I thought I would use an interruption due to monsoon conditions to provide an update in our progress. I was scheduled to meet the filmmaker today but the weather is not cooperating.
A very cold and snowy winter stalled work for a while but we've made progress. The entire floor was removed throughout January, which was impressive with subzero temperatures and deep snow. Once the weather improved the new custom clerestory windows were installed. All lower windows will wait until the hydronic heat, plumbing and new floor have been installed.
The stone masons finished rebuilding the stone planter outside the "point room" just as the winter turned nasty. They are currently working on the retaining wall outside the kitchen, which had partially collapsed. Drains were installed earlier that empty down the ravine. A concrete retaining wall was added and then the stone will be replaced. Next they will work on the deteriorated concrete block patio on the ravine side.
My husband and I are helping the carpenter restore the original 75+ year cypress and are pleasantly surprised how beautiful it looks with just a light sanding and cleaning.
I've added new photographs to my flickr account:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/125471081 ... 444413635/
Here is the original post (I thought it was getting rather lengthy):
https://www.savewright.org/wright_chat/ ... ht=gunning
Update on Gunning/Glenbrow restoration
Yes, the clerestory windows are operable. We used the clerestory windows in our previous apprentice house to keep the house comfortable with minimal use of air-conditioning by opening at night and closing first thing in the am. The clerestory windows in in the raised area above the kitchen and a portion of the point room are all new, while the clerestory windows along the lower front section of the house (some of these are operable, as well) will be restored.
After a couple of weeks of wonderful weather with foliage and wildflowers popping out all over, we made serious progress in restoring the cypress, Each piece of siding, door and window frame is removed, marked, sanded and stained before returning to their original position. We are extremely happy with the results. The glass has been removed on each frame to be replaced with low E insulating glass for energy efficiency. My husband and the carpenter who is removing and dissembling the frames, are amazed at the craftsmanship of every detail. Even more amazing when you think that the young architects were 27 (Smith), 19 (Cuneo) and 19 (Van fossen).
Before the bottom piece of siding is returned to it's position, my husband is having a fine mesh system installed between the concrete and wood that he read about from Australia that will not allow termites to penetrate. With all the rain, the ravine is lush and a prime environment for termites, ants and other destructive insects. Here are some photographs (scroll down to the bottom for the latest:)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/125471081 ... 0444413635
Before the bottom piece of siding is returned to it's position, my husband is having a fine mesh system installed between the concrete and wood that he read about from Australia that will not allow termites to penetrate. With all the rain, the ravine is lush and a prime environment for termites, ants and other destructive insects. Here are some photographs (scroll down to the bottom for the latest:)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/125471081 ... 0444413635
Such wonderful progress.
The single photo of the kitchen is most promising. I note that the wood in that photo appears lighter in color than the same pieces (with colored doors) do in a previous photo. Sanding of the wood would remove the darker patina acquired over time and exposure to light. When you mention "stain" as the final step of the restoration, I assume you do not mean the actual addition of stain (to change the color of the wood), but simply a clear finish coat ?
Can't wait to see more; the cabinetry looks great !
SDR
The single photo of the kitchen is most promising. I note that the wood in that photo appears lighter in color than the same pieces (with colored doors) do in a previous photo. Sanding of the wood would remove the darker patina acquired over time and exposure to light. When you mention "stain" as the final step of the restoration, I assume you do not mean the actual addition of stain (to change the color of the wood), but simply a clear finish coat ?
Can't wait to see more; the cabinetry looks great !
SDR
No SDR we used a semitransparent wood stain. There was some cypress that had to be replaced with new cypress. There was such a difference between new and sanded old that my husband experimented and finally chose a semi transparent stain that was a custom color mimicking the weathered cypress. He felt the stain diminished the differences between new and old wood, and preferred a consistent appearance.
We've made some steady process along with some issues to overcome. A major issue that is impeding us right now is getting water. We annexed to a town that the house is surrounded by on 2 sides in order to tap into city water. Our plans were to use the existing well for geothermal. Our annexation went smoothly but the plumbers discovered that a high pressure gas line that feeds the entire east side of columbus sits between the water line and our property. This will increase the cost of tapping into city water by an approximate additional $19,000 and will involve getting the gas company involved. We're currently reevaluating using a well. this is holding up the utility aspect of the house.
The other issue has been the weather. It appears that central Ohio is now a tropical rainforest. Hot temps and lots of rain (3.2 inches yesterday alone) has also caused some delays.
That said, we decided to work on the carport so we could get rid of the cargo container we are using for storage while we wait on utilities. Research indicates the carport was built in 2 phases 1949 and 1964. The '49 carport included the attached storage work rooms that where in terrible condition. This part of the property was designed by Noverre Musson (I believe at a time when van Fossen was in LA and Tony Smith in NY). We were able to save almost the entire '64 bays that attach to the tower but almost all of the '49 was beyond saving. (see photos) Since this structure was not by the original architects and the stucco was not used in the original house, we took the liberty to change the '49 to relate back to both the house and vanFossen's '64 carport bays. We will be using cypress signing, and original windows for the workroom. The 3 tiny rooms will be made into one large wood working studio for my husband (a small price to pay to get rid of his tools!) The entire structure will receive a new roof matching the house. The walkway (by Musson) will be re-designed incorporating the remaining 2 stucco piers (to pay homage) as well as details used by van Fossen on the back side of the carport near the tower.
We have also spent a lot of time on making sure the drainage issues will not be a problem in the future. The periphery of the house will have drains that pour out to the ravine. Retaining walls have been rebuilt and we're waiting for the masons to return to stack stone along the block wall. We've also excavated and added a polymer coating to insure water does not penetrate the underground potion of the house. My husband researched and found a steel mesh system used in Australia to prevent insects (termites and ants) and will be adding this along the outside of the house.
Thanks all for your interest! Love to hear your comments and recommendations. We're still loving our property and enjoying the process! (most of the time!)
Since pictures speak clearer than words: https://www.flickr.com/photos/organize/ ... 0444413635
The other issue has been the weather. It appears that central Ohio is now a tropical rainforest. Hot temps and lots of rain (3.2 inches yesterday alone) has also caused some delays.
That said, we decided to work on the carport so we could get rid of the cargo container we are using for storage while we wait on utilities. Research indicates the carport was built in 2 phases 1949 and 1964. The '49 carport included the attached storage work rooms that where in terrible condition. This part of the property was designed by Noverre Musson (I believe at a time when van Fossen was in LA and Tony Smith in NY). We were able to save almost the entire '64 bays that attach to the tower but almost all of the '49 was beyond saving. (see photos) Since this structure was not by the original architects and the stucco was not used in the original house, we took the liberty to change the '49 to relate back to both the house and vanFossen's '64 carport bays. We will be using cypress signing, and original windows for the workroom. The 3 tiny rooms will be made into one large wood working studio for my husband (a small price to pay to get rid of his tools!) The entire structure will receive a new roof matching the house. The walkway (by Musson) will be re-designed incorporating the remaining 2 stucco piers (to pay homage) as well as details used by van Fossen on the back side of the carport near the tower.
We have also spent a lot of time on making sure the drainage issues will not be a problem in the future. The periphery of the house will have drains that pour out to the ravine. Retaining walls have been rebuilt and we're waiting for the masons to return to stack stone along the block wall. We've also excavated and added a polymer coating to insure water does not penetrate the underground potion of the house. My husband researched and found a steel mesh system used in Australia to prevent insects (termites and ants) and will be adding this along the outside of the house.
Thanks all for your interest! Love to hear your comments and recommendations. We're still loving our property and enjoying the process! (most of the time!)
Since pictures speak clearer than words: https://www.flickr.com/photos/organize/ ... 0444413635
I tried to access the flickr link on my iPad and it said theres a problem with the link so in case you guys are unable to access that link as well (I really don't understand why some links don't work), here's another attempt:
New photos are on my Glenbrow album page 2 with a description of each photo:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/125471081 ... 3635/page2
New photos are on my Glenbrow album page 2 with a description of each photo:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/125471081 ... 3635/page2
What a great amount of work you have undertaken ! Congratulations, and my sincere thanks. I recall my first sight of photos of this house -- my heart beat faster. I really did not think it would be rescued.
I applaud your sensitive re-thinking of outlying portions of the house, as necessary to meet current needs but also to bring clarity to a perhaps muddled portion of the extended structure.
The photo of a cypress board should bring home to many the visual quality this specie has to offer . . . ?
SDR
I applaud your sensitive re-thinking of outlying portions of the house, as necessary to meet current needs but also to bring clarity to a perhaps muddled portion of the extended structure.
The photo of a cypress board should bring home to many the visual quality this specie has to offer . . . ?
SDR
I'm really excited about the progress of the covered walkway and thought I'd share some photographs with you. The roofers will come on Monday to roof the carport and covered walkway, which has been redesigned from the dilapidated '49 design by 4th architect, Noverre Musson, to include elements used both in the house and later section of the carport by Tony Smith and Ted van Fossen. Although there are still props attached for the roofers, the walkway will cantilever on the side of the raised yard and our collection of Soleri bells and a Soleri sculpture will hang along the edge. Here are some photos:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/125471081@N02/?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/125471081@N02/?
What a rich treat. Like cleaning a painting, but much more so, restoring a damaged, discolored and overgrown structure is sure to show what the designer(s) intended. Those boys are smiling down from above . . .
Your progress photos which show crushed stone on the floors (as I've said) inspire me. From an early age I gravitated toward the unfinished in architecture: houses freshly framed, on visible concrete and bare earth, were more interesting than when finished (unless, on rare occasion, they were "honest" modern structures, of course !). When combined with coarse-textured stone walls and stick framing, as at Glenbrow: Heaven.
A little project for me at the moment: a sidewalk bench in white oak, which will occupy a cutout in the sidewalk to be topped with crushed stone. Consider me inspired by what you're doing in Ohio !
Your progress photos which show crushed stone on the floors (as I've said) inspire me. From an early age I gravitated toward the unfinished in architecture: houses freshly framed, on visible concrete and bare earth, were more interesting than when finished (unless, on rare occasion, they were "honest" modern structures, of course !). When combined with coarse-textured stone walls and stick framing, as at Glenbrow: Heaven.
A little project for me at the moment: a sidewalk bench in white oak, which will occupy a cutout in the sidewalk to be topped with crushed stone. Consider me inspired by what you're doing in Ohio !
Very nice! How will you allow for tree growth?
I'm glad to hear we've inspired you. The process has been very enjoyable especially in that enchanted setting. We are a very hands-on family and it feels good after a hards day work to step back and view the progress.
If the boys are watching… a little less rain would be nice! (our July precipitation totals to date are 4X the average for the month, while June was over double the normal-you might notice the drainage ditch I was forced to dig in the zen garden after a 3.5" day) ;)
I'm glad to hear we've inspired you. The process has been very enjoyable especially in that enchanted setting. We are a very hands-on family and it feels good after a hards day work to step back and view the progress.
If the boys are watching… a little less rain would be nice! (our July precipitation totals to date are 4X the average for the month, while June was over double the normal-you might notice the drainage ditch I was forced to dig in the zen garden after a 3.5" day) ;)