Shillman House Chronicles #40

The greening of Shillman House is happening! We are now in the final stages of preparing the site for our arriving residents. The landscaping in the south courtyard and around the building is just lovely and wonderfully inviting.

The furniture is in! Here is the living room at the building's entry. The colors are vibrant but soothing. Look beyond this space and you can see the bistro. It is already set up and ready to be enjoyed. These spaces, like the entire building, are designed to be comfortable and welcoming.  We are set for our June 1 opening!

Shillman House Chronicles #39

Here's a glimpse of the soon-to-be-completed Shillman House Salon. The women who live at Shillman will not have to go far to have their hair cut and styled -- and the men will also enjoy the ease of having a hair cut without leaving the building. The space is simply gorgeous.  This is just one of the many on-site amenities that will be available to all who live here.

The south courtyard, which can be accessed directly from the dining room, will soon be a central gathering space.  The landscaping is now in process. It will soon be furnished with lovely garden furniture   It's easy  to imagine the space filled with residents getting to know one another and enjoying beautiful weather (the sun is bound to appear soon!!)

Shillman House Chronicles #38

As spring in New England emerges, the outside site work is a focus once again.Workers are busy with preparations to pour the sidewalks near the Shillman House entry. The exterior of the building is almost complete!

 Welcome to the soon-to-be-completed art studio. This space is so inviting. The natural light is wonderful and the room is a good size. No doubt, this will be a popular spot for those with long-term artistic skills as well as though who will be picking up a brush for the first time!

Shillman House Chronicles #37

In the basement of Shillman House, workmen are busy putting in the controls and monitoring systems associated with the Shillman geothermal wells. Ten on-site geothermal wells will be used with energy efficient ground-source heat pumps to provide efficient and cost-effective heating and cooling for the building.  Installation of the wiring, sensors and probes is underway.  

The Shillman House Bistro is now functioning as a work space for finish millwork.  But, soon it will be a destination meeting place for our future residents to relax, enjoy breakfast, share a laugh over a cup of coffee and just hang out.  

Shillman House Chronicles #36

Construction of the Shillman House interior is moving into the final stretches.  The carpets are being installed and the lighting is in. There are so many beautiful details.  Here's a view from the elevator lobby, looking toward the reception desk and the building's main entry.  The space is bright and spacious.  Soon the place will be bustling with residents and activity.  

The Shillman kitchen equipment has arrived!  Imagine the wonderful meals that will be lovingly prepared for our residents each day from this professional and modern kitchen.  David Seltzer, JCHE's Director of Dining Services, says "The kitchen looks incredible. I cannot wait to get in there and start cooking!"

Shillman House Chronicles #35

This is a shot of the Media Center.  It will have built-in computer stations with shelving for supplies. The adjacent wall (not shown) is all windows, so the lighting is inviting.  It's easy to envision that someday soon, there will be residents taking a class here or searching the Web.

Here is a view from the common area corridor into the future convenience store.  Glass is being installed on the door and windows.  This will be a very handy spot when residents are seeking a sandwich, an apple and other grocery items.  

Shillman House Chronicles #34

Thanks to Millie Tubman and Circle Furniture, we have furnished a model apartment.  The space (which we all thought was lovely bare!) really shines when decorated.  According to Millie, "When thinking of furnishings for the model apartments, I wanted to use furniture pieces that would allow possibilities and options for individual and personal choices.  I tried to create beautiful and cheerful spaces that were comfortable as well as functional.  It was important to make the apartments feel homey and inviting for everyday living.  I wanted to show how color and nice furniture could create a wonderful home even in a small space."

Shillman House Chronicles #33

The mailroom for Shillman House residents is just to the right of the building's entrance.  The mailboxes are built-ins with nice features. The paint, lighting and woodwork in this area make it an attractive space to run into neighbors when picking up the mail!  Just beyond the mailroom, you can see the Shillman House offices.

Even the bathrooms are beautiful!  They are spacious with modern fixtures, a large walk-in shower with a bench, maple cabinets, granite countertops, lovely lighting, heat lamp and an emergency pull cord.   And like other rooms in the apartment, the closet space is generous.

Shillman House Chronicles: Entry #32

Over the past month, there has been amazing progress in the construction of Shillman House, most of it occurring inside.  The common area is coming alive.  New paint, millwork, doors, and lighting.  It's just beautiful!

The Shillman House library will be an inviting --  and very well lit --  destination for our future residents to gather.  The built-in bookshelves will soon be filled with interesting books and other materials to read and enjoy.  Note the built-in newspaper rack all the way on the right.  It will soon be filled with the Framingham Tab, Metrowest Daily News and Boston Globe!

Shillman House Chronicles: Entry #31

Great front page article and video in Metrowest Daily News!

Home Stretch: Work on Shillman House Almost Completed
http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x1390758790/Home-Stretch-Work-on-Shillman-House-nearly-complete

Check out the video here:

Shillman House Chronicles: Entry #30

There is more to developing a site than just putting up a building.  Surface water management for the Shillman site includes an infiltration system designed to capture and infiltrate storm-water, keeping water on site and protecting neighboring properties and Hop Brook.  In this photo, you can see conservation land to the left and the Shillman House parking lot and building to the right.

There is so much progress inside Shillman House.  The shell of the two Shillman elevators is now completed, including the mechanical and electrical systems.  The elevator doors have been installed.  Interior finishes will be completed at the end of the construction process.  The elevator won't become operational until the building's life safety systems and egresses are complete.  With these two elevators, Shillman House will be universally accessible.

Shillman House Chronicles #29

The construction of Shillman House is proceeding quickly these days, both inside and out.  Construction is now 75% complete!  The view from the back of Shillman House shows that all of the detail on the exterior of the building is now finished. The base course for the parking lot paving has been set.  The sidewalks and curbing are going in.

The real activity at Shillman House is now taking place inside the building.  The common rooms are beautiful with large windows that provide great natural light.  What you see here is the future mailroom, a space that residents will frequent often.  The drywall support system for the ceiling is in process. The wiring for the electrical, communication and fire alarm systems is still exposed, but will soon be covered once the ceiling is complete.

Shillman House Chronicles #28

Here's a view of the south courtyard, which is now being prepared for future Shillman residents.  There will be a small lawn area with a tree in the center of the courtyard (shown in the bottom left of the image).  It will be surrounded by concrete sidewalks.  Shrubs and perennials will rim the edges.  There is no question that this will be a favorite space among residents for enjoying the outdoors and time with one another.

Members of JCHE's Resident Services Committee for Shillman House and JCHE staff put on hardhats and took a tour to check out the progress.  They gave Shillman House an enthusiastic 'thumbs up.'  (left to right) Merle Grandberg, Laura Magasanik, Laura Isenberg, David Seltzer, Marcia Rosenberg, Nancy Karp, Maxine Bookless, Malka Young, Amy Schectman, Caren Silverlieb, Judy Bernstein, Susan Krinsky, Ellen Bloch, Gaye Freed, Mara Klein Collins, and Helen Kass.

Shillman House Chronicles: Entry #27

Site work on the Weinberg Campus continues in anticipation of pavement placement and final grades.  One can really envision what it will feel like to drive up to Shillman House in June when the building is complete! The siding is near completion on the two east-facing wings, and the detail has progressed as well.  Architect DiMella Shaffer has designed a beautiful, functional and very green building for our future residents to enjoy.

Inside Shillman House, the activity is moving ahead at an amazing pace.  Wiring for cable and communications are going in.  Hallway walls are being painted.  The apartments are really taking shape.  Each will be equipped with a complete kitchen, including ceramic tile, ample maple cabinets, and granite counter tops.  They each have full refrigerator, oven/stove and dishwasher.  The kitchens are simply lovely.

Shillman House Chronicles: Entry #26

Shillman House is now almost 60% completed!  Siding, windows, shingles and detail on the northeast wing are nearly finished.  Soon the exterior of the entire building will be done.  Following installation of the underground utilities, the land on the Weinberg Campus has been leveled and readied for future finished grade.

Much is happening on the inside of Shillman House.  The mechanical room has been transformed.  The boilers and other equipment have been installed.  Now that the gas, electricity, water and geothermal systems are in, soon the Shillman heating system will be operational for the winter.  Now that's progress!

Shillman House Chronicles: Entry #25

The worker is connecting pipes from the 10 geothermal wells to the basement of the northeast wing of Shillman House.  There, the 55 degree water from the earth will circulate in the pipes to add efficiency to our heating and cooling systems.  A real energy saver!

How about this view of Shillman House from Edmands Road?  The siding of the southwest wing is nearly complete.  The southeast wing in the background is not far behind.  Every day brings new changes!

Shillman House Chronicles: Entry #24

Attention is moving now to the southwest wing of Shillman House (facing Edmands Road), where workers are preparing and installing hardy panel trim to the building.  How about the new brickwork in the foreground?  Looking good!!

Here we are viewing the southeast wing.  The new brickwork is located near the future entry to Shillman House.  Notice the steel casings of the 1,500 foot deep geothermal wells and trenches.  These will soon hold the pipes that will feed the building's heating and cooling system with 55 degree water. 

The construction of the southeast and southwest wings is just a few paces behind the northern wings -- but they are quickly catching up!!

Shillman House Chronicles: Entry #23

Construction of Shillman House is more than 50% complete!  Exterior work continues as the siding goes up and many details are added.  The eaves are now covered.  The siding on the west-facing part of the building is nearly done.  The installer on the boom lift is making steady progress with the siding on the north-facing part of the northwest wing.  Look how far we have come in just a few weeks!  Click here to see what the building looked like on July 23rd!

Much of the work at Shillman House has now shifted to the interior of the building.  The northeast wing is furthest along.  Amazingly, the walls in some of the apartments are already going up.  Here, two workmen are plastering and sanding the walls of a two-bedroom unit.  When it's complete and decorated, it will be shown as a model apartment!

Shillman House Chronicles: Entry #22

Amy Schectman, JCHE's new CEO and President, began her second day with an early morning tour of Shillman House. Standing in one of the common area rooms in the first floor southeast wing, she was briefed on the great progress we've made in the construction of Shillman House.

The exterior of the northeast and northwest wings of Shillman House are looking more and more complete. The carpenter on the closest boon lift is installing Hardy trim and panels to the northeast wing. Further away on the northwest wing, workers continue to put up the siding. The water truck in the foreground is used for dust control on the site. It is exciting to see the evolution of Shillman House into a beautiful building.

Shillman House Chronicles: Entry #21

Great progress on Shillman House this week! While the exterior work is still moving forward, much of the activity has moved to the interior of the building.Here, blue board is being brought to the fourth floor of the northeast wing for construction of apartment bathroom walls.

Utility work is also taking center stage at Shillman House on the Weinberg Campus. Here, a newly laid drain pipe in the south courtyard is being covered with gravel.  As for the Shillman building, the southeast and southwest wings are now both wrapped in vapor barrier.