INTRODUCING THE MOST EXTREME GLAZING PROJECT OF THE YEAR.......

RAL KNOLL RIDGE CAFE Client: Stanley Construction Group, NZLocation: Mt Ruaphu, National Park, NZScope of Works: Full Design & Build FacadeDuration: March 2010 - July 2010

25 Tons of Glass All flown up by Helicopter

415 M2 Glass Facade 100% fully thermally broken custom system All units had have 3 equalizing tubes for rapid altitude acceleration during flying

No site measure All glass predetermined from 3d modelling

Pre-flight glass

The Journey Home

Snowed in

Cold Forged Tools

Glazing in the CloudsTo use the word extreme would be an understatement

This glass curtain wall is possibly the most difficult facade to be built in many years, not because the complexity, because of the harsh environment that it was constructed in.

The site location, 2020 metres above sea level on a Active Volcano called Mt Ruapehu near the centre of the north island of New Zealand.

25 tons of glass, all flown up by helicopter, (800kg max per load ) as there is no road.

All glass units were fitted with 3 equalizing tubes to facilitate onsite argon gas filling, equalizing tubes were also a precaution for rapid altitude acceleration during flying.

On Site argon gas filled double glazed units at 2020 metres above sea level, possibly a worlds' first.

The Glass Facade 100% fully thermally broken custom system.

The IGU's were supplied by Sinapore Safety Glass were all produced to the following spec: 10mm tempered low e (Stop Ray 50T) 2 hour heat soaked / 12mm argon filled airspace / warm edge spacer / 10mm clear tempered heat soaked. The heaviest glass panel weighed in at 317 kgs. There was no site measuring on this job, all glass and facade components were predetermined and ordered from calculations obtained through Autodesk Inventor Professional 3D Models.

3 months design and development.

5 months On Site build including coordination of glue lam timber framing installation.

Final facade working and manufacture drawings and site install were running concurrently until half way through the job.

During the glazing and installation of the glass and framing system we were working outside. Temperatures ranged from minus -10 to -15 DEG C and added to that were wind speeds of 75km/h, plenty of snow, and a few rain storms

The winter apparel was supplied by main contractor at a cost of $2500 (nzd) per set .... wire spring crampons on your boots for working on icy scaffold ...scaffold had to be de snowed and de iced most days.

The highest wind speed recorded during work read 130km/h, we were stuck on mountain for 5 hours until the wind slowed, they journey home was via the snowcat piste grooming vehicles

That day wind chill factor -25 deg C, there was no glass installed that day.

We would like to extend special thanks to:Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Singapore Safety Glass AGC Europe Woods Powr-Grip,co,inc, USA FDR Design,inc, USA Crown Forklifts, NZThe Stanley Group, NZ National Glass Ltd, Nz Helicopter Services Ltd, NZ

Top: Installation on east face. Shrink wrap opened up bay at a time as glass was fitted Bottom Left: The 5.30pm site shutdown Bottom Right: The Outdoor Gear came in useful most days

Top Left: East elevation on cafe Top Right: 1st crate of glass takes offBottom Left: 300kgs of corner glass inspected Bottom Right: Integrated sash design

■ Detailed design and international procurement of all Façade elements

■ Development and feasibility studies of relevant required façade systems for your building including Concept drawings

■ Shop drawings of Facade & Curtain Wall Systems

■ Engineering of Facades & Curtain Wall Systems

■ Peer review services of Curtain Wall Shop Drawings & Fabrication Methods.

■ Peer review services of site installation

■ Methodology Statements.

■ Clerk of Works services for Factory Fabrication & Site Installation of facades & curtain walling.

■ Material selection of all façade elements using a network of overseas specialist suppliers and subcontractors.

■ Full blown 3D design drawings showing all bearing joint assemblies including machining and fabrication techniques and methods

■ Animated AVI files showing Sequence of Works from Design, Fabrication, through to Site Installation

■ Digital presentation services in 3D and 2D including all required cutting lists, fabrication drawings and assembly drawings.

■ Digital presentation is published in formats which are free client downloads of Autodesk software which in turn means that the client has no need for costly specialist software.

■ Specialist material procurement selection services helping you select international tried and proven supply chains

■ Costing and quantity surveying services of façade elements and structural steel works

■ Publishing of façade scope and specification documentation

■ Remote Desk Top conferencing services enabling the review drawings and designs between all parties online.

■ 4th Dimensional Façade Solutions Ltd services are available either on hourly rate or lump sum

TechnologyUtilizing the latest 2D & 3D software, we are able to provide a complete design service including analytic system performance. Fully licensed and trained in the following software:

■ Autodesk Inventor Pro 2011■ Autodesk AutoCad 2011

4th Dimensional Facade Solutions are a true design & build facade contractor, as the designers go to site and build it

THAT IS THE 4TH DIMENSION

Services

Email:jason@4thdimensionalfacadesolutions.comTel: +64 021887218