Doka scaffolding ‘breathes life’ into historic sites

Diverse renovation projects across Europe are signalling a growing trend to restore existing structures rather than replace them, according to global formwork and scaffolding specialist Doka.

Recently, four major contractors partnered with Doka to utlize the company’s Ringlock scaffolding system on the renovation and repair of historic buildings and aging infrastructure. 

In Warsaw’s Praga Południe district, a duet of Ringlock systems are enabling the construction of a new vintage headquarters for the Sinfonia Varsovia orchestra. (Photo: Doka)

According to the European Environmental Agency, a ‘renovation wave’ is playing an important part in achieving a climate-neutral EU by 2050, as upgrading and renovating existing buildings makes them more energy efficient.

Doka’s Ringlock scaffold system has played “an important part in daily renovation whether for simple projects or as, in the case of these renovations, demanding complex applications,” the company said. “Our mission is to help our clients achieve their goals while keeping workers safe. These are all very singular projects, but they all demonstrate our pioneering spirit, ingenuity, and reliability. We are enhancing the renovation era while providing time-saving and cost-efficient solutions for our construction partners,” says Robert Hauser, CEO of Doka. “We are proud to preserve our connections with the past and play an integral part in constructing new structures while proactively protecting the planet.”

Each project has brought unique challenges, the company said, including: restricted workspaces, accommodation of existing structures, minimizing disruption and ergonomic considerations for workers operating in limited space.

“The versatility of the Ringlock components significantly contributed to the success of these complex projects, frequently reducing the need for new construction and, hence, reducing costs and carbon emissions,” Doka said.

Austria’s Mühlkanal bridge

In Austria, Doka’s Ringlock scaffolding was used to upgrade railway infrastructure in the country’s south without disrupting road traffic. Seen here is the century-old Mühlkanal bridge. (Photo: Doka)

In Austria,  Doka’s Ringlock scaffolding was invaluable in upgrading railway infrastructure in the country’s south without disrupting road traffic.

The century-old Mühlkanal bridge spanning 40m across the river is undergoing extensive renovation. The contractor, PORR AG, maximized the versatility of Doka’s modular Ringlock scaffolding throughout the project, demonstrating its adaptability in overcoming onsite challenges. A key highlight is the suspended scaffolding solution, which fully envelops the bridge and leverages the high load-bearing node connections of Doka’s Ringlock system to facilitate the repair of the center pier and bridge abutments. The enclosed solution also protected the river from contamination during the corrosion protection work. Importantly, the solution kept workers safe throughout the complex project. As further railway infrastructure is updated, Doka anticipates that more Ringlock solutions will continue facilitating safe, secure and efficient sites, Doka said.

In Riga, Latvia, Doka is assisting in the renovation of the façades and steeple windows of the famous St. John’s Church, seen here. (Photo: Doka)

Latvia’s St. John’s Church

Further east in Riga, Latvia, Doka is assisting in the renovation of the façades and steeple windows of the famous St. John’s Church. Situated in the picturesque heart of Riga, the church is a popular tourist attraction and can be viewed from many points around the city, necessitating improvements to its appearance. To facilitate the work, Doka had to consider several major obstacles. No architectural plans existed for the church, restricted access to the roof for workers and equipment and the heavy pedestrian footfall of a busy capital city. To resolve the situation, Doka generated new architectural plans by capturing the building dimensions onsite using laser technology, which was then input into DokaCAD to form the basis for the scaffolding design. This included a 39-meter-high scaffolding tower accessible by a Ringlock stair tower, allowing workers to safely conduct work without disturbing the delicate roof and façade. DokaCAD digital planning adds real value, highlighting that while there is immense complexity when working on aging buildings, the use of contemporary, purpose-developed digital technology by expert technicians simplifies even the most difficult tasks.

Horst Castle in Belgium

This same approach is also assisting the restoration of lake-side Horst Castle in Belgium. Famous for its connection to the heroic Red Knight, the undulating castle walls are undergoing careful restoration. The unusual design of the historic building and its proximity to the water required an innovative approach to evolving a scaffolding design tailored to the restoration team’s requirements. Doka planned a system that enabled a broader platform than is customary in Belgium, upping the familiar 0.73 platform width to 1.09m to create a safer work area. More than 100 tonnes of Doka Ringlock scaffolding are now in place, allowing the restoration project to continue safely thanks to the ingenuity, creativity, and accurate planning of the Doka team.

Warsaw’s Sinfonia Varsovia orchestra

In Warsaw’s Praga Południe district, a duet of Ringlock systems are enabling the construction of a new vintage headquarters for the Sinfonia Varsovia orchestra. The new home for the musical ensemble will be in historic buildings once home to the Institute of Veterinary Medicine. Working closely with The DORACO Building Corporation, Doka is providing a sophisticated scaffolding solution which uses Ringlock components to reinforce the 120-year-old walls of the two structures forming the main building. Anchored to the existing walls, a 50cm-high double lattice girder is arranged into four levels to protect restorers and site workers against strong winds. The second Ringlock application covers seven levels of the external façade of the accompanying structure. The dual use provides a secure workspace for those conserving and restoring the building, as well as providing a safe environment for the slab works being carried out on the upper level of the building.

Doka has pledged to reach net-zero by 2040. By focusing on decarbonization and the circular economy, the company has already introduced a Product Carbon Footprint for more than 7,000 of its products to provide transparent emissions data for its product portfolio, enabling customers to make more environmentally responsible purchasing decisions.