Archive for November, 2007
Auditorium Steps Completed
Thursday, November 29th, 2007
A few days ago I showed you a shot of steps in the 270-seat auditorium on the lower level poured at every other aisle. Yesterday the “other” steps were poured revealing the number of rows, as well as the size and scope of the auditorium. This view shows the stage at left, facing the elevator core and Speakman Hall. The main entrance to the auditorium is at right, facing Montgomery Avenue.
Studs, Shafts, and Silhouettes
Thursday, November 22nd, 2007One of the most amazing things about the construction of Alter Hall is how many different things are happening simultaneously. Today, for example, while more concrete was being pumped to the 3rd floor, steps were being completed on the lower level, metal studs were being raised on the 1st floor, and the casing surrounding one of the elevator shafts was built.
The shot above left shows metal studs defining the interview room walls of the Center for Student Professional development (CSPD) on the 1st floor (Associate Dean Diana Breslin Knudsen at left and Jean Marie Radaszkiewicz at right). The shot above right shows the east side elevator bank that will be completed in the next couple weeks to carry workers between floors.
Knowing I am always seeking novel perspectives, David Kaiser and Chuck Allen encouraged me to take a shot of Alter Hall looking south on Liacouras Walk from Diamond Street.
Limestone Blocks
Wednesday, November 21st, 2007Work on a sample wall located on the 1st floor of Speakman is nearly complete. Here is one portion of the area treated on the west-side wall. The material is trowled on the old wall and scored to create the impression of 2′ X 3′ limestone blocks. The image at left is the finished wall. The image at right shows the a substrate material applied before the finish coat.
The “treated” wall at left alongside the original wall at right.
Something You Haven’t Seen Before
Monday, November 19th, 2007Have you wondered what’s going on below grade? While things are moving very fast from the 1st to 7th floors, work on the lower level of Alter has been something of a mystery. For the first time we are offered a peek into the level that contains the auditorium and four lecture halls. Below you see alternating concrete steps that form the floor of the 270 seat auditorium. Concrete workers will return to fill in the spaces between these risers in the days ahead. Have a Happy Thanksgiving from your Alter Blogger.
A Facelift for Speakman Halls
Sunday, November 18th, 2007
As part of the continuing renovation of Speakman Hall, workmen are preparing a portion of the northeast corridor on the 1st floor with a wall treatment that will change the texture, appearance and color of the walls on the 1st and 2nd floors. The process is a stucco-like resurfacing that will create a 2’ X 3’ sandstone, block pattern on the walls. This is only a sample application. If the “look†is what the architects believe  it will be,  more  work will be done this summer.
Mixmaster Quiz
Friday, November 16th, 2007I think it’s time for another quiz, don’t you?Â
 Safely protected from wind and rain under a plastic canopy, a workman mixes materials for Alter Hall. What is he mixing and for what purpose? An Alter Hall Topping Out T-Shirt to the one who gets it right.
Mixmaster from John DeAngelo on Vimeo.
Concrete Spreads
Wednesday, November 14th, 2007It’s been a while since we posted information on Alter Hall progress.  Since completing the steel frame, much of the work has moved inside, where it is harder to get photos while work is in progress. Plus, once construction passed the 3rd floor of Speakman Hall, we no longer had a vantage point for interior progress.
Soon I should be able to walk around the lower levels, and as time passes I may even be allowed to ride the construction elevator to the top!
 In the meantime, I can occasionally catch glimpses of what’s going on from the 3rd floor balcony and the rooftop. Today I captured crews pouring and finishing on the 3rd floor, and work has begun on duct work on the first floor.
3rd Floor Concrete from John DeAngelo on Vimeo.
The View from Ritter Annex
Tuesday, November 6th, 2007
Everyone’s getting into the act now. Here is a new view from Ritter Hall Annex taken when the sky was beginning to clear after a morning rain. Alter Hall looks imposing from this angle, doesn’t it? Credit for this photo goes to Zeke Moctezuma from Fox Computer Services.
Liacouras Side Completed
Friday, November 2nd, 2007
Nov 1 brought the completion of the entire west side of Alter Hall. All the structural steel is in place and workers continue to fill in the last of the steel beams on the 13th Street side of the building. This shot shows very clearly that the mansard roof is viewable at street level. The curved roof is one of the Michael Graves designed building’s most distinctive features.
John DeAngelo
