The Gensler Jewel Box

Project Scope and Description

Gensler—a well-known architecture, planning, and design firm—commissioned Giroux Glass to replace a single lite (industry term for pane) of glass at their Downtown Los Angeles office building, known as the “Jewel Box.” The original glass had been damaged by an act of vandalism, but this repair was not as simple as it seems on paper. The lite was so large, it had to be specially ordered from China, then shipped overseas—a process which took several months from start to finish. Its size also required the use of heavy-duty equipment for installation.

Challenges

• The size of the damaged panel was so large, we could not find a local manufacturer to produce the lite
• We had to locate an international manufacturer that could handle the project, and communicate effectively to meet requirements and deadlines
• The process of sourcing a manufacturer, producing the lite, and safely shipping it overseas took several months to complete
• Work time was limited due to the very busy nature of the building’s location
• The size and weight of the glass piece required strategic installation

Solutions

• We worked with a Canadian company to find a Chinese manufacturer with the ability to produce the glass in the size needed
• We were able to take advantage of a privately owned area in front of the building and schedule a weekend installation to avoid expensive permitting in a high-traffic downtown area
• For installation, we deployed a full team of glaziers to ensure smooth and timely project execution
• Our team employed a Skyline spider crane to safely maneuver the enormous piece of glass

“It was a pleasure to be the team called on to repair the corporate office of a prestigious architectural firm such as Gensler. And it’s not the first time; coincidentally, we had replaced the panel directly next to this one, only about a year ago. We’re proud to be the go-to glazier of choice for Commonwealth, for this kind of project.”
John McEwen, Assistant Director of Service, Giroux Glass employee since 1997

Additional Notes

Any large, involved glass installation invites onlookers, and this one was no exception. The sight of a giant crane moving a giant lite of glass across a high-traffic sidewalk stopped many a passerby.

People also gathered to watch our glaziers work the glass into position using D-cups. It took a team of seven and a large spider crane to successfully lift out and remove the original broken lite, then set and replace the new one.

Typically the city would require us to obtain a permit and close off traffic for a project of this scale, but a small clear area in front of the building allowed us to operate the installation without having to shut down a busy downtown street. We also opted for a weekend installation to avoid rush hour complications.