Donald Hawes from RI Welding was kind enough to speak to us about the installation process used to create the second floor in The WaterFire Arts Center. Donald installed hanging columns from the existing beams and used existing columns as well to create a platform for the new floor. All of these… Read More »Building for the Future Episode 11 | Installing a Second Floor
No project like The WaterFire Arts Center, with its thousands of parts, tens of thousands of decisions, and dozens of contractors and workers, could come together without exceptional management. TRAC Builder’s Nelson Ferreira, who is overseeing the project with superintendent Todd Brodeur, apply their many years of experience to the task.… Read More »Building for the Future Episode 9 | Project Management
Votta Masonry LLC has been hard at work restoring the brick facade of The WaterFire Arts Center. They are also responsible for building the elevator shaft, and stairwells of the Arts Center. You will be certain to see, and hear, more from Votta Masonry in Building for the Future as… Read More »Building for the Future Episode 8 | Masonry Restoration
One of the unique elements of a historic space is the character taken on by its surfaces from years of habitation and use. The WaterFire arts center is no different, wearing its history on its walls through the many layers of paint and different materials visible. A careful power washing… Read More »Building for the Future Episode 7 | Powerwashing and Cleaning
WaterFire Providence was honored to have Clark Schoettle, Executive Director of the Providence Revolving Fund, receive a tour of the WaterFire Arts Center as it is under construction. Clark has been kind enough to speak to the unique history of the building as a part of the US Rubber Corporation,… Read More »Building for the Future Episode 6 | Historic Preservation
The WaterFire Arts Center has just had its first window installed and approved! One of the largest elements of the transformation of The WaterFire Arts Center is the replacement of its outdated windows with contemporary ones that are free from asbestos, have much greater insulation properties, and are also historically appropriate… Read More »Building for the Future Episode 5 | A Window into the Future!
Have you ever wondered where those exposed steel beams come from? Follow along with the whole process of the build from paper plans to steel parts to installing structural elements! And it turns out that the fabricators who made them up for the WaterFire Arts Center are just down the street… Read More »Building for the Future Episode 4 | Steel Fabrication and Installation
Over the past couple of weeks, The WaterFire Arts Center has had its roof replaced! Earlier we posted this video as the materials were being delivered up to the roof by crane. At this time the roofing on the main section of the building is nearly complete. It is pretty clear just how vast an improvement the new roof is over the old.
Read More »Building for the Future Bonus Content | Roofing the WaterFire Arts Center
The noise and action taking place at the WaterFire Art Center during selective demolition were intense. Hulking machines filled the cavernous space and shifted great piles of soil and cement, while men on lifts with acetylene torches brought down pipes a child could crawl through from thirty feet in the air. All in all, it was a very exciting time to be working inside of the space!
Read More »Building for the Future Episode 3 | Selective Demolition
Very exciting to see the roofing materials be delivered to the roof of the WaterFire Arts Center! A crew with a crane came in to help us get project materials to the roof of the WaterFire Arts Center. Jeff and Gary, the guys working on the ground, explained to me… Read More »Air Mail
