The Ask

Install a 9 x 6m pod on the 7th floor of a multi-storey car park at Stephens Green Shopping Centre in the middle of Dublin. There is restricted access of 2.2m and access to the 7th floor is by ascending a spiral ramp. This was a  very different scope from our previous project in that the building had to be ‘flat packed’ and transported in sections up the MSCP spiral ramp to the final location and put back together in situ.

The Solution

First we had to design the building to ensure we could build it back at base and take it apart in sections that would fit up the ramp and connect back together effectively. It was a bit like Meccano meets advanced Lego modelling.  We had to consider data and power cabling connect/disconnect/connect, built-in cupboards, a full kitchen installation, decoration, flooring, lighting, glazing, thermal efficiency, heat loss and gain and prevention of fire spread.

We constructed the building back at base and then de-constructed it into sections no bigger than 2.2m wide in order to fit them up the ramp. Everything was packed carefully and transported on a curtain sider trailer to Dublin, where we arranged for a telehandler to offload the building on a Sunday morning into the shopping centre loading bay (we had to fit it into two parking spaces – that was fun).

Our installation began at 5 pm on Sunday evening, where we moved the building from the basement level to the 7th floor, section by section, via the spiral ramp using a telehandler and lots of breathing in and concentration. The building was then re-constructed on the 7th floor over the course of the following four days.

The Extra Challenge

The car park ceiling and floor are obviously not level to allow for drainage etc. we scribed the ceiling and floor in to encapsulate the building for fire resistance and give a seamless finish.  The intent is to make the building appear as if it is a permanent fixture but also give the ability to relocate.

The Reward

This was a very successful project, despite the specific challenges it brought.  Our client was again extremely happy with the office. Watch this space as we are now tasked with relocating it again to the roof level in the car park next door…..of course, we can …..