With the fine weather continuing, the Jorgensen crew began laying out the complicated paving design for the entry plaza.  Herb Schaal’s design calls for concentric circles of different paving blocks overlain with the points of a stylized Mariner’s Compass oriented to true north.  The carved whales will sit the center of the roughly 32 foot diameter plaza circle with swing benches and elaborate plantings ringing its perimeter.  Getting the whole pattern to work out perfectly is no small matter of engineering, so before laying the stones, a precise plan was created using codes for each of several differently shaped blocks that together compose the innermost ring.  Combined in the right sequence, these 5 shapes create a circle with no awkward gaps between blocks.  Once the blocks are in place, Dave will sweep a special locking stone dust material into the cracks and tamp the whole thing down with a vibrating compactor. – Bill Cullina

 

Herb Schaal’s Entrance Plaza Design

Herb Schaal’s Entrance Plaza Design

The paving plan for innermost circle.

The paving plan for innermost circle

Dave Brodeur and Nathan Craney of Jorgensen Landscaping laying out the pattern

Dave Brodeur and Nathan Craney of Jorgensen Landscaping lay out the pattern.

The next morning Dave and Nathan work on the second ring

The next morning Dave and Nathan work on the second ring.

Carole Hansen is making great progress on the whales that will be the centerpiece of the plaza. Here she carves the smallest of the three.

Carole Hansen is making great progress on the whales that will be the centerpiece of the plaza. Here she carves the smallest of the three.

Becker Construction has been working on several of the structures in the garden. First to near completion is the farm cottage, a 10 x 12 foot building that will be primarily a play house for young visitors. Next to go up was the 16 x 20 foot barn. When finished, it will be the main weather tight building in the garden and the place where we can store books and class supplies, hold classes and even birthday parties when the weather isn’t cooperating. Between the two large buildings is the cottage tool house (though it may also suggest another type of small outbuilding formerly a necessity on farms), which was designed purposely to be crooked and off kilter. Today the steel understructure of the activity shelter began arriving and is being assembled by the crew from Mid-coast Machine. The metal frame will be covered with wood and shingles but was necessary to support the weight of the green roof along with the wind loads it may experience so near the water.

Becker Construction has been working on several of the structures in the garden. First to near completion is the farm cottage, a 10 x 12 foot building that will be primarily a play house for young visitors. Next to go up was the 16 x 20 foot barn. When finished, it will be the main weather tight building in the garden and the place where we can store books and class supplies, hold classes and even birthday parties when the weather isn’t cooperating. Between the two large buildings is the cottage tool house (though it may also suggest another type of small outbuilding formerly a necessity on farms), which was designed purposely to be crooked and off kilter. Today the steel understructure of the activity shelter began arriving and is being assembled by the crew from Mid-coast Machine. The metal frame will be covered with wood and shingles but was necessary to support the weight of the green roof along with the wind loads it may experience so near the water.

Jim from Becker Construction fitting the door jamb for the crooked tool shed. All the angles of the structure are 3 degrees off plumb, so though it looks rickety, it is completely strong and solid.

Jim from Becker Construction fitting the door jamb for the crooked tool shed. All the angles of the structure are 3 degrees off plumb, so though it looks rickety, it is completely strong and solid.

Mid-coast Machine setting the first posts of the activity shelter. The two shorter posts will attach up on the ledge so the building will look as if it is rising up out of the rock. To strengthen this effect, Its living roof will be composed mainly of native grasses and wildflowers that will be incorporated in to the beds and pockets in the ledge adjacent to the structure.

Mid-coast Machine setting the first posts of the activity shelter. The two shorter posts will attach up on the ledge so the building will look as if it is rising up out of the rock. To strengthen this effect, its living roof will be composed mainly of native grasses and wildflowers that will be incorporated into the beds and pockets in the ledge adjacent to the structure.

Jason Lang and his crew have also been busy this week spreading the loam/compost blend over completed planting beds throughout the garden. This photo was taken at the northern edge of the garden looking south toward the Visitor’s Center and Great Lawn. The frame for the windmill (more about this in upcoming posts) is visible in the upper right. This 250 square foot area will give us room to plant a variety of vegetables and fruits.

Jason Lang and his crew have also been busy this week spreading the loam/compost blend over completed planting beds throughout the garden. This photo was taken at the northern edge of the garden looking south toward the Visitor’s Center and Great Lawn. The frame for the windmill (more about this in upcoming posts) is visible in the upper right. This 250 square foot area will give us room to plant a variety of vegetables and fruits.