June 2009 Progress Report

We have had another amazing month of construction. As the weather continues to cooperate we still plan to have the Center completely under roof by late August.

This month we set the steel roof infrastructure over the meditation chapel located just west of the Center’s courtyard. The steel structure will hold a 4-foot diameter skylight in the center and a series of 12 contiguous skylights circumnavigating the perimeter of the chapel. We have set 12 small windows that will allow slivers of light to wash the walls. All combined, there will be a beautiful subtle play of light throughout the day.

Our portal roof in the Center’s courtyard was also set in place. And last week we laid the steel radius beams in our second largest group space, the Living Room.

Other work accomplished this past month was part of the second floor substructure poured in concrete. The concrete is set on top of a corrugated steel form. Then, on top of the concrete, we will have another few layers of support structure to create a “sprung floor,” perfect for sound isolation between floors and a cushion-like feel for dancing!

Walking through the entire space of the Center now, one can get a feel of all of the unique qualities this building holds. The design and the views we’ve captured will make the Center a truly inspiring home for the Academy.

Stay tuned for future developments.

Our meditation chapel on the west side of the Academy's courtyard:

(mediation chapel on the right; courtyard in foreground)

(meditation chapel roof beams)

View of the Center looking south:

Part of the second floor poured with concrete. Several more structural and acoustical layers will be set on top of the concrete and finished with a beautiful sustained hardwood flooring:

Our Living Room, the Academy's second largest group room now has the radius steel beams set in place: