Archive for October, 2007
View From Broad
Wednesday, October 31st, 2007
How Do They Get to the Top?
Monday, October 29th, 2007That erector set-like structure at left, topped by a red cab is the exterior elevator built on the Montgomery Street side of Alter Hall to carry workers between floors.
More Photos From “Topping Out”
Friday, October 26th, 2007A pumpkin in the construction patch.
To view more photos from the October 18th “Topping Out” and Reception, follow this link.
Question of the Week
Tuesday, October 23rd, 2007Note: The first answer is a correct one: Mansard Roof, provided by Mark Kostic. Congratulations!
Fresh off the excitement of the “Topping Out” (see the signature-laden white beam and American flag to the right) one of the building’s most distintive architectural features has begun to take shape.
The dramatic curved metal roof that defines Alter Hall has a name. A topping off “stress hammer” to the first person to correctly identify the proper nomenclature for this French-inspired architectural feature.
Video of Topping Out
Thursday, October 18th, 2007
Topping Off Alter from John DeAngelo on Vimeo.
Note: The video incorrectly identifies the Topping Out date as March, 18, 2007.
At 11:35 AM, October 18, 2007, a beam painted white so donors could sign their names was hoisted high above 13th Street to the top of Alter Hall. After a little clowning around by the high wire steel workers, it was set in place … complete with Americam flag and a balled evergreen. In the spirit of being “green”, the tree will be planted between Alter and Speakman Halls as a momento of this special day.
Topping Out TODAY
Tuesday, October 16th, 2007
Today, Thursday, October 18, from 11:00 AM-12:00 PM, a “Topping Out” ceremony was held at the corner of 13th and Montgomery Aves. The ceremony, a tradition in the construction industry, signifies the completion of steel work … a major landmark in Alter Hall’s construction.
Student, faculty, staff, and alumni donors, along with Temple University VIPs and alums, were invited to sign a painted beam before it was hoisted to one of the highest points in the building. Traditionally, an evergreen tree and American flag are attached to the beam as it is raised, signifying growth, renewal, and pride.
Faculty, staff, students and friends were invited to attend the “Topping Out,” which took place between 11:00-11:45 AM, followed by a reception at 12:00 PM in the Speakman Student lounge. Dennis and Gisela Alter, Richard Fox, President Ann Weaver Hart, and Dean Moshe Porat offered their reflections at the reception.
You can see for miles and miles …
Monday, October 15th, 2007
When plans for Alter Hall were first drawn, some of the earliest renderings showed views of downtown Philadelphia from the 7th floor MBA Commons and the Dean’s Office on the 3rd floor. I would be less than honest If I didn’t say I was a little skeptical. After all, Ritter Hall Annex stood between us and pretty views. Well today I climbed to the roof of Speakman Hall, and guess what? There really is a view of the Philly skyline from as low as the 3rd floor, so there has to be a clearer, unobstructed view from the 7th, right? I will never doubt an architect again 
Another city view from the 3rd floor of Alter Hall.
Alter Hall Reaches 7th Floor
Thursday, October 11th, 2007
Here are two views from Liacouras Walk looking southeast.
Now There Are Seven!
Tuesday, October 9th, 2007
Seven floors of steel decking. We have reached the top floor of Alter Hall (minus the roof and “penthouse” of course) Things are moving rapidly toward “topping out,” the day on which the last steel beam is put in place. Do you want to guess what day that will be?
Yet Another Perspective
Monday, October 1st, 2007It’s October 1 and time to view Alter Hall from a different angle.
Here’s a view from Paley Plaza on 13th Street. To the right is Speakman Hall and the current main entrance, which will be transformed by adding a glass curtain wall next summer. Alter Hall is now being framed to the 6th floor. One more to go!
John DeAngelo