Shoe-horns and architecture

[jhetley]

Took a break from the current project for a bike ride, adding meadow daisies to the flora list from Sunday. And a vulture circling around over the bog as I peddled through. At least he didn't seem particularly interested in _me_.

"Current project" is renovating the abandoned upper floors of some downtown buildings, turning them into apartments. Trick is going to be fitting in a couple of new stairways and fire corridors that come somewhere close to satisfying the current code requirements, in buildings that were built around 1880....

I think I have about 2/3 of the concept design worked out. But remember the rule -- that last ten percent of the project will eat up ninety percent of the time.

Comments

Current Project

[cymrullewes.livejournal.com]

Are the buildings connected in any way? Would it be possible to connect them and use that as the fire corridor? I'm wondering if a wraparound balcony on the outside would serve.

Re: Current Project

[jhetley.livejournal.com]

Oh, they're connected. One five-story building, one three-story, side by each with holes knocked through what were _supposed_ to be solid masonry firewalls up to two feet thick. None of the floor levels line up, including ones within the three-story block which actually is one building but is divided into two and has a totally internal fourth floor loft in one end....


Only thing that is going to save the owner's butt and budget, the whole complex is sprinklered. Code Enforcement will let you get away with a _lot_ in a sprinklered building. How much? We'll see.

Re: Current Project

[cymrullewes.livejournal.com]

each with holes knocked through what were _supposed_ to be solid masonry firewalls up to two feet thick.

Eeeeek!!!

That sounds intriguing. I don't suppose you're looking to take on a partner? (I haven't finished my degree in architecture but I do have my Bachelor's in Construction Management.)