Freedom Tower

1) Freedom Tower - rotating projection screen

Challenge

  • The structural components must be installed several months before the stretched ceiling and terrazzo floor.

  • The shaft shall be perfectly centered on the joints of the ceiling and of the floor.

Solution

  • Obtain from the GC several layout meetings with all trades involved in that room.

  • Keep and protect floor marks of all agreed layout lines, so that ceiling and floor trades get installed per exactly the same lines as the shaft.

  • Also : bring each screen in 2 halves, to fit in the elevator, and reassemble them once delivered on 34th floor.

Fit-out of 15 floors of amenities and office space. With less than 10 months from start to end, this was the largest and fastest job ever for our organization.

2) Freedom Tower - stainless steel surroundings and glass smoke baffle, in food hall 35th floor

Challenge

  • The smoked glass above food trays has a 3 months lead time, longer than any other trades.

  • To set the glass in the ceiling, a typical track system require the ceiling to be open.

  • In this case however, the GC needs the ceiling to be closed and finish before the glass is done manufactured.

Solution

  • Reverse the sequence, figure out a track system in the ceiling that allows the mounting screws to be vertical, so that the finish ceiling does not need to wait for months.

  • Then, after glass is set, a clipsable cladding shall conceal the screws.

3) Freedom Tower - Metal tables, decorative cable frames 35th floor

Challenge

  • The design team wanted a beveled profile for the cable frames, to give the look of a picture frame.

  • Hence, the frames must be made out of a unique trapezoidal profile, with the 4 corners mitered welded.

  • Typically, such a profile could be either custom extruded or CNC machined.

Solution

  • Use the waterjet to cut a rectangular aluminum bar, but use the "dynamic head" by tilting the head of the jet to obtain the bevel while cutting.