Ratner Considers Prefab Tower for Atlantic Yards
The Times reports that Forest City Ratner is considering modular construction for its first, 34-story high-rise at Atlantic Yards. The story says that though the move would cut costs, a prefabricated tower “is untested at that height” and the move would likely piss off construction workers, who were among the mega-project’s most vocal supporters. Although…
The Times reports that Forest City Ratner is considering modular construction for its first, 34-story high-rise at Atlantic Yards. The story says that though the move would cut costs, a prefabricated tower “is untested at that height” and the move would likely piss off construction workers, who were among the mega-project’s most vocal supporters. Although the the developer has its architecture firm SHoP working on designs for both a traditional and modular building, another consideration is whether a prefab structure of this height would actually result in much of a cost savings, according to the story: “Whether taller modular buildings can be built to withstand intense wind shear and seismic forces, while retaining cost savings, is another question, because the higher a structure is built, the more bracing it would require.” The article says developer Bruce Ratner has been “captivated” by the video above, which shows a modular hotel rising in China in just a few days.
Prefabricated Tower May Rise at Brooklyn’s Atlantic Yards [NY Times]
Dave, just to reiterate, you started this thread by stating that the only things keeping modular building out of New York, with the caveat that they were safe, which depending upon who you listen to, may or may not be the case was the unions. My question to you is, and I mean this seriously, given the unproven safety record of this building technique, on this scale, do you believe that the banks, insurance companies and lawyers will be more or less of an obstruction than the unions?
bxgrl – Numerous connections will be made in the field. Just because the construction is modular doesn’t mean that it will go together like lego – snap it together and it’s done. Each piece will need to be bolted in the field to the adjoining piece. (Bolts are MUCH MUCH faster than welds, and the quality can be controlled.) Once pieces are bolted together, I would expect that steel bracing would be added.
and Benson – in answer to your questions, it is my personal belief that no, public sector unions did not have an UNDUE influence in bringing about the situation. People have the right to bargain collectively, and as individuals to contribute to political causes. As to the sustainability of the current system – what can I say – medical costs here in the US are totally out of control. Our private sector system of medical care has proven itself to be the least cost effective way to deliver health care. As a taxpayer, it concerns me very much that we keep on trying to prop it up.
Being a PO or FF isnt particularly dangerous – the fact that there are various memorials around the city is great, but it doesnt mean that on a % basis it is particularly dangerous – it just means that livery cab drivers or convenience store workers (to cite 2 examples of more dangerous jobs) dont get memorials. As to your determination that it isnt the point that there are other more dangerous occupations…..actually IT IS the point, because POs and FFs are paid through tax dollars – tax dollars paid by workers who are very often toiling in more dangerous jobs (such as construction) and therefore it is unfair to offer POs and FFs a tremendous pension benefit under the theory that they have “dangerous” jobs when so many of the taxpayers work in even more dangerous occupations (with no such bension “kickers”)and also have to bear the cost burden of these benefits
Thanks architect66- what I was really asking about is the feasibility of such a structure at that height. With all the environmental factors taken into account, and I am envisionig a modular system like a stack of boxes, as opposed to a skyscraper like the empire State Bldg where the skeleton provides the vertical support. Speaking in ignorant layman’s terms of course 🙂
Part of the reason I never supported the stadium project is because of Ratner’s track record. Atlantic center is a monstrosity. And the the potential use of pre-fab alla China is a strong signal that he will build shit. I think the people of Brookly deserve much better. What’s wrong with a pleasing aesthetic and solid design?
LFR Systems are a matter of engineering and execution. There are numerous safeguards that we have NYC to address the design and construction of such systems. I’m sure you’ve read the complaints here from homeowners about what a pain in the neck the Department of Buildings is. The DOB’s no better on larger projects, and requirements for this project would include an independent engineering review and analysis (peer review) which would include a review of engineering calculations as well as drawings.
In addition, since 9/11, some appalling construction accidents and the discovery of fraudulent safety recording practices, the DOB has made requirements for construction inspections much more rigorous. Especially regarding structural installations. I think that the construction of a modular project, given SHoP as architects and given union contractors, is not beyond the capabilities of the developer.
architect66- I am curious also about how they will design it but my question to you is how do you make a modular building of 34 stories able to withstand the elements and possibly an earthquake? Will the have external bracing or some kind of bracing system beneath the facade?
Fsrg, I don’t deny or dispute that civil service and many union people are entitled to retirement after 20 years. My point was in reference to past conversations on this topic where people were screaming about firemen and cops who got in at 20 and retired at 40, and collected a hefty pension.
If you don’t think being a cop or fireman is particularly dangerous, you should take a trip to the Wall of Remembrance at Coney Island, or any police station or fire house where the lists of the active duty dead are. I don’t think anyone signed up to be a member of those lists. Yet it is a daily thought in every emergency responder’s mind, and the minds of their families. Most people don’t have to think of that every day, and that makes them special in my book.
I appreciate that there are other dangerous jobs. That really isn’t the point, however.
TY;
No point in continuing. No one has answered my two questions above, which I’ve posted twice.