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CONSTRUCTION KNOWLEDGE BLOG

June 5, 2010

Joining the Damn Church
Filed under: Ned Weirdness — Tags: — nedpelger

I’m doing lots of church projects these days. I generally try to avoid working for churches because I’ve experienced some rotten behavior from church building committees. The secret, I think, involves determining if the church leaders really do want to treat others (including contractors) the way they want to be treated themselves.

Fortunately I’m working with some great folks on these projects and really enjoying it. I shared this story with one of the pastors and he loved it. I think you may too.

A man walks into a church office and says to the secretary, “I want to join this damn church!”

The astonished woman replies, “I beg your pardon, sir. I must have misunderstood you. What did you say?”

“Listen up, dammit. I said I want to join this damn church!”

“I’m very sorry, sir, but that kind of language is not appropriate. Please excuse me for a moment.”

The secretary then leaves her desk and goes into the pastor’s study to inform him of her situation. The pastor agrees that the secretary should not have to listen to foul language.

They both return to her office and the pastor asks the old man, “Sir, what seems to be the problem here?”

“There is no damn problem,” the man says. “I just won 200 million bucks in the damn lottery and I want to join this damn church to get rid of some of this damn money.”

“I see,” said the pastor. “And is this bitch giving you a hard time?

CONSTRUCTION KNOWLEDGE BLOG

June 4, 2010

Dazzling Dormitories
Filed under: Cool Projects — Tags: — nedpelger

While at the Princeton Reunions last weekend, TBW and I stayed on campus in a dorm room. Five years ago we stayed in one of the old Gothic dorms with leaded windows and shared bathrooms. It was a surprise to TBW that the bathrooms were also coed, but she’s a trooper and just finished her shower.

This year we stayed in the new Butler dormitories (with private bathrooms). These beautiful buildings impressed us. I generally try to avoid curves in buildings, but the flowing brick shown below looked wonderful and wouldn’t have been a budget buster.

The dorms had two double bedrooms, a shared living room and a shared bath, so the space was used well. I liked the detailing of the windows and the heaters hidden by a rounded duct section above the windows. It seems a stylish and economical solution. The finishes in the dorm rooms were simple, but looked good.

If you are a regular blog reader, you know I typically hate green roofs as expensive and unsustainable. The one shown below didn’t make me a fan, but I must admit it was pleasant walking down the stairs and seeing the plants out the window. I guess I’m getting soft in my old age.

CONSTRUCTION KNOWLEDGE BLOG

June 3, 2010

Jerking Around Vs Ticking Off
Filed under: Ned Weirdness — Tags: — nedpelger

I was meeting with a church building committee yesterday and presenting a final estimate for a project we will start next week. We were discussing some re-pricing to get a clear idea of some of our options. The one building committee member suggested I get some additional price break-down from one of the trade contractor bidders that I doubt we’ll use. I didn’t want to waste the bidder’s time if he really didn’t have a shot at the job and said, “Well, I don’t want to jerk the guy off.” I kept on talking as my brain slowly processed what I had just said.

It’s rare that I’m embarrassed but I certainly was then. The guys kind of laughed as I finally got around to saying that I should have chosen my phrasing a bit more carefully. They were good-natured and mentioned that construction will be starting next week and lots of things will get said in church that usually don’t.

I really was surprised that I just blurted that out and it took me about ten minutes to realize that I was thinking both that I didn’t want to jerk the guy around and that I didn’t want to tick him off. Unfortunately, I guess my brain combined them.

If you want to see one of the best excited answers to a question, watch the short video below from Dr Strangelove: Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. General Buck Turgidson responds to the US President about the possibility of an accidentally released nuclear bomb mission actually getting to Russia to hit its target. I laugh out loud every time I watch it.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxLe8MWdWe0&NR=1

CONSTRUCTION KNOWLEDGE BLOG

June 2, 2010

Princeton Reunions
Filed under: Cool Projects — Tags: — nedpelger

We spent the weekend at Princeton University for my 30th class reunion. No other college does reunions like Princeton. Thousands of people return to the campus for a long week-end of renewing and establishing friendships, fascinating discussions and great parties.

TBW and I had a sweaty and wonderful time dancing with the Party Dolls at the Class of 65 tent. Those alums were 67 years old and having a great time. Lots of 90 year olds walked the mile of the annual P-Rade and the guys in their 70s looked strong. It was encouraging to see how well many were aging.

On the other hand, the 5th year reunion party made us feel like we were on another planet. Though the girls dirty dancing with each other was certainly interesting…but back to buildings.

The Collegiate Gothic style at Princeton (shown in movies like Scent of a Woman or Good Will Hunting) always delights me. The photos below shows where I lived my sophomore year, as well as a sculpture in the adjacent courtyard that bewitched me.

In the 70s and 80s, they built many modern buildings that were just ugly. The Spellman dorms below are an example. A series of buildings seemed to have no style, just pure function.

In recent years, the University has established a nice design balance. For example, Michael Graves, who taught there for years, designed this beautiful entrance onto a mostly ugly building that totally transformed the look.

Another building I liked was the Science library designed by Frank Gehry. Generally, I think Princeton has integrated innovative designs with the traditional for a wonderful campus. If you are nearby, it’s worth a stop and gander.

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