Final Parting Shots

I just wanted to wrap things up on the Bernards Headquarters Blog with a few parting shots and the address of the building dashboard so you can see real time what is happening with the building. I would like to say a big thanks to Greg and Doug for creating this great building and allowing me the pleasure of working on this project, and to everyone else involved who made our new headquarters such a special place. The Building Dashboard can be found at:
www.buildingdashboard.com/clients/bernards

Moving Day

The Corporate Office employees moved to the new location in two moves as many of you are aware. Accounting and the IS Dept moved on 9/3/09 and the rest of the Staff moved on 9/9/09. With the abundant help and expertise of the Beltmann Group both moves went according to plan and by all accounts were hugely successful. We were told by Beltmann that we were one of the most organized and thourough Companies they have ever worked with. Kudos to the move team and all those whose efforts made this possible. I have posted some photos taken during the move for all to see.  

The beginnings of all our belongings being loaded in to the warehouse.

Existing items staged in the warehouse awiating the completion of the modular furniture.

New mail slots for everyone.

Business Development moving in.

Final Stretch

We are down to the final 2-3 weeks before the corporate move and the excitement is building. The Operations/Accounting/IS/Estimating departments are complete and ready for furniture. Currently we are still working on casework and finish carpentry, painting, flooring, t-bar, and other final touches. Here are some of the areas as of today.

Estimating Department






















A current view down the Spine as the concrete micro-topping is receiving its final coats by Trademark.




























A view of the main courtyard and bathrooms with the new turbo air diffusers and reception area.





















The main conference room feature wall receiving walnut paneling by Mitchell Dean Collins.

Finishes

With the September 9th move date rapidly approaching, the pace is frantic at the Bernards Headquarters. Inside, the finish work is progressing rapidly with paint nearly complete, flooring nearly complete, cabinetry being installed, and lighting being installed. The bathrooms have accessories, countertops, and toilets set, and earlier today NewTech Plumbing was setting the faucets. Outside the landscaping is finishing up and we are almost ready to slurry coat and stripe the parking lot. Behold the progress shots!

The recycled glass countertops made by Fuez ready to be placed in the bathrooms.





















The landscaping near the Main Entrance



























The new cave for IS Department. Their request to have the lighting completely removed was denied.





















The 10.1 KW photovoltaic system is in place on the roof ready to power us up.

Bernards HQ-Spine Video

Here is a short video showing the current progress of the spine and surroundings.

Finishes & Landscaping

We have started to transition into finish work at the new Headquarters as the September move date rapidly approaches. The drywall is 95% complete, the interior glass is 80% complete, and many of the interior lights are up and burning. We will have floor prep starting today and tomorrow in anticipation of the first carpet being laid next Monday. Tile is 95% complete and Fine Line is well on their way getting paint in many of the offices. Here are some of the latest progress photos.

The solar panels have been loaded to the roof and are being readied for installation.





















A current view of the Estimating neighborhood showing drywall nearly taped out, glass installed, and lights on.





















The HVAC ducting, branch electrical, and miles of data cabling are nearly complete.






















Trees have started arriving for the onsite and offsite landscaping.

Ahhh Glass

Despite some early setbacks chronicled in previous posts, Hale Glass has been very impressive ever since they arrived on site with the installation of the windows and storefront. The exterior is complete with the exception of the Herculite doors which we held them off of to maintain some access into the building. They are now transitioning to the interior glazing and are right on schedule. Behold their craftsmanship!

Main Entry.



























Human Resources area at the Mezzanine level





















New service entry from the service corridor



























Storefront starting to be installed at a typical interior office

Glass & Finishes

As we head into the dog days of Summer the count down is on for the completion of the new Bernards Headquarters. The exterior envelope is nearly complete and the finish work is advancing inside. In addition, the site is getting some attention and we have had some new Subcontractors stopping by. We received shipment the new emergency generator and we are now trying to obtain a permit from AQMD to operate the generator. Roll the photo's.

Richwell Steel installing the picket fence at the new patio outside the breakroom.





















Hale Glass installing the glazing at the main entry.






















Bledsoe Masonry has installed all the burnished block including the beginnings of the reception desk.




















Rucker Tile is setting all the bathroom tile.

Glass Day, Hooray!

As was mentioned in an earlier post, the exterior glass windows were one of the materials we have had some difficulty getting here in time to maintain the schedule. So the Bernards HQ Team feels like Christmas came early this year with the first arrival of the glass for the exterior windows. Hale Glass has been installing the aluminum window framing since Wednesday and, as promised, the glass truck pulled in this afternoon with the first shipment of glass.

Some of you GC-public works guys and gals may be scratching your heads wondering how the aluminum can be installed so quickly and how the glass could be here so soon when the frames were just installed. What, no field measuring you ask? Hale Glass field measures all the openings prior to receiving the aluminum in their shop, then inputs this information into a computer so that the material can be cut to length within a hundredth of an inch. They also are able to cut all the weep holes, slots, and notches with extreme precision using a C&C machine in their shop. All the material is either pre-assembled in the shop or the components are bundled in shrink wrap and clearly labeled so the field crew only has to assemble the pieces on-site. That's correct, no chop saws anywhere at the jobsite! At the same time the material is being fabricated in the shop, the glass sizes are already locked in and the order is scheduled for a just-in-time delivery a day or two behind the frames. Quite refreshing to work with a Glass Sub that has actually looked at the plans before arriving on site, wouldn't you agree Chuck Snyder?

I present the following shots as evidence that there is real honest-to-goodness glass on site. No photoshopping, I swear!

Hale trucks loaded with aluminum materials






















Aluminum windows installed at Business Development




















More window frames installed. Pure bliss! We sincerely could look at photos like these all day long. These are right up there with photos of a warm tropical beach, top of a mountain, or a sunset. It's been suggested that we get out of the trailer more often for some fresh air, although we're not sure why.





















And this afternoon............ THE GLASS!

Bonus Shots

We heard some comments from the Bernards HQ blog readers that the progress photos are nice but what's going on in my area? So for a bonus Memorial Day Weekend post we've added some extra splashy shots to quench your HQ thirst!

For all the techies, here is the latest server room shot.






















For all the receptionists, check out this photo, then close your eyes and imagine the stack of drywall as your new desk. Nice, huh?



























For all the chefs out there, here is the current Kitchen shot with the island wall in place.






















For the gardeners, here is one of the new planter islands being prepared for curbs on First Street.






















And finally, for all the folks who secretly wish they were electricians, and I know you're out there, marvel at some of the rough in that is currently being installed. Doesn't it just make you tingle? By the way Mark, we did shut the power off first right?

Going White

For those not up to speed on the jobsite lingo, "going white" is a term used to describe when the drywall starts being hung. Sometimes a Superintendent may threaten to start going white to push the Subcontractors to get their rough in work completed more quickly. This can result in a strain in the relationship between Subcontractors and the Bernards Superintendent which explains Mark's recent request to Safety Mike for a bulletproof safety vest.

In all seriousness, the Subcontractors have been working hard and the walls are starting to "go white". The concrete slab was cut and removed to create the interior planters and the open web bar joists have been braced and completed. In addition the Mason has completed several of the site structures and the offsite work on First Street is progressing.

Please enjoy some of the latest shots!

A view from the interior court looking down the spine.



























"I told them to make it this big!" -Greg Bernards
























Greg breaking it to Ricardo, the Architect, that we do not have it in the budget to line the walls in Accounting with fine Italian marble.






















The newly finished Generator enclosure.