Skyscraper: 2the Making of a Building

I have worked in science and engineering for many years and worked on many projects. I keep this book on my bookshelf and read it every few years. It is just wonderful and well written story. I think that I have now read it three times. It is about the construction of a building in Manhattan at 49st and 8th avenue called Worldwide Plaza. It takes the reader right from the concept through all aspects from zoning, financing, foundation work, steel erection, concrete, marble, mechanical, water leaks, leasing, everything in a nice narrative form, but not dry ...written like a novel and very entertaining. But what is great is the way all the small problems arise and are solved between all the contractors and trades and suppliers or subcontractors including trips to visit marble suppliers in Italy, laboratories in Florida, etc. This could be problems with brick colors, or steel, or delivery schedules, or street traffic, or water leaks or even alterations to the common areas as the building is finished. It is a nice review of "Just in time" manufacturing on a large scale. Not for everybody put near perfect for engineers! Realistic, educational, entertaining... a keeper for the bookshelf.

I thought this was an all around cool book. This book deals with the whole process of how a building is built, from the sight location, finances, government agencies and construction. You get just the right amount of detail, not so much that you are forcing your way through the book, but enough to really understand it. I like the flow of the book, the author keeps the pace going and you can feel the tension main of the actors are experiencing. The author has done a good job with this book, detailed and interesting. If you ever wanted to know how they build those big building then this is an introductory course.

This book is a fascinating look at the entire process of building a skyscraper. Finance, logistics, negotiation, construction, architecture... it's all here. I have one question. I believe this book was once a PBS series... does anyone know if that is available on video? If anyone has any info on that please email me at [email protected]

I believe the author has done an excellent job of articulating the concessions and compromises made by all the parties in the development of a skycraper. To illustrate the delineation of some of the roles, responsibilities and concomitant frustrations, I quote from the book:"In an earlier world the architect got on with the drawings. In todays world it's left much more to vendors to produce documents which the architect checks" (page 242)"We can never work in the final medium of our art, as painters or sculptors usually do, so it's frightening to see the final thing come together being crafted by other hands than your own" (page 299)"The architects were pretty confident that it wasn't a design fault. The masons were pretty sure that they had built the wall to specifications...The window manufacturer was fairly happy with the windows he had fabricated and shipped...for the mockup. The testing company, which had supervised building the mockup, seemed confident that all the instructions had been followed...As they all talked among themselves, rumors spread." (page 202)The interface between the consultants, trades, vendors, managers and developer makes for interesting reading with some lessons to be learned.

The problems the architects have with the engineers and the "customer". How it is physically erected and the logistics of getting permits, labor and materials. The leverage that major, future tenants of the skyscraper have on its design. The personal experiences of the those responsible for its construction, from the site foreman to the leasing agents, and how they deal with delays and cost overruns.It is simply an interesting story of the building of a skyscraper on Manhattan, from the ground, up. I've always wondered, vaguely, about the process, and this book nicely satisfies me in terms I can grasp.