Topping out: Difference between revisions
→History: Missing religious context |
imported>Horse Eye's Back Add navbox |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Short description|Builders' rite when the last beam (or equivalent) is placed}} | {{Short description|Builders' rite when the last beam (or equivalent) is placed}} | ||
[[File:Rejsegilde.jpg|thumb|Topping out in southern Denmark]] | [[File:Rejsegilde.jpg|thumb|Topping out in southern Denmark]] | ||
In building [[construction]], '''topping out''' ( | In building [[construction]], '''topping out''' (also referred to as '''topping off''' or roofing ceremony) is a [[Builders' rites|builders' rite]] traditionally held when the last beam (or its equivalent) is placed at the top of a structure during its construction. Nowadays, the ceremony is often parlayed into a [[media event]] for public relations purposes.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1984/10/21/realestate/the-hoary-tradition-of-topping-out.html The Hoary Tradition of Topping Out] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109184143/http://www.nytimes.com/1984/10/21/realestate/the-hoary-tradition-of-topping-out.html |date=2017-01-09 }}. ''The New York Times'', 21 October 1984.</ref> It has since come to mean more generally finishing the structure of the building, whether there is a ceremony or not. It is also commonly used to determine the amount of wind on the top of the structure. | ||
A Scandinavian tradition of hoisting a pine tree to the top of framed out buildings had a more functional purpose: when the pine needles fell off, the builders knew the wood frame below had cured/dried out so they could enclose the building.<ref>Engineering News, early 1970s {{full citation needed|{{subst:DATE}}|date=March 2023}}</ref> | A Scandinavian tradition of hoisting a pine tree to the top of framed out buildings had a more functional purpose: when the pine needles fell off, the builders knew the wood frame below had cured/dried out so they could enclose the building.<ref>Engineering News, early 1970s {{full citation needed|{{subst:DATE}}|date=March 2023}}</ref> | ||
| Line 49: | Line 49: | ||
{{Authority control}} | {{Authority control}} | ||
{{Construction overview}} | |||
[[Category:Ceremonies]] | [[Category:Ceremonies]] | ||
Latest revision as of 17:24, 29 June 2025
In building construction, topping out (also referred to as topping off or roofing ceremony) is a builders' rite traditionally held when the last beam (or its equivalent) is placed at the top of a structure during its construction. Nowadays, the ceremony is often parlayed into a media event for public relations purposes.[1] It has since come to mean more generally finishing the structure of the building, whether there is a ceremony or not. It is also commonly used to determine the amount of wind on the top of the structure.
A Scandinavian tradition of hoisting a pine tree to the top of framed out buildings had a more functional purpose: when the pine needles fell off, the builders knew the wood frame below had cured/dried out so they could enclose the building.[2]
History
The practice of "topping out" a new building can be traced to the ancient Scandinavian religious rite of placing a tree atop a new building to appease the tree-dwelling spirits displaced in its construction. [3] The tradition also served a functional purpose: a pine tree was used, and after the needles had fallen off the tree, the builders knew the wood frame below had cured/dried out so they could enclose the building.[4] Long an important component of timber frame building,[5] it migrated initially to England and Northern Europe, then to the Americas.
A tree or leafy branch is placed on the topmost wood or iron beam, often with flags and streamers tied to it. A toast is usually drunk and sometimes workers are treated to a meal. In religious context, it is a nod to the completion of construction for Noah’s Ark. In masonry construction the rite celebrates the bedding of the last block or brick.Template:Fact
In some cases a topping out event is held at an intermediate point, such as when the roof is dried-in, which means the roof can provide at least semi-permanent protection from the elements.[6]
The practice remains common in the United Kingdom and assorted Commonwealth countries such as Australia[7] and Canada,[8] as well as Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Iceland, Chile, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary and the Baltic States. In the United States the last beam of a skyscraper is often painted white and signed by all the workers involved.[7] In New Zealand, completion of the roof to a water-proof state is celebrated through a "roof shout", where workers are treated to cake and beer.[9]
The tradition of "pannenbier" (literally "(roof) tile beer" in Dutch) is popular in the Netherlands and Flanders, where a national, regional or city flag is hung once the highest point of a building is reached. It stays in place until the building's owner provides free beer to the workers, after which it is lowered.[10] Since the workers are treated to free beer as long as the flag is raised, the workers are considered greedy if they fly the flag for more than a few days.Template:Fact
Gallery
-
Topping out (wiecha) in Poland
-
The final section of the Warsaw radio mast (in foreground) is decorated and ready to raise
-
Topping out in Norway (1959)
-
Topping out of Xibeiwang MIXC in Beijing, China with celebration banners (2021)
-
Topping out of the National Library of Latvia
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
See also
Notes
References
- John V. Robinson (2001). "The 'topping out' traditions of the high-steel ironworkers". Western Folklore, Fall 2001.
- Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- "Tree symbolizes campus' growth"; The Daily Cougar; Volume 68, Issue 160, Monday, 28 July 2003; accessed 11 February 2007.
- Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
External links
- Richtfest.info A German language site about the topping out ceremonies.
- Topping out Roberts Pavilion Topping out the new athletic building at Claremont McKenna College.
Template:Authority control Template:Construction overview
- ↑ The Hoary Tradition of Topping Out Template:Webarchive. The New York Times, 21 October 1984.
- ↑ Engineering News, early 1970s Template:Full citation needed
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Engineering News, early 1970s Template:Full citation needed
- ↑ Topping Off the Frame Template:Webarchive, 26 November 2008.
- ↑ Drying In, Part 2 Template:Webarchive, 6 November 2009.
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".