Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Recycling our construction debris

Our company policy has long been to recycle as much as of the debris as possible that is associated with construction and remodeling. In an effort to see first-hand what happens after the recycling company leaves our jobsites, today we toured United Recycling, the facility where this material is sorted and processed. We were greeted by perfect blue skies, crystal clear views of the Cascades and Mount Baker, and Bruce, who manages the facility.


United recycles an impressive 95% of materials it receives in their neat and organized facility. If it has a use here in the Northwest, United will sort it out and make sure it is put to good use instead of going to a landfill. They do some of the processing into final product themselves: they make topsoil and several kinds of mulch from shredding and composting stumps and brush; they crush concrete and asphalt into several sizes usable for grading and road building; and they shred lumber to create hog fuel, which is burned to create electricity or can be used for landscaping. They also sort and bundle an impressive variety of other materials that are found in jobsite waste, including metals, rigid plastics, sheet and film plastics, glass, and drywall. These materials go on to other processors to create usable products. Bruce is always researching to see if there is a new local market for materials that must currently be diverted to a landfill. At the top of the list is used carpet. Bruce is staying updated about a local facility that will soon be able to process this material. It all makes economic sense, since a facility like United is constantly working to eliminate the cost of sending waste to a landfill, and instead to process and sell whatever is possible.


Above, a pile of materials prior to sorting.


Sorting and crushing concrete.


Sorting lumber from a demolition.


Sorting brush prior to chipping and composting.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Dispaches from the field


Here we see one of our site superintendents, Ray O'Leary, proud of his latest, newly completed project. Nube Green is a new retail store in the historic Oddfellows Hall building. Design was by Domestic Architecture. Nube Green will be selling all manner of goods that are local and "green": recycled, reused, and otherwise helpful to our existince on this planet.




Next up we see Janos (left) and Chris (right) mulling over a specification for roof details for a major residential remodel in Medina that's nearing completion.



As a project nears completion it's always important to protect floor surfaces, so workers have to remove their shoes and work in their socks, or slip cloth booties over their shoes. Chris, the site superintendent for the Medina residence (see above photo) chose a different route and brought in some comfy house slippers.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Dovetail gets good ink!


Very exciting... We just got our paws on an advance printing of "Perspectives on Design Pacific Northwest: Design Philosophies Expressed by the Pacific Northwest's Leading Professionals". This book published by Panache Partners features not only beautiful photographs of some of the region's best designed and executed homes, but also words of wisdom from prominent architects and builders. Best of all, as you can see in the page scan above, there is an entire chapter dedicated to Dovetail work! Photos of some of our best projects are accompanied by inspiring reflections on the construction process by our founder, fearless leader, and head pontificator, Adam Turner! We know you can't wait to get your own copy, so here's a link to purchase this book. More details soon...

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Check out our new website!

We have a great new website! When you next visit www.dovetailinc.net you’ll be able to see many of the projects we’ve completed over the years, both residential and commercial. We’ll also be posting progress images from projects currently in construction. Check in to the ‘community’ section to discover more about the talented and friendly folks working at our company, as well as links to our collaborators and suppliers.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Love birds!


A pair of barn swallows spotted at one of our job sites today.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Record breaking temps

Today's extreme temperatures caused the authorities to issue an official 'heat advisory'! Good thing the Dovetail office has a big garage door and plenty of operable windows to throw open and let the breeze cool things off.

Our wood shop

Chris Dowling runs our fine wood shop. Here are some recent photos:



Clamps.



Bits. Wow, I better not touch those.



Keep those chisels sharp, Chris!



Just look at how organized all those screws and nails are.