X-bracing, opening potential and roof garden
I suppose it is about time I start contributing some knowledge to this excellent blog. From the September 22 photos there is an excellent shot of the new Apple Store from the Pru. It appears that there is a two story high rear section above the store roof. All the structural bays (excepting the middle one) have diagonal steel bracing (x-bracing, that's not what it is called but what it looks like). This pretty much rules out any fenestration (windows) along those faces. This rear area is most likely the mechanical area for housing heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC). But I will say the one open bay has me thinking....
Could Apple possibly have a conference room up there, with a large window over-looking a nice roof garden (a la, the Chicago Store)?
I personally think Apple needs to insert nice conference-presentation-teaching facilities into their flagship stores. This will enable them to put on "business-class" events in a setting that has privacy and treats professionals like professionals. Some of the architecture related events that have taken place in the past in smaller stores are forced to use the "theaters" and Studio spaces, which lack seating potential for larger numbers.