So is Guy's hospital getting a makeover too?

blimey thats a mega quick mega column.
Great

"core" blimey guvnor

Hey I'm new...
I've been interested in the Shard for quite a while but have my doubts it'll be built by 2012 considering towers usually take around 5 years to be built - but the rate that central column is rising is quite amazing. But one thing I've realised it that it needs some more medium/tall, modern towers around it and that it would also need some space - the immediate houses around it look very shabby.

http://www.spacy.me/forum/shard-side-view2.jpg

The new columns are visible on the webcam now :banana:

Phone cam shot from platform 14 of London Bridge Station this morning

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97002-2/20100303_0001.jpg

Level 18 is now clear below the rig.

Hey I'm new...
I've been interested in the Shard for quite a while but have my doubts it'll be built by 2012 considering towers usually take around 5 years to be built - but the rate that central column is rising is quite amazing. But one thing I've realised it that it needs some more medium/tall, modern towers around it and that it would also need some space - the immediate houses around it look very shabby.

Personally, I think it'll be externally complete by spring 2012 with the internal fit out taking the rest of the year.

I would suspect that priority for the internal fitout would be the hotel as they'll want to be open for a certain major sporting event happening in London at the end of July/Start of Aug whereas the TfL offices are more likely to sorted later as I doubt they'll be too eager to try and keep London moving during those two weeks *and* also trying to find out where the pens are now kept in their new home. The mega-expensive apartments will probably be done slowly after the hotel is sorted to allow people to work with the contractors to design the apartment they want.

Unfortunately I don't count any of those buildings. I do not believe any of those you listed would be known for their archoitecture, or as famous London buildings outside of the UK. Indeed many of them wont even be known by Londoners! I hardly think people come to London to stand in ore of Waterloo Bridge, Centrepoint or The Royal Festival Hall ( Well known as a venue, iconic, no) However people do want to come and see The London Eye,and will want to see the Shard. (Which I see as a long awaited response to the Eifle Tower:)) I admire your loyalty to some of those buildings but they are really not what identifies London to Visitors! Ironically you missed one of the very few great developments of the centuary - though still not known outside of London - the Barbican!!

You may well be right about which buildings are well known outside the UK and I am sure that it is sad but true, for example, that millions of Londoners who have never heard of Charles Holden walk through his underground stations every day without recognising their quality which IMO is every bit as great a contribution to London's public space as any other building or buildings, and I certainly stand in awe of them.They are certainly a greater testament to the civilising influence of good architecture than the Eiffel Tower, which like most of Paris is merely grandiose, again IMO.My point was simply that there are other ways of judging what counts as good heritage than the test of what is well known and what the tourists come to see,indeed I think the views of those who live in and really appreciate London are more important.Of course,sometimes a building can be modern, well-known and of supreme quality ,and I agree with you that the Gherkin is one of those.
I am probably annoying every other forum contributor by being so far off topic, for which I apologise, so I shall stop now,but it has been interesting hearing your views.:)

Well, if we're still on the topic of iconic London buildings, Paddington Basin is an 'iconic site' according to this PCSO (http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/dec/15/italian-student-police-arrest-filming) :D

[/OT]

Well, if we're still on the topic of iconic London buildings, Paddington Basin is an 'iconic site' according to this PCSO (http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/dec/15/italian-student-police-arrest-filming) :D

[/OT]The police neeed to be stamped on hard when they behave like that. The officer at the centre of it should be sacked as an example to others.

It must be on floor 18 now, so over half way up Guy's.

Oh dear - its a community support officer - not good enough to be a proper copper. Sigh.

It must be on floor 18 now, so over half way up Guy's.

Yep

Level 18 is now clear below the rig.

;)

Sorry Cyber, i should look first ey.

The police neeed to be stamped on hard when they behave like that. The officer at the centre of it should be sacked as an example to others.

I accept mistakes can be made and they have to be careful what I don't understand is that after she was proved innocent she was still charged for their mistake.

Hey I'm new...
I've been interested in the Shard for quite a while but have my doubts it'll be built by 2012 considering towers usually take around 5 years to be built - but the rate that central column is rising is quite amazing. But one thing I've realised it that it needs some more medium/tall, modern towers around it and that it would also need some space - the immediate houses around it look very shabby.

Personally, I think it'll be externally complete by spring 2012 with the internal fit out taking the rest of the year.

I would suspect that priority for the internal fitout would be the hotel as they'll want to be open for a certain major sporting event happening in London at the end of July/Start of Aug whereas the TfL offices are more likely to sorted later as I doubt they'll be too eager to try and keep London moving during those two weeks *and* also trying to find out where the pens are now kept in their new home. The mega-expensive apartments will probably be done slowly after the hotel is sorted to allow people to work with the contractors to design the apartment they want.

actually in a years time this will be so far advanced externally that you guys will rather wonder how they will spend a full more year to finish this completely (it will be full completion in spring 2012). And let's not forget that internal fitout already starts long before external completion, we just had an interesting update on the Heron thread about that..

It must be on floor 18 now, so over half way up Guy's.

As i said earlier (and this to CYBER too),floor 19 is halfway up Guys (19=69.950 metres)!!!!!!
Guys is 143 metres of course


http://planningonline.southwarksites.com/planningonline2/DocsOnline/Documents/50966_1.pdf

As i said earlier (and this to CYBER too),floor 19 is halfway up Guys (19=69.950 metres)!!!!!!
Guys is 143 metres of course

Oh, indeed. I remembered someone had said something about that. It's one of the reasons I mentioned it :)

I guess the top of the rig must be 76 metres approx,so over halfway counting that ;-)
If the floor number is included in images,its very handy for all to know current floor height :-)

The Shard is getting quite close to 1/4 height

If the floor number is included in images,its very handy for all to know current floor height :-)

I may be in a position to oblige that request a little later on this evening...

I know this is kind of off-topic but didn't anyone have trouble getting to London Bridge this morning as the trains were kind of cancelled/delayed due to a fire of some sort...

A couple taken today :

http://i48.tinypic.com/5wlg1c.jpg
http://i47.tinypic.com/x3ve5x.jpg
http://i50.tinypic.com/vh3ghu.jpg
http://i47.tinypic.com/xlcsc5.jpg
http://i45.tinypic.com/2i1lhz8.jpg
http://i46.tinypic.com/2aficg5.jpg

I have been told that TfL will take possession of its floors in late 2011. Don't know how long the client fit out will take (Palestra took a long time from possession to full occupation - fit out of kitchens, desks, IT etc.) but should be earlier than some of the posts above suggest.

I have been told that TfL will take possession of its floors in late 2011. Don't know how long the client fit out will take (Palestra took a long time from possession to full occupation - fit out of kitchens, desks, IT etc.) but should be earlier than some of the posts above suggest.

How could that be though, if the actual structure won't be complete at that time, surely the fitting out of that part would be a year or so later?

I know this is kind of off-topic but didn't anyone have trouble getting to London Bridge this morning as the trains were kind of cancelled/delayed due to a fire of some sort...

Ohhhhhhhhhh yes! When I first heard a 'building near London Bridge station had caught fire', I was praying it wasn't the Shard haha! Not sure how much concrete burns in reality though... :nuts:

Anyway, great pics, Octoman, can't believe the height increase since I was there on Monday!

Personally, I think it'll be externally complete by spring 2012 with the internal fit out taking the rest of the year.

I would suspect that priority for the internal fitout would be the hotel as they'll want to be open for a certain major sporting event happening in London at the end of July/Start of Aug whereas the TfL offices are more likely to sorted later as I doubt they'll be too eager to try and keep London moving during those two weeks *and* also trying to find out where the pens are now kept in their new home. The mega-expensive apartments will probably be done slowly after the hotel is sorted to allow people to work with the contractors to design the apartment they want.

Looks like you might be spot on with that suspision dronkula considering this article

http://www.designweek.co.uk/pitch-due-for-hotel-in-the-shard-tower/3010586.article

If you use Cam 3 and measure across to the floors on Guys they seem to be doing about 1 Guys floor per day - at least within the perspective of the cam.

Some pics from Wednesday lunch time.

More from today in my Shard Gallery (http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/v/architecture/london/shard).



General views of the core progress

Banham Street, SE1 - to the east of the site a little south of the GLA building.

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97284-2/20100303_0254.jpg


Platform 6, London Bridge Station

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97074-2/20100303_0129.jpg

with a close-up of the numbers :)

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97044-2/20100303_0119.jpg


St Thomas Street

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97266-2/20100303_0227.jpg


London Bridge Street

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97122-2/20100303_0155.jpg


On to the steel...

St Thomas Street; a new level of columns.

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97248-2/20100303_0213.jpg


Delivery at Gate 1

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97212-2/20100303_0196.jpg

being craned up top

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97218-2/20100303_0200.jpg


Meanwhile, round on the station side, a little sequence of prep and fit a beam

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97086-2/20100303_0133.jpg

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97104-2/20100303_0140.jpg

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97134-2/20100303_0165.jpg

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97146-2/20100303_0168.jpg

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97176-2/20100303_0180.jpg

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97200-2/20100303_0191.jpg


Taking a break

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97206-2/20100303_0194.jpg


On a final note: of interest to shardcam watchers, I believe this is cam 3 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=52297567#post52297567)

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97056-2/20100303_0124.jpg

Thanks for the informative set of images cybertect.
Soon be poking above London bridge from your perspective,harryposter.

Tower Bridge. ;)

I just had a leisurely curry watching the Shard construction from my 11th floor canteen. They were attaching new sections to the outer white steel columns on the station side - you can see these starting to appear in cam 3 (http://www.siteeyelive.com/monitor/shard/camputer120.jpg)

anyone into twitter might want to sign up to higher_ground (http://twitter.com/higher_ground)'s feed - s/he's tweeting some nice Shard pics...

yeap, with its wlan high gain antenna connection to the top of guys tower!

http://www.spacy.me/forum/shard-top-view3.jpg

Are these new parts for some white columns or just floorparts?

Hi.

I was just wondering when the first big reduction in core size may happen, so I thought I would re-watch some of the youtube animations to see that could shed some light. It seems to suggest that it wont be until about level 35. Can this be correct? surely there wont be any floor space left around the core at that height!!!

Quick thanks to all those who take the trouble to post the photos I have enjoyed over the last 5 months.

It's amazing the rate this is going up.

incredible! this is rising so fast, great construction workers lol!

From my flat in Wapping, today at 10am:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4405472953_7a766cf429_b.jpg

Bonus photo, with the Strata on the left:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2680/4405461541_082d439643_b.jpg

This thing is rising fast indeed, I reckon about one floor per day now!

http://i50.tinypic.com/qryvqh.jpg

http://i48.tinypic.com/do9i5y.jpg

Thanks for the informative set of images cybertect.
Soon be poking above London bridge from your perspective,harryposter.

Risen yet another 3 metres in 24 hours,so rig near 80 metres (floor 21 passes 80 metre mark).


Think the top of this camview represents 210-230 metres....


So maybe it won't fit in the concrete core (to be 240 metres height)....


http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn361/trex65million/camputer30.jpg

Whilst I was enjoying a dose of food poisoning last night (courtesy of the Strada at More London), I noticed that they were still working on the Shard at 2am in the morning. Looks like they were pouring concrete well into the night then.

I just had a leisurely curry watching the Shard construction from my 11th floor canteen. They were attaching new sections to the outer white steel columns on the station side - you can see these starting to appear in cam 3 (http://www.siteeyelive.com/monitor/shard/camputer120.jpg)

I visted the site today, after about 3 weeks, I can't believe the progress that has been made, It really is worth a visit, although the picture updtaes we get from Cybertec, etc are fantastic, you need to see the sheer physical presence this already has on the area

^^Indeed, it already looks massive.

From Waterloo Bridge
http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/4727/shard0.jpg

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/1996/shard1u.jpg

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/29/shard2y.jpg

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/7677/shard3.jpg

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/3329/shard4.jpg

http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/8678/shard5.jpg

http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/4746/shard6.jpg

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/8246/shard7.jpg

incredible! this is rising so fast, great construction workers lol!

http://i46.tinypic.com/2whmhc9.jpg

http://i48.tinypic.com/1zc9om.jpg

Something I've noticed about those pictures, is that how from that angle Guy's tower actually doesn't look too bad.

http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/2662/nightshot.jpg

Tower Bridge. ;)

Ouch,i'll blame my tired physical state when i wrote that:bash: ;-)


MEDO,those shots realy show Shard soaring already,and only approx 1/4 height

Something I've noticed about those pictures, is that how from that angle Guy's tower actually doesn't look too bad.

I generally think any angle where you can see the top it looks pretty horrid from.

http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/7735/53916158.jpg (lol)

Saw Shard for the first time today, it really does look big already. The webcams don't do it justice but the photos do, so thanks to those people for the regular updates :).

I generally think any angle where you can see the top it looks pretty horrid from.

Well, the top looks horrid from anywhere but what I meant was that the proportions from that exact angle look way better than others.

yikes - more than 1/4 up then!

I visted the site today, after about 3 weeks, I can't believe the progress that has been made, It really is worth a visit, although the picture updtaes we get from Cybertec, etc are fantastic, you need to see the sheer physical presence this already has on the area

I agree. I was wandering around there yesterday at lunchtime and the scale of the thing at ground level is just breathtaking. Looking at the pictures I get the impression, "Oh, the core's so big that there won't be much space on each floor", but nothing could be further from the truth, even with the tapering. This thing is vast!

http://gickr.com/results4/anim_d91dbc33-1d89-6ba4-51fd-e8f277af0b96.gif (http://gickr.com)
I made this quick GIF to get a sense of what we can expect to see from this newly discovered webcam. Whilst the render itself is pretty dodgy - I left out the blocky part at the base of the Shard - I used the planning docs to hopefully get the scale right.

http://gickr.com/results4/anim_d91dbc33-1d89-6ba4-51fd-e8f277af0b96.gif (http://gickr.com)
I made this quick GIF to get a sense of what we can expect to see from this newly discovered webcam. Whilst the render itself is pretty dodgy - I left out the blocky part at the base of the Shard - I used the planning docs to hopefully get the scale right.

I think you've rendered the Shard toooo short.

Floor 20/21 being formed now (=78-80 metres),so just over 1/4 height.

Another 3 measures of the present core height to go,that camview top edge of frame represents no more than 240 metres,measuring up,some 70 metres under apex.

Heron's top dog status ain't 'long for this world' at this rate.:)

Curious to know how thick the walls of the core are? I imagine that they aren't that that thick given the speed of its ascent.

I think you've rendered the Shard toooo short.

Floor 20/21 being formed now (=78-80 metres),so just over 1/4 height.

Another 3 measures of the present core height to go,that camview top edge of frame represents no more than 240 metres,measuring up,some 70 metres under apex.

I adjusted it slightly. The concrete core (240m) now ends about top of frame.

http://gickr.com/results4/anim_1447e2db-5ec8-6874-490e-52421b895d58.gif (http://gickr.com)

Heron's top dog status ain't 'long for this world' at this rate.:)

What you may not know though is that there are actually TWO Herons, look:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2799/4390114161_b3545c5487_o.jpg

See?

:D

BTW, nice pics Medo.

What a pretty heron!

The eponymous tower had better gain its spire quickly if it ever wants to be the UK's tallest building - it seems it doesn't have long.

the shard from the roof of ropemaker -

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/46TheShard_pic16.jpg

good zoomage - or this week, should it be 'zuma'?

What's the big elevated green space in the background - I'm presuming its Crystal Palace/Sydenham?

Medo and SE9 - superb photos, thankyou - loving the fact that the core is starting to appear from such a multitude of locations.

Just past the site and it looks like some new steel arrived this morning. Sorry no pic.

SLIPFORM STOPPED @ 77 METRES !!! No movement now for around 6 weeks i've been informed :storm:

Well that's the way cookie crumbles .. we can watch the steel work climb now. Patience me'lad ;0)

Well that's the way cookie crumbles .. we can watch the steel work climb now. Patience me'lad ;0)

Exactly:banana:

I think its a little cheeky just to accelerate ahead with the core. Pouring concrete into a core isnt hard, sure its happened quick and we've got to 20 stories, but we need the steelwork to catch up for it to make a proper impact on the skyline, people will say its a building, not just a big ugly concrete core with big steel legs.:nuts:

Steelwork/floorwork= real progress!

SLIPFORM STOPPED @ 77 METRES !!! No movement now for around 6 weeks i've been informed :storm:

There is something I don't understand, maybe someone can explain it to me. I have read a thousand times on this site and elsewhere that core pouring needs to be continuous for the structure to retain its integrity. Then how come they can stop for 6 weeks?

There is something I don't understand, maybe someone can explain it to me. I have read a thousand times on this site and elsewhere that core pouring needs to be continuous for the structure to retain its integrity. Then how come they can stop for 6 weeks?

Well the stop every weekend so it happens often. I think that it's only bad for the structure if something unexpected happens in the process itself.

At what level will the steel be if the core restarts?

The steelwork is the most interesting bit for me. Every level slightly different. Its amazing watching them put it all together like the worlds biggest 3 dimensional jigsaw. Plus with the steel you can actually watch it happening whereas the concrete work is largely hidden from view.

The next month will be the best time to visit the site and watch it all happening. Huge amounts going on in full view and close enough to the ground you can see it all in detail. I'm going there today to watch for a bit :)

An optical illusion: from this angle it looks as if the Shard core and London Bridge House are in fact just one construction project - and it looks as if they're building another Guy's tower...

http://i50.tinypic.com/263d4b7.jpg

An optical illusion: from this angle it looks as if the Shard core and London Bridge House are in fact just one construction project - and it looks as if they're building another Guy's tower...


Thank God it's only an illusion. One GT is more than enough. :lol:

it'd be cool if the core rose to it's full height without any steelwork. would look so slender :nuts:

Maybe EH have had the last "laugh" and the plan has always been a 77m Shard....:nuts:

There is something I don't understand, maybe someone can explain it to me. I have read a thousand times on this site and elsewhere that core pouring needs to be continuous for the structure to retain its integrity. Then how come they can stop for 6 weeks?

I think thats just a misunderstanding because people saw references to 24hr continuous pour and put 2 & 2 together. The slipform is used because its the best and easiest way to construct this but there is no structural requirement for continous pouring. All they have to do is properly prepare the existing concrete surface to ensure an adequate bond to the next pour. This is how all concrete structures are made.

If the 6 week hiatus is true then my guess would be that the core guys are going into the basement to construct the bottom part of the core.

An optical illusion: from this angle it looks as if the Shard core and London Bridge House are in fact just one construction project - and it looks as if they're building another Guy's tower...

http://i50.tinypic.com/263d4b7.jpg

imagine the shame if instead of building the Shard they were actually building an exact replica of Guys Hospital - having to go on to the world forums to explain ourselves, having to have thread titles amended to 'Guys Hospital replica / Southwark / 142m / 34fl / U/C.

^^
:lol::lol::lol:

Not being funny.. But we all take at face value a claim from someone who's only just signed up? :/

Im pretty sure there was always going to be scheduled pauses in the growth of the core. We were told this by an "insider" were we not?

Not being funny.. But we all take at face value a claim from someone who's only just signed up? :/

Well we wont have to wait long to see if he is genuine, if its not got any higher by the middle of next week, he must be in the know...

Not being funny.. But we all take at face value a claim from someone who's only just signed up? :/

To be honest theres been a lot of posters that have signed up recently that (appear, at least) to be in the construction industry, and involved on projects all over London, so I wouldn't be too skeptical.

Im pretty sure there was always going to be scheduled pauses in the growth of the core. We were told this by an "insider" were we not?

absolutely. And it makes sense, too. Otherwise we would have a topped out core within a few months and nobody really expected that anyways. What rather makes sense it that they keep going with 24hour pours for a few weeks (which we experienced) while there at it already and then take a brake for another few weeks or even months so the workers can be allocated elsewhere and help the steelwork to catch up..

I think thats just a misunderstanding because people saw references to 24hr continuous pour and put 2 & 2 together. The slipform is used because its the best and easiest way to construct this but there is no structural requirement for continous pouring. All they have to do is properly prepare the existing concrete surface to ensure an adequate bond to the next pour. This is how all concrete structures are made.

If the 6 week hiatus is true then my guess would be that the core guys are going into the basement to construct the bottom part of the core.

To expand on this, if the pouring sequence is stopped each night then, especially on a core this size, there is a considerable amount of cleaning down and preparation that has to be done ready for the next days pour. One of the key elements to slipform is keeping the shutters clean. If the pour cycle is stopped then the concrete overspill etc would set to the shutters. If you then started pouring again the following morning with this still on the shutters then this would result in considerable structural problems as this dried concrete would drag with the pour leaving a finish of large areas with concrete missing. To stop the pour each night here would mean opening every shutter and carrying out an intense clean that would probably take all night so best hust to avoid this by keep going.

Another reason this slipform has to stop now is that it has almost outgrown the cranes. For the cranes now to climb up they will need to be tied to the steel structure which at present isn't there so it has to allow the steel to catch up.

To be honest theres been a lot of posters that have signed up recently that (appear, at least) to be in the construction industry, and involved on projects all over London, so I wouldn't be too skeptical.

you took the words right out of my mouth. This project is reeling in the big boys

you took the words right out of my mouth. This project is realling in the big boys

He's not wrong, it has stopped for the next few weeks, may be not as many as 6 though.
This will happen every few weeks.
Stuff needs to be done in the basement, and in the core itself.

Also keep watching the Shard cam from the top of Guys.......more later:cheers:

I was going through my imageshack account and came accross these pictures of the Shard site taken exactly one year ago:

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/2808/med7842.jpg

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/116/med7841.jpg

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/7880/med7840.jpg

Not a great image, but an interesting viewpoint - as seen from the 15th floor of New Court:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/AtifR/NMR%20View/CIMG6471Large.jpg

Re the core, don't forget as someone else has pointed out, the cranes are of limited use now due to the core being higher than the cranes.

We'll probably see the steel accelerate up the core now.

He's not wrong, it has stopped for the next few weeks, may be not as many as 6 though.
This will happen every few weeks.
Stuff needs to be done in the basement, and in the core itself.

Also keep watching the Shard cam from the top of Guys.......more later:cheers:

I was commenting on the fact that there are lots of 'on the project' newbies but still, good to know.

Hi...I've been lurking on this site for a few weeks now, but after I took a few photos on a recent day trip to London, I decided that it might be time for me to register and start posting.

I have two of the Shard...they're a bit outdated, dating from last Saturday, and the quality isn't amazing due to them being taken with a phone, so they're not as impressive as some of the other images you guys are posting here.

One from the top of the Monument(a pretty good vantage point for checking on the Shard's progress)...also note The Strata in the background.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o57/OverlordApocalypse/IMAG0028.jpg

And another from the Thames Path between London Bridge and the Tower.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o57/OverlordApocalypse/IMAG0039.jpg

I have to say, photos and webcams don't do this thing's size justice...it was nearly half the size of Guy's Hospital when I was there. Hard to believe that this is only a fraction of the final product's height and width. I'll be following this project closely, and hopefully provide more photos if I find myself in London again. :)

Ive just noticed a couple of posts recently that gave the impression that some of the workers on site are able to do more than one specific job i.e. jump off the core and help with the steel work etc. I may have got the wrong end of the stick and may missed something so please forgive me if thats the case and im insulting your understanding but otherwise i just wanted to state the obvious to those that do not have any idea about construction.
There are specific people who do a specific job (contractors) who are trained to do a job. So the workers on the core will stick on the core whilst other skilled workers will continue working on the basements.
The steel erectors will continue to work on the steel etc etc.
Obviously the core has to stop at this level so that the steel work can be brought up and then the cranes be connected to the superstructure then cranes can be raised and continue to service the core as has already been stated earlier. So it makes sense that the workers working on the large core can now jump off and possibly start on the other smaller core (makes no sense to send them home or on another job) at this stage in the schedule, and it makes sense to schedule the smaller core to be started in with the break in the larger core, although i must admit there are so many other variables in contruction!
But as long as there is labour then there is no reason why many different things cant continue at the same time. Once the cranes are connected and raised then im sure large core, basements, steelwork, smaller core (labour permitting) internal fitouts etc can continue at a rapid pace. Just for those who have no clue on constuction. When a large contractor like mace wants something to be built at a rapid pace it will be done.
There is no reason why workers have to stop at something and help with something else so as to 'catch up'.

Yup I remember at BT years back they were introducing (much to the unions agravation) the concept of multi-skilling. Up to then field engineers either went up poles or clambered underground (moles or poles). If you had a fault that involved going up a pole and a 'downunder' man arrived that was it mate. He'd have to reschedule.

Poles do seem to mess things up for the british constuction industry :lol:
Sorry ignore that joke, my wife is polish!
Jack of all trades master of none is now considered a bit of a cow boy on buiding sites of big contractors. You have to show you have a specific skill now, usually you will have a c.i.s card with the qualifications of your specific skill, otherwise your not let on the job. Never used to be like that, though not much has changed, infact skill levels were higher years ago.

Final update of this week from me, and my last for a short while as I'll be out of town next week.

One of my regular viewpoints: St Thomas Street/Bermondsey Street

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97452-2/20100305_0017.jpg


and from the other side of the site at the junction of St Thomas Street with Borough High Street

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97584-2/20100305_0089.jpg



highlights of today's action that I could see at lunch time...


New steel level on the eastern side of the site; this viewed from St Thomas Street

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97458-2/20100305_0021.jpg

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97470-2/20100305_0023.jpg

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97464-2/20100305_0022.jpg

Some large white blocks were being carted into the basement by hand. I'm assuming they're for insulation down below.

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97482-2/20100305_0035.jpg


This mysterious plywood cube has appeared in the recesses of the station side of the site. Looks like shuttering of some kind...

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97488-2/20100305_0037.jpg


You can have a lot of photographic fun with fairly abstract shots of this steel frame in construction. I'm trying not to post a whole bunch of them :)

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97506-2/20100305_0045.jpg


Today's human interest section

Part 1 - steel erector

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97524-2/20100305_0049.jpg


Part 2

- hoisting steel off a lorry sequence

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97536-2/20100305_0053.jpg

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97542-2/20100305_0058.jpg

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97548-2/20100305_0060.jpg

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97554-2/20100305_0064.jpg

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97560-2/20100305_0065.jpg

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97566-2/20100305_0069.jpg


P.S. Every time I've been to the site this week I have been gobsmacked by the volume of steel that is being fitted to what is quite a complex structure. These guys are doing a cracking job.

Not sure if this has been said before but forgetting the issue of steelwork and crane heights you also have issues with curing times of the poured concrete. The length of the curing period depends upon the properties desired and upon atmospheric conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and wind velocity. We are in winter at the moment so ambient temperatures are pretty low hence curing times will be lengthened over that of summer. Ok accelerators can be used which I imagine they are but these too have inherent issues with strength of the final product. So considering the total load on the base of the core curing must be allowed to take place before continuing higher.

However am I sad at the prospect of a pause....nope...this is a marathon not a 100m sprint. We have plenty of good times ahead with this project and I for one will relish every single update posted.

Again many thanks for all the photos especially cybertech etc.

Re the core, don't forget as someone else has pointed out, the cranes are of limited use now due to the core being higher than the cranes.

We'll probably see the steel accelerate up the core now.

By the time the core starts to rise again, the crane issue will be resolved..............keep watching:cheers:

By the time the core starts to rise again, the crane issue will be resolved..............keep watching:cheers:

:applause::okay: Slip stopped, bit of a celebration:drunk:Godawful hangover, see you all soon, going to sleep for at least a week.

By the time the core starts to rise again, the crane issue will be resolved..............keep watching:cheers:
Hummm - don't suppose a nice TC5 is going to slip into that hole up there at the back right of the core? Or just wishful thinking maybe.

If another crane appears for the core I would expect it to be perched on top of any step-in so it is independant of the slipform and can be tied to the core as it rises.

If another crane appears for the core I would expect it to be perched on top of any step-in so it is independant of the slipform and can be tied to the core as it rises.

Comming soon to a tower near you....

Anyway, i'm of to somewhere hot for a short trip, so no more posts from me until next Thursday

From Southwark Tube ... Palestra to right:

http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/vv339/BorderBoy3/shard2-2.jpg

http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/vv339/BorderBoy3/shard1-3.jpg

...so no more posts from me until next Thursday
Ahhh the real reason why they stopped work on the core. Jolly decent of them!

If another crane appears for the core I would expect it to be perched on top of any step-in so it is independant of the slipform and can be tied to the core as it rises.
Surely it will make just as much sense to put it down a lift shaft - no need for any bracing and it gets easier all round coverage.

Surely it will make just as much sense to put it down a lift shaft - no need for any bracing and it gets easier all round coverage.

Yes it could be done, if the shaft is big enough because it would have to accomodate the crane mast and the slipform rig to form the walls of the shaft the crane is in.

For a driver being able to see down to the ground he would be better off to one side.

i found a realy good link to u tube about the construction proces. i think the
schedule is a bit out but gives a good look at the construction proces.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WYKyCrK9tM&feature=fvw

^^ Yea, its been shown before but always good to see it again. Interestingly it shows the central crane being installed at about the same height as the core is in reality so furthering evidence that we're about to see TC5.

i found a realy good link to u tube about the construction proces. i think the
schedule is a bit out but gives a good look at the construction proces.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WYKyCrK9tM&feature=fvw

We've seen this before. It's not very accurate either, it has the steelwork up to level 15 by now. I think this is just a wishfull thinking. if it's an accurate work plan then they are woefully behind schedule.

guess what i went up today!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4413752462_c61f751303_b.jpg

top of the core:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2792/4413762264_b23b5bbbdb_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4412986009_915af02469_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4018/4413760898_50809f5e76_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4413755198_577ec4cef8_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4412988903_077f67becb_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/4412990189_7ae99403f0_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/4412991805_af00759e3f_b.jpg

some crane porn:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4413763892_39df8101ba_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2758/4413765092_80d791137d_b.jpg

close up of the flooring:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2755/4412998363_e5ebe6d697_b.jpg

What fantastic shots there! Especially looking across to the city.

cheers Mark, i've got more coming across the various threads...

Some more shots from yesterday:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4414297730_da9f9182c8_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2721/4413516163_5c80a31cbb_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/4413512679_0ee418cf45_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4413508377_eb74234b52_b.jpg

Wow thanks Wawd great shots thankyou:cheers:

why does the metal look rusted :P?

why does the metal look rusted :P?Because ... it is rusty!
:crazy2: [sorry - completely irelevant smiley]

Thought the metal would have been new ^^

If its not treated it wil show signs of rust very quickly. Once embedded into the building it'll be fine. Honest!

lol kk sorry :P

Wasn't it said that the rusted metal was temporary?

Some more shots from yesterday:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4414297730_da9f9182c8_b.jpg

Wow, wasn't expected to see those 3/4 in the same photo. Great updates.:)

Mar Terra, bottom right, behind Palestra, does excellent Tapas. :cheers:

lol kk sorry :P

Railway tracks rust after about 1 day of idleness.

New London Architecture: Conference on Bankside & London Bridge, James Sellar, CEO of Sellar

James Sellar discusses 'The Shard of Glass' which is currently under construction, and once completed in 2012 will be the tallest tower in London. James Sellar CEO predicts that the viewing gallery will attract around a million visitors a year, therefore playing an important role in attracting tourism, as well as providing prime office space.

http://www.gleeds.tv/index.cfm?video=657

Looks like the crane nearest to cam 2 is being jacked up:banana:

If its not treated it wil show signs of rust very quickly. Once embedded into the building it'll be fine. Honest!

They don’t mind a bit of rust because the steel takes paint better with it so they leave it.

They don’t mind a bit of rust because the steel takes paint better with it so they leave it.
That's an interesting point, thinking about it - it makes sense. Will they get a fireproof coating?

Isn't it the law that steel be fireproofed?

some more from the weekend:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4412982415_48cdf4ab2f_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2764/4413749112_92af2e021b_b.jpg

the bridge was closed off and two workers were telling people to walk right underneath the bridge as works were being carried out directly above:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2743/4413751208_918770c970_b.jpg

new crane bit?
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4413859818_8216552b51_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4413091873_618f6812de_b.jpg

in the last shot you can clearly see how tower cranes are extended... the sections have been jacked apart and the new bit is waiting to be slotted in :)

i thought it had something to do with that, thanks for the enlightenment Mikey!

great set of updates Wawd on all the threads, still using the trusty Lumix fz18?- is it possible just to go up to the top of Guys? or do you need medical appointments.

Brilliant update Wawd. I do find it fascinating how the new sections of the crane are just slotted in.

I wonder how long until we see climbing frames on the other 3.

cheers Mark, i've got more coming across the various threads...

no more pics of lads in their cabs!

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4418429480_d5fc204294_b.jpg

Sunday

great set of updates Wawd on all the threads, still using the trusty Lumix fz18?- is it possible just to go up to the top of Guys? or do you need medical appointments.

i'm still using the fx18 yeah, although you may have seen there are some tasty new models coming out in the next few months with 30x optical, manual zoom controls, and new post processing features like HDR etc, so i'll be upgrading soon!

i just walked into Guy's and took the lift straight to the top. may have just been lucky but nobody seemed to notice/care.

no more pics of lads in their cabs!

i'm sorry if i have caused some offense/embarrassment/invasion of privacy? you can just say if you would like me to remove anything... and don't worry i don't make a habit of taking pics of guys in crane cabs ;)

Flaming heck! I didn't actully realise just how tall this had gotten! Must be a good 70 to 80m at the very least, anyone reckon? Cannot wait for my trip there in Middle April to see just how tall it looks, expect many pics from me lol

Wawd, I hope you don't mind me using a photo of yours from your earlier post, but you stood in an almost perfect position...


http://liamhoughton.com/march2010.jpg


http://liamhoughton.com/march2010small.jpg


It's sure going to have a huge impact!

OMFC!

Those pics really bring it home to me how game-changing this is going to be for London. I've been to Chicago and seen what impact supertalls have on a city, but I still have difficulty making myself believe this is happening in London.

And once we have one, that opens the doors to more.

Those pics really bring it home to me how game-changing this is going to be for London. I've been to Chicago and seen what impact supertalls have on a city, but I still have difficulty making myself believe this is happening in London.

And once we have one, that opens the doors to more.

The Shard is tall and looks amazing and it is tall by any standards, but I don't think it can br classed as a supertall, surely this distinction is only for the tallest of skyscrapers... maybe 400m or 500m plus

"The CTBUH thus defines 'super-tall' as being any building over 300 meters/984 feet in height." (http://www.ctbuh.org/HighRiseInfo/TallestDatabase/Criteria/tabid/446/language/en-GB/Default.aspx)

the core is starting to rise again

Awesome pic.

Yeah it started to rise again mid-afternoon yesterday, but maybe slower than usual.
Arky

I wish the barrier of 309 m could be broken.

Pretty sure the slipform has moved again overnight? Wasn't the steelwork supposed to be catching up? It seems resolutely stuck at level five on the south side of the tower?

Wawd, I hope you don't mind me using a photo of yours from your earlier post, but you stood in an almost perfect position...
http://liamhoughton.com/march2010small.jpg


course not, and what a fantastic prospect! it looks sooooo tall. great work!

If I could post pictures onto this site I'd show you a this week/last week from the Euston Tower that shows progress.

GRRR

This baby is growing FAST.

CF

From The City (Great Tower Street)...

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4419217207_e1eae30be9_o.jpg

The Shard is tall and looks amazing and it is tall by any standards, but I don't think it can br classed as a supertall, surely this distinction is only for the tallest of skyscrapers... maybe 400m or 500m plus

Oh dear dear me:ohno: 300m plus is officially supertall,and im freaking sure looking up 300m plus of vertical looks supertall enough!!!! Not many scrapers are above 400m in the world.

Flaming heck! I didn't actully realise just how tall this had gotten! Must be a good 70 to 80m at the very least, anyone reckon? Cannot wait for my trip there in Middle April to see just how tall it looks, expect many pics from me lol 77m

Oh dear dear me:ohno: 300m plus is officially supertall,and im freaking sure looking up 300m plus of vertical looks supertall enough!!!! Not many scrapers are above 400m in the world.

Indeed. I believe if LBT were completed today, it would be the 40th tallest building in the world. That's got to count as supertall.

i'm sorry if i have caused some offense/embarrassment/invasion of privacy? you can just say if you would like me to remove anything... and don't worry i don't make a habit of taking pics of guys in crane cabs ;)

Thank you for your understanding. I am sure no one will mind if you choose to take pictures of the site during construction, so long as they dont include shots of workers without their knowledge.

Cheers

Jec69::)

Indeed. I believe if LBT were completed today, it would be the 40th tallest building in the world. That's got to count as supertall.

As far as I understand any building over 300 metres is classified as 'supertall'.

Indeed. I believe if LBT were completed today, it would be the 40th tallest building in the world. That's got to count as supertall.

I just looked om Wiki and you're right. That's amazing, I never would have thought the Shard is 40th tallest in the world. I take my previous statement back lol

Thank you for your understanding. I am sure no one will mind if you choose to take pictures of the site during construction, so long as they dont include shots of workers without their knowledge.

Cheers

Jec69::)

to be honest I think working on the most prominent construction site in Europe entails being taken on some snapshots. As long as people are not posting close ups of faces (whereas a closeup of the layout of a crane cab is eg. still something of general interest on here) I think that's totally harmless. It's virtually impossilble otherwise to take series of pictures as there's workers all over the site..

Indeed. I believe if LBT were completed today, it would be the 40th tallest building in the world. That's got to count as supertall.

hmm i think there are more than 40 towers 300m+ around the world. China +HK alone must have at least 20 completed i can think of let alone the US, AUS, Dubai....

Still, even if there are over a 100, they are still a rarity, especially in Europe :)

TO IBIZA

I agree.It'would be very time consuming if one were to ask permission of every worker if they minded being in photo shots of a rapidly ever more famous construction site ...that is the context to which our enthusiasts work for,and maybe the few (im sure) who take issue should understand that (written with a smile and wink)





TO MADMAN,Shard would be near 40 if it were completed now i'm pretty sure,despite a growth in 300m plus increasing
Austraila has very minimal supertalls for a start.
Anyway,this scraper will be famous for what it looks like,as well as a very decent respectable soar

Isn't it the law that steel be fireproofed?

I don't thnk it is a law for steel to be fireproofed, however, it must be demonstrated that the steel retains a certain level of robustness under a pre-determined duration of fire condition. The thickness of the exposed lower level perimeter steel columns on this building would mean that fire-proofing methods such as encasement or intumescent painting would probably not be required.

0-KCzKKR94A

Compiled from 31 webcam frames recorded in London 9 March 2010.

From Southwark Bridge yesterday:

http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/8370/shard.jpg

Compiled from 31 webcam frames recorded in London 9 March 2010.

Soundtrack is a nice touch. :-)

Think it wil surpass that other building before it even starts coming down, will surpass the guys tower not too long after by the rate of things :) cheers for all the photos

Bit of a tester here, my first attempt at a pic, here is my view of Shard from the orifice...

http://i41.tinypic.com/2rmsdww.jpg

CF

^^ Looks like a Gerhard Richter painting.

PS - I mean that in a good way. :)

If I am correct, that image was taken from the Physics building of QMUL? :)

LOL - no the grotty old windows of the Euston Tower I'm afraid hence the painting like patina...

Amazing views (unless you are a gherkin lover strangely).

CF

I remember that view used to work at the Euston tower a couple of years ago :)

From the webcam i can see that no concrete has been poured in the core for th last couple of days, does anyone know why?

no more pics of lads in their cabs!

Its a building site not an American Gay bar....Why is this an issue out of interest? All the workers are legal....are they not? shyness?

In any case there will soon be hundreds of people taking pictures that will show just about everyone on site.

I remember that view used to work at the Euston tower a couple of years ago :)

Ah, what floor? (no names no pack drill and all that ;) ).

CF

From the webcam i can see that no concrete has been poured in the core for th last couple of days, does anyone know why?

To give the steel a chance to catch up. The tower cranes need tying back to the steel before they can climb again.

Thanks.

In any case there will soon be hundreds of people taking pictures that will show just about evryone on site.

By then they will be 600ft in the air. You will only get photos of the soles of their feet.

I know that someone did an idiot's guide to posting pics on this site (or another skyscraper thread) quite recently, or so I thought. Unfortunately I have been back over all posts since November and cannot find it despite spending hours looking. I would like to give it a go because I finally managed to London Bridge for a close up look and to get some pics yesterday and while most are not very original I did manage one from what I believe is a previously unseen perspective,which may be of interest and which I would like to post.I should therefore be extremely grateful for advice on a real step by step basis as to how to do it, if anyone has the time.Please do not assume I will know anything in advance,Thanks.

I know that someone did an idiot's guide to posting pics on this site (or another skyscraper thread) quite recently, or so I thought. Unfortunately I have been back over all posts since November and cannot find it despite spending hours looking. I would like to give it a go because I finally managed to London Bridge for a close up look and to get some pics yesterday and while most are not very original I did manage one from what I believe is a previously unseen perspective,which may be of interest and which I would like to post.I should therefore be extremely grateful for advice on a real step by step basis as to how to do it, if anyone has the time.Please do not assume I will know anything in advance,Thanks.

Hi, Check your pm's.

It would be good to put 'posting pics' in a title somewhere so people could refer to it, or is that already the case?

Ah, what floor? (no names no pack drill and all that ;) ).

CF

was just a casual worker there, used to work on 11 but mostly 3 about 7 years ago. you on either of those?

Hi, Check your pm's.

err, sorry, pm's?
(I did warn about not assuming I knew anything-I grew up in the steam age and am largely still there):ohno:
Thanks for responding, though.

err, sorry, pm's?
(I did warn about not assuming I knew anything-I grew up in the steam age and am largely still there):ohno:
Thanks for responding, though.

Personal Messages, top right of your screen when you are logged in, you should see 'Welcome teemac.' , and 'Private Messages' below.

Private messages (PMs)

Personal Messages, top right of your screen when you are logged in, you should see 'Welcome teemac.' , and 'Private Messages' below.

Thank you,1Londoner-have found the message.Hope you see the pics before the core gets too much higher!:)
(Hope they're worth it)
Thanks also to Autothrill for shedding light in my darkness!

If I am correct, that image was taken from the Physics building of QMUL? :)

haha I lived in the halls next to the Physics Department, Ifor Evans place and went up to the top once, amazing views, just about the only decent thing about that Uni!

A few shots from yesterday. Obviously the focus is on infilling steel at the lower levels, and it's fascinating to see how the Shard is being progressively integrated into the fabric of one of the oldest railway stations in the world. Although Shard Cam 1 is a bit dull at the moment, unless your're a cherry-picker junkie, it will be most interesting to watch the transport interchange coming into focus on those lower levels.

You can't get close, but it's apparent that the underground work to the basements and to the base of the "backpack" are very substantial.

http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/lightparade1960/Shardsteelb.jpg

http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/lightparade1960/Shardsteel.jpg

http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/lightparade1960/Shardsteelb2.jpg

http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/lightparade1960/Shardsteelb3.jpg

http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/lightparade1960/Shardcrane.jpg

If I recall corectly, the post tensioned 5th floor slab is due to start at some point in the next 2 weeks, once this slab is complete the steel will shoot up, untill it reaches the next P/T floor ( around level 35 I think).
The core is having an internal stair case installed (you can just see the work going on through the access point, if you go to the site), and once this and TC1 are in place it will start to climb again.

Personal Messages, top right of your screen when you are logged in, you should see 'Welcome teemac.' , and 'Private Messages' below.

Exactly, not Prime Ministers...:lol:

Looking at the top down cam, looks like Level 6 floor deck is about to be laid out on the station side.

If I recall corectly, the post tensioned 5th floor slab is due to start at some point in the next 2 weeks, once this slab is complete the steel will shoot up, untill it reaches the next P/T floor ( around level 35 I think).
The core is having an internal stair case installed (you can just see the work going on through the access point, if you go to the site), and once this and TC1 are in place it will start to climb again.

I realy enjoy your insightful comments. Helps make sense of the the timing of it all. Thanks. :bow:

http://i42.tinypic.com/2ymj8z4.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/dgqmae.jpg

http://i42.tinypic.com/2u5qd8y.jpg

Anyone curious about post tensioned floors as I was may be interested in this nice little article http://www.brmca.org.uk/downloads/POSTENSIONED_CONCRETE_FLOORS.pdf

7J6i1PWDjFE

Two days ago there was still a lot of concrete debris coming up from the basement excavation and tonight at about 7.30pm there was a massive prop I presume awaiting installation down under! I suspect there is a lot of activity currently out of sight.

http://i42.tinypic.com/2u5qd8y.jpg

One goes up as one goes down!

Anyone curious about post tensioned floors as I was may be interested in this nice little article http://www.brmca.org.uk/downloads/POSTENSIONED_CONCRETE_FLOORS.pdf

Very interesting article. Thanks.

A few pics of the steelwork from today...

http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv295/nihildicit2/13Mar10034.jpg

http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv295/nihildicit2/13Mar10033.jpg

http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv295/nihildicit2/13Mar10030.jpg

http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv295/nihildicit2/13Mar10028.jpg

http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv295/nihildicit2/13Mar10019.jpg

http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv295/nihildicit2/13Mar10020.jpg

http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv295/nihildicit2/13Mar10018.jpg

http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv295/nihildicit2/13Mar10022.jpg

I find the design of the steel very interesting. We very seldom see beams with cutouts like many of these have here in the United States. Are they there to allow for passage of utilities or just for weight reduction and material savings?

Great pics guys :)


I've chosen the Shard as my private sector project for my procurement and contract interpretation coursework. I need to "analyse the client and client requirements then discuss the procurement option used".

Can someone tell me what procurement method was used for the Shard? I'm assuming it was design & build. Any help would be much appreciated, I don't really have a clue what to talk about and I need to stretch this section of the CW out to over a 1,000 words :nuts:

Are they framed construction pics along the hoardings? Are they selling them!

I find the design of the steel very interesting. We very seldom see beams with cutouts like many of these have here in the United States. Are they there to allow for passage of utilities or just for weight reduction and material savings?

Bit of both Msradell, but usually for services (ducting & cables) to pass through. Gives better headroom per floor. More floors = more revenue. (cf "fabsec")

If this is still accurate, http://planningonline.southwarksites.com/planningonline2/DocsOnline/Documents/50972_1.pdf the floors will be 3.65m apart.

Heron Towers are 4.1m...

__________________________________________________________
Is a well balanced Australian someone with a chip on both shoulders?

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/3638/28964854.jpg

I had sometimes been reluctant to agree with the statement, 'it's in the perfect location'.
But when I saw the core at the other side of London Bridge and from the eye. I just knew that it was it was in the most spot on perfect place.

I imagine tourists in the eye instead of hanging on to the left side of the pods to shoot big ben, crowd around the right side to look at the shard.



http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/3334/11977727.jpg

Also I hope DrewHallam doesn't see this pic.

Can someone tell me what procurement method was used for the Shard? I'm assuming it was design & build.

I doubt that highly, as Piano had the design done well before Feb 2009 when Mace were appointed as the contractor for delivery of the building. :)

I assume it's fairly traditional contractually.

Mace Contract press release (http://www.macegroup.com/sites/all/modules/tinymce/tinymce/jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/filemanager/files/site%20images/press_releases/PR-09.02.24-Shard-construction-contract-signed.pdf), 24 Feb 2009

Mace Shard project page (http://www.macegroup.com/projects/project-library/shard-london-bridge)

Mace carried out early project management services which evolved into construction management before a final evolution to a fixed price solution. The early demolition and enabling works are being carried out under a construction management contract and the main permanent works will be delivered under a fixed price contract.

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/3638/28964854.jpg

I had sometimes been reluctant to agree with the statement, 'it's in the perfect location'.
But when I saw the core at the other side of London Bridge and from the eye. I just knew that it was it was in the most spot on perfect place.

I imagine tourists in the eye instead of hanging on to the left side of the pods to shoot big ben, crowd around the right side to look at the shard.



http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/3334/11977727.jpg

Also I hope DrewHallam doesn't see this pic.

At least it's in focus lol

The procurement would have been Construction Management as Mace are really only consultants who would sub everything out

Latest from the Dibble bedroom window in Rotherhithe:

http://i43.tinypic.com/16jkidw.jpg

@ Cybertect & BeestonLad:

Cheers for the help guys! :cheers:

After doing a bit of research it appears that the procurement type is that of a Fixed Price contract even though Mace are a Construction Management firm.

Found these two snippets...

Mace was originally expected to build the Shard under a construction management deal, but concerns over funding led Sellar to approach Laing O’Rourke to ask about a fixed-price contract.

Although Mace has previously worked on small fixed-price deals, it has never carried out a major project under the procurement route.
http://www.building.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=3100156

[QUOTE Also I hope DrewHallam doesn't see this pic.[/QUOTE]

Maybe we should have a thread for 'arty' shots of London's buildings? :)

After doing a bit of research it appears that the procurement type is that of a Fixed Price contract even though Mace are a Construction Management firm.

Found these two snippets...

Mace was originally expected to build the Shard under a construction management deal, but concerns over funding led Sellar to approach Laing O’Rourke to ask about a fixed-price contract.

Although Mace has previously worked on small fixed-price deals, it has never carried out a major project under the procurement route.
http://www.building.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=3100156

If its for a coursework and in order to show the most appreciation of contractual relations, i would also check carefully on the tendering process selected (possible two stage with bidding contractors brought on initially in a consultancy role?...), what JCT contracts were employed? etc

Cheers guys! It's the first time I've done anything like this, I've only had a few lectures on it. Usually I would have tried to find it all myself, but seeing how wrong I was with my first prediction, I'm happy I asked you guys.

http://i42.tinypic.com/iwk9wh.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/2f054bq.jpg

It hardly looks like anything is happening at the moment.

^ Its actually going up very quickly - i work next door and its a constant hive of activity. In fact i'm surprised how fast the concrete core has gone up over the past few weeks - it doesn't seem long since it was just a hole in the ground.

From the cams at least it does look very quiet, can't see any yellow jackets and the cranes appear to be parked. Is it a day off?

EDIT - OK - see a few now

Man, the progress is still amazing. Look at the amount of steel beams that go up every hour. The steel of the new floors is now 2/3 done.

I think i was used to seeing the core rise everyday and since that has stopped the steel is quite as obvious from the web cams. Like Cat Man Do said, there doesn't seem to be many people around today.

From the cams at least it does look very quiet, can't see any yellow jackets and the cranes appear to be parked. Is it a day off?

I had a look today as I'm back in town :)

Most of the activity and new steel seems to be happening round the eastern side of the core and not obvious for most of the webcams.

Pics likely to follow this evening.

From the cams at least it does look very quiet, can't see any yellow jackets and the cranes appear to be parked. Is it a day off?

EDIT - OK - see a few now


^^ : hilarious

It's all happening in the core or down the 'ole out of sight. Last time I was down there there were at least 150 yelow jackets, steel, machines and allsorts flying around. And a nightshift.

Apparantly they want to pour a bit of concrete in a few weeks.:dizzy:

i was there at lunch and noticed that the 360 at the far eastern side of the site (excavating the basement) has gone. Spikey, I assume you have done the digging and are in a maze of rebar down there getting ready for the pouring of the base slab? how many cubes going down there?

Just take a look at some progress just from TODAY:

http://www.spacy.me/forum/nosteel.jpg

http://www.spacy.me/forum/steel.jpg


As you can see that big gap on the right has now been filled with steel beams, and some new steel on the left half behind the core.

Progress as seen from BT tower over the last month

1 Month ago
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4365718468_82e213f20e.jpg


Today

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4435163835_4bc2186936.jpg

WOW! this is the quickest (I wanted to say erection, but its just seen as cheap) build Ive seen in a long time. I cant believe how fast this is.

I on purpose didnt check this thread so the progress could surprise me... it certainly has :banana:

brb

WOW! this is the quickest (I wanted to say erection, but its just seen as cheap) build Ive seen in a long time. I cant believe how fast this is.

Hahahaha not often you see it go up that quickly eh? Bloody fast erection!

[Had some database errors earlier... hopefully this will work this time]

As promised earlier, some pics from today, with a few more to be found in my Shard Gallery (http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/v/architecture/london/shard)

I've a feeling I'm going to be itching to buy a longer lens as construction proceeds :D

Starting out with a couple of lesser seen angles on the core

Platform 13, London Bridge Station

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97794-2/20100315_0001.jpg


From Weston Street, to the south of the site - I expect the scale relationship to Guy's Tower to be reversed in due course :)

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97608-2/20100315_0147.jpg


Leathermarket Street

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97602-2/20100315_0154.jpg


and a closer circuit of the rest of the site...

London Bridge Street - frame and floor have filled out since I last saw it, with a lot of secondary steelwork being added and another flooring level clearly under way above the one that now appears complete.

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97716-2/20100315_0114.jpg

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97722-2/20100315_0113.jpg


The pedestrian bridge over St Thomas Street and Gate 1

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97674-2/20100315_0127.jpg

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97698-2/20100315_0122.jpg

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97776-2/20100315_0010.jpg

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97788-2/20100315_0006.jpg


Gate 2, east along St Thomas Street

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97662-2/20100315_0130.jpg


A closer view of those new levels to the right of the tower crane in the pic above

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97644-2/20100315_0137.jpg


Chap on a cherry picker tending to a plate that's been welded to the face of the horizontal element at the top of the white column

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97620-2/20100315_0143.jpg


Some steel erection on the eastern side of the site behind Gate 2.

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97626-2/20100315_0142.jpg

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97650-2/20100315_0136.jpg

Thanks!

Just take a look at some progress just from TODAY:

As you can see that big gap on the right has now been filled with steel beams, and some new steel on the left half behind the core.

Guys Shardcam is the one to watch - much more steel at SE corner of the core, they're going at it today.

Appears to be a problem with site cam 2, only half screen :(

The cranes seem to be a bit short

The cranes seem to be a bit short

The 4 cranes are there to help bulid the steel superstructure, so at the moment they are more than tall enough, once the steel hits the 15th/16th floor then they ( not all 4 ) will be tied in and raised.
The core is getting it's own crane, which will rise with it.

Are we still sure that the core crane is going ahead?

Popped by this evening and caught them hoisting up a huge piece forming an extension to corner of the steelwork & watched as they fixed in position

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2774/4439263710_e33f65cfd5.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4045/4438490173_72c85223f1.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2689/4438500873_27842f446e.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2706/4439282348_7ab89b55e9.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4439285682_0a3b3e46aa.jpg

Stunning stuff, well done nauticat and the site workers.

Nice catch :cool:

[QUOTE=nauticat;53547587]Popped by this evening and caught them hoisting up a huge piece forming an extension to corner of the steelwork & watched as they fixed in position

Hey you must have passed by a few minutes after I cycled past as they were just about to lift. Impressive hunk of steel. :)

Has anyone caught any of this steelwork heading down the A1 (or whatever route its taking). We saw a lot for Heron.

I drive down the A1 everyday to work but haven't spotted any yet!

this thread is going to be so full of spam soon. i can't even help myself.... stunning stuff. wish i was in england to see it.

^^ Err why. Have you plans to inject a load of spam!

not me, you lot. i would never ever be tempted to lose my inhibitiions (without later posting amazing pics and info to make up for it). :D
come on, momentous event in london. just a bit of enthusiasm...

The painters must be getting behind. It seems like a lot of the steel not be erected is not primed like all the early stuff was. It also seems very random what is painted and what is not?

now the core has stolen a lead, we'll see the steel starting to rock up. Had a wander after work and its great to see the full form of the ground floors almost bulked out with the white steel work looking very similar to that we can see on the renders. I love the fact that this will be changing on an almost daily basis and gradually inching its way into so many views of London. The topped out core, looking like a concrete stump will look menacing to many, but imagine when its all complete and shiny and new!

I thought I really had to go look at those new columns today, what with the weatherman promising rain for the end of the week and all...

[as usual, more from today's pics in my Shard Gallery (http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/v/architecture/london/shard)]


Peeking up St Thomas Street

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97842-2/20100317_0013.jpg


From the entrance to Guy's on the pedestrian bridge

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97932-2/20100317_0032.jpg


Closer to

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97908-2/20100317_0028.jpg

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/98016-2/20100317_0058.jpg


One curiosity that caught my eye - a couple of steel guys apparently removing one of the diagonal bracing members of the 'temporary' frame facing St Thomas Street. There was a lot of whacking it with a sledgehammer.

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/98028-2/20100317_0063.jpg


A couple of other photos I liked, just for kicks

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97962-2/20100317_0041.jpg

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97836-2/20100317_0012.jpg

Taken yesterday

http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn361/trex65million/NHMbraincaseLondon1632010035.jpg
http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn361/trex65million/NHMbraincaseLondon1632010036.jpg
http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn361/trex65million/NHMbraincaseLondon1632010032.jpg
http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn361/trex65million/NHMbraincaseLondon1632010037.jpg

Thanks for all you're updates on this, Bish and Heron.

From the entrance to Guy's on the pedestrian bridge

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/97932-2/20100317_0032.jpg



Great photos Cybertect

What is with these tubular diagonal steel members? They must be all temporary otherwise they would get in the way of the floor plates. It must be so they can continue to have access below as they dont seem to have installed all the columns in this corner?

Great photos Cybertect

What is with these tubular diagonal steel members? They must be all temporary otherwise they would get in the way of the floor plates. It must be so they can continue to have access below as they dont seem to have installed all the columns in this corner?

You have answered your own question, all the rust coloured steel is temp support during construction

http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn361/trex65million/NHMbraincaseLondon1632010035.jpg

THAT IS AMAZING!

I was there around 15:30 yesterday afternoon, I was surprised how large it was in real life compared to the photos. The core is massive :)

Saw someone taking a load of photos of it but was a tad apprehensive to introduce myself as 'Splish' :lol:

It certainly generates a lot of interest though - there were a lot of people standing on the bridge watching it for a while.

They've changed the angle on the cam looking down from Guy's tower. Now we get a most fascinating view of more of the square mile, and less of the steel work.

*fail*

Scrap that - it's been moved back again. Did anyone else see that, or am I going mad?

Maybe a big seagull was sitting on it for a while?

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4443717498_f2bcffb6b1_b.jpg

Aspidistra - that has happened before so you may not be insane.