A Monument of Modernity.

Norwich Union, one of England’s largest insurance companies represented by Bovis, entrusted GIG to cover the courtyard enclosed on all four sides.

This involved integrating a listed building from 1621, which became the entrance to this atrium. Simultaneously, all offices and other spaces on the lower floors were renovated and brought up to the latest technical standards. A 40-metre-long bridge was installed on an elevated interior level, connecting various buildings and levels.

The biggest challenge of this project was the narrow external access of approximately 3.7 metres width: Being in the centre of Norwich, mobile cranes could not be set up, and fixed cranes could not be brought into the courtyard.

The entire atrium roof was delivered in prefabricated sections and assembled on a working platform at the final installation height with millimetre precision. It was then lowered onto the underlying supporting steel structure. The glass panes were bonded onto the framework in their exact position. Finally, the surrounding joints were sealed with silicone.