SGB scaffolds Libeskin's Dublin design

SGB is using its scaffolding and access expertise to help with the cladding and glazing installation on one of Dublin's most complex new developments. The Grand Canal Square Theatre and Commercial Centre is at the heart of the city's Grand Canal Harbour redevelopment project. It will comprise a 2000-seat theatre and concert venue plus two galleria buildings for commercial office accommodation.

The architect is Daniel Libeskin: famous for designing strikingly angular and faceted structures such as the Jewish Museum in Berlin; Manchester's Imperial War Museum North and the World Trade Centre "Memory Foundations" redevelopment project in Manhattan.

Working with German-Italian cladding firm Permasteelisa, SGB had to design and erect a scaffolding structure that would give the workforce safe and secure access to every part of the building's complex façade.

Gordon Earle, General Manager with Permasteelisa said, "The biggest design obstacle for SGB to overcome was to ensure we had good access to the whole external surface, despite the complicated shape. To make it even more challenging, we had to make the best use of limited tie positions to avoid clashes with the cladding panels."

Due to the irregular shape of the building, some parts of the scaffold had to be suspended from above rather than supported from ground level. To accomplish this, SGB installed special roof beams to transfer the weight of the suspended scaffolding directly to the structural frame.

Development of the scaffold design required SGB to work closely with Permasteelisa throughout the project. "SGB's reputation for reliability and pro-active design development were important factors in our choice of scaffolding supplier," said Mr Earle.

Commissioned in 2004, the Grand Canal Square Theatre and Commercial development is now approaching completion and is due to be handed over to the client, Ramford Ltd/Chartered Land, in December 2009.