Doka supplied time and cost-effective protection screens to optimise worker and public safety during the construction of a city centre development that is redesigning the living experience.
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The House of Social building, on First Street in central Manchester, is a 14-storey residence designed to inspire a culture of collaboration, independence, and productivity among 600 second and third-year students. The project, on behalf of specialist developers Renaker in partnership with regeneration experts Vita Group, aims to provide students with stylish, comfortable purpose-built accommodation comparable to modern build-to-rent developments. It includes 100 cluster apartments and five and six-bedroom ‘houses’ featuring attractive open plan kitchens and lounge spaces designed for the social congregation of established and emerging friendship groups.
A 14,000ft2 food hall, central bar, independent kitchens, state-of-the-art gym and co-working spaces are among House of Social’s elite student amenities.
The Doka Xclimb 60 Protection Screen was specified as the safe, cost-effective perimeter safety system when it came to the House of Social’s high-rise construction. The crane-climbed protection system was designed to suit the building’s perimeter with a proposal which reduced the number of safety screens required. As a consequence, fewer floor supports were required and installation and lifting times were reduced.
A total of 31 screen units were used during the construction of the House of Social. Screen widths ranged between 4.8 metres and 7.2 metres, and reached 12 metres in height. The Xclimb 60’s capability in accommodating a wide range of unit configurations and sizes during its coverage across four levels of the House of Social building was crucial to its time and cost-effective operation. Most importantly, it allowed following façade trades to install stone cladding and boarding in total safety.
Guided on vertical profiles which remain attached to the structure, Xclimb 60 Protection Screens were raised via a single crane-lift cycle for this project. The protective screens not only provide an effective weather barrier for people working at height, they are a gapless barrier against dropped or loose items falling to the ground below. With the safety of their working environment assured, operatives are able to work efficiently and more productively. Therefore, with its horizontal and vertical sealing a prominent design feature, the Xclimb 60 Protection Screen facilitates projects remaining on track within agreed budgets and timescales.
The House of Social project was Doka’s first collaboration with Renaker, which specialises in creating aspirational new neighbourhoods in Manchester. The relationship between the two parties, with Doka working closely with the client during the Xclimb 60 Protection Screen’s specification process and operation, was key to the structure’s safe, timely completion.
Greg Sikora, Frame Project Manager for Renaker said: “The system’s larger screen size of 7.2m, when compared to the typical systems available, allowed us to reduce the number of units needed by eight, which was a substantial benefit. This also meant fewer vertical profiles, resulting in fewer shoes and component movements. For this project, the Doka system required just 31 profiles versus the 41 needed by other systems – a significant difference.
The Xclimb 60 system's ergonomics were also excellent, with easy elements to position and adjustable shoes that enabled a simple setup. Despite the limited space available on the site compound, the team built the units efficiently without additional storage.”
In praising Doka’s all-round service delivery during the project, Greg Sikora added: “Doka’s Formwork Demonstrator significantly enhanced our project efficiency. Any questions or requests for support were responded to very quickly and professionally, making the entire process smooth and hassle-free."
By optimising safety, usability and its ability to speed-up workflows during the building of high-rise structures, Xclimb 60 Protection Screen conforms to the demand for smarter, more integrated safety-based solutions. Its performance on the outstanding House of Social development is testament to that capability.
A 14,000ft2 food hall, central bar, independent kitchens, state-of-the-art gym and co-working spaces are among House of Social’s elite student amenities.
The Doka Xclimb 60 Protection Screen was specified as the safe, cost-effective perimeter safety system when it came to the House of Social’s high-rise construction. The crane-climbed protection system was designed to suit the building’s perimeter with a proposal which reduced the number of safety screens required. As a consequence, fewer floor supports were required and installation and lifting times were reduced.
A total of 31 screen units were used during the construction of the House of Social. Screen widths ranged between 4.8 metres and 7.2 metres, and reached 12 metres in height. The Xclimb 60’s capability in accommodating a wide range of unit configurations and sizes during its coverage across four levels of the House of Social building was crucial to its time and cost-effective operation. Most importantly, it allowed following façade trades to install stone cladding and boarding in total safety.
Guided on vertical profiles which remain attached to the structure, Xclimb 60 Protection Screens were raised via a single crane-lift cycle for this project. The protective screens not only provide an effective weather barrier for people working at height, they are a gapless barrier against dropped or loose items falling to the ground below. With the safety of their working environment assured, operatives are able to work efficiently and more productively. Therefore, with its horizontal and vertical sealing a prominent design feature, the Xclimb 60 Protection Screen facilitates projects remaining on track within agreed budgets and timescales.
The House of Social project was Doka’s first collaboration with Renaker, which specialises in creating aspirational new neighbourhoods in Manchester. The relationship between the two parties, with Doka working closely with the client during the Xclimb 60 Protection Screen’s specification process and operation, was key to the structure’s safe, timely completion.
Greg Sikora, Frame Project Manager for Renaker said: “The system’s larger screen size of 7.2m, when compared to the typical systems available, allowed us to reduce the number of units needed by eight, which was a substantial benefit. This also meant fewer vertical profiles, resulting in fewer shoes and component movements. For this project, the Doka system required just 31 profiles versus the 41 needed by other systems – a significant difference.
The Xclimb 60 system's ergonomics were also excellent, with easy elements to position and adjustable shoes that enabled a simple setup. Despite the limited space available on the site compound, the team built the units efficiently without additional storage.”
In praising Doka’s all-round service delivery during the project, Greg Sikora added: “Doka’s Formwork Demonstrator significantly enhanced our project efficiency. Any questions or requests for support were responded to very quickly and professionally, making the entire process smooth and hassle-free."
By optimising safety, usability and its ability to speed-up workflows during the building of high-rise structures, Xclimb 60 Protection Screen conforms to the demand for smarter, more integrated safety-based solutions. Its performance on the outstanding House of Social development is testament to that capability.
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