Chapter 4: MARCH 27 - APRIL 28, CLOSING IT IN

        We got the bench assemblies in place, there are seven of them with the armrests standing proud. The carpeted floor will run up the front rise of each bench onto the seat of each bench, double padded, and up the backrest. Many patterned and colorful cushions will be strewn around the bench tops. The front rise of the bench is at a slight angle so that it can be used as a backrest when seated on the floor. The top of each bench is deep enough to sit cross-legged on a big square meditation pillow. It is also deep enough to allow two plastic nesting chairs to be placed on each benche. These configurations will allow for two rows of tiered seating whether on pillows or on plastic chairs for a capacity of 28 to 35 people. The first picture shows the open bays where the slatted windows belong.

In the second photo you see me installing the cedar slats. This photo also gives a good look at the cieling panels which are also cedar boards. Note also the plastic sheet covering the skylight bays at the center of the room. The safety glass is on order and will be installed by the roofer. The roof is now covered in 30# construction felt. We have contracted with a roofer, Jerome Lampro, who has roofed 70 domes. He and his son are flying in from Eureka, California on April 29 to roof the new construction and reroof the existing dome and its extensions.

The next two photos show the slats installed and closed. The cedar now extends up the walls into the cieling panels. There is a fixed wall at the left end of the first photo whose interior will consist of horizontal T&G cedar boards.

The last two photos of this series show exterior views, the first from the mauka (ocean) side and the second from the makai (mountain) side. Note the building is fully sheathed in texture 1-11 siding. Note also the two bathroom windows on the mauka side and the extended roof over the front entry deck on the makai side. This work has taken us to the end of week thirteen of the project. We next expect to do the front and rear decks and to bring in the plumbers and electricians for roughing in work which will take us through week 15.