To Build a Crevasse

Frank Ayala and the others from Monolithic Sculpture, Inc. have really outdone themselves this time. The crevasse they were hired to make has been a much anticipated part of the construction of the museum, and it is finally under way. Not only that, it is a work of art, and a time consuming one at that. The same construction method was used for the crevasse as was earlier employed for the creation of the faux rock formations. This time, however, it was the shape and space that the styrofoam and concrete structure had to fit into that made it such a compelling piece to watch take form.

Here are some of the more intriguing photos from the process. Soon, we'll be able to show you the final piece. Then comes the installation of exhibits, as Quatrefoil has already begun to pack up the prefabricated pieces in its workshops in Maryland and drive them to Golden. The transformation from construction zone to museum hall will be fast, and amazing.

We've Got Stairs!

If there's any indication that the museum is getting closer to opening, it just may be the completion of the grand staircase. When the museum opens, it will take visitors from the mezzanine to the level of the museum. Sweeping down to the center of the exhibit, visitors will then be able to choose what to see and experience first. The ornamentation of the staircase mimics that of the existing staircases throughout the American Mountaineering Center.

The images below take you through the transformation -- from piles of steel to finished staircase.









Before the staircase was pieced together, it had to be worked into the museum space on a boom, guided by hand.

Slow, But Faster Than Nature

The process of turning Styrofoam blocks into faux rocks has been a long one. Still, it is faster than waiting for nature.

Behind giant curtains of plastic, the artists from Monolithic have been spraying concrete, carving, and sand-blasting to create granite formations with great detail. Soon enough, the process will be completed with some paint, faux ice, and other final touches. Then, the curtain will be raised on one of the most exciting attributes of the mountain environment of the museum.

Construction, Day 52: The Mezzanine

The real building has begun.

The mezzanine, which will eventually serve as the entrance to the museum, as well as the visitors' first experience of the mountain-like environment, has begun to take shape.

The structure was welded together and the concrete slab was poured last week. Next steps include building the arching staircase that will take visitors over the crevasse feature of the entrance, and down to the level of the museum, into the self-selecting gallery. This format allows visitors to go anywhere they please, at their own pace.

Keep watch for more photos of that phase of construction as they are sure to be exciting.

Construction, Day 36 : Fireworks

We've been anxiously awaiting this day for quite a while here at the BWAMM. The beam--the really big beam that seems to be holding up part of the ceiling, and the floor of the auditorium above--has begun to come down, in pieces.

The previous post illustrates the work that went into crafting a new steel structure meant to take the place of this old, riveted beam. But at 150 pounds a linear foot, we knew the removal of this big beam would serve as a distraction for days. And distract it did. From the cascading sparks of the oxyacetylene torches, to the wobbling scaffolding that shivered under the weight of these hefty pieces of metal, the past two days have been entertaining to say the least.

But what a view we will have once it is finally gone and the mezzanine is put into place.

Check out these images and let us know how we're doing. Comments are always welcome. Just click the link below.

Construction, Day 27: From the Ground Up

The new concrete floor is now in place, smooth as can be. In less than a day we went from a wire mesh base to an inches-thick slab, courtesy of ABS Concrete. And for those who missed it, I'll now walk you through the process.

(1) Thick concrete was brought in by hose to the floor. I didn't bring my rubber boots so I left the trudging to the experts. Notice the wire mesh that was put down before pouring began. (2) Everything from two-by-fours to shovels were used to smooth out the thick stuff. (3) Then the "super-long smoothing device" (ed.) was used to bring a smoothness to the surface layer. (4) Finally, it came down to working on hands and knees, literally sliding across the surface of the already hardening concrete, to put the finishing touches on the floor.

Too bad it will all get covered up.

Construction, Day 7: Feel the Noise

Today has been a little distracting for us here at the AMC. The walls were shaking, the earth was quaking. And the demolition of the concrete will continue all week long. Check out the sophisticated machinery (read: toy) they have to demolish the floor.

Construction, Day 1: The Wait is Over!

After much anticipation, construction has begun on the Bradford Washburn American Mountaineering Museum. To be more exact, demolition is underway on the space which the new museum will call home. At one point, this old gym hosted basketball games for the Golden Junior High School. Now, the floor is being pulled up and salvaged, the piping is being removed, the walls are being covered, and the space is being readied for renovation.

Join us in the fun. We've already discovered the best place to watch the construction is from the window overlooking what will be the mezzanine, in the lobby of the AMC. There is no doubt it will serve as a source of great distraction in the weeks and months to come. I hereby proclaim that it will be known as the Bradford Washburn American Mountaineering Museum Viewing Gallery. If you're in Golden, stop by and have a look yourself.

Here are the views so far (1) from the viewing gallery; (2) board by board, the floor is removed; (3) demolition headquarters, with the plans on the table, and John, the project manager from Sprung Construction, at the helm. No doubt he's arranging for something big.







Be sure to check back with us often as the changes will now be happening on a daily basis.

Pre-construction photos

Here are some images which show the current state of the gymnasium where the exhibit hall will be built. This is the same gym where Bill Calmette of the CMC played basketball in junior high school.

A bit of history about the space: It was built in 1923 and was the first concrete construction of its kind in Colorado. The ceiling of the gym doubles as the floor of the auditorium above. When the time comes, some of the beam structure of the ceiling will have to be moved to make room for the mezzanine and entrance way of the museum.

Enjoy.

The gym, looking towards the South wall. Here, visitors will enter the exhibit hall on a mezzanine level and proceed down a crevasse to the main level.

From above. This is the perspective that visitors will have when they first enter the museum, on the level of the mezzanine. The blue tape outlines were preliminary outlines for exhibits and displays.




A detail from the wall of the gym. It reads, "Nothing soars as high or as proud as an eagle."