Andrew MacDonald started with the Red Antiquities Building project in January of 2012.  One of the youngest workers on the R.A.B. crew, Andrew’s work ethic and positive attitude is a shining example of what promising qualities can be found in our leaders of tomorrow.

Born in Barrie, Ontario, Andrew moved to London when he was 3 years old, enjoys music and playing basketball with friends but is very clear and concise in saying “right now my focus really is on my work.  I’m learning so much and I love doing this job!”  To some, Andrew’s sentiments may seem a little cliché, but spend a few moments simply observing Andrew on the job at the Red Antiquities Building and it doesn’t take long to realize that he fills his boots with honest hard-work and integrity.  Site Foreman, Phil Caudle, is quick to point out, “He’s a great young worker!  Some people you have to take time with and show them multiple times how to do something but not with young Andrew.  He picks it up right away and does a fantastic job every time!  He’s a natural!”

While Andrew will tell you he loves being “hands on” and agrees that being a “quick learner” is one of his greatest assets, Andrew also displays his affection for being a team-player by crediting co-workers like Phil Caudle for taking the time to describe the reasoning behind each technique and process that Andrew has been shown.  “Guys like Phil and Jim have taught me so much when it comes to using various tools and how to do things right the first time.  They tell me the reason why you do something and not just how to do it.  I love learning the ‘why’ behind everything I do and that makes this job perfect for me!”

Andrew found his way to the Red Antiquities Building project by way of a co-op placement through the Pathways Skill Development Construction Technologies Training program – a nine week program allowing participants to increase their skills with a variety of tools and processes required to secure entry-level employment in the construction industry.  Andrew’s demonstrated ability to quickly learn and implement new skills effectively led to Andrew being hired onto the R.A.B. project after his co-op was completed.  “I did blocking for the drywall and helped the electrician pulling cable and doing simple connections.  I’ve learned a lot of the little tricks of the trade that makes everything easier.”  The tone in Andrew’s voice and the vibrance in his youthful expression is refreshing when he states, “It’s crazy the things I’ve been able to see and learn in such a short time!”

Already, Andrew brings experience in working with Sheet Metal, Roofing, Framing, Brick-laying and many tasks involved in home renovations but when asked what aspect of the Red Antiquities Building stands out the most in his mind Andrew answers with “The restoration of the windows have been unreal!”  In fact, the restoration of the 138 year old windows of the R.A.B. have garnered a lot of attention and praise from the community surrounding the project and Andrew counts himself as extremely fortunate to play a part in the restoration having been entrusted with the painting and detailing of the wood framing.  “Seeing the end product really is my motivation  . . . how it looks, the look on the faces of people who see it and the great comments that they make.  That’s what makes it worthwhile!  That’s why I love to do the job – the end result!”

Watching Andrew interact with all members of the R.A.B. crew one can easily determine that Andrew has the ability to work with every crew member whether they be five years older or thirty years older.  “We all get along. We’re like a big family and it makes the day go by so fast.” As for his family away from the job site, Andrew relates, “My family thinks it’s a great project for me to be involved with and they hope to someday see the finished product in person.  I’m looking forward to seeing that full finished product, too!  There’s been so much effort by everyone and I’m proud of what I’ve put into it . . . it feels so good to be a part of it all!”

With the finished product peaking over the horizon, Andrew looks to the future with much anticipation and hopes to continue to play an important role in both new construction and restoration/renovations.  For the crew and all those involved in saving this historically significant wood building, Andrew has not only become part of the family but a very real and concrete example that the foundation of our tomorrow has great promise.  Talented, hardworking and intelligent young individuals like Andrew MacDonald deserve to be celebrated and we are glad to do our part in letting London know they exist!

Bravo, Andrew!  Bravo!

~Greg Yarker

Born in London, David Weeks started at the R.A.B. in October of 2011.  David has assisted the project in many ways including the interior framing and partitioning found in the basement, creating a functional space never before realized in this historical building.  However, its David’s work in the attic of the Red Antiquities Building that will truly leave a lasting legacy for years to come!  Years of foundation corrosion and deterioration of the wood frame and siding had left the roof and attic of the Red Antiquities Building in quite a precarious situation – much more serious than most first realized!  Quite literally, the roof had shifted position and required some ingenuitive thought and skilled handy-work to stabilize the century old wooden truss work before a new roof could be installed.  What we now realize the roof really needed was David Weeks!

When this writer first approached David to interview him in regards to his experience with the Red Antiquities Building, it proved to be quite a challenge.  The challenge came in the form of trying to get David’s undivided attention, not for lack of focus on David’s part, but rather due to the fact that other members of the crew continually came to David for advice and recommendation in regards to their task at hand.  It became clear, in short measure, that David’s experience and knowledge was well respected by his peers in the trade.  David brings to the Red Antiquities Building Project a wealth of experience in Home Renovation, Wood and Steel Framing, Siding Installation, Painting and a head turning education that includes Biology, Chemistry and Robotic Technology.  David’s wide array of perspective and his ability to visualize complex solutions led to his work in the attic of the R.A.B. and what he now calls his “Pride and Joy!”

“It definitely was a challenge,” says David as he thinks back to the work which required him to maneuver in small and limited spaces. “It went from being in a horrible state to being great and it was excellent to be a part of the challenge . . . when my work was inspected by the Engineers and it passed with flying colours on the first inspection it was an incredible feeling!”  When R.A.B Site Supervisor, Barry Primak, talks about the work David did in stabilizing the roof he speaks with accolades, “That wasn’t an easy job! There was nothing easy or straightforward about it!  Hand cut rafters needed to be retrofitted.  David literally had to manufacture the Hip Girders up there, bringing the entire roof back into stabilization.  He headed up that part of the project and he outright conquered it . . . he even exceeded my expectations! David is a very, very skilled framer and any company who picks him up will see him as a definite asset!”

David looks back at his experience with the Red Antiquities Building and identifies that he has learned a great deal.  “I’ve had experience in my past with meeting Residential Code but this has allowed me to learn a lot about meeting Commercial Code. And the guys here have been great.  They’ve been honest and open in approaching me and asking for help and I’ve really enjoyed helping them to problem solve. ”  When asked what sets him apart in being able to accomplish the work which has garnered him so much respect, David simply answers, “I like to get a lot of stuff done as quickly and efficiently as possible, I don’t like excuses and in my mind there’s no problem that can’t be fixed!”

So what’s next for David?  “I hope to go back to school for Physics.  My education has played a key role in my understanding of Carpentry and I think Physics plays a role in so many things around us.  I think I’d like to also focus on Architecture!”

Whatever the future holds for David Weeks, we know the key role he has played in literally upholding a piece of London’s history.  When you travel by the Red Antiquities Building, look up and realize that beneath the new Decra Roofing exists a story and a unique treasure of exceptional craftsmanship!

“Thank You, David!”

~Greg Yarker

Tim Baker was born in Montreal and spent a short time in Nova Scotia before moving to London where most of his formative years have been spent.  Tim went to Sir George Ross Secondary school but admits a lot of his education has been rooted in the elements of Landscaping, a career he has enjoyed immensely for 26 years.

Tim started with the Red Antiquities Building in November of 2011 and came to the project having endured and overcome some significant health challenges.  As the Red Antiquities Building started to enjoy rejuvenation, both physically and symbolically, so did Tim as he put on the work boots and hard hat.  Tim confides, “I’m not here for the reason most would think. Mine’s not the typical story!”  Tim outlines with passion the 26 years of “doing anything and everything in horticulture” and the journey that found him having to take a medical leave from the literal field that he loves so much. “I’m not one to sit around much.  I love physical labour.  So, when I was ready to return to work I went to Pathways and they told me about the Red Antiquities Building.  Through the years I’ve had my share of work in construction . . . Dad always taught me not to put everything I do into one trade!  And so when I heard about the R.A.B. it seemed like a good job until the warmer weather came around again and I could return to landscaping.”  Under the sunny warm skies of an extraordinary March day, Tim beams with pride when detailing that his plan to return to horticulture comes into fruition when he begins a new landscaping job next month.

While Tim’s hard work, dedication and commitment will be missed at the R.A.B, what won’t be overlooked is the impact he has had on the Red Antiquities Building.  Reflecting upon his time spent restoring and renovating this historic wooden building in the heart of SoHo, Tim nods his head repetitively, “A lot of scraping and stripping trim and a lot of painting. But I was happy to do it!  I really just wanted to get back to work and now I’ve been a part of something really important.  This building has come a long way and I really think it’s good for the City and its infrastructure to save our old buildings!”

It would be easy for the average person to complain about the painstaking task of restoring trim and frame from a building that has seen 138 years and multiple layers of paint.  However, Tim’s strong and determined demeanor has garnered a lot of respect from his coworkers.  R.A.B. Site Supervisor Barry Primak says, “He’s a hard worker!  He’s done an incredible job on everything asked of him!” Tim concedes that his experience in landscaping and horticulture has instilled within him a strong work ethic that includes being a “perfectionist” and the ability to implement “great hand eye detail.”

Tim’s excellent attention to detail is perhaps best evident in the work he employed in restoring the Transom window above the main residence door at the RAB.   Tim spent many hours in the confines of the cold basement of the building working on the window.  “That took a lot of hours patiently heating, stripping and sanding the framing!”  While the job required a great deal of meticulous attention, the heat gun required to do the job provided a welcomed source of heat in the dead of winter and the resulting restoration will be certain to warm the hearts of many who will enjoy the beautiful Transom window for years to come.

Looking to the future, Tim is excited to embark on his return as a Landscaper and speaks with tremendous pride about the fact that he’s only a few courses away from obtaining his Certification as a Horticultural Technician.  When asked about personal dreams and desires, one topic in particular stands out.  “Before I die I want to do two things: Go to B.C. and drive an Excavating Spider.  If you don’t know what an excavating spider is just Google it! It’s an amazing piece of equipment that will just blow your mind!”  For Tim who has experience operating large machinery, like Bobcats and Backhoes, the thought of operating an Excavating Spider creates a look upon his face similar to that of a kid on Christmas morning!  “Given the chance, I’d do whatever it takes to operate an Excavating Spider and if it’s going to happen it would be in British Columbia.  That’s pretty much the only place you’ll find an Excavating Spider in Canada.”  For now, Tim is happy to spend his time away from work “with my daughter who is just a little over a year old. I love just hanging out with her!”

“I’ve met a lot of good people here.  It’s been great helping to restore the R.A.B. and I’d love to tour through it when it’s all done and finished!  It’s come such a long way!”  The success of the Red Antiquities Building is due in large part to the countless hours put in by skilled workers like Tim Baker, doing fine, detailed work that will be admired for years to come.  Without the commitment and dedication that Tim has exercised, day in and day out, the project wouldn’t have grown and blossomed the way it has to date!  We have been fortunate to have the talents of Tim Baker and wish him much success as he begins his new job.  Who knows, maybe some day we’ll be able to post a picture of Tim operating an Excavating Spider!

~ Greg Yarker

Sitting across from me, at a picnic table located on the construction site, Nick nods his head with confidence, “I really believe I was born to be a Carpenter.  I learned a lot at Fanshawe and just needed that first job to get that on-site experience.  I really didn’t know a whole lot about the Red Antiquities Building.  I answered the ad looking for skilled work and was hired shortly after!” 

On a project that has largely been focused on saving the historic Red Antiquities Building and giving the building a second chance, in Nick we see that the project is doing so much more and giving recent graduates of skilled trade programs their “first chance.”

Nick put on his hard-hat and set foot on the R.A.B. site shortly after the building had been moved onto its newly poured concrete foundation.  Nick’s first major task involved removing the wood siding to begin restoration of the 138 year old wood.  The ensuing discovery that most of the wood siding was in grave enough condition and it couldn’t be restored began a process that would afford Nick the opportunity not many young men of his age get to experience.  The decision was made to replicate the construction of the exterior siding and Nick became a crucial part of the wood planing, routing and hand-crafting, replicating the tongue and groove craftsmanship of 138 years ago.  “Replicating the siding was a fun experience.  It takes a lot of work and effort to take a piece of wood and turn it into siding.  This building really is hand-made!”

As the replication of the siding neared completion, Nick turned to what he sees as his greatest achievement on the Red Antiquities Project thus far.  With an eye for fine detail and a great deal of patience and ingenuity, Nick began restoring the building’s original window frames.  The window frames had been dedicated as one of the key architectural features of the R.A.B. and both Heritage Supporters and the greater community alike had hoped restoration of the frames would be possible.  “It was a long process of stripping and filling the windows.  Those windows were well constructed and painstakingly put together so that they would never come apart. You have to have patience to deal with all of the intricate detail, the tricky manipulation, secret nails and the art of doweling.  It took a lot of time and a lot of learning on the go but I know they picked the right guy to do the job!”  Nick quickly became known as “The Window Guy” and delights in the fact that when the frames were reinstalled many of those who passed by the building thought the frames were new and not original.  “It makes me feel like I carried on the work of the original woodworker more than a hundred years ago . . . like I’ve been a part of history!”

Looking above the windows and just below the roof, the charm of the decorative dentils on the Red Antiquities Building also had to be restored.  Once again, Nick played a key role in the restoration process.  “We carefully removed and restored all of the dentils but there was a small section in such bad shape it just couldn’t be restored.  So we had to replicate that section.  I’m very proud of the fact that when you look up there you can’t tell where that replicated section is . . . that tells me I’m really doing what I know I was born to do!”

It’s clear that Nick has a passion for the trade that runs deep within him, but when asked what the Red Antiquities Building means to him he sits back and carefully thinks for a few moments.  “It means a lot of things.  It makes me feel proud to say I worked here and really helped to change a community.  You hear all of the great comments from the community and you know you’ve made a difference.”  Reflecting upon the age of the building and its link to the past a smile comes upon Nick’s face as he talks about how happy his Grandfather is knowing Nick is part of such an important project.  “It is a second chance for the building but for me I’ll look back at it as the place where I discovered my skill-set and got that valuable hands on experience that everyone needs when they graduate college.  I’ve also learned a lot from the experienced skill set guys on the crew.  A lot of the things I’ve learned here I know I’ll take and transfer to my next job!”

What does the future hold for Nick who is a big sports fan and has been in a team environment playing on Baseball, Soccer and Hockey teams? “I’d love to work construction and renovation projects to build on the skills I’ve learned at the R.A.B.  I have so much more confidence now and I know I can walk onto a job site and believe that I can do the job required of me.”

For years to come, many will look at the Red Antiquities Building and marvel at the strength and beauty of its wooden construction.  The R.A.B.’s new lease on life not only preserves a part of London’s history but it also provides for a beginning of new stories, skills and careers.  We’re glad to be a part of Nick Mollica’s story and thank Nick for adding yet another great chapter to the rich history of the Red Antiquities Building!

~ Greg Yarker

Jim Dinn began work with the Red Antiquities Building in August of 2011.  Reflecting on his experiences and contributions restoring and renovating the building Jim imparts some wonderful pearls of wisdom, “You can save anything in the world if enough people put their heart into it!”

An experienced Craftsman and Cabinetmaker, it’s clear when speaking to Jim that the Red Antiquities Building is a project near and dear to his heart.  For Jim, bringing the building back from the brink isn’t just about preserving a piece of architectural history, it’s also about Community and Revitalization.  Jim is a long time resident and member of the SoHo Community having lived 41 of his 51 years in the SoHo region.  Jim has seen the SoHo community through a lot of changes including the demolition of his old school, Governor Simcoe School, and sees a lot of hope for the future of the community.  “There’s a lot of growth happening in the area right now and it’s got that up and coming feel!  New things are happening and houses, buildings and properties are being cleaned up.  The R.A.B. is a perfect example.  It was a hurt looking building and now it’s quite gorgeous.  Now that we’re working on the drywall inside you can really get a sense of the complete project and it’s just gorgeous!”

Jim’s 27 years of experience as a Cabinetmaker and the time he has spent self-employed doing Renovations and Handyman work have made him an invaluable asset on the Red Antiquities Project.  When asked what brought him to this project after 27 years in Cabinetmaking  he shares that he wanted to broaden his horizons. “I believe that you can teach an old dog new tricks!  I wanted to get deeper into the field, work outside and practice my art on different buildings and in different locations.”  Jim speaks with pride about his craftsmanship recognizing it as a form of art.  “From the ground up it takes all of your body, physically and mentally.  I’m leaving a part of myself here.  When this project is done I’d like to continue to get out there and practice my art working on various buildings, even in different towns and cities if that’s what it takes!”

When asked what qualities and characteristics he brings to endeavors like the Red Antiquities Project Jim is very confident in answering, “110% Quality!  I take great pride in my work and put all of my heart into it!  I’ve also learned in my work to always think a step ahead.  You have to know what it takes to complete what you are doing in the moment but you need to know what has to happen next and plan for it.  That makes the project flow and avoids downtime!”

Jim’s forward thinking has made an impact not only on the building itself but also on the rest of the crew at the R.A.B.  With 20 years experience as a Foreman in the Cabinetry trade, Jim has trained a lot of new employees in his career and enjoys imparting what he has learned to other crew members.  “We’re quite a varied crew with guys of all different backgrounds and ages from 17 – 62.  Whenever I can share what I’ve learned throughout the years and help the other guys I’m happy to do it, especially when it comes to safety.  I get it back in return.  The pieces of information you learn from the guys are golden!”  Jim maximizes that opportunity to teach and learn from others simply due to the fact that he has never called in sick on the job. “I’m always here, I’m a hard worker with a lot of heart and I’m pretty easy to understand!”

It’s also easy to understand the benefits that Jim has gleaned form working on the Red Antiquities Project.  Jim has saved his earnings, purchased a vehicle, made new friends, established new contacts on the job and has expanded his knowledge and experience in the area of Heritage Restoration and Renovations.  Perhaps greater than all of this is the overwhelming sense of pride and accomplishment that radiates in Jim’s expression as he talks about sharing details about the Red Antiquities Building with his friends, family and neighbours.  “I love it!  It’s an artistic work and a building that will last another 120 years!”  The heart that Jim puts into his work and into the Red Antiquities Building might be best illustrated by his experience during a press conference held on site at which the Ontario Trillium Foundation presented funding for the project. “I remember that day, talking to the Politicians and Dignitaries about the building and my work with it – I found myself with a tear in my eye!”

Away from the job site a great deal of Jim’s focus is on his family and community.  He talks with passion when describing his relationship with his son and scattered throughout our conversation are details and references about his friends and neighbours.  A glimpse into Jim’s character is revealed when he talks about a recent fire in a house on his block and his selfless attitude in approaching the burning building to ensure the occupants were out safely.  It’s that sense of commitment, dedication and heart that makes Jim Dinn an important part of his community, an important part of his Crew on the job and an important key in the success of the Red Antiquities Building.

After all, “You can save anything in the world if enough people put their heart into it!”

~ Greg Yarker

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Tall and clean cut, with a perpetual boyish grin, Sean is a good natured man who has the perfect combination of easy going charm and a strong work ethic. He is no stranger to challenging experiences either. Growing up in London, he learned very early on the value of a dollar as well as the value of a hard day’s work. “If I wanted something, I earned it.” he says.  “That’s something my parents always taught me.” From his first paper route at seven years old to picking rocks out of his neighbour’s field, Sean has approached each and every challenge head on. “Oh, I’ve done just about everything,” he recalls. “Retail, dishwashing, landscaping, you name it.  I just didn’t find anything that fit.”  Hired by a well known London company to deliver drywall, Sean found himself fascinated by the work being done all around him and quickly realized he’d found his calling.  “The other delivery guys would be taking breaks, but I’d be watching the construction crew, asking questions, seeing if I could help out.”

Once his eyes were opened to this new found interest, he didn’t look back. Over the last few years, he’s gained experience framing houses, apartment buildings and working with concrete as well as earning certificates in heavy machinery and specific truck driving licenses.  After moving around from Kitchener, to Sarnia and everywhere in between, he found himself across the table from a Job Developer at Pathways Skill Development Centre.  It was during this meeting that the Red Antiquities Building was mentioned.   Sean jumped at the chance to be part of such an important and meaningful project. “This has been so much fun to work on,” he says.  “But it’s definitely hard work,” he adds.  “Before rebuilding the foundation, we were out there, in the freezing cold last winter digging under the house from one end to the other so they could slide beams underneath,” he says.  “It was tough but I learned so much.”  Sean has been part of each and every step of the restoration and has watched the slow progression with a genuine sense of pride.  “I have a new appreciation for this old building,” he says.  “There was no insulation in the original walls.  Can you imagine how cold it must have been back then?”   Sean explains how far we’ve come in terms of building structures like these: “Now, we just slap the drywall on there and pull out the nail gun,” he says. “When I started with the project, I saw walls made with little two inch strips of board, every single one nailed in and every gap filled with plaster.  It must have been a ten day job just to finish one wall.”  He speaks of pulling out chunks of this hundred year old plaster – complete with horse hairs.  “They put horse hair in the plaster to make it stronger and it must have worked,” he says. “because all that plaster was still intact after a century.”

Among other things, Sean was part of the team responsible for replicating the siding, those big red boards that have come to represent the very nature of the building itself.  “It was a big job,” he says.  “We took each of those boards, cut them just right, filled all the holes, sanded them down and painted them that bright, shining red.” he remembers.  “It was a great feeling seeing them all go up onto the house, knowing I’d made them myself.” he says. That was one of many learning experiences presented to Sean during the course of this project.  “This is such a great opportunity for me,” he explains.  “Everybody here has a different background but they’re an easy bunch of guys to get along with.  We work really well together.”

Although Sean is committed to seeing this project through to completion he has an exciting opportunity waiting for him when he’s done.  Due to his experience and skill, he was recently recruited to join a construction crew in Edmonton, Alberta and is slated to leave in the beginning of May.  “It’s another chance for me to learn and to grow,” he says.  This is a true brand new start for a young family as Sean’s girlfriend, a registered nurse, and their 18 month old baby boy prepare to embark on a new adventure..

“I’m so thankful for this awesome opportunity,” he says.  “I will definitely keep in touch with all these guys.”

We hope he does.

Kara James

That look of pride is all too familiar to Phil, a proud Londoner for close to 30 years.  “When I was a boy, living in Elmira, I took woodshop in grade 8,” he says.  “Everybody did.  No big deal.”  He leans forward, his voice falls a bit as he describes the beginning of what would become a lifelong passion.  “I decided to build my dad a triangular shaped foot stool for Father’s Day,” he says.  He smiles as the memory comes flooding back.  “I drew the plans and laid it out, I even had the girls in Home Ec teach me how to sew so I could put a nice little cushion on top.”  Phil describes the look on his father’s face when he presented him with that footstool and it’s easy to see where this love of woodworking, of accomplishing something with his own hands began.  “You know, he still has it somewhere,” he says.  “Even after all these years.”

Phil took that love of working with his hands and as a young man, paved his way across our nation.  From cutting out switchbacks up the mountains of B.C. to fixing boats on the rocky shores of the East Coast, he’s always taken enormous pride in his accomplishments.  “I take a great interest in everything that I do,” he remarks.  “I love to learn and then I love to pass it on.”  That’s exactly what he’s doing each day at the Red Antiquities Building project.  “If these guys want to learn, I’ll teach them,” he says.  “I can be strict, sure, but it’s because I want them to give me one hundred percent.”  He describes the tremendous opportunity this particular project has given him: “I’ve worked on heritage projects before,” he says. “Blackfriars bridge, heritage homes on Dufferin street, I love the fact that you can take an old building and bring it back to the way it was in the beginning. It’s a labour of love.  It really is.”

Yet, make no mistake, according to Phil this building is a very different project with a steep learning curve.  “It’s not a new construction nor is it a renovation or a restoration.  It’s a combination of everything, really,” he says.  “These guys working with me are getting the best training there is. Hands down.”

Walking past the job site, it’s easy to tell which one is Phil.  With the yellow hard hat, steel toed boots, rough exterior, he’d be easily cast as Construction Man #2 in any TV movie of the week.  But, underneath the hat, he’s a devoted family man, married for over 20 years. He glows with pride when describing his two almost grown kids who are busy carving out lives of their own right here in the Forest City.  “I’m also an avid reader,” he says. “I’ll read just about anything.” He’s also a proud Legion member and definitely knows his way around the kitchen.  “I do all my own canning,” he says “Pickles, relishes, jams, you name it!”  Again, Phil brings us back to that passion for creating something with his own hands.  This is no doubt what makes him happiest.  “Anything you build, anything you make, it’s the same feeling,” he says as he searches his mind to find the right words. “It doesn’t matter what you’re making.  If you were to sit down and knit a sweater,  that feeling you get, that you’ve made it yourself.  That’s what I’m talking about.”  He smiles and leans back in his chair, imagining the accomplishments that still lay ahead of him.  “A piece of the Red Antiquities Building will stay with me.  Always” he says.

We hope so.

Kara James

It’s our pleasure to introduce The Red Antiquities Construction Team in a continuing series called:  Meet The Crew

Meet Barry Primak: Site Manager

Barry has been involved with the Red Antiquities Building since the early fall of 2011.  As site manager, he is responsible for every single detail of the project, managing 12 crew members, sub trades, organizing and scheduling all aspects of the project to fit within tight deadlines and budget constraints.  When asked why he chose this type of work, a broad smile spreads across his face. “It’s what I’m good at,” he says.   Originally from Burlington, a carpenter by trade, he learned early on that working with materials was in his blood.  “It’s my passion,” he says.  “It’s what I love to do.”

This passion for construction has taken him outside of Ontario and across the world.  Six years in South Africa, building high end custom homes not only gave him the experience and training needed to further his career, it also allowed him the chance to pass his knowledge on to others.  ‘In South Africa, after a while, I found that I was training people,” says Barry.  “Even when I was dealing with a definite language barrier, I realized I liked helping others reach their potential.”

The travel bug still in his system, Barry jumped continents again for his next adventure: Afghanistan.   Committed to following his passion for working with materials and construction, he assisted the Canadian troops, as a civilian, in a supportive role.  “Again, I found myself training others, overcoming language barriers,” he says.  He describes the experience as fantastic and life changing.  Now, a family man situated in London with a wife and two growing children, the Red Antiquities Building project seemed the perfect opportunity to further his passion for building while planting roots in a city that has come to mean so much to him.  “I’m fascinated by the structure of this building,” Barry says.  “As a carpenter, I’m especially interested in seeing the work that was done all those years ago.  I’m immersing myself in all the different aspects of the building so we can restore it to its former glory.”

This has not been an easy project and one which has held many challenges and intricacies.   Barry is quick to point out that the dedication of the crew is the force that drives all of them to keep going.  “The best part of this job is the people I’m working with,” he says.  “All these guys, they don’t have to be here but they show up, every single day.”  Due to the nature of the Job Creation Partnership, Barry has had the privilege of working with several young men who come to him with very little experience.  “I see these young guys come in, and I watch them learn and develop new skills,” he explains.  “I find out what they’re good at and then I watch them grow.  They put their heart into it and I can see it becoming a passion in them like it is in me.”

Barry describes his foreman and the crew members with a genuine sense of camaraderie and respect.  “They all realize the historic significance of the building,” he says.  ‘They want to be there to see it through to completion.”  As the sound of hammers, drills and saws continue in the background, Barry straightens his hard hat, stands and looks toward the door as if signalling that he’s got a full day ahead of him and needs to get moving.  “When I think about this job,” he says.  “The Red Antiquities Building is bigger than a job.  This is bigger than all of us.”  Amidst the noise of the restoration and renovation going on around him, he continues. “The RAB was here before us and it’ll be here after us.  How lucky am I to be part of its history,” he says. How lucky indeed.

Kara James

Stay tuned for more in the Meet The Crew series and be sure to like us on facebook and follow us on twitter for updates.

It takes a door to raise a house. A house is not a home without a door. All good things start with… a door? Maybe in some far off distant country these are actual sayings. Maybe not. Regardless, Wednesday, January 25th at just past 11:00 am, the Red Antiquities Building officially became a building with a door.

In keeping with our commitment to maintaining the heritage of the building, the original double door was recreated from pictures by Al Marlow, of Al’s Custom Millwork.   Soon, the original main door, which was painstakingly restored by Mr. Marlow, will take it’s place back in the building where it belongs.

Driving by the Red Antiquities Building, one feels a sense of completion as the two toned red and cream double door and crisp, newly painted window frames signal the light at the end of a very, very long tunnel.  This window, is a replica of the original store front window, built in 1893.

A photo, from the University of Western Ontario archives shows how little the building, including the window, has been altered since it’s original construction. It’s not difficult to imagine the building, in it’s heyday, greeting customers who stopped in from all directions.  From that expansive window, the Winders must have looked out on a very different skyline and perhaps imagined the changes which were to come.  We owe a great deal of gratitude to the London Endowment for Heritage Fund for contributing to the completion of this window.

While this important stage of construction was underway, the interior of the building was buzzing with activity.   Dedicated crews worked to install plumbing, electrical and fire protection.   

 It won’t be long before sheets of drywall make their way through these newly minted doors.  Work continues at a rapid pace as everyone involved waits for the day when we can call this project: complete.