Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

How Were Asbestos and Cement Sheets Used?

Asbestos cement products, including asbestos cement sheets and pipes, currently make up approximately 90% of the worlds asbestos production. The vast majority is used to make asbestos roofing. While asbestos cement sheet production in the U.S. ended in the 1980s, it remains legal to import the product from other countries.

Fibrous asbestos cement is more durable than drywall and easier to work with than concrete, and they have numerous applications in construction, including use as roofing and siding. Today in the U.S. the fibers in cement sheets are usually made of cellulose, a substance found in plants, but for nearly 80 years they were primarily made with asbestos.

These sheets were installed in homes, military bases, public buildings, industrial settings and job sites.Asbestos cement sheet was once synonymous with fibrous cement sheet, and it has also been generically called AC sheet and fibro. U.S. companies stopped manufacturing these types of asbestos products, but asbestos cement sheets are still popular building materials in developing nations such as India and China. These products are dangerous because with age and damage they become friable, or easily crumbled, making them likely to release asbestos fibers.

Asbestos products are notoriously difficult to identify visually. The best approach is to have a suspicious product tested. Workers should assume that older corrugated roofs and flatsheets are likely to contain asbestos.

American brands of asbestos cement sheets include:

Other companies that manufactured asbestos cement sheets include:

Manufacturing and working with asbestos cement sheets may lead to asbestos exposure. A 2009 study conducted in Thailand, where the use of asbestos cement sheets is common, found that roof fitting polishers endured the highest levels of asbestos exposure while working with asbestos cement sheets. Workers involved in the manufacturing of asbestos cement sheets also experienced high exposure handling bags of raw asbestos fiber.

Exposure to asbestos from cement sheets is known to cause asbestos-related diseases such as:

If you formerly worked with asbestos cement sheets you should monitor your health for signs of respiratory or gastrointestinal disease, including difficulty breathing and abdominal distension. Anyone diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease should seek the opinion of a specialist to access innovative treatments.

People at risk of exposure from asbestos sheets include:

Also learn how to choose an attorney and how to qualify for compensation. Your free guide will be shipped overnight.

Asbestos manufacturers are held liable in U.S. courts for the diseases their products cause because they were aware of the dangers and chose not to protect or warn workers and consumers. Decades of lawsuits have revealed internal company documents confirming these corporations knew they were putting employees and the public at risk.

Many former tradesmen and factory workers, including asbestos cement sheet workers, have sued manufacturing companies over occupational asbestos exposure.

In addition to personal injury lawsuits and wrongful death lawsuits, anyone harmed by asbestos products may file claims seeking settlements from asbestos trust funds founded by companies that went bankrupt. As part of their bankruptcy reorganization plans, asbestos companies had to develop trust funds for victims of asbestos exposure.

For instance, a series of corporate mergers and sales left Armstrong World Industries responsible for all the asbestos exposure caused by Keasby & Mattison, including its asbestos cement sheets. Today claimants can seek compensation from the Armstrong World Industries Asbestos Trust, which has paid out hundreds of millions of dollars in claims since 2006.

It is important to speak with a qualified mesothelioma attorney to learn about the lawsuits and trust funds your case may be eligible for. You may also qualify for other forms of compensation such as VA claims, treatment and travel grants, workers compensation and Social Security Disability Insurance.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers asbestos corrugated sheets to be a Category II, nonfriable material, which means it is dangerous and the material should be abated prior to demolition or renovation. Although designated nonfriable, the sheets can become friable with age and damage.

If the material is not damaged, it may be removed by driving the nails through the sheet or cutting off the nail or screw heads. Damaged asbestos sheets, however, are subject to much stricter regulations.

Each piece of corrugated sheet or sheathing should be removed whole and kept wet to prevent asbestos dust from getting into the air, and all materials should be disposed of according to the laws of each state. As a general rule, the agency recommends all asbestos-containing materials be abated by licensed professionals.

By the 1980s, the rising tide of personal injury lawsuits over diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma compelled manufacturers to finally phase out the production of asbestos cement products in the United States. However, despite the grim reputation of asbestos in developed nations, a quick online search will reveal asbestos cement sheets are still widely available for sale in other parts of the world and remain legal to import into the U.S.

In the 1950s, the National Gypsum Company added corrugated asbestos roofing to its Gold Bond line of products, cementing the building materials popularity with home builders, farmers and factory owners alike.

In 1907, Keasby & Mattison became one of the first companies to produce corrugated asbestos sheets. Workers pressed a mixture of cement, water and chrysotile asbestos between metallic plates with heavy pressure to squeeze out excess water and create a corrugated pattern, which appears as a series of parallel ridges that add strength to the cement sheets. K&M named its brand of corrugated sheets after the town of Ambler, Pennsylvania, where its factory was located.

The company promoted Ambler roofing and sidings comparative lightness, ease of application, weather and fireproof qualities, pleasing appearance and permanence. Early clients included the Draper Company in Massachusetts, the Shenango Furnace Company in Pennsylvania and the Bell Asbestos Mines in Canada. When a fire broke out in one of the Bell mills, the asbestos siding and roofing reportedly contained the blaze, backing up K&Ms claims.

See the original post:
Asbestos Sheets - Roofing & Siding Product Overview

In August 2009, Isaac Holguin established Elements Roofing, a family-based business to bring these services to underserved rural communities in Northeastern Colorado.

Isaac applied his background in construction services to provide roof repairs and installation, seamless gutters, and siding repairs. Isaac stated, Growing up in the Sterling area instilled in me a sense of pride and commitment to community. Now I want to bring my uncompromising workmanship, high-quality materials, and attentive customer service to your roofing project.

Elements Roofing understands that your home is your most valuable investment, and your familys most important shelter. They are dedicated to bringing their brand of reliable roofing, gutters, and siding repairs and installation to your home. In 2020, They expanded their service areas to include Denver, Auroraand Fort Morgan.

Elements Roofing can be contacted at 123 Broadway St, Sterling, CO 80751. Call them at 970-522- 7636 or visit elementsroofing.com and like them on Facebook.

Please join the Logan County Chamber of Commerce in congratulating Elements Roofing as this weeks Business of the Week and for their efforts in tying our community together!

Read the original:
Business of the Week: Elements Roofing - South Platte Sentinel

JACKSON, MI -- Franklin Street in Jackson is closing for a week in August for a Greater Jackson Habitat for Humanity, Blitz Build.

The street is closing to through traffic from Jackson to Mechanic streets while two houses are constructed starting Monday, Aug. 16. It is anticipated construction will be complete Friday, Aug. 20.

The road is being closed from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily to accommodate volunteers and equipment needed for the build, said Troy White, assistant city engineer.

The two houses are a part of a larger project to build six two-story houses adjacent to the new Jackson YMCA on the corners of W. Franklin, S. Mechanic and W. Mason streets.

The six houses will make up the DeLand Pointe neighborhood, Greater Jackson Habitat for Humanitys first neighborhood development, said Wendy Clow, executive director.

The neighborhood was named for the DeLand family, which had a homestead at the intersection and has a historical significance to the Underground Railroad, Clow said.

Volunteers will work alongside staff and contractors to raise walls and roofs, install siding and weatherize homes.

The Greater Jackson Habitat for Humanity invited sponsors, companies and volunteers from around the city to participate in the Blitz Build to raise and enclose the first two houses.

The event will kick off Monday, Aug. 16, with a First Responders Day, where Jackson Police Department, Jackson Fire Department, Michigan State Police and Henry Ford Allegiance Health staff will frame the first floors and prepare construction of the second floors.

Other participating companies during the week include CertainTeed, Gerdau and Jackson Area Association of Realtors.

We will have groups volunteers each day who will literally raise walls, we will have a big crane there to put the trusses on the roof and get the house enclosed by the time the week is up, Clow said.

Greater Jackson Habitat will use the southeast portion of the YMCAs parking lot for the event. YMCA member may use the citys parking lot across W. Wesley Avenue for free.

More from MLive:

Free ice cream is on the menu at Brooklyns Swiss Swirl today

Balloons take to the sky to kick off return of Hot Air Jubilee

Faster Horses headliner Luke Combs pays funeral costs for families affected by tragedy at the event

Construction is shutting down Shirley Drive for a month in Jackson

Pork-a-Palooza fundraiser brings barbecue competition to Jackson

Read the rest here:
Blitz Build on 2 houses will close Franklin Street for a week - MLive.com

ByKen CalverleyandChuck Breidenstein

DETROIT, July 22, 2021 ~ Construction mistakes are actually fairly common in housing, but most are small and rectified quickly and the property does not suffer from them. Some take a little more effort to correct than others.

A few decades ago, the Inside Guy spent a day with a site superintendent and was touring a custom home under construction in an upscale subdivision. The exterior of the home was complete while the interior was bare studs midway through installation of the mechanicals, including wiring, plumbing and HVAC.

On the second floor, Inside Guy noticed a framed opening in the common wall between house and garage. Bisecting the opening on a rough diagonal was the top of the garage roof. You could stand at the opening and look down into the garage or look up across the finished garage roof. The Inside Guy stuck his head through the upper opening to note the siding was complete and contractors had neatly trimmed all around the opening.

When this was called to the attention of the superintendent his printable response was, We added a window late in construction and nobody told me it was misplaced and never installed! Dont you dare ever tell anybody what we just saw. What the Inside Guy wouldnt have done for a camera at that moment!

Though that mistake was corrected, we wrote last week about some of the mistakes made in housing that stay with the home until an owner has to make the correction. We promised some more of those this week. In no particular order, here are a few more.

Poorly designed, installed flashings. Flashings are devices used where dissimilar materials meet and are intended to prevent leaks where those parts of the house are joined. They should be mechanical, that is, a material integrated into the construction intended to last as long as the building itself.

Common places where we require flashings include any roof penetration such as chimneys or vertical walls and pipes and any wall penetration such as windows, doors and pipes. Caulks and tars are not sufficient as mechanical flashings.

The up-slope side of a chimney or wall where it penetrates the roof should also have a cricket or saddle built to divert water around and away from the wall or chimney. This is essentially a small peaked roof (it somewhat resembles a saddle) that overlays the main roof.

Installation of proper mechanical flashings and counter-flashings is quickly becoming a lost art form.

Wiring that is under fed. We often see what we consider to be too many devices like lights and receptacles on a single electrical circuit. While the circuit may meet code minimum, it isnt practical from the perspective of anticipated use. Even with all our energy efficient gadgets we use more energy today than ever before and proper house wiring needs to reflect that.

HVAC Ducts poorly designed. Weve said before the duct system is the poor step-child of the mechanical systems in housing. Air should flow smoothly through a duct system that is balanced with supply and return duct.

Installers are often the last to have access to the framed dwelling and many times have to make-it-work with a supply or return air duct that has too many bends creating poor air flow.

Poor framing design. Framing should be designed and installed to anticipate loads and installation of mechanicals like toilets and ducts. You should never have to cut a floor joist to accommodate a plumbing pipe.

Framing should be stacked to effectively allow for load transmission from top to bottom of building, minimize wall framing density and create larger cavities for thermal insulation.

Oftentimes floor framing will meet minimum code for the three Ss species, span and spacing while still allowing for bounce in a spongy floor. A little additional investment during construction can avoid this.

Poor exterior concrete placement. We have talked about concrete in several previous articles, but two issues loom large. Proper base materials and water drainage.

Sidewalks, patios and drives should be installed on 4-6 inches of well compacted, drainable materials. We want materials that will not hold water and will not wash out from beneath the concrete, like we often see where a drive meets the curb. Sand can be a great base except that it is easily washed out.

Water drainage off the concrete requires only moderate slope and placement of the concrete such that the top of the slab is above anything around it, including the lawn. We want water drained off of and away from the concrete. Concrete is too often placed such that the ground around it is at or above the top of the placement.

Our list of such issues is long. At some future date we will endeavor to complete it. Meanwhile, know that everything in a house can be corrected. But it is far better and certainly more cost effective to get it right the first time. Like you should be able to expect from the professionals at InsideOutsideGuys.com

For more housing advice, listen to the Inside Outside Guys every Saturday and Sunday on News / Talk 760 WJR from 10 a.m. to noon or contact us at InsideOutsideGuys.com.

Here is the original post:
The Inside Outside Guys: Housing Problems, Part Two - WJR

Callaway Roofing, Siding, and Windows is a leading company committed to offering exceptional roofing, siding, and window installation. In a recent post on their site, they outlined the process involved when working with them.

Sioux Falls, SD Callaway Roofing, Siding, and Windows have highlighted the detailed process in their projects, including Sioux Falls roofing.

A customer can send the pictures of the exterior of their dream Sioux Falls residential or commercial property and measurements if possible. Also, they can share the ideas of what they would like in terms of roofing, siding, and windows, including colors. With enough information, the experts can give a fairly good idea of how much the exterior renovations will cost.

With Callaway Roofing, Siding and Windows, clients will be immediately put at ease, feel listened to, and appreciated. The company boasts friendly, knowledgeable roofing, siding, and window specialists. They will meet the customer in person and learn what they want, the specifications required, and the space to be worked on. It doesnt end there; the experts will sit with the customer and show them all the many options in roofing, siding, and windows that will meet their unique needs and budget.

The team will provide a detailed, itemized estimate for a Sioux Falls roofing, siding, or window installation with all the information needed. They will go ahead to explain everything and ensure the client understands what will be done, how long it will take, and the cost. With Callaway Roofing, Siding, and Windows, clients will have peace of mind knowing their Roofing Sioux Falls home is in the right hands.

About Callaway Roofing, Siding, and Windows

Callaway Roofing, Siding, and Windows are proud to be locally owned and operated by Jason Callaway. They are dedicated to serving the Sioux Falls area, including Hereford, through providing exceptional residential and commercial roofing, siding, and window installation services with a smile.

Media ContactCompany Name: Callaway Roofing, Siding, and WindowsContact Person: Jason CallawayEmail: Send EmailPhone: (605) 937-8494Address:1903 S. Phillips Ave City: Sioux FallsState: SDCountry: United StatesWebsite: https://www.siouxfallsroofingsidingwindows.com/

The rest is here:
Callaway Roofing, Siding, and Windows Outlines the Process Involved Working with Them - Digital Journal

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio, July 27, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Boak & Sons, Inc. is a residential and commercial exterior contracting company based in Youngstown, Ohio. They specialize in roofing, siding, gutters, sheet metal and insulation, serving customers from Cleveland, Ohio to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. On Monday, July 12th, members of the Commercial Roofing Sales Department at Boak & Sons participated in the 2021 Building Owners and Managers Association of Greater Cleveland's (BOMA) Golf Outing at the Quail Hollow Country Club.

BOMA Greater Cleveland is an organization based in Cleveland, Ohio that represents commercial building owners and managers in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Lorain Counties. It is part of an international organization headquartered in Washington DC. As a member of BOMA, Boak & Sons Inc. has exclusive access to professional development and workshops, leading industry information and networking opportunities.

One of the recent networking opportunities the company attended was the 2021 BOMA Golf Outing. Members and their guests were able to engage in friendly competition while networking as they played on one of two championship-caliber golf courses. They also enjoyed dinner and prizes after the games were completed.

"The benefits to being a BOMA member go much further than the fun outings like this one," said Sam Boak, president and founder of Boak & Sons, Inc. "BOMA provides us the opportunity to network and build relationships with building owners and property managers in Northeast Ohio. We can't thank BOMA enough for these opportunities to learn while we have fun with companies who have similar goals."

For more information about BOMA memberships, visit http://www.bomacleveland.org. For more information about Boak & Sons, Inc. visit http://www.boakandsons.com

About Boak & Sons:

Boak & Sons, Inc. was founded by Sam Boak in 1974 as an insulation contractor. With the high energy costs of the 70's, Boak & Sons expanded early on into the roofing business. They offered economical roof installations through cutting edge technology and equipment, allowing customers to recoup even more in energy savings. Today, Boak & Sons is a residential and commercial contractor for roofing, insulation, sheet metal, siding, and gutters. Based in Youngstown, Ohio, the company serves customers in surrounding areas from Cleveland, Akron, and Canton to Cranberry and Pittsburgh. For more information on Boak & Sons, visit their website at: https://www.boakandsons.com/

Media Contact

Brianna Figley, Boak and Sons, 3307935646, bfigley@boakandsons.com

Twitter, Facebook

SOURCE Boak and Sons

Read more:
Boak & Sons Employees attend the 2021 Building Owners and Managers Association of Greater Cleveland's Golf Outing - WFMZ Allentown

Now that were all socializing again, its time to spruce up decks, siding and roofs so we can proudly welcome family and friends back to our homes. Call Roof-to-Deck Restoration to handle these dirty jobs professionally and efficiently.

This local company has been in business for 26 years and has won quality service awards from Angies List and earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. In addition to cleaning and restoring decks, Roof-to-Deck Restoration also works on

Cedar shake roof cleaning and siding

Log and cedar siding cleaning and staining

Asphalt roof cleaning

House washing

Gutter cleaning

Concrete cleaning

Commercial vehicle power washing

Ice dam removal

Christmas light installations

Roof-to-Deck Restoration has been certified in wood restoration by the Power Washers of North America and is Minnesotas longest and most experienced wood restoration company.

They offer expertise and experience you can count on.

Our technicians have been with us for years because we pay well, have nice benefits, and provide a positive work environment, Owner Mike Hilborn said. We also continuously train them as we discover new restoration methods and tools.

Youll have peace of mind working with Roof-to-Deck. First, you can get a free quote for your project, and also, you can count on a warranty program.

We are known for being reliable, affordable and providing great customer service, said Hilborn. Were proud to help our customers keep their homes beautiful.

Here is what some satisfied customers have said:

My deck is beautiful.

I would certainly recommend this company to others. Their work is excellent.

Thanks for a job well done.

This is an excellent service at a reasonable price!!

Call Roof-to-Deck Restoration today for a free quote: 651-867-2888

Link:
Roof-to-Deck Restoration will professionally spruce up the outside of your home - Burnett County Sentinel

Last year, the pandemic and subsequent lockdown fueled aflee north to New Yorks upstate region. As more and more city dwellers opted for the countryside, many towns in the Hudson Valley and Catskills saw aswelling number of permanent residents, causing real estate prices to rise exponentially in some locations.

But for those who stayed in the city, a weekend getaway upstate is easily attainable within a one- to three-hour drive of Manhattan. And after several new hotels openedlast year across the region, even more hotels and resorts are debuting in 2021, catapulting the vibrant Catskills hotel scene of the 1950s into a new golden age.

Read on for the best new 2021 hotel openings in the Catskills and Hudson Valleyplus one just a little farther north in the Capital Region thats totally worth adding an extra hour to your road trip.

Brick-making factories that helped build New York City in the late 1800s and early 1900s once filled the shores of the Hudson River. Located on the site of the last remaining brickyard in the Hudson Valley,Hutton Brickyards is now a massive event space and hotel, which opened in May 2021.

Individual cabins, many with views of the river a few yards away, dot the 73 acres of the property. Plus, theres a spa with a barrel sauna and outdoor restaurant. Hiking on the propertys trails, yoga and pilates sessions, a waterfront outdoor gym, and kayaking on the river are a few of the active options available. Dont miss the Instagrammable brick beach, half-sunken barges, and brick-firing kiln remainsand be prepared to find Hutton-emblazoned bricks all over the place.

Sitting on 600 acres of land in Sullivan County, the Eldred Preserve encompasses the Bradstan Boutique Hotel, the Old Homestead Restaurant and Lounge, and the Preserve Weddings and Events. The Bradstan Boutique Hotels 28 rooms feature a modern design that uses wood, stone, and glass to highlight the gorgeous natural surroundings, along with plaid accents, branches, and pops of color. Choose from five stand-alone cabins and five signature suites, all with fireplaces, jetted tubs, and private patios; nine junior suites with patios; and nine standard rooms.

The on-site restaurant revives the Old Homestead, a Sullivan County classic of more than 60 years (the original location was destroyed by fire in 2015), bringing back steakhouse favorites and its beloved raisin bread. Guests can enjoy the grounds and miles of hiking trails; a 75-acre private lake known for excellent fishing, with kayaks, rowboats, and other paddle sports; and a soon-to-open outdoor pool and Jacuzzi. A winetasting room, a fitness studio, vegetable and herb gardens, and electric-vehicle charging stations round out the experience.

The retro vibe of the Catskills heyday permeates this 65-room resort on a 120-year-old property that started as a boarding house in the early 20th century. (It went on to become one of the classic Catskills resorts like the one depicted in Dirty Dancing.)Callicoon Hills took great pains to preserve and honor that history, speaking with previous owners and pouring over ephemera like menus, advertisements, and brochures to inform design decisions.

Now, it calls itself an informal vacation resort and continues the propertys legacy. Rooms are set in the restored historic boarding house from the early 1900s, in the Pool House, which is from the mid-1900s, and in three buildings up a small hill, called Ridge Rooms. All rooms feature locally made furniture and ethically sourced rugs, and Malin & Goetz bath amenities; none has a television. A large outdoor seasonal pool is a centerpiece, plus theres a pond, barn, the Rise & Shine Coffee Shop, bar, and the Conover Club Restaurant. Chef pop-ups are also being hosted throughout the season.

Located on a cliff overlooking thousands of trees, this 500-acre property is from the duo behind the Piaule housewares brand, Nolan McHugh and Trevor Biggs, who designed it with sustainable prefab pioneers Garrison Architects. The main building is all sleek glass and wood, highlighting the green mountain views. Relax by the dual-sided zinc fireplace at the caf, or head to the spa where youll find a movement studio, tea and relaxation rooms, and treatment areas. The resorts 24 cabins are simple yet functional, with thoughtful touches like sliding doors that include additional layers of a bug screen and a blackout shade, and a spacious waterfall shower in a bathroom with heated stone floors. Other design details include ceramic sconces made by longtime Piaule collaborator Kati von Lehman, furniture by McHugh and Briggs, and organic Piaule brand linens from Portugal. Cabins come in singles with and without decks, ones with a living room that includes a pullout sofa, and doubles that have a living room between two bedrooms.

While Hudson already has its fair share of hotels, it remains one of the most popular towns for New Yorkers who are escaping the city, so a few more accommodations wont go empty. Especially when theyre as lovely as the Amelia, which is set inside a restored Queen Annestyle house from the 19th century. On a quiet street on the southern edge of town, this eight-room hands-off hotel (rooms are entered via a code shared before arrival and you can text someone if you need service) has a library, parlor, drawing room, and breakfast room. Keep an eye out for original detailswoodwork, moldings, a mahogany fireplace, leaded windows, and a striking central staircase were all carefully preserved by owner Shannon Wu.

As a contrast, the furniture is modern with pops of color, and original artwork by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, and Gavin Evans adorns the walls. Each spacious room is individually designed, and all have Frette towels, Matouk bed linens, Lockwood New York bath amenities, and a curated library shelf. A 35-foot newly installed swimming pool sits outside, along with two sizable lawns, an outdoor firepit, and a deckall surrounded by gardens designed by landscape architect Wagner Hodgson.

Located in the heart of downtown Hudson in a historic building on Warren Street, the Hudson Whaler Hotel honors the towns whaling history with nautical touches and maritime-inspired decor. Ornate woodwork, vintage chandeliers sourced from one of Hudsons many antiques shops, and a detailed mural of the Hudson River from Manhattan to Hudson welcome guests in the cozy lobby.

The 16 rooms feature a blue and white color palette, electric fireplaces, and spacious bathrooms with soaking tubs or massage showers and Lockwood New York bath products. In-room amenities include a minibar stocked with locally sourced beverages and a complimentary handmade chocolate whale, crafted by local chocolatier Vasilows Confectionery. The Hudson Whaler is a sister property to the Nest, the Nautical Nest, and the Hudson Mariner, all within a few blocks of each other.

Start planning your trip with this complete guide to the perfect weekend in Hudson, New York.

The Boarding House at Seminary Hill is part of a larger campus in Sullivan County, which includes an orchard and the first Passive-House certified cidery and tasting room,a voluntary standard for energy efficiency in a buildingto reduce a buildings ecological footprint.Restored by Catskill design firm Homestedt, the hotel is a former boarding house thats more than 100 years old. It offers 17 rooms across eight communal apartment units. Each unit has one to four bedrooms with Wright mattresses, linen sheets, country antiques, vintage kilim rugs, living rooms, and kitchenettes with electric ranges, cookware, Dansk ceramics, Bodum kettles, and pour-over coffee makers.Also on property is the Mountain House & Cottage, which sleeps 10 people across five bedrooms.

Guests can visit the beautiful orchard with its 1,500 apple and pear trees, as well as the cidery and its 3,500-square-foot tasting room, kitchen, and events space with cathedral ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows and a wraparound patio and balcony. The tasting rooms offer sips of the in-house ciders, plus bites like elevated apple grilled cheese sandwiches and black cherry tamarind ribs prepared on an Argentinian grill.

Start planning your trip with this complete guide to the perfect weekend at the Boarding House at Seminary Hill.

WhileHotel Darby is technically over state lines in Pennsylvania, its a short walk to the town of Narrowsburg, New York, very much in the Catskills. And, its from beloved Catskills boutique hotel brand Foster Supply Co., known for hotels like the DeBruce and Kenoza Hall. Its latest property is this 27-room restored 1960s building, complete with expansive grounds near the Delaware River, a cozy hammock grove with lawn games, firepits, and a private trail system.

The interior design is midcentury modern, and rooms are available with queen and king beds, as well as connecting bunk beds, making it family friendly. The hotel features a custom-built bar, freestanding Malm fireplace, and grab-and-go dining with bottled and canned cocktails. The menu offers various types of tinned fish, like yellowfin ventresca, sardinillas, and boquerones, and theres also charcuterie and cheese plates, Van Smokey beef jerky, and more.

A bit farther afield from the Hudson Valleyabout 30 miles north of Albanybut worth the extra drivethe Spa City Motor Lodge is located in the hometown of Skidmore College and the Saratoga Racetrack. This transformed vintage motor lodge is the first hotel in a new boutique roadside lodge brand called Bluebird by Lark (boutique hospitality company Lark Hotels also owns Gilded in Newport, Rhode Island, and Summercamp on Marthas Vineyard).

The 42 rooms surround a shared indoor courtyard space, which is outfitted with communal seating and a coffee bar. Inspired by old-school Americana, the rooms feature white walls with splashes of jewel-tone color, eclectic artwork, and modern, design-forward furniture.

Situated on 225 bucolic acres, Inness is perhaps the closest thing to a modernized version of the old Catskills resorts of yore. Starting July 30, guests can check into one of 28 cabins with kitchenettes or book an individual room in the 12-room farmhouse. The sprawling campus also has a restaurant and private guest-only lounge; a nine-hole golf course by King Collins (designer of Sweetens Cove in Tennessee); a sports outfitter with supplies for golfing, skating, cross-country skiing, and more; two swimming pools; tennis courts; hiking trails; an events barn; a farm shop with coffee, snacks, and supplies; a three-acre organic farm that will supply the restaurant; and a wellness building complete with a spa with outdoor hot tubs, gym, and movement studio.

Named after prominent American landscape painter George Inness, this project is a partnership between restaurateur and architect Taavo Somer (Freemans and Lola Pizza), designers Post Company (formerly Studio Tack), and development team CBSK Ironstate and Lee Pollock. The rustic design includes clapboard siding and cedar shakes. Landscape designer Miranda Brooks was charged with balancing the grounds between untamed forest and more manicured formality.

Debuting in 2019 in the Stockade District of Kingston, Hotel Kinsley began as one building on Wall Street, expanded to include a second building on Pearl Street in January 2021, and will add two more buildings imminently. The four restored historic buildings will have a total of 42 rooms. Details like original fireplaces, tilework, and crown molding were preserved, while modern furnishings and amenities were added, including a fitness center and sauna, and the Restaurant Kinsley by chef Zak Pelaccio and restaurateur Taavo Somer, who is also involved in the Inness. The Fair Street will come on line in late July, and the John Street building will open in early September. The ground floor of the Fair Street building already houses River Mint Finery, a clothing boutique.

The first and only Lego-themed hotel in the northeast, Legoland New York Hotel will open August 6 on the grounds of New Yorks new Legoland theme park, which opened July 9. The 250-room hotel is sure to be a favorite with families, thanks to themed guest rooms that feature separate sleeping areas for kids and adults; an on-site creative workshop where children can build their own creations alongside Master Model Builders; 2,000 Lego models around the hotel and tons of Legos with several places to build; and daily entertainment, including visits from Lego characters and a massive castle play structure. The hotel will introduce new contactless programming, including the innovative Next Generation Sleepover experiencea Google Nest named Alice can do anything from place a room service order to tell an immersive bedtime story. Theres also a heated outdoor pool and dining at Bricks Family Restaurant and the Skyline Bar for parents.

Located within an environmentally protected, private gated estate in the Catskills called the Chapin Estate,the Chatwal Lodge is from the team behind the beloved Chatwal in Manhattan. When it opens later this summer, guests will enjoy 60 acres of wilderness with panoramic views and access to the 1,000-acre Toronto Reservoir Lakeideal for fly fishing and boatingand enjoy the hiking trails dotted with chestnut trees and water streams and teeming with wildlife.

The 10 luxury accommodations recall the rustic glamour of the Adirondacks Great Camps and are designed by Steve Dubrovsky, who specializes in that style. Adventurers at heart can opt for the tree-house room, raised 25 feet above the ground with a fireplace and outdoor deck, or a luxury glamping tent. A farm-to-table restaurant and a spa with Ayurvedic treatments are also planned.

BravoMillion Dollar Listing NY star Steve Gold and designer Samuel Amoia, who got his start under Ian Schrager and Andr Balazs, have teamed up to open the Aurum this fall with 36 rooms and a Roman-style hammam. Said to be the only one of its kind in North America, the 6,000-square-foot Aurum Thermae spa is the focal point of the property, with an impressive 40-foot dome inspired by the Roman Imperial period, a communal bathing area, hot and cold baths, scrub rooms, and steam and sauna rooms.

The property spans 131 acres and four buildings, including the historic Maidstone Lodge, which was built in 1902, and will house the lobby, public areas, and a Sicilian-inspired restaurant. A new building will contain 20 rooms and four suites. There will also be 12 stand-alone one- and two-bedroom bungalows with private outdoor areas containing firepits, outdoor showers, and some hot tubs.

You know the region is getting big when the luxury chains start moving in. The acclaimed Auberge Resorts Collection recently announced the 2022 launch of Wildflower Farms, a 65-cottage property set on 150 acres about a 90-minute drive north of Manhattan. The 9,000-square-foot spa will have an indoor saltwater pool, an outdoor swimming pool, and spa tubs with views of the Shawangunk Mountains. There will also be an on-property farm and orchard, an open-air fitness center and yoga studio, tennis courts, miles of hiking trails and climbing routes, and a restaurant with an open kitchen using produce grown on-site. Foraging, farming, cooking classes, and picnics will be available.

>> Next:The Best Weekend Getaways From New York City

Products we write about are independently vetted and recommended by our editors. AFAR may earn a commission if you buy through our links, which helps support our independent publication.

Continue reading here:
The Most Exciting Hotel Openings in New Yorks Catskills and Hudson Valley in 2021 - AFAR Media

Though still in the trenches of construction, the new exterior walls of the museum are up which now encompass an additional 4,000 square feet of landmost of which is dedicated to the Main Gallery, an impressive near-3,000 square foot windowless expanse that will be built with moveable walls, allowing for multiple exhibitions at a time.

Two galleries were typically the most the museum could host before.

The remaining square footage11,000 in total including new outdoor gardens and seating areaswill feature a state-of-the-art education laboratory, a reading and archives room, an office space, a visitors lobby and reception area, a retail shop, a temperature-controlled storage room and three permanent gallery spaces, some of which will have multipurpose uses.

Expanded, professional-grade galleries will host several different exhibitions at a time and allow the museum to deepen its leadership in the exploration of abstraction, said newly appointed museum director Paul Baker Prindle in a statement.

Clark Construction Group began working on the museum in June 2020, alongside renovations to the museums neighboring Horn Center which is in the process of retrofitting and converting its computer lab and undergraduate advising center into 10 classrooms, two lecture halls, and additional all-gender restrooms.

The total cost for both projects is $24 million, according to CSULB. While state funding is paying for the Horn Center, private donations are footing the bill for the new museum. Its greatest benefactor is the museums new namesake, artist Carolyn Campagna Kleefeld, who donated $10 million, as reported by the Daily 49er.

The museum also includes a 521-square-foot gallery built in her honor that will be outfitted with barrel ceilings and hardwood floors. The Kleefeld Gallery room will house a permanent collection of some of her works in addition to a rotating selection by other artists.

The Kleefeld Gallery room will be the only space with hardwood flooringthe rest of the museum, save for the carpeted offices, will be laid with concrete. With this cozy feature, the gallery room will also be used as a community hall where visitors can reserve quiet, loud, evening or weekend hours for use.

We definitely dont want to be another ivory tower in the museum space, thats really the antithesis of what were working towards, Amanda Fruta, public affairs and communication specialist for Kleefeld Contemporary explained. With the quiet hours, loud hours, extended hours, gardens, multi-use spaces, learning spaces and all-gender bathrooms, we want really want everyone to feel welcome here.

Pfeiffer Partners Architects will be adding a new, glass vestibule to the original mid-century faade designed by famous architect Ed Killingsworth. The near 15-foot-tall diamond offset structure will act as an eye-catching attraction, hopefully encouraging passersby to stroll through the museum, something the space had previously struggled to do, Fruta said.

Pfeiffer Partners Architects continued the angular theme with three triangular points on the expansions roof. Once finished, the exterior walls of the expansion will be lined with sturdy, seam metal panels and stucco.

The entire expanse of the original museum building has been renovated; the floor plan also revamped. What was formerly the main gallery space will now be the Constance W. Glenn Court (named after the museums founding director) that features a visitors lobby and check-in, a modest retail shop, and two small, rotating art galleries.

Upon entering the 8-foot-tall double doors of the museum, visitors will immediately notice a small retail space that will sell handmade or wearable artworks by recently graduated CSULB art students from the School of Art, School of Industrial Design and other interdisciplinary programs.

We recognize that its hard to be a fresh fish out of water jumping into the cold ocean of the art marketplace, Fruta said. We want to help these emerging artists have a kind of bridge way so that they have a higher likelihood of success.

Lining the wall along the retail space will be a small selection of works from the museums permanent collection and other curated pieces. From June to July, an art history student will be awarded the chance to curate and present an exhibition from the museums collection on the wall as well.

The Community Gallery (200 square feet) in the Glenn Court will line the wall space leading toward the Horn Center and showcase three shows, two from local professional artists and one local call exhibition for interested Long Beach residents.

So, we really wanted to make this front and center to show that we embrace the community and that we see ourselves as not just a part of the community, but a community ourselves, Fruta said.

In keeping with the universitys push toward sustainability and environmental proficiency, the museum will be upgraded to LEED Silver standards with solar panels on the roof to help power the building. The gallery will be lit throughout with LED strip lighting and LED spotlights, which are significantly more energy-efficient than conventional bulbs.

The new LEED Silver Certified Museum is being built to serve the campus as a living laboratory for cultural exploration and a showcase of the campus aggressive sustainability commitment, said CSULB Director of Design and Building Services Mark Zakhour in a statement. Intentional selection of native plants in landscaping, use of sustainable and local building materials, integration of solar panels, energy-efficient design, green cleaning and maintenance plans, and investment in long-lasting learning technologies were key aspects of the build that contributed to the sustainability rating.

A costly new HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) system throughout the museum will ensure temperature control and protect the presented art as well as the works kept in the museums new storage vault. The new vault will allow the university to finally house its permanent collection on campusthe works are currently kept in storage areas all around the South Bay.

All of our American modern masterpieces of the Gordon F. Hampton collection were housed off-site, Fruta said. Now we can have them here and have much better access not just for that collection, but for our works on paper collection, which includes extensive printmaking, drawings and photography that will be available for research requests for study.

The Carolyn Campagna Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum anticipates it will open publicly by February 2022.

Interested in more Kleefled Contemporary content? Click below:

PODCAST: The art of museum navigation with Kleefeld Contemporarys Paul Baker Prindle

PODCAST: Back to school at CSULB; journalism, art and the B word

Editors Note: The story has been updated to correct the name of the artist George F. Hampton, not Hanson as previously reported and the correct height of the glass vestibule, which will be close to 15ft tall, not 8.

See the rest here:
Construction at massive new CSULB art museum promises more art and community inclusion the Hi-lo - Long Beach Post

July 13, 2021

Sometimes the path to a rewarding career is straightforward, and sometimes it has many roadblocks and detours along the way.

For Tiffany Sharp, principal and founder of general contractor Sharp Construction, forging her way into the male-dominated Phoenix construction industry establishment was especially challenging, but has made her success all the sweeter. Tiffany Sharp, an Arizona State University construction management alumna, worked her way up in the Phoenix construction industry, then took a chance on herself and started her own company, Sharp Construction. Photo courtesy of Tiffany Sharp Download Full Image

Sharp has been recognized as one of the Phoenix Business Journals 40 Under 40 for 2021. Chosen from nearly 450 applicants, the construction management alumna from the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University will be honored at a virtual event on Aug. 5.

Once people realize youre off on the right foot and making headway, thats huge, Sharp said. Im thankful for the recognition and I think its going to push us in the right direction.

Sharps journey began when she started exploring different majors as an undergraduate student at ASU. Early on, she had an interest in bringing buildings to life, but she found architecture and structural engineering to be too narrow in their focus. What she wanted was a role that took her from a building projects conception to its completion.

Equipped with a bachelors degree in interdisciplinary studies which included forays into architecture and structural engineering as well as art and business and a structural engineering internship with TOR Engineering in Flagstaff, Sharp sought out her true calling.

She got a taste of what she was after as a project manager with the custom residential construction company Platinum Companies. She got to see whole projects through from start to finish.

Being part of the project at the very beginning stages and then being able to see it through is what I found fed my hunger, Sharp said. I knew this is where I needed to be.

Then the Great Recession hit, and the housing construction market tanked along with the rest of the economy.

Sharp managed to survive the layoffs during that unfortunate time and, as one of only a handful of employees remaining, was able to gain some unique work experience.

I was involved in every facet of the company, which really put me in a position to be successful moving forward, she said. These were things that a standard construction project manager wouldnt have typically been introduced to.

Sharp was then ready for a new challenge in the commercial construction industry. She sought out a construction project manager position at Intel that had eluded her over the years. The third time the position opened up, Sharp decided she needed to get creative. She figured out how to get in touch with someone by decoding the companys email address format. Thirty minutes later, she was on the phone with the hiring manager and getting called in for an interview. By the next week, Sharp had the job. It turned out her resume was being rejected because she didnt have a construction degree.

That changed once she was on board at Intel. In addition to offering Sharp opportunities to lead projects like the construction of a 385,000-square-foot clean room facility and revamping the interior of Intels Chandler campus, Intel also supported her graduate studies.

Sharp returned to ASU to earn her masters degree in construction management at the Del E. Webb School of Construction, part of the School for Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, one of the six Fulton Schools.

The classes I was taking fit really well with my career at the time, Sharp said. Intel and ASU had some amazing synergy. There were a lot of things we were doing at Intel that ASU was leveraging. The foundation I got from ASU led me down a path in which I could be successful in any project.

That foundation strengthened by courses in accounting, management and business would soon become even more valuable than Sharp had realized.

After more than four years of learning from excellent mentors and gaining new skills at Intel, a new opportunity knocked on her door.

Platinum Companies, where she had worked during the recession, was expanding again and looking for someone to take over the company after the current owner retired. At the time, Sharp was also looking into construction project management opportunities with Google and Facebook. Securing offers from all three, she chose Platinum Companies.

The opportunity to own or buy into the company and have that leadership position was ultimately where I wanted to go, Sharp said.

After several years at the company and rising to the position of president the pull of leadership was still there.

While she valued her time and experiences at Platinum Companies, Sharp decided to start her own company, giving her the opportunities to set her own path and develop her own business culture.

Sharp remembers being scared when she walked away from a great career at an excellent company and into the unknown.

I walked into the commercial construction industry unheard of with nobody to leverage. I just said Im going to do it, and I did it, she said. Four years later, we have 50 employees and were bringing in some significant projects.

One of her favorite projects is 16 North, a retail space near 16th Street and Bethany Home Road in Phoenix. Her company turned a Shasta Pools location complete with in-ground pools and spas into a modern neighborhood retail and office space.

When you went out onto the job site, it was filled with pools and spas in what was going to be the future parking lot, Sharp said. The demolition on that project was just amazing and fun to watch. It was a very interesting project that turned out beautifully.

Even in the best of times, it isnt easy for a new construction company to establish itself in Phoenix, but Sharps company also had to contend with a global pandemic within its first few years.

In March of 2020, I had four phone calls in a two-hour period where we lost $30 million worth of work and a project underway that completely stopped and shut down, Sharp said. Everything we were doing at the time was office, retail, restaurants and hospitality and our entire market went to sleep overnight. That was probably the hardest thing Ive dealt with in my entire career.

But as a trained problem-solver, Sharp adapted. The company survived by pivoting to industrial construction work the only market that was thriving at the time.

Now, the construction market in the Phoenix area is booming again and is presenting new challenges with rapidly fluctuating steel and lumber prices and a shortage of materials.

With a variety of construction projects under the companys belt, Sharp Construction is still looking to firmly establish its niche in the industry. Upcoming projects will focus on multifamily, office and industrial work. And Sharp says her team is ready to explore the possibilities in those areas.

Were still trying to figure where we fit in the construction market, Sharp said. I think as we continue to complete projects well have a better idea of where were going.

I know there are so many young girls out there who want to go into construction and engineering fields but theyre scared, Sharp said. I want to help pave that path and make sure they know they can do it. And not only can they do it, they can thrive.

When Sharp joined the construction management graduate program in the Fulton Schools, she was one of only a handful of female students. And while it has been a difficult road to prove herself in a male-dominated field, she has had support along the way.

Allan Chasey, a former program chair in the Del E. Webb School of Construction who has now retired and is an emeritus professor, was one of Sharps biggest supporters at ASU.

I think I was only one of two females in the construction and engineering group at ASU, and (Chasey) was really understanding of the challenges that we were confronted with, Sharp said. He tried to encourage women to join the program and he encouraged women who were in the program to continue and prosper.

Sharp spoke to a construction management class last year and hopes to get more involved in mentoring and encouraging the next generation of women in engineering by telling her own story.

As a professional, she had to prove her value to many people in the industry, though she says it was harder 15 years ago than today as the industry has begun seeing more diversity among its ranks.

Sharp says she still encounters people who are not open to doing business in construction with a woman, but shes not letting that get in her way.

This is just one of the challenges we have as women who are breaking into an industry that women arent typically in, Sharp said. I think the positions I have been put in because I had to prove myself are reasons why I am successful today. Even if it was challenging, it was worth it.

Goals: Be very specific about what you want to accomplish and how youre going to get there. You have to manage the completion of your goals: Look at them, make sure you have focus and put in the right efforts.

Mentors: Find leaders in your industry or individuals you value and who will give you the right advice. Try to hold monthly meetings, have productive conversations and review your goals with them.

Networking: Get out there and build relationships in the industries youre trying to get involved in. Relationships are so important. You never know where those relationships are going to lead you or what theyll do for you in your future. That was something I learned way too late.

More here:
ASU alum builds rewarding construction career from ground up - ASU Now