Let’s start with ciphering (before introducing my current coving challenge). I first heard the term “ciphering” used to describe job site problematizing, brainstorming, and generally massaging construction plans into completed carpentry in 2005 when we were renovating the Lapine House. From a linguistic perspective, the idea of describing the process of analyzing plans, troubleshooting an action plan, and navigating the inevitable impediments as “ciphering” fascinated me. Not deciphering. Not decrypting. This was one of the first times I perplexed our contractors with my inquisitiveness about terminology. Not the last.
Okay, with that abbreviated “ciphering” backstory (thorough explanation for use of the term never really developed) introducing this post, let’s move on to the icehouse coving — actually a cove lighting/molding integration that’s still evolving — that needs to progress from planning to installation soon.
During my recent on-site meetings with the team I discussed a specific twist that needs resolving in order to move forward with coving construction (and tie-rod fabrication). There are ledgers along the north wall and south wall top plates that were installed in 2006 as part of our roof rebuild. All of the rafters land on these ledgers. The rebuilt roof is robust in part because of this interesting workaround, but it creates a 1-1/2” step near the top of the wall that introduces an impediment (or possibly a benefit) for coving construction. Basically, our construction plan (A402, detail 4) does not account for this plane discrepancy. I’m endeavoring to integrate the step structurally into the cove construction. Although this structural element creates an added challenge, I actually think that it might contribute to a pragmatic solution.
I had created a hasty sketch when I met met with the team in order to illustrate what I was envisioning. A couple of days on site to refresh my memory on the field conditions has inevitably evolved my thinking. These new concepts offer further progress. I think I’m *almost* there.
I circulated these quick sketches to [hopefully] inspire a free flow of ideas so that we can zero in on an optimal plan. My idea doesn’t (yet) integrate electrical, focusing just on structural and finish integration. Stay tuned…
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