Rebuilding Roxbury, MA
A new concept in housing is being developed here with a grassroots development corporation called Nuestra Comunidad converting abandoned buildings into single room occupancy (SRO) units for low-income or homeless people.
Archives: BV TV
Pine Porch Ceiling
Contractor Larry Landers installs V-groove pine on the ceiling of the new front porch and demonstrates how to stagger and miter boards for an attractive, old-fashioned look.
Constructing a Custom-Recessed Bulkhead Door
Contractor Larry Landers builds a trapdoor to enable access to the old bulkhead from outside. Sheet lead flashing and an ice-and-water barrier are used to waterproof the trapdoor. To give the door stability, four pressure-treated cleats are used.
Touring Vizcaya
Bob visits Vizcaya, a remarkable Italian Renaissance-style palazzo. Head curator Doris Littlefield shows Bob around the 70-room mansion and 12-acre estate gardens.
Installing the Lavatory
Bob observes plumbing contractor Steve Bottazzi install a lavatory (faucet and sink) in a bathroom vanity.
Building the “Floating” Deck
The “floating” deck is built off the master bedroom, over the kitchen. Under the decking, rubber padding is placed.
Laying Glazed Ceramic Floor Tiles
Floor tiles are installed in the bathroom after the underlayment has dried and chalk reference lines have been drawn. Tips on cutting and laying tile are given.
Constructing a Clapboard Sunburst Fan
Bob joins siding contractor Brian Quinn, who is constructing a beautiful gable-end sunburst fan from clapboard siding. Quinn explains how to lay out the center moon, how to calculate the spacing and size of each fan, and how to cut the material.
Tour of the Georgia Pacific Plywood Plant
Bob takes a tour of the Georgia Pacific plywood plant near Savannah, GA to see how birch veneer plywood is made.
Creating the Built-in Cabinets
Bob meets with Ryley to discuss the site-built, built-in cabinets of birch plywood. Ryley demonstrates many of the cuts and jigs used in crafting the cabinets, and the techniques used to make the panel doors.