Known as the Spiral, the 66-floor skyscraper in Hudson Yards used two main hoisting towers to quickly transport workers and material. The eight-hoist North Tower provided access from both the ground floor and 7th floor, while the five-hoist South Tower was dedicated to the transport of curtain wall units up to 24 ft long. To enhance safety and efficiency, UBS erected a hoist common platform for the upper floors atop an enclosed work platform located directly above the project loading dock. Materials were then picked through a retractable roof on the enclosed platform and placed in their final location. The perimeters were constructed of mesh panels, providing safety and visibility while also minimizing the wind load effects on the overall structure. The enclosed work platform provided a controlled, shop-like environment and substantially reduced the time spent working at heights in comparison to traditional common platform stick building methods. Other benefits included increased project efficiency, reduced loading dock congestion and the elimination of safety incidents related to material handling.

Photo by Nizar Danial