Each of these projects involved an intimate hands on experience from design through construction and first use.

Each one was knee deep in sawdust 48 hours before opening. The final construction, WorkFurniture installation and design for the first event was going on in the space simultaneously - these environments were created by the active involvement by the entire ValueWeb with everyone, interested in and helping each other get ready. There was one unifying goal: to create a magic place for knowledge work and transformation.

Despite the press of a deadline, there was neither panic nor compromise. The deadline brought focus - not frustration. Each of the 7 Domains of a healthy Center were equally addressed.

This experience became an annealing agent. It fused purpose, future aspirations and the work of the present. The physical nature of the work grounded the experience and made the idea of the enterprise real.

As the final construction is completed, the Armature and WorkFurniture set, it is time to dress the space: plants, art objects, tools, knowledge-objects, stimulating puzzles, books, toys, supplies and media equipment

This is not a linear process. As knowledge workers experiment with how the space can be used, this suggests new modules to focus participant learning and collaborative work. Ideas for the event to come, in turn suggest adjustments to the environment.

Place is practiced into being.

Creative work is best accomplished when it is an act of celebration.

The glass stairway by the elevators is almost finished and ready to get its glass treads. The stairs go up and project through the roof of the NavCenter portion of the project to the special education rooms on the floors above Access to all of these areas will be predominately through the front of the navCenter. This sets some interesting ENTRY conditions [link: navcenter entry]. The glass elevators and baloneys will be dominate features of the project and will both emphasize and bring scale to the vertical space of the great room. They provide an interesting view down to the main floor - present, yet detached.

The glass rail allows an unobstructed view out into the space. This will look down on the columns, beams and truss, of the Armature, directly into the suspension system (and large projection screen #10), and up to the existing concrete and glass dome.

This picture, taken at 15:30 on November 26th, of the historic dome (one of the first of its type built), shows the quality of light it provides.

The view down to the Lolly Pop Columns gives a sense of their scale in the environment. They top off just below the balcony bottom and the beams, that rest on them, rise toward the center and of the Armature Truss. The Armature, PODs and WorkFurniture make up the predominate wood elements of the space along with the floor. They are surrounded by concrete, steel, glass, tile and plaster. This combination of materials will “pull” the energy into the collaborative center of the environment.

The new HVAC system will be shrouded by curved sheet rock elements. this work is now about 50% done and will be complete this week.

The work on the multimedia system is now in high gear. The NavCenter will have a complete media control and production studio capable of sending, receiving and displaying multiple signals to all places in the center. Besides walking into a physical place, users of the Center will be surrounded by a media space of content and images. Over 8 different images at a time can be sent to any of 30 display screens. Multiple cameras will record sounds and images to be sent to the media room to be displayed, edited, broadcast and made part of documents and media works. These products can be sent to other locations in a variety of forms. This is not just for show - this system is specifically designed to facilitate interaction, group dialog and understanding as well as collaboration.

The glass is being set on the elevator balcony creating a transparent sitting area overlooking the great room.

As the shroud around the HVAC is completed, wiring and mounts for speakers and projectors are being installed. The great room is a very bright acoustic space that can be tuned for great effect - this will take some time.

View from the Media Room down into the main space. The sheet rock covering of the HVAC is being finished and the scaffolding for setting the Armature is beginning to go up.The red at the left of the photo is the waterproofing membrane being set in the Garden Area.

The Media Room is on a balcony above the KnowledgeWorkers Work Room. Racks are being set for the media equipment and workstations.

The glass rails and floor at the elevator balcony are nearly complete. This balcony looks out directly into the great room and through the Armature to the work space below. Suspended from the Armature, will be a 2 by 3 meter screen for viewing from this balcony.

The conflict - a matter of a few inches - between the top of the Armature Truss and the shroud around the HVAC. By lowering the Truss closer to its final height, this is avoided. Every dimension was checked except this one reminding all of the old saying “measure twice, cut once.”

Setbacks like this are always disappointing as they break the rhythm of the work which is so important for productivity. Once a pace has been established the work progresses rapidly. Small errors cost more than a surface view reveals - too many errors and the spirit, so necessary for good work, is adversely affected. We got through this one with most of our tail feathers still intact but a repeat will not be so easy to overcome.