Reply With QuotePhotos I took yesterday [31 images] >> http://s973.photobucket.com/albums/a...2018th%202010/
Wow, they just installed the floor beams for an entire half side of two floors in one day. At this rate, they should be able to install the other half of the two floors their next workday, Monday the 19th. They started working on these last two floors on July 9th, which means it will have only taken them 11 days to do two floors. That's quicker than a floor a week.
Photos I took yesterday [31 images] >> http://s973.photobucket.com/albums/a...2018th%202010/
canadate, did you ever take the picture from the special location that you were talking about?
lol. It's in my latest 1 WTC album but it didn't turn out as epic as I thought it'd be and it's also not in a special location. I was saying that it was an obvious spot but I hadn't seen any photos from there yet so it's not really a special location. It should be better in about 6 months...or when the tower is topped out. I'll still continue my search "the" epic photo though. haha
Here Comes the Cladding - its already the Third Quarter.... any day now!
From Port Authority Q&A:
Q. I would like to know when the steel frame will be completed and if the exterior will begin only after the steel is completed? -- Edward, Montreal, Canada
A. Edward, this is a very good question and one that's been asked by several other people who submitted questions. The tower's steel frame is scheduled to "top out" in late 2011/early 2012, meaning the steel frame will reach the top of the building. As the building continues to rise, we'll begin to install the tower's exterior facade, known as the "curtain wall." We will likely begin the curtain wall construction during the third quarter of 2010.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009...overcoming-ad/
Their connections in the construction industry, and reputation for delivering lower-cost products from China, also helped Zhang and Olin land the high-profile job at One World Trade Center, formerly called the Freedom Tower. The value of that contract for Zetian has not been disclosed. Zetian is a subcontractor on the $82 million job for Solera Construction Inc./DCM Erectors Inc., a partnership active on building projects throughout New York and Toronto.
The construction manager for One World Trade Center is worldwide construction giant Tishman Construction Corp., which has checked out Zetian's performance at Fontainebleau.
Turnberry West Construction, builder of the Fontainebleau., reported to Tishman:
"We sent a team to China to see the sub-suppliers and manufacturing operation there, as well as performance testing observed by our 3rd party waterproofing/glazing consultant. All went well and we placed the order in early 2007, at a very favorable price compared to U.S. suppliers.
"The tower is now 95 percent finished for glazing and with very few exceptions the supply line and quality of product has been consistent and timely.
"During the installation , the install contractor failed to perform ... . Zetian immediately set up and licensed a new entity (Z Glass) to take over the remaining 2/3's of the install, and salvaged the job for us. Overall, Zetian has performed well in all areas that were required of them at favorable prices.''
"It is a small, somewhat start-up company led by its principal, Weina Zhang, and dealing with her is essential for establishing the business deal. Others will then take over project engineering and management, requiring typical (contractor-subcontractor) supervision and management. We would certainly recommend them for work in Las Vegas, and they have completed multiple curtain wall and other glass installations on large condo and commercial buildings here.''
The New York job for Solera/DCM and Zetian consists of supplying and installing glass panels and bird screens around the exterior of the first 20 stories of the building -- those stories were designed as a concrete shell for security purposes.
Trade Center developer the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey came under fire from U.S. glass manufacturers for awarding the glass contract to Solera/DCM when it was learned that the partnership, through, Zetian, would obtain the glass from China. The Trade Center building is supposed to be a pro-American symbol of U.S. strength and perseverance, they said.
The U.S. glass makers also complained they had spent substantial sums designing and engineering special glass for the project, only to see the work go to a source in China.
Gary Danowski, an official with U.S. glass giant PPG Industries, based near Pittsburgh, told USGlass magazine: "It's always hard to lose a big project and much more so one that is so prestigious. I'm not sure a more important symbol of our nation than the Freedom Tower will be seen in my career. The thought that the protective skin of this icon of America will be made from glass sourced on the other side of the planet and not local material is quite a blow."
Steve Coleman, a Port Authority spokesman, said that as a subcontractor, Zetian was caught in the middle of the controversy. He said the controversy was short-lived and that the Port Authority acted appropriately by awarding the work to the lowest qualified bidder. He noted PPG, despite its complaints, had also planned to outsource some of its work -- to Canada.
Zetian has declined comment on the controversy, but sees the World Trade Center job as a stepping stone to substantial new work in the New York area, where four more buildings are planned for the Trade Center complex and the exteriors of numerous old buildings may be re-clad with glass panels and other architectural products -- products Zetian hopes to supply from China, where it has a partnership with and a minority interest in a fabrication company.
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*sigh*..and the exteriors of numerous old buildings may be re-clad with glass panels and other architectural products..
I think the soonest they could possibly begin with the curtainwall is when the tower reached the 38th floor. The PA has said that the exterior safety scaffolding system will be 16 stories tall. I may be wrong but it seems like they would have to finish erecting the entire scaffolding system (which won't be until floor 36) and then allow it to rise at least one floor before they can start putting the glass in... unless they can somehow fit the glass panels in THROUGH the safety system somehow. Anyone know?Originally Posted by Sherpa
They have to put on fireproofing before any curtain wall glass goes in. The glass always rises last, after safety curtain and fireproofing, so that by the top of the building when the safety cocoon is taken off they can complete it.
Also, the fireproofing will be much thicker than the one that was used for the Twin Towers.
So it might take longer to apply.
South crane is preparing to jump.
...and so did the north one! Top floor is decked now, and hopefully we'll see new steel soon! Last rise was completed enjoyably fast.
Also, I think they are starting with East Hoist at this moment!
It's getting taller & taller!
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