Skylight structure takes shape
The most striking feature of The Media School in Franklin Hall – a central commons with a glass roof – began to take shape today as workers installed the steel skeleton of the skylight above the future commons area.
A hydraulic crane behind the building carefully hoisted and then lowered the beams, which were manufactured by Stephens Machine of Kokomo, Indiana. The two heaviest beams measure 34 feet 8 inches and weigh about 2,000 pounds. Three beams measuring 22 feet 11 inches, three that are 12 feet and another three measuring 8 feet all were lifted onto the roof and locked into place by workers from Harmon Steel of Indianapolis.
“It’s a very good day,” said project engineer Jimmy McElroy of contractor Weddle Brothers said as he stood on the roof and watched a 22-foot beam being maneuvered into position.
Once the main structure is in place, holes around the steel supporting columns that are poking through the roof will be patched. More struts will be added to flesh out the structure, which will be spray-painted before the glass is added. A parapet wall will be built around the glass roof, and new drains will be built to divert rainwater.
The skylight will provide daylight not just for the commons, but for interior offices and other areas that look over the open space.
