In the two weeks since my last post on the progress of our new Bosarge Family Education Center, Bensonwood has finished the exterior of the building and the roofing contractor is finishing up the two-story administrative office wing.  Our high-performance windows are on the boat from Germany and are due to arrive later in March.  Inside, the drywall has started to go up as the insulation is being laid before the last sections of the sub-floor are poured and the interior spaces are really starting to take shape.  The classoom is especially beautiful, with soaring ceiling and timber trusses lit by large window, skylight and door openings that will be outfitted with darkening shades when needed.  Bill Cullina

The south side of the building with completed lobby. The south side of the classroom roof will be standing seam metal roofing under the solar panels.
The south side of the building with completed lobby. The south side of the classroom roof will be standing seam metal roofing under the solar panels.
The north side of the building with roofers in the background. The bumpout on the north wall of the classroom is the hallway allowing access to the individual classroom bays.
The north side of the building with roofers in the background. The bumpout on the north wall of the classroom is the hallway allowing access to the individual classroom bays.
Executive Director Maureen Heffernan gives some of our staff an insiders' tour of the classroom wing.
Executive Director Maureen Heffernan gives some of our staff an insiders' tour of the classroom wing.

The staff on the tour: (from left) Gaye Wagner, Justin Nichols, Amanda Russell, Margaret Hoffman, Cris Beutler, Suzanne Whittemore, Jen McKane, Valerie Augustine, Maureen Heffernan, and Laura Livingston
The staff on the tour: (from left) Gaye Wagner, Justin Nichols, Amanda Russell, Margaret Hoffman, Cris Beutler, Suzanne Whittemore, Jen McKane, Valerie Augustine, Maureen Heffernan, and Laura Livingston
Project manager Shaun Smith (on right) from HP Cummings reviews plnes with one of the subcontractors. Shaun along with our own Nick Caristo have kept the project moving along on schedule.
Project manager Shaun Smith (on right) from HP Cummings reviews plnes with one of the subcontractors. Shaun along with our own Nick Caristo have kept the project moving along on schedule.
The skylight frames prior to installation. They are nearly two feet thick, reflecting the thickness of the super-insulated roof with an R value of 60!
The skylight frames prior to installation. They are nearly two feet thick, reflecting the thickness of the super-insulated roof with an R value of 60!

The beautiful trussed roof of the classroom space with skylights on the north side.
The beautiful trussed roof of the classroom space with skylights on the north side.
After the styrofoam insulation, a reenforcing mesh and vapor barrier are installed before the concrete is poured.
After the styrofoam insulation, a reenforcing mesh and vapor barrier are installed before the concrete is poured.
ALL the floors are underlain with 4 inches of rigid styrofoam insulation. The concrete subfloor comes next.
ALL the floors are underlain with 4 inches of rigid styrofoam insulation. The concrete subfloor comes next.

A view east down the classroom hallway. The large bay on right will house one of two room dividers that can divide the large space into two or three smaller ones as needed
A view east down the classroom hallway. The large bay on right will house one of two room dividers that can divide the large space into two or three smaller ones as needed
Looking south though the lobby. This is the main visitor entrance into the building from the parking areas. Like the rest of the building, this space is primarly daylit with a combination of skylights and large windows.
Looking south though the lobby. This is the main visitor entrance into the building from the parking areas. Like the rest of the building, this space is primarly daylit with a combination of skylights and large windows.
The view looking northeast through the staff offices.
The view looking northeast through the staff offices.

Looking southwest through the staff offices with the elevator shaft in center.
Looking southwest through the staff offices with the elevator shaft in center.
A view west down the hallway and door that will connect the new building with the visitor center via a pathway.
A view west down the hallway and door that will connect the new building with the visitor center via a pathway.
The crew from Favreau Electric wiring the complicated service panels. The panel servicing the solar panels has yet to be installed.
The crew from Favreau Electric wiring the complicated service panels. The panel servicing the solar panels has yet to be installed.

To prevent cold air drafts through the super insulated (R-40) walls, electrical and network cables are attached to the interior inside chases. The wallboard will attach to the wooden sleepers.
To prevent cold air drafts through the super insulated (R-40) walls, electrical and network cables are attached to the interior inside chases. The wallboard will attach to the wooden sleepers.
The beams used in the frame construction are laminated strips of spruce/fir. cut from trees too small for typical dimensional lumber.
The beams used in the frame construction are laminated strips of spruce/fir. cut from trees too small for typical dimensional lumber.
A 1500 gallon cistern will collect roof runoff to be used in a greywater system for toilets and also for irrigation.
A 1500 gallon cistern will collect roof runoff to be used in a greywater system for toilets and also for irrigation.