CLESTRA Newsletter Issue 13

1. When it comes to architecture, educational establishments
tend to be very traditional in their approach to interior
construction, seeking sturdiness and longevity as the key
features. ”For this reason, architects have traditionally
not considered prefabricated monobloc partitioning as a
solution, but we are now seeing a change in this mindset,”
says Fernando Iglesias, Representative Director of Clestra
Japan.“Rikkyo University, for example, is the latest in a string
of educational establishments that have turned to CLESTRA
for partitioning solutions.”
In fact, CLESTRA’s records show that the relocatability
of the partitioning systems is an important benefit
for educational establishments. One major Hong Kong
polytechnic, a CLESTRA client, relocated 50% of its
partitioning within three years to meet changing needs.
Highlight projects include:
A feature of the Rikkyo University project in Japan was
the differing ceiling heights across nine to-be-fitted floors of
Lloyd Hall, with heights ranging from 1650mm to 4650mm.
The high ceilings allowed for an open and airy feel, and
CLESTRA’s pleinAIR was the perfect choice with its elegant
frameless construction.
relocatability n flexibility n aesthetic and technical design excellence n ecology n acoustic control n certified quality
CLESTRA News is a periodical update on our latest products, technical developments and awards. If you are new to CLESTRA, we’re happy to tell
you that CLESTRA is a world leader when it comes to partitioning systems, with close to 100 years experience in the design, manufacture and
installation of relocatable office wall systems and glass office fronts.
Our products are known for their excellence in aesthetic and technical design, flexibility, performance and environmental sustainability.
If this news is not relevant and you no longer wish to receive our updates, please accept our apologies and email us at infocom@clestra.com.
Asianewsupdate
2013 Issue 13
KAUST University, Saudi Arabia
CLESTRA’s partitions allow visitors to the Rikkyo University Lloyd
Hall library to enjoy a quiet, comfortable working environment
Educational installation
highlight projects include:
North America
■■ New York University
■■ Weill Cornell Medical
College
■■ University of Rochester
Canada
■■ Simon Fraser University
■■ McMaster University
Great Britain
■■ University of York
Spain
■■ Loyola University
France
■■ INSEAD
■■ University of Strasbourg
Switzerland
■■ IMD
■■ Saudi Arabia
■■ KAUST University
Hong Kong
■■ Hong Kong Polytechnic
University
■■ The University of Hong
Kong
Singapore
■■ National University of
Singapore
South Korea
■■ Kwungwon University
Japan
■■ Osaka Dental University
■■ Rikkyo University
■■ Taisho University
■■ Musashino Art University
■■ Tokyo University Sapia
Tower
CLESTRA’s partitioning was also used in areas such as
group study rooms and private rooms where the product’s
high level of soundproofing proved an important feature.
Clestra has been involved in installing partitioning
systems at several renowned educational facilities around
the world.
WORLD: Partition solutions the smart choice for education

2. relocatability n flexibility n aesthetic and technical design excellence n ecology n acoustic control n certified quality
Clestra is renowned for its steel and glass partitioning systems,
but when a current client – an international bank – requested
the integration of wooden panels for a large project for its
offices in Singapore, CLESTRA took up the challenge head on.
Having its own factory provided CLESTRA with the
critical advantage of being able to quickly develop pro-
totypes, and test and improve the design before shipping.
Direct correspondence between the designer and CLESTRA
design and factory staff created a simple work flow pro-
cess where each party knew what the other wanted and
worked together to achieve their goals. As is standard with
CLESTRA products, the custom-designed system arrived
finished and ready to install, the benefit being that the
installation is quick, clean and requires far fewer workmen,
so lowering labour costs.
The project achieved the high standards typical of
CLESTRA HONG KONG & SOUTHASIA TEL: (852) 2506 1681
CLESTRA CHINA TEL: (86) 21 6125 0280
CLESTRA JAPAN TEL: (81) 3 3423 4681
CLESTRA KOREA TEL: (82) 2 784 62 74
CLESTRA SINGAPORE TEL: (65) 6836 2563
CLESTRAAUSTRALIA TEL: (61) 2 9251 3855
CLESTRA HONG KONG & SOUTHASIA
CLESTRA CHINA
CLESTRA JAPAN
CLESTRA KOREA
CLESTRA SINGAPORE
TEL: (852) 2506 1681
TEL: (86) 21 6125 0280
TEL: (81) 3 3423 4681
TEL: (82) 2 784 62 74
TEL: (65) 6836 2563
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CONTRIBUTORS
Hong Kong: Andrew To
and Chris Lai
China: Charly Vanhaecke
Japan: Haruhiko Kitsugi
Korea: Daniel Kim
Singapore: Gilles Marino
SINGAPORE: CLESTRA takes on wood partitioning challenge
What was the most
challenging project you
have faced?
MM: Wan Chai Police Headquarters, Hong Kong – 10 km of
partition and 66,000 m2 of ceiling (200 nos of 40’container)
With over 100 CLESTRA staff on site, this was a large proj-
ect. The staff were working 24 hours on site, with materials
delivered at midnight. For installation, we had to fit 160lm
of partition every day! To add to the complications, SARS
(2003) intervened. All on-site workers had to wear a mask,
making installation in the summer conditions very difficult
and putting a strain on the workers’ physical status. But
working together, we managed to pull the project off within
two years.
SV: DBS Singapore– 4 km of partition, and 2,000 sqm of
fabric panel
During the project, I had to make sure all the materials were
in place for the contractor to speed up the installation to
meet the tight schedule. Finishing the project was challeng-
ing as there were many sections that had to be installed, and
each section involved a large amount of material and parts.
CLESTRA’s initial concept
proposals for the client involved
cleverly incorporating wooden
partitions with glass paneling.
CLESTRA TEAM FOCUS: The Site Supervisor
CLESTRA, with a 35dB in situ acoustic performance with
single glass-wooden sliding doors. The project also achieved
a gold rating in the prestigious environmental assessment
criteria, the Singapore Green Mark, thanks to the improved
workflow, brought about by using mono-bloc panels, which
were pre-cut to the required dimensions, significantly reduc-
ing the amount of carpentry work on-site.
Paul Levy, Vice President Asia, explains: “Having the right
support team in place who also bring a wealth of experi-
ence allows us to grab such opportunities. The willingness to
provide a value added service by taking special requests that
may be challenging and beyond our comfort zone has allowed
CLESTRA to differentiate itself from competitors in the field.”
As a contractor with its own factory, CLESTRA has differ-
entiated itself from competitors in Asia, by positioning itself
as a solution provider for such projects.
About Clestra
Clestra is a global leader
in high-quality system
partition solutions for
offices and cleanrooms.
Headquarters: France
Founded: 1913
Offices: 27
Manufacturing sites:
Strasbourg, Gumi
France, South Korea,
Taicang, Pune, PRC,
India
For project enquiries
and product information,
kindly contact
infocom@clestra.com
From designer to developer, there are many people involved
in the successful installation of a CLESTRA product. In this
issue, Site Supervisors Morris Mak and Suan Vuang provide
an insight into the role they play in a typical CLESTRA
installation.
Introducing Site Supervisors - Morris Mak
(Hong Kong) and Suan Vuang (Singapore).
What’s in a typical day?
Morris Mak: I visit each of the CLESTRA sites to check the
quality of the materials and work. Typically, this includes
ensuring the safety of installation procedure and site con-
dition, coordinating work with main contractor and other
parties and arranging logistics for delivery.
Suan Vuang: After the morning meeting, I have to pass off
the relevant information and duties to all the contractors,
and inform the head of installers of the priorities for the
day. I also go through the site and clarify any issues with the
main contractor, update the Project Manager if there are any
issues and prepare reports to update the client on progress.
“The willingness to
provide a value added
service by taking
special requests that
may be challenging
and beyond our
comfort zone has
allowed CLESTRA to
differentiate itself from
competitors in the
field.”
Paul Levy