Assembly in the Whitney (and others)

Class: Materials and Assembly | Professor: Jeremy Barbour

 
This concrete slab is screwed on with a large screw.

 

 

 

 

 

The rope is inserted (and bound, but I really don’t know how; I have some ideas as to how, but I’m not sure how exactly the architects do it). To a piece that is fastened to the bottom and screwed in place on both sides.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The rope is threaded through two ‘C’ shaped holders that are screwed together. The final piece is then attached to the glass with a certain adhesive.

 

 

 

 

This pillar is driven right into the ground (I’m assuming it goes VERY far into the ground) for structural purposes.

 

 

Rubber adhesive binds two glass planes together. It also creates insulation.

 

 

 

A metal rod goes through the thin metal slabs that are places into the crevices of the ceiling (again, could be done in many ways, but I am not able to see exactly how). Then, two glass pieces are held together by joints and then screwed to the piece attached to the ceiling.

 

The column is nailed down with multiple nails circling it and the ‘X’ bracket is joined to the floor with a claw-like joint and a very large screw. These add support to the building. (In this instance they are connected, but that is not always the case).

 

 

 

 

 

These railings are screwed and cemented to the ground; there is a piece protruding off the bottom piece which the posts of the railing are screwed into on both sides.

 

These ropes are inserted to the cylindrical joints but I have no idea how they are fasteIned or tightened. Sometimes the cylinders are hollow and other times there is an extra bit protruding outwards. I want to open it and see how it works.

Final thoughts for the Whitney: Many of these connections are exposed in the Whitney. In addition to that, the ‘X’ bracket is on the inside of the building. It doesn’t shy away from displaying these connections (this is emphasised by the glass facade); there is definitely a certain beauty to them. It is also fitting for an art museum as the connections displayed serve to make the building function and are not embellished or adorned in any way. This simplistic and exposing style is a work of art itself, alongside the pieces that are inside the building.

IAC Building:

This building uses internal columns as well as the Whitney, but how the glass protruding from the entrance is supported is quite different.

100 11th Avenue building: This building exposes structure, like the other two. Some of these joints are rabbet joints with a 3 by 3 grid (nine in total).