Engineering precision guided the final approach. Rather than a full-height monolith, the team adopted a modular ring strategy: seven tapered segments per column, each 6 ft tall. Reinforced with #11 bars and joined by grouted NMB sleeves, the stacked rings create a continuous system carrying axial loads up to 2,000 tons. This approach, developed by Wells, combined innovation with constructability. Match-casting, yard test fits, and tolerances tighter than 1/8 inch kept geometry true, and formwork was developed for every piece to match the taper.
Field execution demanded the same rigor. Using a 330-ton crane, crews set each ring to survey control, with Total Stations and data collectors verifying alignment. Tapered shims accommodated the slope at the ends, closing joints and preserving the clean, conical geometry from base to crown. Utilities were preassembled, then routed vertically through the columns to minimize disruption. Discreet 2- x 3-ft. access doors at each column base provide entry for maintenance.
Early collaboration under a design-assist model was critical. Wells worked alongside project principals from schematic design through detailing, using BIM to coordinate embeds, tolerances, rigging points, and pathways before a single form was built. Front-loaded coordination reduced rework, allowed shop drawings to drive field sequencing, and supported just-in-time delivery to a space-constrained site.
Prefabricated concrete outperformed cast-in-place alternatives in quality, precision, and speed, while enabling an integrated system. Wells delivered repeatable finishes and dimensional accuracy, while parallel workflows shortened the project schedule and reduced site impacts.
Sustainability was addressed through material efficiency, reduced waste, and the inherent durability of prefabricated concrete. The project leveraged efficiency and exuded resilience: optimized sequencing and a robust, low-maintenance envelope that will perform for generations. Just as important, prefabrication limited on-site congestion, an operational benefit that aligned with safety and community considerations.
