Project Overview - Chanel Mobile Art was devised as a touring contemporary art exhibition. The exhibition is housed in the Chanel Pavilion, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects to celebrate the iconic Chanel handbag ES Group’s Role - ES Group was contracted to manufacture, install and tour the Chanel Mobile Art Pavilion and its contents internationally and
Chanel Mobile Art
to exacting standards for Chanel Project Title - Chanel Mobile Art Client - Chanel SAS Architect - Zaha Hadid Architects Engineers - Arup Location - Hong Kong, Tokyo, New York, Paris Project Value - £20 million+ Project Duration - 3 years Floor Area - 1,200m² Build Period - 4 weeks Dismantling Period - 2 weeks Construction - FRP, ETFE, PVC, steel, HVAC, power, lighting, services, fit out and art exhibits
Chanel Mobile Art
Images: John Linden
Project Introduction Mobile Art was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects for Chanel. Arup were the appointed engineers. We won the contract to develop, construct and tour the Pavilion to the seven nominated Cities. Whilst the look of the Pavilion was developed, the design was a long way from complete when we were appointed. The contract was agreed in June 2007 and the pavilion was scheduled to open in the centre of Hong Kong at the
Chanel Mobile Art
end of February 2008. The key drivers for the project were the schedule and quality of the pavilion. Structure The pavilion’s footprint is approximately 50m by 30m and with a maximum height of 7M. The structure is roughly ovoid and curved in appearance with a ramped terrace attached. There is an ancillary structure adjoined to the terrace serving as a ticket office and control room. There are ETFE skylights in the roof of varying shape and size. The outer cladding of the building is a combination of FRP, PVC, ETFE, and glass. Each FRP panel is unique and has been formed from an
individual mould that was cut from foam on a five axis CNC machine. The specification of the FRP cladding was developed by the design team and manufactured by our appointed sub contractor. The Interior walls and ceilings are lined with a bespoke thermal liner which is covered by a tensioned fabric retained by plywood formers. The composite was designed and is fixed together in a manner that was specifically developed for this project. The construction methodology adopted combined fast track techniques with more conventional disciplines. A modular staging ‘deck’ was used for the base structure utilising our system decking with two, substantial ring beams inset. The centre of the building is a courtyard surrounded by a structural, inclined steel wall, it is topped off by a steel ‘lid’ containing the ETFE Sky-lights and guttering. The outer, more substantial, area of the building curls round the courtyard and is formed by curved steel members. In order to achieve the
bizarre profiles, these main beams were fabricated from laser cut plate steel and then made up into bespoke I beams. The mechanical supply includes electrical generators, a full HVAC system with both cooling, heating and humidity control. The lighting system includes spot lights mounted into a sunken track system and a computerised LED system, both in and outside of the building. Smoke detection, emergency systems, CCTV and communication connectivity
Chanel Mobile Art
are also included. The Pavilion has a hydraulic emergency ‘hatchlike’ door and a ramp leading away. Local ‘city specific’ signage and emergency systems are adopted to conform to local regulations on a rolling basis. The content of the pavilion is bespoke, having been designed and manufactured to both fit into and define the interior of the pavilion. The visitor undertakes a ‘journey’ through the interior guided by an audio tour. The build time allowed for the building and fitting out of the pavilion is 28 days, from starting on site to handover to the client. The time allowed for dismantling the pavilion is 14 days. We provided the pavilion for Chanel in each city on a turnkey basis. To date the pavilion has been built and the exhibition taken place in Hong Kong, Tokyo and New York. The pavilion is currently on route to London where the exhibition opens in May. Design Development Prior to being formally appointed we were invited to attend some Mobile Art design team meetings, which consisted of Arup and Zaha Hadid Architects, in order to make some preliminary comments. We were subsequently
appointed and were charged
with developing the design into a working 3D model that would be
Chanel Mobile Art
a considerable amount of expertise and innovation given the extraordinary nature of the design and the short amount ot time available.
The critical path for manufacturing and construction was
established by the project management and design team and the design was then addressed in the order of priority that was required to meet the detailed programme. As usual, certain design decisions were made in order to precipitate the construction process. For example,
Chanel Mobile Art
the FRP production time scale had the longest manufacturing time and therefore the panels had to go into production well before the steelwork or fixing methodology had been finalised. Cost Control & Management Techniques The Chanel Mobile Art pavilion was a ‘cost plus’ contract against a predicted initial budget. The contract was ran on an ‘open book’ basis and was audited by the Chanel Accounts team on a monthly basis and also by Davis Langdon. Predicted cost variations were regularly constructable, tourable and also drive the manufacturing process. The design was in early concept phase when we commenced on the project and as such all detailed scope and specifications had to be developed by the team. The Architects design for the Pavilion was delivered as a ‘Rhino’ File plus visuals. A 3D steelwork model was created by us. Individual elements were designed in conjunction with and approved by Arup, at the same time the cladding was developed by ‘cutting’ the rhino surfaces into 3D AutoCAD panels. The panels had to be detailed including returns and Fixings and the whole package approved by both Arup and ZHA. The panel files were then processed into software that drives the CNC machines. All elements were sent for fabrication as soon as they were approved in order to stay on schedule. The process outlined above involved
reported to client for approval. Largely the supply chain was selected on ability to deliver the specification within timescale. Commercial value was assessed by competitive tender wherever practical and if not by negotiated contract. The FRP contract was placed after a lengthy, rigorous process led by cost versus specification. There was considerable debate over the fire compliance given that it had to comply in seven different cities on three continents. A quality control protocol was established with all concerned which has proved highly successful. Rapid selection of suppliers and their integration into the design phase early in the process, is a critical requirement for a fast track project of this type. This approach was adopted for all the major sub contracted packages. Whilst the design was specific to this structure, all the detailing was based on ‘standard’ approach design and principles that had been used before.
Cost management was owned by the our Project Manager supported by the internal accounts department, the performance of which was reviewed weekly and formally reported four weekly. Contracted elements were managed via sub-contracts and a procurement plan and labour via automated timesheeting. Sustainable Design & Construction The Mobile Art Pavilion is designed and purpose built to Client requirement
Chanel Mobile Art
as a demountable structure, the steel modules, connections, FRP Panelling, M&E and all components are designed and constructed to travel in ISO sized shipping containers. The transient nature of the whole has the effect of rendering it sustainable in that it is continually reusable within the life of its components. Construction Management & Programme Due to the short duration of the project and the limited design detail provided, the approach taken was to schedule the detailed design on a “just in time� basis which was planned in reverse based on the construction, delivery and manufacture sequencing. As such, long lead and early construction items were prioritized in the design process. In addition the key construction personnel were seconded into the design team to assist with ensuring a constructable design and to ensure a smooth transition of information and knowledge of the project were transferred immediately into the construction phase. Progress monitoring was key to ensuring a timely delivery and as such the Project Manager formally reviewed the schedule and risk register on a weekly basis with the design and construction teams. As programme was critical the client was kept informed of progress by a formal weekly report.
Supply Chain Management Due to the fast track nature of this project it was crucial to ensure selected suppliers had a proven track record of timely delivery as well as being able to demonstrate commercial value and product/service quality. We built good working relationships over several years and on many projects with a broad range of suppliers and as such employed an integrated approach with regards to this project to ensure timely delivery, efficient design and manufacture along with transparency of costs. The selection of suppliers was based on ability to supply the specification to the correct quality, the cost and their capacity to produce within the timescale stipulated. Performance and cost management was managed via weekly meetings and four-weekly budget reporting.
Chanel Mobile Art