The sound of diesel motors, hydraulic pistons, power tools and voices brought the work site to life the morning of March 9, just before the day’s most important piece of equipment arrived: a 100-ton crane. The crane would make possible the auditorium’s interior and exterior centerpieces: three crystal chandeliers and Swans in Flight, a sculpture by Sir David Wynne.
As the crane began hoisting equipment to the roof of the auditorium, quickly became the center of attention of workers on the site and in the adjacent offices where the Trumpet is produced. By 10 a.m., the crew had set the hoist apparatus that will be used to secure three important parts of the Armstrong Auditorium lobby: two 10-foot side chandeliers and one 12-foot center chandelier. Then the crew repositioned the crane and began to secure lifting slings and straps to the birds.
