Willis Tower - Toys LEGO - Free user manual and instructions

USER MANUAL Willis Tower LEGO

Architecture, Engineering and Construction

The Willis Tower is an “international style” design consisting of square tubes in a 3 by 3 tube arrangement, with each tube having a footprint of 75 by 75 ft., in essence creating a unified bundle of nine tubes. The Willis Tower was the first building for which this type of “bundled-tubular” construction was used. This design provides stability against high winds and also allows for future upward growth if so desired by the owner. The 222,500-ton or 445 million pound building is supported by 114 rock caissons secured into bedrock. The foundation and the floor slabs combine to equal 2 million cubic feet of concrete. 76,000 tons of prefabricated steel frame sections measuring 15 x 25 ft. were put in place. The Willis Tower has more than 16,000 bronze-tinted windows and 28 acres of black aluminum cladding or “skin”.

As the building climbs upward, the tubes begin to drop off giving the Willis Tower its characteristic setback or "step-back". This geometry of the 110-story tower was developed in response to the original interior space requirements of Willis, Roebuck & Company. The configuration incorporates the unusually large office floors necessary to Willis' operation along with a variety of smaller floors.

A revolutionary vertical transportation system was instrumental in the Willis Tower reach in soaring to new heights never previously achieved. 16 Double-decker express elevators travel from the first two floors to "sky-lobbies" located at floors 33/34 and 66/67, where passengers transfer to single local elevators serving all other individual floors. Among the world's fastest the elevators servicing the observatory travel at 1,600 ft. per minute.

Facts at a Glance

Location: 233 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois, United States

Architect: Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP.

Classification:......Supertall

Construction Type:....Steel Frame and Curtain Wall

Materials:......Aluminum, Concrete, Glass and Steel

Year: 1970-1974

Cost: \$175 million (1970)

Floor Area: 4,400,000 ft ^2 (409,000 m ^2 )

Zoned: Commercial: Office, Communication, Retail & Observation

Elevators.....104

Aerial view of a tall skyscraper surrounded by dense urban buildings (no visible text or signage)

McShane-Fleming Studios Chicago, Illinois

Points of Interest

There are four sets of distinctive black bands wrapping around the perimeter of the building which appear between the 29th-32nd, 64th-65th, 88th-89th, and 104th-109th floors. These black bands are actually louvers

which allow ventilation for service equipment and also serve to hide the structure's belt trusses which the Willis, Roebuck & Company did not want to be visible.

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3D diagram of a robotic platform with a grid and handle, labeled 'Video Tawler' (no other text or symbols)

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3D diagram of a mechanical or electronic component with multiple circular components and red arrows indicating motion or force (no text or symbols)

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3D illustration of a LEGO brick tower with base platform and decorative elements (no text or symbols)

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3D diagram of a LEGO brick structure with red arrows indicating force or movement, labeled 'White Tower' at base (no text beyond label)

Three LEGO blocks of varying sizes on a dark background (no text or symbols)

3D architectural model of a brick building with a base platform and circular foundation (no text or symbols)

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3D model of a LEGO building with a red arrow pointing to its top (no text or symbols on the structure itself)

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3D architectural model of a tall brick tower with a dome and arched entrance, mounted on a base (no text or symbols visible)

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3D architectural model of a tall building with a conical tower and base (no text or symbols visible)

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3D architectural model of a tall tower with a base marked 'WELL TOWER' (no text or symbols on the structure itself)

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3D architectural model of a tall brick tower with a circular base and circular opening, no visible text or symbols

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3D architectural model of a tall brick chimney with two vertical posts and a base labeled 'Hydro Tower' (no other text or symbols)

A Word from the Artist

As an Architectural Artist my desire is to capture the essence of a particular landmark into its pure sculptural form, especially at this small scale. I first and foremost do not view my models as literal replicas, but rather my own artistic interpretations, harnessing the essence of these landmark's through the use of LEGO® bricks as a medium. The LEGO brick is not initially thought of as a material typically used in creating art or used as an artist's medium. I quickly discovered the LEGO brick was lending itself as naturally to my applications as paint to a painter or metal to a blacksmith. As I explore how to capture these buildings with the basic shapes of the bricks, I find the possibilities and challenges they offer almost magical.

Adam Reed Tucker – Adam Reed Tucker

Man kneeling beside a model of skyscrapers displayed indoors, with city skyline and blue window in background (no visible text or symbols)

LEGO® Architecture, bringing two worlds together

The LEGO Group and Adam Reed Tucker are excited to bring you this new line of distinctive landmark building sets. Our hope is that this will inspire minds of all ages whether you're young and eager to learn or young at heart and simply intrigued by these modern day marvels. The idea behind LEGO® Architecture is to celebrate the past, present and future of architecture through the LEGO Brick. Through products and events we wish to promote an awareness of the fascinating worlds of Architecture, Engineering and Construction. Initially, we are featuring a pair of Chicago's most famous landmarks: The Willis Tower and The John Hancock Center. Eventually, we wish to offer other famous landmarks throughout the world celebrating influential architects and movements that have shaped the environment around us. We hope to inspire future architects around the world with the brick as a medium. We hope you enjoyed this experience.

The LEGO Group

Architectural illustration of a modern house with stacked blocks and decorative elements, no visible text or symbols.

Visit www.LEGO.com/architecture or www.Brickstructures.com for more information

LEGO

Architecture

The landmark series

3D rendered model of a tall, multi-tiered skyscraper with two vertical towers (no text or symbols visible)

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Architectural line drawing of a tall tower with internal structural framework (no text or symbols)

Willis Tower Space Needle Empire State Building

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