2008 - London's New Clay Art Centre - 664 Dundas
2009 - Heat, electricity, plumbing
2010 - Classes Begin
2011 - Finishing the building
2012 - Façade work begins
2013 - 2nd Floor Restoration
2009 - Heat, electricity, plumbing
2010 - Classes Begin
2011 - Finishing the building
2012 - Façade work begins
2013 - 2nd Floor Restoration
click images to enlarge
January 2009
Heat, electricity, plumbing
Warmth, light, and water - simple things, except when you are renovating a 100 year old building!
In the interest of keeping some warmth in the building over the course of the winter, we've fired up our old gas heater. This will keep the pipes from freezing and the workers warm once construction begins. Potters Guild members have been working on installing new insulation on the first floor ceiling.
A team of members met on site to scrutinize the draft floor plan and to make further recommendations for improved efficiency. We have amassed a detailed list of specifications for the equipments we require in the studio. This has been handed over to a mechanical engineer who will do the necessary calculations and layout detailing to properly accommodate our plumbing and electrical needs. Once this is in hand, it will be taken to the City for approval and ultimately a building permit, which will allow us to begin the actual construction phase of the project. We hired HAP Mechanical to fully design and engineer the interior components of the HVAC system. This too plays heavily into the calculations of the mechanical engineer. HAP will be able to start installing their components over the winter months. We continue to investigate geothermal heating, and are moving closer to a decision.
Demolition also continues. Over the course of the past few months, teams of workers have spent time stripping more tiles off the ceiling, removing the plaster from the southeast wall to expose the beautiful yellow brick that will serve as our store area, hauling donated materials to the second floor for safe keeping, and insulating the first floor ceiling to hold the heat.
The façade drawings are being considered for Heritage designation down the road. A revised quote for renovation is coming, which will allow us to apply for grant and loan incentive monies for façade restoration through the City. It is our hope to be able to start working on it as well over the winter months.
Warmth, light, and water - simple things, except when you are renovating a 100 year old building!
In the interest of keeping some warmth in the building over the course of the winter, we've fired up our old gas heater. This will keep the pipes from freezing and the workers warm once construction begins. Potters Guild members have been working on installing new insulation on the first floor ceiling.
A team of members met on site to scrutinize the draft floor plan and to make further recommendations for improved efficiency. We have amassed a detailed list of specifications for the equipments we require in the studio. This has been handed over to a mechanical engineer who will do the necessary calculations and layout detailing to properly accommodate our plumbing and electrical needs. Once this is in hand, it will be taken to the City for approval and ultimately a building permit, which will allow us to begin the actual construction phase of the project. We hired HAP Mechanical to fully design and engineer the interior components of the HVAC system. This too plays heavily into the calculations of the mechanical engineer. HAP will be able to start installing their components over the winter months. We continue to investigate geothermal heating, and are moving closer to a decision.
Demolition also continues. Over the course of the past few months, teams of workers have spent time stripping more tiles off the ceiling, removing the plaster from the southeast wall to expose the beautiful yellow brick that will serve as our store area, hauling donated materials to the second floor for safe keeping, and insulating the first floor ceiling to hold the heat.
The façade drawings are being considered for Heritage designation down the road. A revised quote for renovation is coming, which will allow us to apply for grant and loan incentive monies for façade restoration through the City. It is our hope to be able to start working on it as well over the winter months.
May 2009
Geothermal Drilling Begins
After months of investigation and patient work with our contractors, the London Potters Guild has decided to install a geothermal HVAC system. The up front cost is significantly higher than a traditional system, but since we own the building and plan to be in it for many many years, we will recoup the investment, and the environment will benefit as well.
The London Potters Guild becomes the first commercial use of geothermal heating and cooling, and the first retro-fit using this system. 8 holes ill be drilled vertically to a depth of between 300 and 400 feet. video on geothermal
Geothermal HVAC systems are much more cost efficient in terms of fuel usage - 400% more efficient using electricity for cooling and 200% more efficient using gas for heating. In part, this is because they use the latent heating/cooling capacity of the earth instead of heating/cooling generated solely by burning gas for heating or by solely using electricity for cooling. The savings are greater for electric because electricity is more expensive than gas.
Our geothermal system may still use some electricity to augment heating in the winter on the coldest of days and to augment cooling in the summer on the very hottest of days, but the usage would be far less than conventional systems that use the fuel source constantly. In fact, we anticipate the back up, electric system will rarely be called into service since the system is engineered to handle the hottest and coldest days we experience in London.
We anticipate the operational cost savings enjoyed through this system to be approximately $4000 a year.
Drilling for the geothermal HVAC system started on May 11. In advance of that a few Guild members paid visits to several of 664’s closest neighbours to let them know in advance the work might be noisy. People were very appreciative that we took the time to let them know what is happening. Merchants in the Old East Village are excited about our project and there were many well wishes.
The full mechanical and architectural drawings for the entire first floor have been sent to the City for approval and a building permit. Interior work will begin shortly thereafter.
In advance of this construction, Guild members did more demolition and clean-up.
After months of investigation and patient work with our contractors, the London Potters Guild has decided to install a geothermal HVAC system. The up front cost is significantly higher than a traditional system, but since we own the building and plan to be in it for many many years, we will recoup the investment, and the environment will benefit as well.
The London Potters Guild becomes the first commercial use of geothermal heating and cooling, and the first retro-fit using this system. 8 holes ill be drilled vertically to a depth of between 300 and 400 feet. video on geothermal
Geothermal HVAC systems are much more cost efficient in terms of fuel usage - 400% more efficient using electricity for cooling and 200% more efficient using gas for heating. In part, this is because they use the latent heating/cooling capacity of the earth instead of heating/cooling generated solely by burning gas for heating or by solely using electricity for cooling. The savings are greater for electric because electricity is more expensive than gas.
Our geothermal system may still use some electricity to augment heating in the winter on the coldest of days and to augment cooling in the summer on the very hottest of days, but the usage would be far less than conventional systems that use the fuel source constantly. In fact, we anticipate the back up, electric system will rarely be called into service since the system is engineered to handle the hottest and coldest days we experience in London.
We anticipate the operational cost savings enjoyed through this system to be approximately $4000 a year.
Drilling for the geothermal HVAC system started on May 11. In advance of that a few Guild members paid visits to several of 664’s closest neighbours to let them know in advance the work might be noisy. People were very appreciative that we took the time to let them know what is happening. Merchants in the Old East Village are excited about our project and there were many well wishes.
The full mechanical and architectural drawings for the entire first floor have been sent to the City for approval and a building permit. Interior work will begin shortly thereafter.
In advance of this construction, Guild members did more demolition and clean-up.
June 2009
London Potters Guild Wins Green Brick Award
The London Potters Guild was thrilled to receive the Green Brick Award from the Urban League of London for its redevelopment of 664 Dundas Street. Established in 1985, the Green Brick Award is given annually to recognize developments that take community concerns into account at both the planning and development stages of a project. more about award and past winners
We have received a work permit from the city and interior work on the first floor has begun. First on the list is plumbing. More demolition and clean up work is identified each day, and the London Potters Guild members continue to put in hundreds of volunteer hours doing this work.
And we continue to raise funds for this project through individual gifts, foundation grants, and fundraising events. This month we held our annual seconds sale. A "second" is piece of pottery that has a defect (or often, one that the potter doesn't like). London Potters Guild members donate their seconds to the Guild and each year, hundreds of people line up early at Ailsa Craig Village Pottery to scoop up great deals on beautiful pottery.
The London Potters Guild was thrilled to receive the Green Brick Award from the Urban League of London for its redevelopment of 664 Dundas Street. Established in 1985, the Green Brick Award is given annually to recognize developments that take community concerns into account at both the planning and development stages of a project. more about award and past winners
We have received a work permit from the city and interior work on the first floor has begun. First on the list is plumbing. More demolition and clean up work is identified each day, and the London Potters Guild members continue to put in hundreds of volunteer hours doing this work.
And we continue to raise funds for this project through individual gifts, foundation grants, and fundraising events. This month we held our annual seconds sale. A "second" is piece of pottery that has a defect (or often, one that the potter doesn't like). London Potters Guild members donate their seconds to the Guild and each year, hundreds of people line up early at Ailsa Craig Village Pottery to scoop up great deals on beautiful pottery.
July 2009
New ceilings, refinished floors, framing
This month we made huge strides in making the London Clay Art Centre our own space.
The ceiling is now fully dry walled. A skilled craft man has repaired the part of hardwood floor by patching the broken and missing pieces using old wood salvaged from an unneeded section. The floor was sanded and refinished and it looks fabulous. Plumbing and electricity continue. We also removed a huge safe that had been left. The concrete floor has been poured and levelled and it also looks great. Construction is beginning on the walls for the kiln room and glaze kitchen.
The eighth and final geo thermal hole was drilled outside by Contract Drilling Professionals, and the HVAC system will be completely installed soon.
City regulations require a clean basement, so a crew of dedicated Guild members hauled out all the junk that the previous 100 years' owners had left.
Meanwhile, we prepare to move from our East Lions Artisans Centre to our new home. No August classes have been scheduled, and potters are completing their pieces prior to the move. We are on track for a September move in and a launch of our fall classes.
This month we made huge strides in making the London Clay Art Centre our own space.
The ceiling is now fully dry walled. A skilled craft man has repaired the part of hardwood floor by patching the broken and missing pieces using old wood salvaged from an unneeded section. The floor was sanded and refinished and it looks fabulous. Plumbing and electricity continue. We also removed a huge safe that had been left. The concrete floor has been poured and levelled and it also looks great. Construction is beginning on the walls for the kiln room and glaze kitchen.
The eighth and final geo thermal hole was drilled outside by Contract Drilling Professionals, and the HVAC system will be completely installed soon.
City regulations require a clean basement, so a crew of dedicated Guild members hauled out all the junk that the previous 100 years' owners had left.
Meanwhile, we prepare to move from our East Lions Artisans Centre to our new home. No August classes have been scheduled, and potters are completing their pieces prior to the move. We are on track for a September move in and a launch of our fall classes.
August 2009
Framing of walls, a stained glass discovered
We continue to make progress on the the interior of the building. The 3 bathrooms are framed and the kiln room. The brick walls have been completely cleaned of debris and will be beautiful in our gallery area.
A stained-glass window, hidden by a wall for many years, has been revealed. We are altering our construction plans to show off this window.
We continue to make progress on the the interior of the building. The 3 bathrooms are framed and the kiln room. The brick walls have been completely cleaned of debris and will be beautiful in our gallery area.
A stained-glass window, hidden by a wall for many years, has been revealed. We are altering our construction plans to show off this window.
September 2009
Fall meeting in new space, nearly ready for move in
September 15 is the move-in date. Our bags are packed and we are ready to go. The new London Clay Art Centre was host to the London Potters Guild September members' meeting. We welcomed many new members to our organization, and people were amazed at the progress.
We have completed full plans for the first and second floors. PDF Master Design Plan
September 15 is the move-in date. Our bags are packed and we are ready to go. The new London Clay Art Centre was host to the London Potters Guild September members' meeting. We welcomed many new members to our organization, and people were amazed at the progress.
We have completed full plans for the first and second floors. PDF Master Design Plan
We're in - let the pottery begin!
With the effort of dozens of volunteers and careful movers, our supplies, furniture, tools, wheels, and kilns were safely relocated on September 15. Construction continued throughout the end of September for our first class on September 28.
With the effort of dozens of volunteers and careful movers, our supplies, furniture, tools, wheels, and kilns were safely relocated on September 15. Construction continued throughout the end of September for our first class on September 28.
October 2009
Finishing continues, new kilns
We are enjoying using our new space and each day more is completed. The hardwood floors are complete and beautiful. We've received two new beautiful kilns from Tuckers Pottery Supplies and look forward to using them. Our 100 year old stained-glass window has been cleaned and mounted. Original light fixtures, which were on the second floor, are now mounted in the store/gallery space and they are beautiful.
We are enjoying using our new space and each day more is completed. The hardwood floors are complete and beautiful. We've received two new beautiful kilns from Tuckers Pottery Supplies and look forward to using them. Our 100 year old stained-glass window has been cleaned and mounted. Original light fixtures, which were on the second floor, are now mounted in the store/gallery space and they are beautiful.
November 2009
Our first public event
The London Clay Art Centre opened its doors to a huge public gathering during the November 27-29 weekend. Our Fall Show and Sale was held in the new centre, with over 40 artists participating. Our worries that a new venue would hurt attendance were set aside as we saw the hundreds of eager shoppers stream through the doors. The show set records for number of artists and revenue.
Friday night, a jazz ensemble of musicians Tom Starks and Don Durkee delighted the packed crowd of pottery-lovers. Wine from Carolinian Estates added to the festivities. Thanks to local secondary students we even had dancing teapots to beckon people into the show. Continuing on through Saturday and Sunday the show had wheel-throwing demonstrations and door prizes throughout each day.
Our official grand opening will come in 2010, but this 3-day event was a fantastic way to show off our new home to the hundreds of people who came to browse, shop and enjoy.
The London Clay Art Centre opened its doors to a huge public gathering during the November 27-29 weekend. Our Fall Show and Sale was held in the new centre, with over 40 artists participating. Our worries that a new venue would hurt attendance were set aside as we saw the hundreds of eager shoppers stream through the doors. The show set records for number of artists and revenue.
Friday night, a jazz ensemble of musicians Tom Starks and Don Durkee delighted the packed crowd of pottery-lovers. Wine from Carolinian Estates added to the festivities. Thanks to local secondary students we even had dancing teapots to beckon people into the show. Continuing on through Saturday and Sunday the show had wheel-throwing demonstrations and door prizes throughout each day.
Our official grand opening will come in 2010, but this 3-day event was a fantastic way to show off our new home to the hundreds of people who came to browse, shop and enjoy.
2008 - London's New Clay Art Centre - 664 Dundas
2009 - Heat, electricity, plumbing
2010 - A Full Winter
2011 - Finishing the building
2012 - Façade work begins
2013 - 2nd Floor Restoration
2009 - Heat, electricity, plumbing
2010 - A Full Winter
2011 - Finishing the building
2012 - Façade work begins
2013 - 2nd Floor Restoration
