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August 13, 2019
"Sanctuary Now Stronger Than Any Time in 119 Years"
That astonishing report came from our architect and general contractor who are overseeing the rebuilding of our 119-year-old Sanctuary. The entire western half of the structure, which has been undergoing seismic retrofitting since April 1, now has a steel-reinforced concrete foundation and steel columns holding up the oldest and most vulnerable portion of the building.

See This Quick Video of Recent Work
See this quick video of recent work.

Full scene of new moment frame along patio wall.
Full scene of new moment frame along patio wall.
Huge beam brought in with a reach lift.
Huge beam brought in with a reach lift.


The shoring that we all see while walking to and from worship service has reinforced the roof while the old and crumbling rock and mortar foundation and old walls were removed. Dirt was taken out to allow massive new foundations in huge trenches to be built. Footings for the new steel columns were added at the same time.

Then the "surgical" work of bringing in and placing the massive steel columns and beams that form the two critical "moment frames" began. The work took just two days in early August but felt like years for the professionals who maneuvered the hundreds of pounds of custom-fabricated girders onto huge plates and then onto the tops of the beams.

Actively monitored welding -- to ensure there was no fire threat inside the Sanctuary -- connected the beams to the columns so that steel and concrete structural "units" were created that will safeguard the building when the next major earthquake strikes. These "moment frames" are now in place and support the western half of the building. 

The next steps will be to connect the new steel structure to wood framing and beams that the architect believes were installed in the 1920s, the 1960s and also the 1980s, but were never connected together to create a seismic support system for the entire building.

Setting Column Into Place Is Delicate!
Setting column put into place is delicate!

 
Massive steel beam brought in with reach lift.


Steel "x" frame helps tie building together.


North wall by Bell Tower sees "moment frame" come together.


Welds connect all the steel together - overseen by fire watch team.

Grinding the tops of columns allow the beams to set into place.


Bolts are also used to connect steel frames.


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New Shear Walls Add "Lateral" Support to Sanctuary
You have probably noticed that the western wall of the Sanctuary - the wall facing the street - has been framed and rebuilt using structural-grade plywood, providing shear walls that with the door/window headers will tie the building to the new foundations and steel network of beams and columns.

The baptistery has also been framed in and rebuilt - it's now sitting on a fully reinforced steel and concrete foundation, making the street side of the Sanctuary much stronger. The newly rebuilt Bell Tower anchors the northwest corner of the building to the newly reinforced walls to make that end of the building stronger than ever before.

Front wall of church facing Eucalyptus Lane is rebuilt, adding seismic strength.

Schedule, Budget Being Monitored Weekly
Shoring of West End of Building Allows for Strengthening Before Taking Apart Middle, East Side of Building
The phasing of the shoring, demolition and rebuilding has had to be adjusted to account for the very poor structural condition of the floors and walls, our general contractor reported to us. Once the demolition got under way, it became obvious that only smaller portions of the old building could be removed at one time without jeopardizing the entire structure.

This has caused some very minor delays in the schedule. The contractor, architect and Project Facilities committee of lay leaders meet weekly to review all of the architectural, engineering and construction details. It's hoped the couple of weeks lost with the new phasing will be made up during the coming few months.

There have been no major budget surprises during the first four months of construction. However, we are researching a few needs that have arisen which will require dipping into the project contingency. It's been known from the project inception that our 18 percent contingency may be needed for items that could not be anticipated. Examples include planning costs for Southern California Edison to oversee the installation of a new electrical system for the area around Eucalyptus Lane; and requirements by Santa Barbara County to increase the amount and type of wood framing. 

Other categories we are checking now that could see an increase are steel costs and the newly designed fire sprinkler system. Once more details are known, we'll provide a summary to the parish in future newsletters.

Main entrance door at right and entire western portion of the Sanctuary now sit on a reinforced foundation.

New foundation sits under baptismal font area.

Check This Video of Entire Inside of Sanctuary Being Renovated
360 View of the Sanctuary Work in August
360 View of the Sanctuary Work in August