MetFab Metals Constructs Curtainwall Mock-Up of 4 WTC
August 17, 2009

MetFab Metals in Orange, N.J., has completed and passed a mock-up of a portion of what will be Tower 4 of the World Trade Center (WTC). The company recently hosted an official viewing of the mock-up, which was attended by a number of those involved in the construction team including Larry Silverstein of Silverstein Properties, project developer.

The mock-up stands 50 feet tall and 20 feet wide, and provided members of the construction, development and design team a chance to view what the curtainwall will look like. Benson Industries, based in Portland, Ore., is serving as the contract glazier.

MetFab built the 4 WTC mock-up at its plant, where it also manufactured the steel mullions, the longest of which is 47 feet and weighs 7,000 pounds.

Jim Murray, MetFab chief operating officer and general manager, told USGNN.com™ that his company got involved when Benson won the curtainwall installation bid.

"We've been a supplier for them for many years," says Murray. "For this project we provided the steel support; the mullions are solid bar stock and the project is bomb-blast resistant."

Murray adds, "One unique challenge of this project was creating the bars themselves because they are [nearly 50 feet] tall and one solid member."

The next step for MetFab Metals, according to Murray, is to begin procuring materials and scheduling production.

The completed tower will be home to a 47-foot-tall lobby that faces the National 9/11 Memorial, enclosed by 20 large glass panels. The full tower, to reach 64 stories total (975 feet), will be wrapped in 10,000 glass panels and be built with 26,000 tons of structural steel. It is projected to open in 2012. At press time, specific information about the glass was not available.

Murray says having the opportunity to be a part of the 4 WTC project has been memorable.

"This is a significant project because it is part of the WTC re-build," Murray says. "We're located only ten miles from Manhattan and we all knew someone there. It's rewarding for us as a company and personally to be a part of it."

CLICK HERE to watch a video about the mock-up.

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