It's good to see this project progressing so quickly, it looks like those are two elevator towers that are already above ground. I'd imagine they have to be getting close to done with the footings since they've been drilling them since demolition began, things should really get going quick then.
Looking good in this latest rendering. It appears that Niles Bolton Associates are the architects http://www.nilesbolton.com/
I'm a little confused by the floors plans. Did they mix up the colors for residential and retail? I'm curious what the ground floor along the Frandor entrance drive will be?
I drive by there quite a bit and have also been eyeing those elevator towers as they rise. I'm a little surprised it looks like they wont be using a tower crane here, given the size of the floor plates I would've almost expected them to. I'm also wondering if this is going to be a steel or concrete structure, I'm thinking probably concrete?
Yeah, it was always my thinking that concrete is preferred in residential buildings, but sometimes they do use steel for whatever reasons.
The price of steel and all metals went up quite a bit from around 2000 until ~2010, prices are way off their 2010 highs but well above previous levels. From what I understand this was largely from increased demand in China, who began importing much larger amounts of steel and other commodities as their economy began to grow rapidly. They're currently in a decline that could turn into a recession or depression but that obviously wont last forever. Growing demand there and the rest of the developing world is going to continue to generally drive all commodity prices up in coming years.
Speaking of building materials it's worth checking out the emerging trend of wood skyscrapers if you haven't already: The Skyscrapers of the Future Will Be Made of Wood. It would be great if Lansing could get one of these building early on, they seem like a pretty reasonable construction option.
Public perception on the fire risks is sure to be a major limiting factor, but these buildings have fire suppression and concrete cores, I've read claims that with this cross laminated timber the charring on the outside can prevent the rest from burning. There's quite a few articles out there on this, I skimmed some and they do mention cost benefits, there are also the environmental benefits and the added marketability of being environmentally friendly and unique. I'm not sure wood framed high rises will ever be commonplace, but the possibility of them will add an interesting option for developers.
It is so cool to see an idea that has been in my head is actually a reality. Not that I am trying to say I thought of it. I have been thinking that wood is just "natural" for Michigan. I had not really thought about wooden sky scrapers. It seems like they are using wood as one component with other things like concert and steal.
My thoughts in regard to buildings in Lansing, imagine if all the "cheap looking" corrugated metal siding like on the new stadium apartments were wood, how great that would look. I could see big blond or red wooden blocks, or maybe even clapboards or shingles that have been glazed and polished. I'm thinking Scandinavian design, not log cabin, but even logs would be appropriate and even expected in Michigan buildings.
Yeah, from what I can gather the wood essentially takes the place of steel beams, concrete is still used for the building cores, foundation and sometimes the floors. I'm sure in taller CLT buildings concrete and steel may play a larger structural role.
I'd like to see more diversity in architecture around here for sure, finished wood is just one of the materials I'd like to see more of. On the Gillespie properties in particular just using various tiles rather than corrugated metal and fiber board and stone over the concrete block would've made their design so much more palatable, maybe even good. Perhaps the market in Lansing is just that tight where even using mediocre materials isn't financially feasible, but I doubt it. I just can't figure out if the people behind these subpar projects are shortsighted, making a cash grab or just plain stupid.
Maybe strange, but I've been all focused on how tall the thing will be, was really struck today by how big it will be in the horizontal dimensions as well.
Comments
I'm a little confused by the floors plans. Did they mix up the colors for residential and retail? I'm curious what the ground floor along the Frandor entrance drive will be?
The price of steel and all metals went up quite a bit from around 2000 until ~2010, prices are way off their 2010 highs but well above previous levels. From what I understand this was largely from increased demand in China, who began importing much larger amounts of steel and other commodities as their economy began to grow rapidly. They're currently in a decline that could turn into a recession or depression but that obviously wont last forever. Growing demand there and the rest of the developing world is going to continue to generally drive all commodity prices up in coming years.
Speaking of building materials it's worth checking out the emerging trend of wood skyscrapers if you haven't already: The Skyscrapers of the Future Will Be Made of Wood. It would be great if Lansing could get one of these building early on, they seem like a pretty reasonable construction option.
Some examples:
My thoughts in regard to buildings in Lansing, imagine if all the "cheap looking" corrugated metal siding like on the new stadium apartments were wood, how great that would look. I could see big blond or red wooden blocks, or maybe even clapboards or shingles that have been glazed and polished. I'm thinking Scandinavian design, not log cabin, but even logs would be appropriate and even expected in Michigan buildings.
I'd like to see more diversity in architecture around here for sure, finished wood is just one of the materials I'd like to see more of. On the Gillespie properties in particular just using various tiles rather than corrugated metal and fiber board and stone over the concrete block would've made their design so much more palatable, maybe even good. Perhaps the market in Lansing is just that tight where even using mediocre materials isn't financially feasible, but I doubt it. I just can't figure out if the people behind these subpar projects are shortsighted, making a cash grab or just plain stupid.
Maybe strange, but I've been all focused on how tall the thing will be, was really struck today by how big it will be in the horizontal dimensions as well.