The CitiGroup Center, also known as 601 Lexington Avenue, has been a fixture in Midtown Manhattan for 47 years. While its exterior exhibits a dated design, it retains structural intrigue due to its unconventional stilt columns. A critical moment in the building's history arose in 1978 when an architecture student contacted structural engineer William LeMessurier with concerns about the skyscraper's ability to withstand certain wind patterns. LeMessurier provided assurance, detailing innovative design features like chevron braces and a substantial tuned mass damper, which were crucial for stabilizing the structure during high winds.
This story, told with a special explanatory vividness, begins with a phone call from an architecture student who raised concerns about the CitiCorp Center's ability to withstand high winds.
LeMessurier took the time to explain his groundbreaking lightweight design, which utilized chevron-shaped braces and a massive concrete tuned mass damper to enhance stability.
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