Power Auger

We rented a Power Auger to help us drill the holes for the ‘SuperPanter.’ It was super intense… and Awesome!

A Little Snow Can’t Tame the Bobcat!

We got some serious work done today. Michael Pope quickly learned how to operate a bobcat and moved some dirt in the formal garden and classroom space. It started to snow, but that didn’t stop our determination.

Formal Garden and Outdoor Classroom Design

Here are some renderings of our final design for the space behind the gym.

Flickr Account

We have a Flickr Account to Upload Construction Photos. Make sure to check it out: http://www.flickr.com/photos/franklouis/

Dump Truck

We received a soil donation from a nearby construction site. Most of this soil will be used tobuild the mounds in the active play area.

Battening Time

We started working on the site! First step was to mark out where the formal garden and classroom space would go. We had to make battens and sledgehammer them into the ground. Randy was definitely the best at it.

Bench Donation Arrives From Victor Stanley!

Today our donation of 6 mahogany slat benches arrived from Maryland from our generous donor Victor Stanley! Thank you so much to Emma Skalka for arranging this for us. The benches will look amazing in the finished design.

Review and Quarter Scale Model

As we quickly approach the day we are set to break ground (March 14^th), we had a final design review with professors and the Dean of Sam Fox, Bruce Lindsey. For the review, we made a new quarter scale model of the backyard complete with planting design. During the review the Dean suggested that we articulate our circulation connection between the different programmatic elements more clearly with an elevated wood pathway. This path would tie together the different spaces yet separate them so that different classes can use different areas at the same time.

Patrick Henry Presentation

We traveled downtown to present our final design to all of the teachers of Patrick Henry. The teachers fell in the love with the natural playscape of the backyard and gave us suggestions for more elements that we could incorporate into the design.

March Masonry Madness

We travelled out to Kirkwood Masonry to get a look at and take measurements of the stone options that they are willing to donate to us. They had a beautiful selection of large limestone blocks, granite pavers, and bricks. We hope to incorporate these pieces into our actives play area and the walkways that connect the areas.