The entrance area of the 13,000 m2 Earlsfort Terrace building in Dublin is characterised by its unique design. The facade consists of 6.8 m (22.3 feet) high curvy glass panes, with each glass element having a different curvature.
Therefore, installing the glazing with standard equipment was not possible and a special solution was required. Heavydrive took over the assembly of the 14 glass panes weighing up to 2150 kg with the VSG 2200 KR suction unit in combination with the VSG 3000 Konter counter traverse.
GLF Facade Specialists
The vacuum suction system was specially developed for concave and convex curved panes. The fitters had to adapt the suction system individually for each facade element. Thanks to the simple operation of the Heavydrive units, this was achieved in a few simple steps.
What other challenges were there?
GLF Facade Specialists
Another challenge was that the panes, ranging in size from 1.1 to 3.3 m by 2.9 to 6.7 metres, had to be installed under projections, behind columns and over revolving doors. The assembly team threaded the facade elements into the substructure with the utmost precision.
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Since the suction system and the counter traverse can be controlled with millimetre precision using a remote control, the panes could be installed in the facade accurately and without damage.
GLF Facade Specialists
In order to save time and money during the installation, the client, the facade specialist GLF, hired an experienced Heavydrive equipment operator in addition to the equipment. He took over the setting of the first panes and trained the team on site for a week. Then the fitters on site were able to set the remaining facade panes themselves. In total, the Heavydrive units were in use in Dublin for 20 days.
