St. Jakobshalle in Basel: Glass domes replaced
Installation of spherically curved glass elements in all weathers
The St. Jakobshalle is a multi-purpose event hall on the outskirts of Basel (Switzerland). Heavydrive's innovative equipment was used to replace a spherically curved glass dome on the roof of the building.
The dome-shaped glass measured 3,254 millimetres (10.68 ft) in diameter and weighed between 550 and 600 kilograms (1,213 and 1,323 lbs). The work, carried out on behalf of Ziltener AG, took place on the roof in an exposed location. Dusk fell and the wind picked up, calling for steady and precise control of the lifting operations. The assignment was accomplished using the powerful Heavydrive VSG 600 KR SP 20 vacuum suction system.
The glass pane was first secured on the ground to a vacuum suction fixture and then lifted onto the roof with the aid of a crane. Due to the prevailing wind conditions, an additional suction cup with a tensioning strap was used to guide the glass safely and position it with great precision. On the roof, the fitters carefully positioned the pane in its designated place and installed it.
The St. Jakobshalle in Basel was built in 1976 to a design by Giovanni Panozzo and underwent further architectural development as part of a modernisation project starting in 2018, led by the architect firms Berrel Kräutler and Degelo. Heavydrive was involved in the multifunctional indoor complex back in 2019. At the time, a large-format façade pane was replaced in a very confined space beneath a three metre (9.84 ft) deep overhang. The panel, weighing around 1.5 tonnes (approx. 3,307 lbs), was precisely installed into a mullion-transom structure using special overhead vacuum technology.
"We are delighted to have had the opportunity to work at the St. Jakobshalle once again. Both assignments demonstrate that Heavydrive has remained a reliable partner for installation projects over the years", says Günter Übelacker, Managing Director.
Tags:#Heavydrive #Glassinstallation #StJakobshalleBasel #Roofglazing #Domeconstruction #Vacuumtechnology #Installationtechnology #Basel #Specialinstallation #ZiltenerAG # BerrelKräutlerArchitects #DegeloArchitects
