SCX Special Projects created a completely bespoke access solution for the famous ‘Gherkin’ building in the City of London.
The instantly-recognisable building - built originally for Swiss Re at 30 St Mary Axe, London - has a constantly curving exterior, including a domed roof. All of which presented new mechanical handling challenges for SCX to solve.
Building maintenance units – BMUs – provide access for cleaning and maintenance, and usually run on tracks fitted on a flat roof, where they can be stored out of sight.
The uniquely shaped ‘Gherkin’, designed by Foster + Partners, has no flat roof. So, an equally unique access solution was required; and it had to be one that would not compromise the appearance of the building. This posed a challenge that many considered too difficult.
SCX Special Projects created a completely unique access solution for the instantly recognisable building in the centre of London, affectionately called the ‘Gherkin’.
Our solution allows maintenance staff to access the full external facade of the 160m high building, as well as the interior and exterior of the ceiling of the top floor restaurant. Five bespoke machines and some highly innovative engineering solved this remarkable challenge.
Image: The domed summit of the Swiss Re Gherkin, showing our building access solution in use
An SCX company
SCX Special Projects Ltd
Roman Ridge Road, Sheffield, S9 1GA, United Kingdom
t: +44 (0)114 262 6199
e: info@scx.co.uk