Manson defies gravity, high above Sylvia Park

The nature of our work at Manson often leads to some unusual projects and tricky installation scenarios. Few have been more unusual than the recent request for a 1000kg hanging frame, to be suspended from the ceiling of Sylvia Park shopping centre. Of course, being New Zealand’s largest and busiest shopping centre, it all had to be done in the middle of the night!

The frame was required to display hundreds of glass jet planes, the work of glassmaker and artist Simon Lewis-Wards. The art installation would be dramatic in both its visual appearance and its logistical scope, suspended some 20 metres above the heads of Sylvia Park shoppers!

Weight restrictions were obviously crucial, and the frame needed to hang from a T-section spanning between curved beams, adding yet more complexity to the project. Manson worked with the client, Structure by Design, to finalise a frame with additional options including fast-tracking all work that needed to be done to meet the strict deadlines for the project.

Naylor Love was awarded the contract and set us a particularly tight timeframe. Manson — never one to shy away from a challenge — successfully completed the project on time and on budget… and had it safely installed with time to spare before the doors opened at 9 am!

The final specs were as follows:
Size: 10100 (L) x 7100 (W) x 1350 (H) (70 spare meters)
Approx. weight: 1000kg
Hanging height: 20m Approx.

Build Material Specs:
Frame – 200x100x6 RHS – Grade 6061-T6
Hanging Wire Supports – 150x50x6 T-Bars – Grade 6061-T6
All cut parts plates – 5083 Marine Grade