Unique track system helps Glassolutions safely complete One Bedford Avenue project

Glassolutions has completed a high-profile commercial project at One Bedford Avenue in London, overcoming a series of stringent health and safety limitations in the process.

Located on a prominent corner of Tottenham Court Road, One Bedford Avenue is a multi-use development designed by Bennett’s Associates, that combines commercial offices and retail units.

A semi-bespoke window system has been created at the site to allow natural light to flood the building, and provide spectacular views at the upper levels. The system comprises Wicona curtain walling, chosen for its superior u-values and air tightness ratings; in addition to Glassolutions’ VS-1 structural glazing, both used throughout the building’s main entrance and reception area.

A high priority for the project was to create a safe method of working that could be completed from inside the building. Therefore, the Glassolutions team created a specially designed sliding track system which managed to safeguard the installation team from the risks associated with working at height and advance the overall speed of the installation.

The track system allowed the project team to move the glass units across the floor plate and place them on the façade at the place of installation – removing the need for floor cranes and allowing the installation team to remain safely behind perimeter protection at all points in the process. It also allowed other trades to operate safely within the floor slab area.

Glassolutions’ unusual installation system reduced the number of operatives required to move each unit, and allowed units to be fitted at a greatly improved rate, from 4.5 units per day per team to 17 units. This allowed the project to be completed much faster.

Glassolutions work at One Bedford Avenue took place over June and July 2016, and the full project was completed in March 2017. On Glassolutions’ involvement, design and technical director Clive Everett commented: “One Bedford Avenue was a development which presented us with a complex set of constraining parameters, requiring the design team to respond with an innovative and bespoke solution. A clear understanding of the client’s needs, combined with good communication and a collaborative attitude were key to ensuring that the installation was successful.

In the end, not only was the installation itself a triumph, but our innovation-led approach to ticking all the project’s boxes had other positive results, such as increasing our rate of installation and enhancing safety. This sets a new precedent for the Glassolutions contracting division – going forward, we hope to be able to apply the processes we used on the One Bedford Avenue project to deliver similar benefits to future installations.”

Contact:

Herald Way
Binley
Coventry
CV3 2ZG
UK
Tel: 024 7654 7400

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