Construction Work at Wind Sukhumvit 23 by Major Development Company - October 2007

At the end of October 2007 : Along the longitudinal axis of the building site, pillars have been inserted, and a cement floor appears later on. From what we see, this plot will be gradually expanded towards the sides of the building. That is, more pillars have been added after the ones pictured here.

Cement pillars have been inserted (we did not see it happen) right in the middle of the construction plot, we assume along the longitudinal axis of the building.

The large plot in front of our apartment building has been lying empty since December last year. Finally in the middle of June, piling work has started at the site, and from what we observe is progressing steadily the last few weeks. You can get an idea of the work involved by going through the pictures below.

Soon after, the 'floor' has been evened with sand.

Apparently the floor has been cemented. The floor is even, the pieces of cement lying about originate from the pillars, that are being destroyed by sledgehammers.

Sledgehammers are used on the pillars. Apparently they need to be destroyed. Seems like a laborious long-lasting process and must be a rather old-fashioned way of doing things.

Mainwhile, along the eastern part of the construction site, a long corridor has been established along the perimeter. The floor has been evenly cemented.

Arrival of construction supply at the site. Notice the width of the soi as compared to the width of the truck. No cars or taxis can pass anymore. This is a headache for residents of our building (and the security guards, who have to cajole the obstructing vehicles away at times). A much more suitable entrance would have been at few meters back (where it was decided to construct the sales office).

Around 28 October 2007 :

We were wrong in assuming total destruction of the concrete pillars, as mentioned above. The following technique is used : The concrete is smashed with hammers to expose the steel bars inside. Then somehow the concrete columns inside are removed (you will not believe this : by smashing a metal beam into the pillars by the cranes overhead). Here a concrete column is being removed.

We missed how everything eventually is looking as smooth as it does on this picture. Is there some kind of saw that goes through concrete? Probably.

A few days later a beautifully constructed iron mesh is in place. We have no doubt of what will occur after this. Surely some more pooring of concrete.

Iron bars are arriving by the truckload. A whole industry must be dedicated to producing all this metal.

A few days later (03-11-2007) and really a lot of people are working on this central part of the construction. We probably could call this the crux of the building. The same evening of the day this picture was taken, the whole area was covered by a blue canvass (to protect against environmental factors like rain, we have no idea really). See enlarged picture

Before the area was covered, we noticed that pipes, connected to a crane, itself connected to a cement truck, were used to funnel (what we assume) cement into the innards of the structure. See supervisors (engineers?) standing on the left.

As of mid-november two cranes are now fixed into the structures. Do not ask how this is done, seems like a real feat to install and erect them. Before only mobile cranes were used. Of course, with all the concrete below, it becomes hardly possibly to use mobile moving equipment.

Working on a blue crane. Mid-november 2007.

Working on a crane. Looks like a hazardous job.

Construction Site on 8 December 2007. Work is progressing daily (and sometimes during the night). the image is not very revealing. However a lot of concrete has been poured. Some floors (basement, ground floor, id difficult to assert) are already there. According to a message board outside, construction will take around another 450 days. So according to this schedule, the building should be finished during the first quarter of 2009.

 

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