Embedded Files
Lifting HVAC to the roof of a 20-story building
Lifting HVAC to the roof of a 20-story building
It's not exactly a regular day at E. Escher Inc. Today's lift is a big one. But, after months of preparation and planning they are ready.
Today, two new cooling towers and chillers for Georgia State University’s 20-story Student Success building in downtown Atlanta are being installed. Because of site limitations, the pieces will need to be lifted by sky crane to the rooftop.
The equipment is staged with rigging, the buildings and streets below are cleared, the helicopter is fueled and ready to go, and so is this highly specialized crew. Don't try this at home!
How do you get 11,000 lbs. to the top of a 20-story building? Sunrise Studios set out to document this process for E. Escher Inc. We provided a 3-person crew and nine cameras for PR coverage. In order to get the viewer into the action, we installed several action cameras including GoPros and Insta360 at specific locations where OSHA and the FAA says we could not be. We also had a drone in the sky for a pilot's view of the action.
The Third Time is the Charm
The Third Time is the Charm
A little over one year prior to this lift in 2025, E. Escher Inc. was also the general contractor on an emergency installation for the same building. The aged system required immediate work while the updated system was being planned and executed.
The solution was a set of modular units that could be purchased and installed quickly.
In 2023, there were two lifts for that stage. One for the steel structure and one for the modular units a few weeks later. See the whole fascinating process on Sunrise Studios' Helicopter YouTube playlist.
e. escher inc.
e. escher inc.
E. Escher operates as a prime contractor performing work directly for owners, as a general contractor, and as a subcontractor to selected general contractors and construction managers. Learn more.
Sunrise Studios Team
Sunrise Studios Team
It takes a team to make a big job like this happen. And I've been lucky enough to have a great one during this exciting two-and-a-half year process. This is a shout out to these stoic souls who dared hurricane force winds and 4 a.m. mornings for the shot.
Cari Dobbins | Certified drone pilot, photography, videography, photo and video post-production
Chief Creative Mixologist at Sunrise Studios. You are here!
Scott Brunson | Certified drone pilot, photography and video post-production
An FAA Certified drone pilot with four years of experience. He specializes in Real Estate Photography and Videography but also has an interest in special events and construction progress. Check out the construction videos located on the photo/video page of his site: https://scottbrunson.myportfolio.com.
Julie Free | Photography and post-production
Capturing some of the most beautiful and poignant candid shots that I have ever seen.
Bill Mott | Voice Actor
Previously a radio DJ and sports announcer for Habersham High School football, Bill has the smoothest voice in Northeast Georgia.
Penny and Dave Dunbar | Videography
This husband and wife team are a dynamite duo. Penny has the eye for the shot and exciting angles, and Dave is about the story and how it will all come together.
Danny Kidd | Photography
Danny loves people and you can see it in her photography. She has a way of capturing attitude and personality at an exact moment. She is also a can-do gal who is always willing to lend a hand. We breached the citadel of the World Congress Center and took on the bureaucracy of that organization together.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse