Armed with a mini crane and an array of vacuum lifters, GGR Group and architectural glass specialists OAG teamed up to help create the spectacular looking Serpentine Sackler Gallery in Hyde Park, London.

Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, the Serpentine Sackler Gallery has been transformed from a 200 year old former gunpowder store into 900m² of exhibition space.

Working with OAG who provided all structural glazing for the project, GGR’s team of operators and the OAG installation team created a modern frameless glass wall that curved around the building underneath an undulating roof.

A 0.995 tonne capacity UNIC URW-095 mini spider crane was used to install around 30 curved glass units and 30 glass fins of different shapes, sizes and weights around the gallery.  This compact crane was able to fit panels up to 4 metres tall and weighing up to 620kg underneath the curved white canopy using P11104 4-in-Line, DSZ2 and Hydraulica 900C glass lifters.

The Hydraulica 900C is a 900kg capacity dual circuit vacuum lifter specially designed for working with curved glass units like this. With 30 flexible vacuum pads mounted on swivel arms which can be easily adjusted to securely attach to convex or concave curved surfaces. This lifter features powered 90° hydraulic tilt and manual 270° lockable rotation functions for precise positioning of large and heavy loads.

Thanks to a great team effort from OAG and GGR on this project the gallery was ready for its opening in September 2013.

GGR Group’s lifting equipment has been hired to assist with glazing projects at the Serpentine Gallery in the past. A Hydraulica 1200 glass lifter was used to create the 2011 Summer pavilion, installing large red glass panels to create structures designed by French architect Jean Nouvel.

Images were kindly provided by the OAG project team – thank you!