Nova’s Building Project
Nova’s Building Project
“House Atreides”
As our new home at Victoria Park comes along, please visit this page for updates.
Updates
5/1/12: At this week’s meeting we reviewed the overall progress on the project (on time, on schedule) and made some decisions about lighting fixtures. We also discussed riggings and lighting for the stage. Meeting Minutes.
4/17/12: At this week’s meeting we reviewed details about the lighting, curtains, and sound system for the new stage. We then reviewed in detail the plans for the new playground. The parent Playground committee has been working hard for several months to bring an exciting, challenging set of structures for kids ages 2-12. We’re very excited with how it’s shaping up. Nova also applied for a matching funds grant from the City of St. Paul (STAR grant) to assist in funding the playground. Meeting Minutes.
4/10/12: This week’s meeting centered on fine-tuning. We narrowed paint colors down and are almost complete. We finalized shades for the building as well as determined locations for two bike racks. We met with signage folks and gave them a sign schedule (which rooms say what) and proposed a design for the external building signs. The railings on the roof are set to be installed, the main stairwell in the Great Room will be assembled next week, and modifications to the Art room on the SoR floor are being made to accept a working kiln. Meeting Minutes
4/3/12: At this week’s meeting we toured the commons wing and saw the gym’s concrete floor poured and being leveled. the floor will need to dry for almost 2 months to allow for as much moisture to escape as possible before we begin to lay the maple floor. We also previewed the concrete frieze castings for the South side of the building. Finally, we reviewed details for the crew pizza party Nova is throwing the crew on Thursday, 4/5. Meeting Minutes.
3/27/12: At this week’s meeting we re being framed and installed on the building and the environmental barrier is being completed in the commons wing. We also reviewed space needs for the new playground and discussed the connections between the under-construction “Victoria Way” and Nova’s building. Minutes 03-20-12; Minutes 03-27-12
3/7/12: At this week’s meeting we discussed the overall schedule: we are on time and on budget. The third floor is having drywall hung this week and they are almost done framing the second floor. The roof on the gym is going up now and on the great room next week. Windows are starting to be constructed on the ground floor. Please see our Facebook page for a new set of photos. Meeting Minutes.
2/29/12: At today’s meeting we made several decisions about the building which have been looming for a while per Nova’s Board directions, we have prioritized preparing the roof of the commons wing. The parapet will be extended 1.5 feet up and a guard rail will be installed as a protective barrier. Next, the ceilings in the first floor classrooms are being modified to allow the maximum light in from the large windows. We’ve settled on the paint (finally!) which is a highly cleanable paint. Blackout shades will be installed in each classroom and non-blackout shades are being installed in the great room. Below are some photos from the front of the building. Meeting Minutes
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2/21/12: At today’s meeting we discussed the progress of the building and the shell in particular. As of today, the outer shell is complete (save one panel used for access) and the logo panel is in place. The project is on time and on budget. We reviewed plans for the science labs as well as took a first look at signage (rooms and for the building). Please visit Nova’s Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/novaclassical) for an updated photo album. Meeting Minutes.
2/7/12: At today’s building meeting we reviewed overall progress. The classroom wing is done and is currently heated and preparing for cement pouring and roofing. The common-space wing is starting to go up and should be finished in three weeks. We have finalized paint colors for the building and classrooms (but you’ll have to wait and see!) and are moving forward with fixtures and style elements such as doorknobs and doors. FYI: drinking fountains will have an attachment for filling one’s water bottle! Meeting Minutes.
1/24/12: At today’s meeting we reviewed that we are on time and on budget for our expected August completion date. The walls and floors for the classroom wing are almost entirely finished; next week they’ll move in to work on the roof and ceilings as well as begin to erect the common space wing (cafeteria, gym). These are pictures of some first- and second-grade classrooms as they are today. Meeting Minutes.
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1/10/12: The walls and floors are flying up now. The first half on the classroom wing should be complete in about one week. (Meeting Minutes) More photos…
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1/3/12: The walls have arrived and are starting to be set in place. Please visit our Facebook page for photos of the very first wall panel in place!
12/30: Construction cranes arrived onsite this week and are erected. The building walls will begin to go up next week. Caution: visitors are not allowed onsite as it is a dangerous place requiring authorization, safety vests, and hard hats. See photos of the crane here.
12/19: Construction meeting today. Everything is on schedule and on budget. Friends of Nova received their sales tax exemption status. Cranes and walls are coming soon; the classroom wing should be erected by January 21 and the whole building by early-February. Meeting Minutes.
12/14: Went onsite to Hanson today to inspect walls being created. Incredible. They’ve already finished 179 of 263 panels. The walls and the equipment were impressive (and huge!). Please see our Facebook page for photos of the visit!
12/8: Update on budget showed that even with about $200,000 of increased scope work (parking lot, anti-graffiti coating, landscaping), the overall estimate is about $50k under the GMP. Pre-cast walls are set to be delivered the week of 12/26 and erected by two cranes. Meeting Minutes
12/7: Parking lot proposal comes in under budget by approximately $75,000. Please find the parking lot plans here.
12/5: Discussions about the donor wall are moving forward. A graphic artist is being contacted to discuss the project.
12/3: Board discussed possible upgrades to the new building and favored a robust HVAC system. Each room will have its own controls, duct work will be larger than normal, lending to a quieter system. Noise-reducing curbing will be added to each of the seven roof-top units to keep the top floors from having any noise pollution. The proposed windows range from 5-6 feet tall, but only allowed for a 1’6″ portion to open, and then only tilt out about 30 degrees. Because this option carried a $70,000 price tag, the Board favored sticking with the larger, static windows with the more robust HVAC system. Click here for an overview of the HVAC system.
Documents
Photos
- More photos on Nova’s Facebook page
- Erection of the building crane (12/30/11)
- Updated photo gallery from Sue Peterson (1/24/12)
- Photos of concrete walls in production (12/14/11)
- Groundbreaking (10/18/2011)
