Unusual Rigging and Engineering LLC joins forces with Deco Emirates LLC at Dubai Festival City

16th June 2017

Dubai Festival City is a 1300 acre, waterfront urban community that has been designed to reflect the 21st century spirit of Dubai. It offers visitors a top class shopping, dining and entertainment experience but is also home to a residential community, two international schools, hotels and commercial offices.

Deco Emirates LLC was recently brought on board to oversee a complete interior fit out of the Robinsons department store for Al Futtaim Sons. Contracts manager Chris George was responsible for ensuring the works were undertaken according to the design from HMKM London and to successfully hand over within a 10 month period. Chris, in turn, contacted Unusual Rigging and Engineering LLC to help Deco Emirates understand the complexities and challenges of the project.

Chris explained: "We knew from the offset that the installation of an overhead gantry within the escalator atrium was not going to be straightforward. We worked closely with Richard Hoare, project manager at Unusual Rigging, providing him with a brief to provide a lightweight gantry beam suited for carrying lifting points, winches and pulleys across the length of the gantry, whilst also needing to move across the X and Y axis. The aim was to have the ability to suspend visual merchandising props for seasonal and promotional purposes within the atrium void."

Chris chose to work with Unusual Rigging having already worked with the team on a previous project with similar challenges. "We enjoyed the experience of working with them on a professional level, so we knew straight away that they were a good match to us and that we would work well together on this complex project," said Chris.

Time scales on the project proved to be very challenging. Interior works were running concurrent with 'base build' construction activities. hence the close coordination between main contractor and interior scope was a key factor in maintaining a programme for a 'fit out' of over 20,000m² in less than 10 months. Chris continued: "Despite the tight deadlines, the entire Unusual team was fantastic. They offered the full service from initial design to detailed shop drawings and structural calculations, to the procurement and the successful delivery and execution of the works."

"We chose Unusual Rigging because we could not afford to take any chances with companies unknown to us or with no track record of such installations. In addition, and as their name suggests, this was not a standard project and required the engineering expertise of a team that is accustomed to working on 'non standard' type jobs. Also, Health and Safety practices are always a key factor and the HSE standards of Unusual Rigging and Engineering are exemplary. It was a pleasure to work closely with Richard and I applaud him for his professionalism throughout this challenging project and look forward to working with him and the rest of the team in the near future", concluded Chris.