Corporate HQ Glass Replacement - London

The Challenge

A major corporate headquarters in the City of London identified 23 laminated glass units in their central atrium showing advanced delamination. At 30m height above a busy reception and meeting area, the risk of glass fragment shedding was a serious health and safety concern. The building housed 3,000 employees and could not be closed or partially evacuated for the duration of the works. Access was further complicated by restricted road space for crane positioning and the need to coordinate with neighbouring buildings.

Our Approach

We mobilised a specialist glass replacement team combining IRATA-certified rope access technicians with crane operations. A detailed method statement was developed in coordination with the building's health and safety team, including temporary protection measures below each working zone.

All glass replacement was carried out during weekend and overnight shifts to minimise disruption to building operations. Each unit was removed using rope access from above, with the replacement unit lifted into position by mobile crane and secured by the rope access team. The operation required careful coordination of crane movements with neighbouring building operations and local authority road closure permits.

The Result

All 23 units were replaced within the 6-week programme with zero disruption to building operations. The new laminated units were specified with enhanced solar control properties, reducing solar gain in the atrium space by approximately 25%. The client subsequently commissioned a full condition survey of the remaining glazing to inform a planned maintenance programme, which we now deliver on an annual basis.