Freeform steel and glass panel installation Glass installation continues
PSG-System and ECG-System used to support the glass
Glazing During the initial design collaboration with KHM Architects , the decision was made to use a large 4.5m structural grid . This meant that the structure is lighter and more transparent than a typical free-form grid . However , it introduced an additional challenge for the glazing , as the large structural grid exceeded the maximum width size of a single glass panel width . To solve this problem , four triangular glass panels were used in each triangular structural grid opening . The middle glass panel is point supported at its corner via stainless steel rotules , while the surrounding three panels are supported on two sides with edge clamps . To transfer load between the adjacent glass panels , floating edge clamps were used . There were a total of 521 laminated glass panels , each consisting of two fully tempered clear glass lites with a low-e coating and 50 % coverage dot frit .
Installation While the collaborative design phase put this project on the path to success , the on-site collaboration and attention to detail by the general contractor , H & I , and LEAF ’ s installation teams , were equally important factors to this project ’ s overall success . Managing , sorting , and installing thousands of unique components was a difficult task . However , with a competent team working in a collaborative manner , this complex task was broken down into a series of simple steps , which were implemented diligently and successfully .
This entire process was further complicated by the covid pandemic , which severely impacted the movement and availability of materials , putting great pressure on the project timeline . Since the completion of the roof was required to close the building envelope to allow for building finishes to commence , its installation was thus on the project critical path .
A further installation challenge was posed by the limited site space . The construction site only allowed for a single tower crane which limited the speed at which the glass could be installed , as the installation of the larger glass panels required the use of the crane to hold each panel in position while being fixed to the steel sub-frame . In addition , the glass installation could not be undertaken in damp or windy conditions . As a result of
these factors , accelerating the installation process was not possible . To mitigate the risk of delays , the main contractor installed temporary waterproofing measures and hoardings to cordon off areas of the building from the weather to permit the internal fit out work to continue .
Conclusion This building forms a new centre of excellence at UCT and will help to create an environment in which collaboration and new ideas can flourish . Closely aligned to the ethos of the d-school , the project was made possible via innovative and collaborative thinking and teamwork , as well as systematisation and careful coordination of the installation . The result is a building capable of encouraging and eliciting design thinking , with the roof structure itself providing a learning opportunity , as the exposed gridshell allows students and faculty to see firsthand how the building fits together .
Atrium gridshell structure under construction
d-School 31