July - August 2009 Progress Report

In the last two months we have been witness to the incredible progress on the Center, Caretaker’s/Guest quarters and the Art Studio. We can see the whole picture now, with the layout of the buildings, their relationship to each other, the Seton Castle contemplative gardens, soon to be under construction and the surrounding landscape. It is quite a beautiful site!

We are now officially under roof. Insulation and foaming of the flat roofs have taken place on the Center and the radius roofs over our group rooms are installed with steel beams and plywood, and are ready for the final finish layer of a standing seam metal roof.

Metal stud walls are in place. We can now walk through the buildings and have a feel of the grace of each room. In the walls, floors and ceilings are some 7 miles of conduit for electricity and data; a good deal already in place!

Concrete floors have been poured and set, ready for the layered insulation, radiant heating and wood floors to follow.

Outside, our 5 photovoltaic arrays have begun to be installed in a beautiful radiating arc and soon we will have our solar panels positioned on the upright framing. These arrays will enable the Academy to operate without any electric bills. That is exciting!

Although we still have some 7 months before we move in, these last two months have seen dramatic results. We are all looking forward to the next steps of our new home and will keep you posted.

construction of the art studio