture is taken from within the space, of the door that is all papered out. Don’t worry, as soon as we take over the paper is coming down and you’ll be able to see everything going on. In the meantime let this post be your clear window.

I stopped by the other day and was really happy to see light pouring in from our back skylight, through the gigantic hole in the floor that was cut. This was an idea Jinhee Park (our architect) had, and I think it’s going to be brilliant. We liked the models, but it’s hard to know until you see the real thing. Happy to report it’s even better than we’d hoped.

After the link I’ve included some pictures of the massive steel beams that are supporting the giant cut-out in the floor of the mezzanine, the light pouring into the space, and the chilled water pipes we’re trying to decide how to handle.

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This is the underside of the mezzanine. That hole is a test cut Shawmut (Harvard’s contractor) ran. They’re going to be taking down about 1/3 of the mezzanine, opening the space up with high ceilings and natural light. We can’t wait.

It’s really exciting to start to see the hidden areas of the building exposed. In this case we’re looking at steel I-beams, really big ones and sort of big ones. And cast concrete floor above. The only reason you can’t see through that hole right now is that they put a door on top that says “HOLE” for safety.

You’re looking at a picture of the mezzanine floor at 7 Holyoke, going to be our restaurant. That floor there is going to be cut out. Those pipes, well, they wont be as easy. Those pipes carry chilled and hot water to other Harvard buildings. They have nothing to do with our space, but cut right smack through the middle of the restaurant.

We’re working with Harvard to re-locate them. It’s one of those situations where there really is no good solution. Some that are worse than others, but nothing that is great. Current plans call for them to go to the front of the restaurant, turn up the wall, then snake across the ceiling to the other side of the space. Don’t worry, it’ll all make sense when you see it.

I’ve got the feeling that I’m at the beginning of many decisions where I’m forced to choose the lesser evil. Oh well…

Pretty funny. The other day when I was over at 7 Holyoke for a construction meeting to coordinate with Harvard’s folks Shawmut set off the fire alarm. Exactly what we hope NOT to do when we’re in charge. And sure enough, the system works. Strobes were flashing, everybody had to evacuate from the Holyoke center building. The fire trucks came down Mass Ave.

We grabbed our construction drawings and continued outside. Above you can see Peter Ortner (SSD, our architects), Cassius (construction consultant, Harvard), and Adam (Cafco, project supervisor).

I stopped by Harvard this morning. Peter and I had some railing details to design. This is the latest. Those posts are supporting the floor where they are going to cut it out. Pretty exciting stuff.

More pictures after the break

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We’re like anxious first time parents. We can’t wait for our new restaurant to get off the ground. We’re terribly excited, and a little scared. Work has begun. Don’t get too excited, it’s going to be a while. Our landlord has work to do. Then we get in there. Then it opens.

You’ll know we’re there because all of that paper and tape will come off of the windows. I’m sure it’s not going to surprise you that I want our construction to be a transparent process. We’re not a fan of hiding behind things. So the first thing I plan to do when this space gets in our hands is to take down those shades.

Want to hear something funny about that? I was telling our contractor that idea, and his concern was that the folks working on the building will be distracted by attractive people walking by. Well… he didn’t exactly say “attractive people,” that’s my interpretation, but you get the idea.

You’re going to start getting a bunch of updates on the Harvard Square store. We didn’t want to post until things were underway, but hammers started swinging last week, so here we go. Harvard, our landlord, is responsible for a large chunk of work. They are the ones doing the work right now, rather Shawmut, their contractor. We’ll then do our work, and in time you’ll have a new restaurant to visit.

Obviously, this is really exciting for all of us. That picture above? To you it may look like simple demolition. To me it looks like the culmination of 9 months of hard detailed work, and the start of something great.