Louvre Abu Dhabi : Bespoke Balustrade & Seismic-Columns
As part of our ongoing collaboration with experts in museum display, Meyvaert, we were tasked to solve a number of technical challenges for the permanent exhibition galleries at the revolutionary Jean Nouvel designed Louvre in Abu Dhabi.
Bespoke Balustrades and Columns
Challenge 1: Develop an inobtrusive modular balustrade system in solid aged-brass that could be installed with no visible connection methods and incorporate a low voltage hidden emergency lighting system, to be installed in all public areas of the permanent galleries.
Challenge 2: Develop a series of bespoke brass columns to display bust sculptures securely. All Columns were tailored to a specific sculpture, requiring different size, scale, weight and load specifications.
All Interior features within the permanent exhibition galleries were required to meet the stringent safety measures demanded by such a unique building. These included withstanding all theft and security concerns and protection of the priceless works from potential seismic activity.
Precision Machined Components
Solution 1: Our balustrade design solution comprised of a kit of five precision engineered and machined components. These acted as head caps, corner joints and linking components onto which extruded brass box sections could be slotted onto. After preliminary assembly, threaded steel rods, hidden within the box section, link the machined components and give full strength. All electrics and electronics required for the lighting system are also hidden within this assembly.
As requested by the client the final assembly has no visible means of connection whilst still allowing access for future maintenance. Manufactured in solid brass and plated in bronze, it fulfilled all structural, aesthetic and safety requirements.
Tectonic Columns
Solution 2: The bespoke columns needed to fit seamlessly into the exhibition areas and be invisible to the viewer. Most importantly, the design needed to incorporate numerous anti-theft systems and seismic-isolation features to protect the priceless works on display.
Our solution appears to be a simple tube onto which a bust sculpture is positioned. However, look more closely and you see a shadow line at the top of the column. Each bust sculpture actually sits securely on top of a highly engineered tectonic skeleton running inside the cover tube and 1.5m. below floor level. The final arrangement offers maximum security and the ability to absorb and control any movement from seismic activity.
All columns and balustrades were successfully installed on site, coinciding with the grand opening of the Museum.
Key Expertise
Product design
Mechanical engineering
Lighting design
Prototyping
Design for manufacture
Structural analysis
Metal plating and coating
Manufacture and instillation
Logistics