Hillbrook History House Project Progress Report #1:

Hello everyone, this is Katherine and Meghan with the first progress report. Our goal is to send out one progress report at the end of every week. The progress will include pictures of the project’s status. In our first nine classes we have established 6 different roles and this will explain each one.

Chaaya has assumed a very creative role and is constructing a documentary about the process of this long term project that will span two electives, perhaps an after school course and a few weekends to complete. The movie will also show our entire process step by step and explain each person’s roles throughout the project.

Isabel, Emma, Gaby and Lora, have been building a practice wall. This job is called framing or carpentry. The framing team finished the practice wall in only 8 classes. When we start to build the real walls, each of the original framers will assume responsibility for one wall of the house. She will then mentor and build that wall with the help of two other members each from the group.

Based off of scale drawings (see above) that taught the class the key terms of framing, Caryus finished the materials list that will need approval from our expert mentor carpenter, Tom Jameson. He will continue to work on the materials list for the floor and walls and future material needs, such siding and windows and doors.

During the past week Seamus has been working on a to scale, miniature, prototype of the exterior and interior of the house. Seamus is using CAD software and the laser cutter for this task. The interior will have a blueprint of what our plan is for the furniture once the house is built. Three dimensional buildouts of the interior features, such as counters, shelves and chairs will also be added later. The prototype will serve as a model to give others an idea of what the final house will look like once its complete.

Nevin has been working on a presentation explaining how applied geometry makes the building of the History House possible. Using the Pythagorean Theorem people can measure angles. It is essential that all the angles be spot on or else the walls will be unstable. Nevin will continue to work on this project to explain how geometry is used in many aspects of the house.

Lilah and Samantha have been working on the house’s foundation. The foundation consists of  four cement blocks with four 4 x 6 inch wooden beams on top of them. Lilah and Sam first needed to square the four main beams of the foundation. This was a great opportunity to practice the use of the pythagorean theorem. The next step was to level the whole 10 x 12 foot frame and nail the foundation together.

Next, the HHH team will be building the floor for the new structure and putting together the real walls for the house using their new framing skills.  Stay tuned!