Learning Curve

This construction project is a learning experience for me. When we learned that the next step would be pouring the slab, I envisioned the workers setting up some wooden forms and pouring concrete. Simple, right? Not so. That foundation is a lot more complicated than I thought. There's a lot of things that have to go under that foundation before the concrete is poured, like all the plumbing and electrical conduit, and footers for the steel beams that will eventually support the building. Watching this foundation take shape has been fascinating to me. All those pipes and conduits, and all the footers have to be in exactly the right place before the concrete is poured. If they're off even just a little, it will cause major problems later in the building process. It has been interesting to see the precision that is called for in building this foundation. There's a lot more to it than just "pouring a slab"!

Something To Build On

Last week's holes in the ground are beginning to turn into the outline of a building. Parts of the plumbing and conduit for the electric service are being put into place before the slab is poured. Footers that will support the steel uprights are recognizable now. Even for someone like me who knows little about construction, it's starting to look like a building! (Click on photos to enlarge.)

A concrete form for a footer, showing the large supporting pad underneath. These will one day support the entire weight of the building.

A completed footer ready for a steel upright to be attached to it.

Looking like a piece of modern sculpture, part of the plumbing system is in place ready for the pouring of the slab.

Digging In

Well, these holes ain't the prettiest part of the building, but they're essential to a good foundation. And we all know from Scripture how crucial a good foundation is. Soon, all these hole will be covered with concrete, so we won't have to look at them anymore. Even though we won't be able to see this part of the new building, it will be reassuring to know it's there - a good foundation.

Staking Out A Foundation

If you drive by the new facility site, you'll finally see something there besides dirt. Wooden stakes, chalk lines, and holes being dug here and there are the preliminary steps of putting in the foundation for our new building. Although it's only a rectangle of stakes and chalk right now, use your imagination and you can see our new building taking it's place among the beautiful mountains of Haywood County.