A 2018 Retrospective in Photos
With only a few hours remaining in 2018, it is only fitting that we pause and look back on the year–The Year of the Steel: As the Chinese might call it.
We began the year with a few supporting beams resting on isolator bases in the north west section of the pit. By the end of the year, the steel frames for the Children’s and Adult Hospital towers escaped the clutches of the pit. First the podium–serving as a common base–for both towers filled the vast void of the pit maxing out at the sixth floor. From the podium, the Children’s Hospital tower (paralleling Barton Road) slowly rose above the security fence, while the Adult Hospital tower rose above the security fence to the north. By mid September, the Children’s Hospital tower established its maximum height. Two and a half months later the Adult Hospital reached its designated apex.
Obviously, once the steel structure rose above the safety wall surrounding the site, one could observe the changes that occurred during the work week. On the other hand, the outsider has no way (except for this website) to follow changes to the interior as the various levels are built out.
By years end approximately 650 laborers, over two shifts, worked on the site. This post is divided into two sections: the exterior and the interior.
The Exterior
To begin the year, the pit still yawned wide and deep in the shadow of the Medical Center towers. Although a few supporting and infill beams were evident in the northwest quadrant of the pit, the base isolators–lined in rows like headstones in a cemetery–were still the primary fixtures on the foundation floor.
With a spline beam hanging in the air, the building site was beginning to resemble the frame of a building. In the northwest quadrant (at the left), one could definitely see the makings of four floors (the basement, “A” level, first floor, and the second floor).
From grade looking west, the Medical Center clover leaf towers still dominated the campus skyline.
By the end of the first quarter of the year, the yawning pit was approximately 80 percent filled with steel. Soon after the photo was taken, the pit, which had been “the sole focus of the project,” became a passing memory.
The structure as viewed from parking structure P4. Slowly, the steel frame began to rival the Clover Leaf towers.
From the corner of Barton Road and Anderson Street, the steel frame began to obscure the iconic Medical Center towers.
A 90 plus degree view from the sixth floor decking. Two feature are identified in this image: (1) The decking for the corridor connecting the Children’s and Adult Hospital towers, and
(2) the east atrium, which separates the two towers.
To the left, the Adult tower begins to rise above the podium, and to the right, the Children’s Hospital tower. In the center the elevator core tower connects the two Hospital towers.
The steel frame as viewed from the parking structure P4.
By the end of the third quarter, the Children’s Hospital tower (left) stood at 10-stories, its maximum height. The Adult Hospital tower is nearing 11-stories.
As viewed from the hill: The steel structure now towers over the existing Medical Center. The exterior panels are clearly visible across the northern facade of the podium.
At years end–after 12-months–the two towers stand at their apex with the Adult Hospital towering over the existing Medical Center.
The Interior
Until the floors were released by Schuff Steel, I was unable to explore the various levels. Basically, I was relegated to walking around the site perimeter and take photos from grade as the columns were set, and the beams hung. The Basement, “B” level, and level were the first to be released, and I made my self at home on those two floors.
My first trip to the basement after some of the support beams had been set was on February 12, 2018. I was required to have an escort for two reasons: (1) Schuff Steel had not released this section to McCarthy, and (2) a milling crew was shaving off the bottom of a node to make it plumb with the isolator. I was down in the basement long enough to wet the ole appetite for more excursions without an escort.
On level “B” a welder grinds on a piece of metal.
A laborer core drills a hole through the concrete floor on level “A” where a pipe from level “B” will be run.
The first studs for a room go up on level “A.”
Electricians install electrical conduit on level “B” (the basement).
The first electrical transformer installed in the main electrical room on level “A.”
Electrical transformers located in the main electrical room on level “A”
A multi-station water pump located on level “A.”
Northwest corner with the exterior GFRC panels installed.
A mechanical room, which is located on level “A” under the Adult Hospital tower.
Five sheetmetal workers maneuver a large section of air ducting into position.
A view of some of the installed HVAC ducting located on the fourth (mechanical) floor. The whole fourth level is a dedicated mechanical floor. The opening above is where the large mechanical air handlers
The second floor northwest corridor. The opening for the pedestrian bridge, which will cross over to Schuman Pavilion.
Two MRI rooms have been framed.
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