1st May 2024 – Monster Children

35 and 36 St Andrew's Square (The Dunard Centre), Edinburgh

Dem-Master was awarded the challenging task of demolishing the annex building at the Royal Bank Complex in St Andrew’s Square, Edinburgh to make way for the new Dunard Centre concert hall.

Project Scope:

  • Removal of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).
  • Demolition of the Annex Building, a 1970s four-story concrete structure with stone cladding.
  • Demolition of additional buildings at the rear of 35 St Andrew Square, including a car park garage and outbuildings.
  • Careful deconstruction near the “A-Listed” Dundas House to avoid damage.
  • Site clearance and preparation for new construction.

Challenges:

  • Working next to a historic, listed building: Strict protocols were required to ensure the safety and preservation of the adjacent Dundas House. This included meticulous separation techniques during deconstruction and the use of fully encapsulated scaffolding.
  • Tight space in a busy city centre: The restricted site with limited access points demanded creative solutions for traffic management. Dem-Master secured approval for access routes that minimised disruption to surrounding businesses, residents, and the popular tram line.
  • Asbestos removal: The presence of asbestos added complexity to the project.

Solutions:

  • Staged demolition: The demolition was meticulously planned and executed in stages, with careful separation techniques employed near the historic building.
  • Secured access routes: Dem-Master worked closely with authorities to obtain approvals for access routes that minimised disruption to the surrounding area.
  • Specialised asbestos removal: Dem-Master's certified asbestos removal team safely removed all ACMs before demolition could begin.
  • Encapsulated scaffolding: Fully encapsulated scaffolding ensured the safety of workers and the public during demolition near the historic building.

Sustainability: Dem-Master achieved 100% diversion of non-hazardous waste from landfill through careful sorting and recycling techniques. Additionally, efficient debris removal routes minimised environmental impact

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