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d
&
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JULY-AUGUST 2013
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In a first for
D&Ri
, we report
on a selective demolition
in Dubai carried out by
contractor GTS Group. It is
not just the work that was a
challenge, the environment
has its own part to play, as
Lindsay Gale
found out
Working a live site
About GTS
GTS, or Gulf Technical Services, was
established eight years ago with the aim of
bringing the latest demolition techniques
and practises to the Gulf region. Group
director Edward Forero has more than 15
years’ experience and has worked on a
number of large scale prestigious projects
during that time in both the UK and the
UAE. Since its establishment, the Group
has carried out a number of high profile
demolition projects, including the Ritz
Carllton and Grand Hyatt Hotels in Dubai,
the UAE (AlA in) Ladies University project
and work of Oman Airports Management
Co. In total GTS has successfully
completed more than 40 projects in the
region since it commenced operation. The
company currently operates the only high
reach excavator working in the region.
T
he BurJuman Centre is owned by the
Al Ghurair Group and was the second
major shopping mall to be opened in
Dubai, after Al Ghurair City. It currently is
undergoing a major refurbishment to provide
greater space for its retail occupiers as well as a
more pleasant experience for their customers.
To achieve this, two floors are to be added
to the top of the existing structure, with the
interior of the latter substantially remodelled.
This refurbishment is being carried out by
main contractor ECC.
The refurbishment is being carried out to
provide urban regeneration to the region of
Dubai in which the mall is located, which is
generally regarded as being Old Dubai.
The work being undertaken by GTS is
focussed on the BurJuman II building in the
two structure complex. BurJuman I has already
been refurbished, work that was completed
in early 2012, and when work is completed
on BurJuman II, it will match the inward and
outward appearance of BurJuman I.
CLEARING THE WAY
The main tasks that GTS is carrying out cover
internal strip-out and structural demolition
throughout the entire structure, including
roof slab and atrium skylight removal and
additional structural removal throughout
the lower floors. In addition, it is carrying
out general refurbishment and structural
enhancements to provide improved shopping
mall facilities. The work is being overseen
by GTS operations manager Rob Smith in
conjunction with demolition project manager
Matthew Thornton (who incidentally was the
operator of the Kocurek/Liebherr ultra-high
reach nicknamed Twinkle-toes during its use
in Christchurch following the earthquake that
The BurJuman shopping
mall in Dubai – BurJuman
II undergoing selective
demolition is to the right
of the multi-storey building
under construction. When
complete it will mirror
BurJuman I to the left
SITE REPORTS
The steel atrium roof structures and the main
roof slab are to be removed to allow the
construction of an additional two floors
Craneing the first of
two midi excavators
that will be used to
break the roof slab
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