• Structural Design
• Construction Consulting & Monitoring
• 3-D Modeling and Printing
Specialty Consulting, Inc. (SPC) was tasked with the design and construction of a new splayed glass canopy for a 40-story high-rise building. The primary objective was to enhance the entrance and create an architectural statement. The building’s front facades consist of 4-inch-thick limestone panels attached to a concrete frame. After evaluating several schematic designs, the decision was made to use a steel tubular splayed canopy with main steel tubes connected to the concrete columns on either side of the entrance. The project team leveraged their extensive experience with the building’s framing system from past façade and repair projects.
The scope of work involved creating inspection openings and thoroughly reviewing existing construction details. A 3-D computer model and a 3-D printed model were utilized to design the canopy to withstand uneven live wind and snow loads. A geometric system composed of steel tubular sections was selected, and the attachment details to the building framing were meticulously designed. The detailed drawings were then issued to Design Installation Systems, a specialty restoration contractor, for fabrication and erection of the canopy.
For construction, the drawings were submitted to a specialty contractor in California to fabricate the glass. Throughout the fabrication and erection process, the project team provided ongoing construction observations to ensure quality and accuracy.
