Part 2, A Day in the Life Of, Ariel Sanchez

Lafayette Metal & Glass Company is pleased to complete our feature of Ariel Sanchez, in Lafayette's "A Day in the Life Of" series. This series includes five interviews allowing us an inside look at what a day is like for glaziers who are hands-on, building, installing, repairing, and maintaining Architectural Metal and Glass for Lafayette throughout New York City. Here Ariel, Lafayette's Senior Union Glazing Foreman, shares some of his favorite projects. Missed part one? Click Here to read it. Ariel has been with Lafayette since 2012.

Favorite Projects

We asked Ariel to name three of his favorite projects and why, here is what he said.

PHILLIP PLEIN STORE

625 Madison Avenue, New York, NY

Partnering with JRM Construction and TPG Architecture LLP.

“Although this was not the largest project I have been a part of, it was a project that offered lots of areas for onsite creative problem-solving. We were constantly working, it felt almost non-stop as our team was onsite for extended periods of time. We adjusted for the unexpected complications that arose, making accommodations, and reconfiguring our scope of work. We were proud to hit our deadline and at the end of the project everything came out great.”

STARRETT LEIGH BUILDING

601 West 26th Street

Partnering with RXR Construction & Development and Boddewyn Gaynor Architects, D.P.C. (Originally Cory & Cory Architects)

“Lafayette did the entire 1st-floor lobby, which included the revolving doors, elevator panels ceiling panels on multiple floors. At the time, the company was still young and we had fewer company partners, from the office staff to the handful of team members in the field, so it felt like we were all living on that jobsite. Together, we put in a lot of time and work to build Lafayette into what it is today. I’m very proud to have been part of that team that helped build the company and continues to kick a$$ on projects today, pardon my French."

Originally The American Woolen Building

233/225 Park Avenue South

Partnering with JRM Construction and STUDIOS Architecture

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“This was a huge curtain wall project and it was started a few years ago in the beginning of winter. The weather was brutal but we all worked through it and kept going to accomplish a great build. I had about 16 to 18 guys on that job and enjoyed working side by side every one of them. The crew did an excellent job, and I’m so proud of them for all they did. We would discuss the job first thing in the morning and everyone knew their position, they were very professional. By mid-spring, I looked at what was finally built and installed. It instantly put a huge smile on my face. I was very proud of the quality of work that was done by my team. It was an awesome feeling of accomplishment when it was completed, I live for this. Thank you, Lafayette, and of course, to my local union 1087 glaziers.”

The Future of Jobsites After COVID-19

Being an essential worker in the early quarantine days of COVID, Ariel has an interesting perspective on changes to jobsite safety and future requirements. When we asked him about the differences and changes that he has witnessed on the jobsite since COVID-19 Ariel noted:

“Mostly a lot of paranoia BUT for good reason. Everyone is scared of getting sick. For a lot of us, it’s not just for ourselves but more about the fear of taking it home and getting our loved-ones sick. Now, all the building are pre-screening every contractor as soon as they enter, from taking contractors temperatures through giving them a wristband for that day to show everyone else they were cleared for work. Another change is that the elevators are only to be used by a limited amount of people at a time, the current normal is about 50% occupancy. The last big change is face masks. They are to be used while inside the building. You cannot go into any building without one.”

In light of COVID, Ariel believes that the future of jobsite safety will include wearing a mask. In addition, he believes that lots of handwashing and sanitizing of hands on the jobsite will be required whenever possible.