CHICAGO | Aqua | 858 FT / 262 M | 87 FLOORS [Archive] - Page 31

ardecila

Apr 22, 2008, 5:27 AM

I have a stupid question. Why don't my ^^^ look like his?

Mine aren't gold....and don't move in that ejaculation motion.

Used to be, if you only typed two chevrons, it would convert into the little cartoon of 3. Apparently, now you have to do the : previous : thing.

:previous:

honte

Apr 22, 2008, 6:24 AM

Question:

If "approximating curves with straight lines" is so acceptable, why didn't they pour the concrete balconies in straight sections to "approximate" curves?

Answer:

Because that would look like crap. Just like the railings do.

I hate to sound like a jerk, but I have to weigh-in on the railings. I've looked at them in person now and also through the great documentation here.

Thus far, huge disappointment. It's not just in the lack of matching curvature, but in many factors: The way they are detailed against bending, the exposed fasteners, the fact that the construction necessitates that they meet at certain angles (usually 180 degrees). It's really distracting and doesn't feel good. Hopefully we won't be able to see much of this without Earlybuyer's telephoto.

What I do like about them is that the volume of the balcony seems fuller now and holds its own against the boxiness more strongly.

Dr. Taco

Apr 22, 2008, 12:15 PM

don't worry, aqua, i still love you!

*hugs*

andydie

Apr 22, 2008, 3:52 PM

gosh all the buzz about some stupid railings that you barely can see anyway from a distance. :koko:

intrepidDesign

Apr 22, 2008, 4:00 PM

:previous:
Well, this building is held up to a very high standard in my eye, and I'm sure everyone else. And in all honesty, besides the Spire, Aqua could easily be the second most recognizable/talked about/photographed of the bunch so why cut corners. I'm sure no one will be able to notice without a zoom lens, but that is besides the point.

HowardL

Apr 22, 2008, 4:01 PM

gosh all the buzz about some stupid railings that you barely can see anyway from a distance. :koko:

Welcome to the world of Chicago architecture where every shred of minutia is critiqued ad infinitum. Annoying at times, but part of the charm and culture of this city.

Steely Dan

Apr 22, 2008, 4:05 PM

gosh all the buzz about some stupid railings that you barely can see anyway from a distance. :koko:

"god is in the details" - Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

that said, i don't think the balcony railings are the greatest architectural crime in the world that some of our more hyperbole-prone forumers are making them out to be, but details are important. focusing in on the small amount of railing installed on only one floor so far, the railing's straight sections do stand out and jar the eye a bit. however, once they're installed on the whole building, my hunch is that the effect will be much less pronounced as layer upon layer of balcony railings won't draw the eye exclusively to just one part of them. just my hunch. time will tell.

andydie

Apr 22, 2008, 4:09 PM

"god is in the details" - Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

that said, i don't think the balcony railings are the greatest architectural crime in the world that some of our more hyperbole-prone forumers are making them out to be, but details are important.

well my fellow countryman is right with the quote you made, but honestly like you also said I also have seen much worse in Chicagoland and over here in Germany.:)

bnk

Apr 22, 2008, 4:22 PM

I do not post photos that much because I am not downtown every day, my camera is not great and others do such a better job of it. Anyway here are some photos of Aqua on 4/18 from the north via the Swiss hotel.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u160/bnkbnk/100_3239.jpg?t=1208880868

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u160/bnkbnk/100_3240.jpg?t=1208880906

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u160/bnkbnk/100_3244.jpg?t=1208880971

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u160/bnkbnk/100_3249.jpg?t=1208881021

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u160/bnkbnk/100_3250.jpg?t=1208881745

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u160/bnkbnk/100_3252.jpg?t=1208881444

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u160/bnkbnk/100_3253.jpg?t=1208881059

The last ones are from 4/19 early AM with a slipery wet fog rolling in off the lake.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u160/bnkbnk/100_3272.jpg?t=1208881105

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u160/bnkbnk/100_3271.jpg?t=1208881211

Jibba

Apr 22, 2008, 4:40 PM

Sweet angle there, bnk. I got chills just looking at that dude walking out on that crane.

Since everyone is throwing in their two cents about the railings, I am going to be annoying and throw mine in too: I think they are just fine. They do not approximate the curves perfectly, but the margin of deviation is respectably small for what is a makeshift, custom piece of metal work (by the looks of it anyway). They don't have the precision and finish of, say, the railings for the balconies of Marina City, but those balconies are identical to one another and were (relatively) mass-produced, and they are a simple semi-circular shape. I would agree that they look a little "generic" and don't really echo the overall architecture of the building (save the curvature), but I feel that if they did obtain this level of design they would look a little too cute and be too much of an architectural indulgence. Also, most of the unpleasant details of the railings will likely fade away when the building is complete and the facade has its white paint scheme complete: the railings will be visually over-powered by the facade and will likely blend in with the window frames behind them.

shaberko

Apr 22, 2008, 5:02 PM

They are going to have a great view of Millenium Park.

Soaring_Higher

Apr 22, 2008, 7:38 PM

They are going to have a great view of Millennium Park.

Hotels and Condos up to the 60th floor probably will have most of their Millennium Park/Grant Park views blocked by the BCBS expansion. That still leaves about 20 floors of condos with great views though.

Mojava

Apr 22, 2008, 8:49 PM

Soaring Higher, from this angle (taken by bnk) there will be a view of MP. You can see the view coridor though BCBS and AON

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u160/bnkbnk/100_3249.jpg?t=1208881021

Chitown

Apr 22, 2008, 9:59 PM

They are going to have a great view of Millenium Park.
Yeah, I was just looking at that and thinking about how much I envy Aqua's future residents. Right near Grant Park, Millennium Park, the Spire, Soldier Field, etc.

EarlyBuyer

Apr 23, 2008, 12:22 AM

Great pictures bnk-perspective(s) we have not seen much of, or at all. Additionally, the photo's with the construction crew assists with understanding and appreciating the scale of the project and its materials.

Beck4ABigChicago

Apr 23, 2008, 1:16 AM

I may be wrong, but aren't these wavy balconies just getting started? Meaning, we are just beginning to see what will be a increasingly extreme curve as the building goes up? If so, Jibbas pictures are only going to get better and better as it rises.

Jibba

Apr 23, 2008, 5:19 AM

As has been discussed before (perhaps it was at SSC), the extent of the protrusion of the balconies will not be any more so in the floors to come (this is how I interpreted your description of an increasingly extreme curve, but please correct me if I am mistaken). The renders of the tower that show increased balcony protrusion (and hence increasing expression of the resulting wave phenomenon) with increasingly higher floors were stated by many to be misleading because of the way that the computer program that produced the render accounts for perspective (or rather doesn't account for it). As far as I know, the extent of balcony protrusion in the higher floors will be comparable to that of the floors already constructed, and so the pattern will be propagated further but the "amplitude" of the "waves" will remain the same. I am having difficulties locating the page that was relevant to this issue, so perhaps one of the people part of that original discussion can chime in.

cactus22minus1

Apr 23, 2008, 2:25 PM

johnandahalf

Apr 23, 2008, 2:27 PM

Ms Gang...go chain yourself to the railing...and DEMAND a re-do.

Would that make her a chain Gang? (SORRY...ok, not really).

I think the railing (singular, since there's only one so far) sucks, BUT it's only the first one. Each balcony was "hand-made". They followed a design, but it's not like they were precision-molded. My guess (and it's ONLY a guess) is that the railings were ordered and fabrication began before the balconies were shaped. Therefore, the shape of the railing doesn't perfectly match the shape of the balcony.

That said, I think the railings should precisely follow the curvature of the balconies (up to the point that they get close to the building, then truncate them). It may not be noticeable from a distance, but when it IS noticeable, it detracts from the flow of the design. Also, if I had a unit there, I wouldn't expect my balcony railing to look as though it was forced into place. I would expect it to look flawlessly integrated into what is arguably the most outstanding design element of this building.

If cost is an issue, cut corners elsewhere. Maybe get cheaper doorknobs & fixtures, then let residents "upgrade" for a charge.

ô¿ô

P.S. Also, you'd never catch me leaning on one of those. It doesn't look particularly secure to me.

Dr. Taco

Apr 23, 2008, 2:42 PM

VivaLFuego

Apr 23, 2008, 4:18 PM

Railings look fine to me...
...excited that it's obtaining some serious height....

ethereal_reality

Apr 23, 2008, 4:57 PM

Even the forumers who posted positive views of the railings
usually admitted that they don't 'flow' as well as the balconies.
If I were pouring the concrete for the balconies.....
and then someone came along and pieced together a rather mediocre
facimilie of the curves that I had justed created......I would go ballistic.

Manus in Chicago

Apr 23, 2008, 10:10 PM

anyone want to do a pixel count of the deepest balcony so far? I believe the deepest balcony is supposed to be 12 feet deep, and I'm curious to see if we can prove that the balconies on the highest floors are not going to stick out any further than the bottom floors
You are indeed correct the deepest balcony will be 12' but you will not see that till the level 41 which most of the balconies have only gone out 8' thus far.........a long way to go yet...........:banana:

i_am_hydrogen

Apr 24, 2008, 2:19 AM

Taken today:
http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/3771/aqua4231nl5.jpg

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/1936/aqua4232zl9.jpg

Jibba

Apr 24, 2008, 5:17 AM

Another perspective of the railing(s?) (from today):

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/391/dsc04889kc0.jpg
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/3258/dsc04888lo8.jpg
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/2897/dsc04893ak6.jpg
http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/624/dsc04894vy6.jpg

One more for good measure
http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/189/dsc04890ng2.jpg

Dr. Taco

Apr 24, 2008, 6:00 AM

You are indeed correct the deepest balcony will be 12' but you will not see that till the level 41 which most of the balconies have only gone out 8' thus far.........a long way to go yet...........:banana:

thank you! I realize that rendering is a little too dramatic, but still, the balconies haven't gone out as far as they will yet. thats exciting

also, jibba, thank you for all your pictures of various buildings, especially aqua. I love the railings. you guys are way too picky. The railings were practically made. anyone want to guess how much more expensive it would be for perfection? gosh. I like them more "imperfect" because its just more realistic

cactus22minus1

Apr 24, 2008, 1:01 PM

Wha Wha whhaaa...
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/3258/dsc04888lo8.jpg

I'm not going to let it ruin the building for me, but I have to admit that I just lost my hardon.. temporarilly. Total sexy mesmerization from that angle.. all those curves. Such an obvious approximation blows the organic feel from this view. The inaccuracy is not the flacidator for me, really. It's much more about the straight segments.. the hard angles.

It's like analogue(sweet, sweet analogue) vs. digital. Sigh.

I will still worship the ground this building rests on because of all the other amazing things they did so very right. But this is not a budget residence and I don't really understand why you would try to get away with such an obvious marr on the most beautiful and noticeable part of the building. :shrug:

Oh, and thanks Jibba and Hydrogen for those exquisite shots. So uhh.. Hydrogen, I know that old worthless gear is just collecting dust on that shelf right about now. Why not let cactus take that off your hands? :D

ethereal_reality

Apr 24, 2008, 1:19 PM

Jibba....extremely beautiful photographs. :)

simcityaustin

Apr 24, 2008, 5:30 PM

Well, I guess I'll go ahead and throw my support behind the railings. I think the imperfections of the curves on the railings will add to the overall building once it is completely finished. Will there be any special lighting scheme on this? I'm guessing not, but imagine if they lightly lighted this up in an aqua-ish color at night. Probably not possible b/c it's a residential building, but still, it would be cool.

photoLith

Apr 24, 2008, 8:36 PM

I cant believe how fast this one is rising, it seems like its about 2wice as tall than it was a month or so ago.

i_am_hydrogen

Apr 26, 2008, 2:16 AM

So uhh.. Hydrogen, I know that old worthless gear is just collecting dust on that shelf right about now. Why not let cactus take that off your hands? :D

Haha. I actually sold my old camera (Canon 40D), so I have no old gear to give. I might have a spare lens cap laying around somewhere.

Taken on 4/23:
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/4373/aqua423pg3.jpg

cbotnyse

Apr 26, 2008, 2:20 AM

One more for good measure
http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/189/dsc04890ng2.jpg

:slob: :slob: :slob: :slob: :slob: :slob: :slob: :slob: :slob: :slob:

harryc

Apr 26, 2008, 10:12 AM

April 23
http://lh5.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SBKkAWARD5I/AAAAAAAAjXA/hdgjeDgxeus/P1310619.JPG?imgmax=720

April 24
http://lh3.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SBKkC2ARD6I/AAAAAAAAjXM/BmdVuiZE_N4/P1310667.JPG?imgmax=720

gttx

Apr 26, 2008, 10:02 PM

andydie

Apr 26, 2008, 11:34 PM

Hiya guys,

after a lil over a month its time for a new vid for this awesome curvy tower:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Xh-c8Ega5I

Music: Tunnel Allstars feat. DJ Yanny - Crocketts Theme

Enjoy:)

EarlyBuyer

Apr 27, 2008, 12:39 AM

Thanks andydie for another terrific update!

bnk

Apr 27, 2008, 2:31 AM

Hiya guys,

after a lil over a month its time for a new vid for this awesome curvy tower:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Xh-c8Ega5I

Music: Tunnel Allstars feat. DJ Yanny - Crocketts Theme

Enjoy:)

Good video.

I almost never view youtube in full screen mode [due to lower resolution] but this one is an exception to truly appreciate and visualize the pics.

[thanks Earlybuyer and everyone's elses pics. I just realized that andydie used some of my pics too. Good work andydie and feel free to use again.]

I recommend full screen mode to view andydie's vids.

i_am_hydrogen

Apr 27, 2008, 2:35 AM

Taken today:
http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/1549/aqua426dg4.jpg

EarlyBuyer

Apr 27, 2008, 2:45 AM

Wow i_am_hydrogen, this is the best deck photo on this thread to date!

Was this taken from the Fairmont or Aon?

bnk

Apr 27, 2008, 2:49 AM

That is prime location for veiwing Aqua I-am-hydrogen.

Pretty soon there will be very few locations that will able to look down vertically on the worksite. The Aon building is ideal for this perspective. Your catbird seat [1] should be treated with respect and awe.

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catbird_seat

i_am_hydrogen

Apr 27, 2008, 3:04 AM

Thanks, guys. It was taken from Aon. I just wish I could've gotten more of Aqua into the shot.

wrab

Apr 27, 2008, 4:11 AM

^ Really good explanatory shot of the formwork.

andydie

Apr 27, 2008, 9:31 AM

thanx for your positive feedback guys:) Your pictures make the vids as good as they are:tup:

Also very nice shot i_am_hydrogen. Really shows how Aqua gets its curves:tup:

alex1

Apr 28, 2008, 4:19 AM

While I understand that many people are upset with the railings, I think it would be wise to consider their design in light of the intentions of the designers. This building is all about flow, change, and movement. Sure, it would look nice if the railings matched the curvature of the slabs, but they seem to create their own flow, almost in opposition of the slabs. In my opinion it creates a much better effect, and you really understand how the designers considered their objectives and used something that is normally overlooked (railings) to create a certain dynamism.

i'm still trying to figure out teh railings (whether I accept them or not) but I think you hit it on the head for me on why I don't imagine these things will settle well with me. This building is about flow and movement. I'm not so certain these railings do that.

of course, since i live on the east coast now, it's a bit difficult for me to judge anything effectively anymore. I guess I'll have more to say when I come home for a few days after the semesters up.

Phil McAvity

Apr 28, 2008, 4:51 AM

Wha Wha whhaaa...

I'm not going to let it ruin the building for me, but I have to admit that I just lost my hardon.. temporarilly. Total sexy mesmerization from that angle.. all those curves. Such an obvious approximation blows the organic feel from this view. The inaccuracy is not the flacidator for me, really. It's much more about the straight segments.. the hard angles.

It's like analogue(sweet, sweet analogue) vs. digital. Sigh.

I will still worship the ground this building rests on because of all the other amazing things they did so very right. But this is not a budget residence and I don't really understand why you would try to get away with such an obvious marr on the most beautiful and noticeable part of the building. :shrug:

Oh, and thanks Jibba and Hydrogen for those exquisite shots. So uhh.. Hydrogen, I know that old worthless gear is just collecting dust on that shelf right about now. Why not let cactus take that off your hands? :D

Cactus, I have no idea why you got flaccid over that picture, (I missed the "approximation" you spoke of) but I expect if I only focused on Angelina Jolie's elbow, I might get a bit of whiskey dick myself. Man, wait until it's finished to throb because if this building is half as good as it's renderings, it will leave many people wet (get it? "Aqua"-"wet"!).

aaron38

Apr 28, 2008, 4:43 PM

One of my favorite things about being an engineer is seeing a pattern repeat in a completely unexpected area.

In Hydrogen's picture of the deck, the way the rebar strands from the balcony edge all compress at the trough of a wave is exactly how magnetic field lines look when they hit a bottleneck. They squeeze in, then balloon back out.
The magnetic flux density is very high at those points, and so are the structural stresses I imagine.

jc5680

Apr 29, 2008, 9:46 PM

Kamin has a great bit about aqua up on his blog (http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/theskyline/2008/04/watching-a-curv.html#comments)

Watching Aqua--that curvaceous, 82-story skyscraper--grow
There's something fascinating about watching a skyscraper reach into the sky, especially when its growth is recorded through the medium of time-lapse photography.

Construction workers swarm around the tower like bees flying around a hive. Tasks that take an entire day happen in a few seconds. The weather changes in the blink of an eyelash, from clouds to rain to snow to sun. Through it all, the skyscraper grows, floor by floor, reaching inexorably to the clouds.

There is also a great time lapse of some of the floors being poured/forms being moved

Dr. Taco

Apr 29, 2008, 10:01 PM

nice find! the time-lapse is an absolute must-see!

kfunck1

Apr 29, 2008, 10:37 PM

nice find! the time-lapse is an absolute must-see!

Agreed, the time-lapse is awesome, looks like a bunch of little ants scrambling around.

SolarWind

Apr 30, 2008, 1:02 AM

April 29, 2008

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/3355/dsc0001xd8.jpg

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/1249/dsc0144dw2.jpg

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/4672/dsc0007xj0.jpg

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/3963/dsc0142es3.jpg

SolarWind

Apr 30, 2008, 1:05 AM

:previous: Great shot, i_am_hydrogen! Keep shooting with your new camera. The images are amazing!!! :)

EarlyBuyer

Apr 30, 2008, 1:59 AM

Good ones (as always) SolarWind!

SolarWind

Apr 30, 2008, 2:04 AM

Thanks, EarlyBuyer. btw, your pics from 4/19 are outstanding. I haven't posted in awhile, so my compliment is a bit delayed.

cactus22minus1

Apr 30, 2008, 2:47 PM

Thank you, SolarWind, for those anti-flaciditory shots. :worship: ... always looking forward to your work.

At the perspective you've given us, the thing actually starts to appear to warp... as if it's departing from the core geometry altogether. :)

i_am_hydrogen

Apr 30, 2008, 4:15 PM

Nice shots, SW. They show the interesting contrast between the exposed and painted concrete. I also love the reflections of the sky & clouds in the first one.

pilsenarch

May 2, 2008, 1:48 PM

I rode by the site yesterday and noticed that they have installed TWO different railings.....can someone please post an image of this.

The second railing that is not installed on the corner is a cleaner design without the extra horizontal near the top edge....IMO a significant improvement over the railing installed at the corner....

aaron38

May 2, 2008, 2:18 PM

Maybe they're still experimenting with the design, cause I don't see a railing anywhere in the latest crop of photos.
Oh wait, now I see it. You know, I think with the black railings infront of dark glass and black frames, that the railings are going to be relatively invisible, except at the very corners, if I didn't know what I was looking for, I wouldn't have seen it.

pilsenarch

May 2, 2008, 2:22 PM

I think you are correct, they won't be noticed except for when one is standing beneath the tower and looking up at it obliquely, then the railing will have a significant impact visually....

Beck4ABigChicago

May 2, 2008, 6:45 PM

April 29, 2008

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/3355/dsc0001xd8.jpg

WOW!!!!!! This is actually starting to LOOK LIKE THE RENDERING!!! I didn't think it would happen, but it is! I am so excited again (not that I was ever turned off in the first place)

Great shot solarwind, keep them coming from this angle, its awesome.

Beck4ABigChicago

May 2, 2008, 7:03 PM

Been showing the recent pictures of Aqua around (including the ones showing the balcony railings) to friends that have nothing more than a general interest in skyscrapers. The comment that I am getting is that they should have done the railing in some sort of solid glass that follows the flow. First, is this possible/feasible,and second, what do you guys think of this idea?

Nowhereman1280

May 2, 2008, 7:26 PM

^^^ Curved glass is really expensive, that would add an exorbitant extra cost to the building.

I wouldn't like that as much either, I prefer solid black railing.

Alliance

May 2, 2008, 7:40 PM

Glass balconies would make the building too complex. Plus, all of you would be complaining that they weren't continous curves (because they'd use glass panels instead fo curved glass).

Its perfect as is.

Steely Dan

May 2, 2008, 7:40 PM

^^ yeah, custom curved glass railings would probably cost tens of millions of dollars on a project this size, in other words, COMPLETELY out of the question on a cost basis. curved glass by itself is mucho dinero, custom curved glass for 82 distinct floor plates is a straight-up non-starter.

besides, the black steel railings look just fine to me.

johnandahalf

May 2, 2008, 7:55 PM

Agreed, the time-lapse is awesome, looks like a bunch of little ants scrambling around.

Agreed...and the concrete pump looks like it's "polinating" the column forms :)

ô¿ô

harryc

May 4, 2008, 2:29 PM

http://lh4.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SB3HBWARG_I/AAAAAAAAkgA/Bh2goHgL9Ik/P1330230.JPG?imgmax=720

http://lh6.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SB3HC2ARHAI/AAAAAAAAkgM/8YBE_tTTO-4/P1330275.JPG?imgmax=720

EarlyBuyer

May 4, 2008, 3:43 PM

Photo's taken by EarlyBuyer 5/4/08

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/9733/dsc0046eo2.jpg

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/1005/dsc0050ib2.jpg

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/5448/dsc0035yf0.jpg

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/5877/dsc0039ye7.jpg

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/1984/dsc0037aq8.jpg

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/6347/dsc0041jx3.jpg

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/8669/dsc0040qa2.jpg

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/5291/dsc0044xh9.jpg

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/9081/dsc0045vd2.jpg

EarlyBuyer

May 4, 2008, 3:52 PM

Photo's taken by EarlyBuyer 5/4/08

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/174/dsc0009bm9.jpg

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/7153/dsc0011ce9.jpg

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/3783/dsc0013ox8.jpg

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/9383/dsc0015sd7.jpg

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/9516/dsc0018ae1.jpg

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/3448/dsc0027jh1.jpg

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/7096/dsc0025qe6.jpg

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/9135/dsc0023wa6.jpg

andydie

May 4, 2008, 5:44 PM

[QUOTE=harryc;3529282]http://lh4.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SB3HBWARG_I/AAAAAAAAkgA/Bh2goHgL9Ik/P1330230.JPG?imgmax=720

cool pics Harry. It feels a bit like a race between BCBS and AQUA for hight and AON just leaning back and thinking you wish:haha:

also awesome update once again EarlyBuyer :)

sentinel

May 4, 2008, 5:52 PM

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/1984/dsc0037aq8.jpg
If you notice in this image there is an extra row of what will be glazing above the existing curtain wall for the ballroom because Strategic Hotels (the Fairmont owners) wanted some additional lighting coming into the hotel ballroom so they pushed the plaster-based exterior up higher in order to create this new transom window wall on the east side of the ballroom.

neverdone

May 6, 2008, 11:08 AM

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/3448/dsc0027jh1.jpg

Is this post tension concrete?

BVictor1

May 6, 2008, 2:10 PM

Is this post tension concrete?

yes it is

BVictor1

May 6, 2008, 2:53 PM

05/04/08

https://community.emporis.com/images/6/2008/05/614401.jpg

https://community.emporis.com/images/6/2008/05/614402.jpg

https://community.emporis.com/images/6/2008/05/614403.jpg

https://community.emporis.com/images/6/2008/05/614404.jpg

[SP]Neo

May 6, 2008, 7:24 PM

as it goes higher i love this tower more and more.
great pictures guys

WestCoast

May 7, 2008, 2:35 AM

the urban politician

May 7, 2008, 4:32 AM

I haven't read this entire thread, but I think it is worth mentioning.

The park below, that Aqua boarders, looks just amazing.

The curved pathways, ooooh, what a joy to have that be outside your window:tup:

^ I remember walking on East Wacker 5 and 1/2 years ago and showing my (then) girlfriend this giant slab of land, which at the time was a huge mound of dirt. The transformation of this site is beyond impressive

Henkka

May 7, 2008, 9:42 AM

05/04/08

https://community.emporis.com/images/6/2008/05/614402.jpg

Why does those railings seem to turn inwards away from the edge of the balcony? Are they only installing railings to places where the balcony doors are and thus forming small balconies inside the waves and not installing railings everywhere along the edges?

aaron38

May 7, 2008, 2:32 PM

Why does those railings seem to turn inwards away from the edge of the balcony? Are they only installing railings to places where the balcony doors are and thus forming small balconies inside the waves and not installing railings everywhere along the edges?

I was wondering the same thing. It seems silly to build a huge balcony and then screen a large chunk of it off. Why not use the whole balcony?
And it just seems like a bad idea. If there's space there outside the railings, someone's going to store a chair or something there. And then there's no railing to keep it from being blown over the edge.

photoLith

May 7, 2008, 6:43 PM

Or someones going to want to walk out there, like if theres a party and theres some beer, thats just not a good situation, Im sure that they will do something about that. It does look kinda funky, but this tower is still one of the best in Chicago, or will be.

Mojava

May 7, 2008, 6:48 PM

My guess is that there are two seperate units on the same balcony.

Alliance

May 7, 2008, 7:24 PM

I think as the building grows and railing are actually added, the variation and patterns in the railings composition and placement will only add the the building's interest.

StatenIslander237

May 8, 2008, 9:04 AM

I think as the building grows and railing are actually added, the varitaito nand patterns in the railings composition and placement will only add the the building's interest.

I agree. If Ms. Gang was able to concoct this fantastic design, I think she put some thought into the balcony railings before hand, and I happen to think that that imperfection, in itself, perfects the building more, but in a different way. The human element is really introduced with those railings, and the building is no longer only a giant piece of good artwork.

EarlyBuyer

May 9, 2008, 11:10 PM

Here's the unedited/extended version of the time lapse video which had been posted in Blair Kamin's blog:

http://www.lakeshoreeast.com/video-aqua-hi.html

neverdone

May 10, 2008, 1:23 AM

:previous: Amazing video :tup: Are they building each slab in two pieces? What exactly does the white fabric loosely attached to each formwork piece stop?

Manus in Chicago

May 10, 2008, 12:45 PM

:previous: Amazing video :tup: Are they building each slab in two pieces? What exactly does the white fabric loosely attached to each formwork piece stop?
The slab is getting cast in two separate pours and the white tarps are for winter protection in order to heat underneath the decks to help give the concrete it's initial set.

neverdone

May 10, 2008, 1:04 PM

Thanks Manus :tup: Do you know the reason why it is being cast in two separate pours?

Manus in Chicago

May 10, 2008, 1:56 PM

Thanks Manus :tup: Do you know the reason why it is being cast in two separate pours?
It's up to the concrete Superintendent to come up with a sequence and a plan to construct the building. He has to take into account the schedule (i.e. how many days per floor); the floor plan (sq ft of each floor, shape); the vertical (columns, walls); the structure itself (what is allowed by the S.E.) and multiple other reasons including the quality of the finished concrete (what’s exposed at the end) needs to be taken into consideration. This is a very unique building as High-Rise building generally has large sections of typical floors that make the construction of a building cheaper as there is a repetitive pattern in what is been built but at The Aqua every floor footprint is unique. To split the slab in half cost more as you are doubling your placement cost with pump operators, finishers and laborers by taken two days to pour out a floor in lieu of one. But there are pro's and con's with every aspect of these decisions and in the end it’s up to him to come up with the best plan for that particular building.

harryc

May 11, 2008, 1:15 AM

http://lh6.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SCZH6aCSlYI/AAAAAAAAlSk/nVjfesRITPI/P1340198.JPG?imgmax=720

http://lh6.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SCZH8aCSlZI/AAAAAAAAlSw/-_VyNbbYeMY/P1340200.JPG?imgmax=720

chrslyp

May 12, 2008, 1:57 PM

this is kind of off topic, but indirectly related to this project and future projects in lakeside east. does anyone have any information on the acquisition of magellan development by the related cos.? i had read a few articles a couple months ago and believe they are still in negotiations, i was just wondering if anyone had any information on this.

aaron38

May 12, 2008, 2:08 PM

Not long now before Aqua breaks into the skyline, another 100 ft. or so.

Jibba

May 13, 2008, 12:13 AM

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/3466/dsc05061pl3.jpg
http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/950/dsc05063me4.jpg
http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/5042/dsc05068kl9.jpg
http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/5863/dsc05073gv5.jpg

Alliance

May 13, 2008, 12:44 AM

^^^ 'effin A

aaron38

May 13, 2008, 2:08 AM

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/950/dsc05063me4.jpg

Damn that's sweet. The glass sections without waves turned out really well, looks great.
Next weekend I'm making a pilgrimage downtown. I can't wait to see this in person again.

simcityaustin

May 13, 2008, 2:14 AM

This is going to be very cool when complete.

I think the concrete would have been cool if there was some sort of lighting the entire lenght of the building, but without that, I think the clean feel of the white is better.

Dr. Taco

May 13, 2008, 2:21 AM

man, that is sweet as hell

harryc

May 13, 2008, 3:25 AM

http://lh3.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SCkKHrY7CfI/AAAAAAAAleA/OxEKfnJStTc/P1340650.JPG?imgmax=720

asheesh88

May 13, 2008, 3:45 AM

Would someone be able to take another closeup of the railing? I looked back on page 149 of this thread, and there seemed to be some improvement in the curvature when I drove by this morning.....was that railing ever removed and reworked?

Maybe its my imagination....

Asheesh