I had the pleasure meeting with Gregg Chappell, Executive Project Manager at Schimenti Construction

With Gregg, we discussed how technology is starting to be part of the daily activities of Project Managers, Architects, and Contractors and we also talked about one of the Schimenti Construction recent projects, the Swarovski Flagship store in Times Square

 

 

SS: Gregg, what an interesting project, I visited the store a few weeks ago, can you please tell me more about it.

GC The Swarovski project was a very challenging one. We started the TI work on Nov 27th, worked throughout the Christmas and New Year’s week and delivered the store on January 8th. We achieved a remarkable result by a great team effort from all the trades involved in the project.

 

 

SS: Which challenges did you face? Times Square is not an easy place to work at.

GC: The biggest challenges we had was the installation of the structure for the exterior LED sign. The building was built in 1920 and does not have modern structural components. We only had limited ability to use a crane, so most of the steel was brought in by hand. You can imagine the effort.

The new steel columns are anchored 65 feet in the bedrock with rock anchors in 10” casings. It is a fully self-supported structure within the original antique building

     

 

SS: How long did it take to install the steel and the LED sign

GC: Rock anchors, foundations, and building preparation were completed through September and early October.  The steel structure was installed from mid-October through early December (8 weeks instead of 12 weeks).  The impressive installation timeframe was the steel superstructure (all steel outside of the building) and the two LED signs in two weeks (December 11 to December 22) instead of the 4 to 6 weeks scheduled.  Total schedule compression of steel structure through the sign completion was from 16 weeks to 9 weeks and met the goal of having work completed ahead of Christmas and New Year’s Eve for the Times Square celebration.

     

 

 

SS: Was it difficult getting the permit for such a complicated job in Times Square?

GC: Yes, getting the permit for the structural work was a challenge and compressed the schedule quite a bit

 

SS: Was the millwork supplied locally?

GC: The millwork was produced in Germany and Schimenti was responsible for the entire installation.

 

SS: I noticed an interesting detail both inside and outside the store, can you tell me more about it?

GC: It is a sculpture by CAO Perrot. CAO Perrot worked with Swarovski at their Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens, Austria.  The “Crystal Cloud” is monumental garden art installation which won Best of 2015 Award for Art Installations by US Interior Design Magazine.  Swarovski uniquely chose their Times Square location as the only retail store in the world showcasing the “Crystal Cloud”

 

SS: Well, congratulations on the opening of this remarkable store.

GC: Thank you, I’m looking forward to the next one.