The construction of the addition to the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, by Studio Daniel Libeskind, is providing some viewing pleasure for those in the city. The structure of the building is comprised of a complex steel "diagrid" that will support the floors and angled roof planes. There is not to be one "vertical" column in the finished structure. The eccentricity of loading, during the construction and when the project is ultimately complete, requires the use of steel member sizes that may seem "large" to the untrained eye, but which are quite necessary to ensure structural stability, prior to the completion of the concrete floor system, which will act as a diaphragm, giving stability to the framing system.
The steel is being fabricated by Walters Inc. of Hamilton. The shop fabricated size of the individual pieces has been maximized considering transportation restrictions. There is some on site assembling of larger elements prior to erection, although many are being lifted "one at a time". The entire project requires a higher than normal level of precision and coordination. Erection has been carefully phased and the seeming chaos of members, distilled into a very rational series of sequential lifts.
As of March 2005, the steel erection was about 50% complete. Most of the erection has been handled by the single tower crane on site. Staging has been tight, considering the central downtown location. There has been minimal interruption of traffic for deliveries.
The steel as of early June sees a high level of completion. The view below is taken from the roof of the existing museum, looking north towards Bloor Street.
July 12, 2005 marked the erection of the final piece of structural steel for the addition. The architect, Daniel Libeskind, was present to sign the steel -- which was also signed by all of the construction workers on the projects, ROM staff, donors and people with an interest in the project. Pictured below are the Ironworkers, Local 721, Toronto, flanking the sides of the final steel member.
The last piece of steel is erected while large quantities of the press and media, as well as workers, look on.
The final piece is surmounted by an evergreen tree, a symbol of an accident free work site!
The bracing members on the project cannot be removed until the reinforced concrete on steel deck floor is completed. The next stage of the project includes the application of fireproofing to the steel.
You can view a timelapse video of the construction of the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal at http://www.rom.on.ca/media/podcasts/display.php?id=58
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