NEW YORK | One World Trade Center | 1,776' Pinnacle / 1,373' Roof | 108 FLOORS

[Kamatzu]

I was there on the 17th and these are a few pictures I took. I like them because they aren't the average full-tower-from-a-distance picture, they are more or less what you would see if you were there yourself...


Coming up out of the subway.


Between 7 and 1.


Everyone says this; but there is honestly no picture that can give you the sense of scale that you feel when you look at a building like this. It is enormous.


From the Financial Center.


Somewhat overlooking the memorial.


past, present, and future.

[justmehere]

whats going behind those black mesh, 5th photo, anybody?

[Traynor]

Originally Posted by justmehere

whats going behind those black mesh, 5th photo, anybody?

No one on these threads has the exact answer to that question.

The answer everyone is guessing at is: It is preparation for the installation of the base glass.

I find that an over simplification of what seems to be a very intricate and labour-intensive operation to construct scaffolding, an external staircase and protective netting. The cladding of the rest of the tower did not require this elaborate set-up. Also, the previous welding of many of the attachment hooks for the prismatic glass (which is not being installed but the hooks are likely going to be used and can be seen in that photo as white marks on the reddish coloured ironwork) was done by just using a swing-stage on cables attached to the 20th floor window spaces.

My guess is this:

This scaffolding is needed for the workers to apply the fireproofing on the steel from the 6th to 19th levels. The fireproofing for the steel on these levels is a tricky and a different operation than the office floors. Here's why I think that:

1) The fireproofing could not be sprayed on this steel before this, because many pieces of large mechanical equipment had to be installed on these levels. Installation would have damaged the fireproofing as would the cranes and equipment used to maneuver them.

2) The special metal grating installed between the mechanical floors and the outer steel (black mesh behind the red steel in most pictures) is like the fine metal fins on the back of an air-conditioner. They must remain clear of any obstruction to allow proper air flow. Simply spraying on fireproofing from a swing-stage may create over-spray no matter how careful they are, thus accumulating on this metal grating and damaging it.

3) The 6th to 19th floors will essentially be open to the elements, (due to the venting space designed into the glazing) and this would make standard spray-on fireproofing vulnerable to erosion over time. I suspect they will be applying a thicker, concrete-like layer to this steel. This would require more intricate manual work and building forms that could not be accomplished from a swing-stage.

Just my guess

[CClaudio21]

The perimeter columns appear to be going up.

[Roadcruiser1]

Not really new to me. I saw it going up while walking down 6th Avenue yesterday.

[CClaudio21]

^^^ I messed up the link.
http://www.panynj.gov/wtcprogress/live-camera.html

[CClaudio21]

Originally Posted by Roadcruiser1

Not really new to me. I saw it going up while walking down 6th Avenue yesterday.

Well not all of us live there I wish I still did.

[401PAS]

Originally Posted by Traynor

No one on these threads has the exact answer to that question.

The answer everyone is guessing at is: It is preparation for the installation of the base glass.

I find that an over simplification of what seems to be a very intricate and labour-intensive operation to construct scaffolding, an external staircase and protective netting. The cladding of the rest of the tower did not require this elaborate set-up. Also, the previous welding of many of the attachment hooks for the prismatic glass (which is not being installed but the hooks are likely going to be used and can be seen in that photo as white marks on the reddish coloured ironwork) was done by just using a swing-stage on cables attached to the 20th floor window spaces.

My guess is this:

This scaffolding is needed for the workers to apply the fireproofing on the steel from the 6th to 19th levels. The fireproofing for the steel on these levels is a tricky and a different operation than the office floors. Here's why I think that:

1) The fireproofing could not be sprayed on this steel before this, because many pieces of large mechanical equipment had to be installed on these levels. Installation would have damaged the fireproofing as would the cranes and equipment used to maneuver them.

2) The special metal grating installed between the mechanical floors and the outer steel (black mesh behind the red steel in most pictures) is like the fine metal fins on the back of an air-conditioner. They must remain clear of any obstruction to allow proper air flow. Simply spraying on fireproofing from a swing-stage may create over-spray no matter how careful they are, thus accumulating on this metal grating and damaging it.

3) The 6th to 19th floors will essentially be open to the elements, (due to the venting space designed into the glazing) and this would make standard spray-on fireproofing vulnerable to erosion over time. I suspect they will be applying a thicker, concrete-like layer to this steel. This would require more intricate manual work and building forms that could not be accomplished from a swing-stage.

Just my guess

Great analysis as usual! I certainly buy into your theory that they wouldn't just put up something that elaborate without having some compelling reason.

[Roadcruiser1]

I work down there, but I don't live down there.

[CClaudio21]

Originally Posted by Roadcruiser1

I work down there, but I don't live down there.

That's still legit though. I'm thinking about making a trip down there for the memorial's opening. I'm guessing One world trade will be 1000 by then. Fingers crossed lol.

[CarlosV]

Originally Posted by CClaudio21

The perimeter columns appear to be going up.

WORD!! SUPERTALL!!


pano0823 by Ceva321, on Flickr

[justmehere]

thank you Traynor. so have to wait for what will really be the final outcome of the base.
Carlos thanks again. they are moving and it will be at a faster pace again.
CONGRATULATIONS NEW YORK.

[Traynor]

Hey Carlos... NOW surely I see some cladding in your recent picture. I am not imagining it this time.

[jlanka]

wonder if there was any disruption in construction due to the earthquake

[bunky]

Originally Posted by jlanka

wonder if there was any disruption in construction due to the earthquake

Doesn't look like it. Appears to be business as usual looking out of my window at 2WFC.

[uaarkson]

I thought the base steel made use of that paint-like fireproofing that foams up at certain temperatures? Or is that just for the jumbo columns?

[Roadcruiser1]

Work was stopped for a few minutes, but quickly started back up again.

[steveve]

Originally Posted by Roadcruiser1

Work was stopped for a few minutes, but quickly started back up again.

yeah, i wonder how much it swayed, and in Manhattan in general, I'm sure it was at least around 4.0 on the richter scale by the time it was felt there,

[CarlosV]

scary stuff if you're in a highrise!


2 by Ceva321, on Flickr

[CarlosV]

DSC_2248 by Ceva321, on Flickr