Location: Arles, France
Market: MEP / Building Services
Product: Type AAF Girder Clamp
Quantity: 500

Luma Parc des Ateliers, located in Arles, France, is a striking 56-metre-tall building housing research facilities, seminar rooms and artist studios. As part of the site’s extensive redevelopment, new building services infrastructure, HVAC, electrical, and mechanical systems, required secure support from a secondary steel framework installed within the renovated structure. The complexity of the refurbishment, combined with varied steel member sizes, demanded a versatile and efficient connection method that avoided the disruption and constraints associated with drilling or welding on site.

The client required a connection solution capable of supporting secondary steelwork for HVAC, electrical and ventilation systems throughout the renovated 56-metre-tall structure. This solution needed to adapt to the wide variation in flange thicknesses found across the building while providing robust slip-resistance for the suspended services. Speed and accuracy of installation were essential to keep project timelines on track, and the method had to avoid drilling or welding to protect the existing structure and reduce on-site disruption. The client also sought a system that simplified logistics, minimised the potential for installation errors, and reduced overall labour and equipment costs.

Lindapter Type AAF clamps in size M20 were selected as the optimal solution. Although an AAF12 would have exceeded the required load capacity, the AAF20 was purposely chosen because it accommodates a much wider range of flange thicknesses without the need for packing pieces. This “one size fits all” approach reduced complexity and eliminated the risk of mismatched components.

The installation process highlighted the significant efficiencies gained by using Lindapter’s Type AAF20 clamps. The contractor was able to loosely position each pair of clamps, slide and align the steel framework to its exact location and tighten the bolts to complete each connection quickly and accurately. Over 500 clamps were installed in a single day without any errors, thanks to the simplicity of using one clamp type, one slotted plate design and one bolt length for every connection. This streamlined approach meant the lifting platform was needed for only one day, delivering substantial cost savings.

Using Lindapter Type AAF clamps enabled a fast, precise and disruption-free installation of the building services framework. The contractor benefitted from simplified logistics, reduced installation time and improved safety, while the client gained a durable and adjustable connection solution suited to the complex conditions of the refurbished structure. The chosen system not only delivered technical reliability but also resulted in measurable cost efficiencies across the project.

• Fast installation with no drilling or welding required.
• Universal fit: one clamp type suited all flange variations on the project.
• High lateral adjustability for rapid alignment.
• Significant cost savings from reduced labour, fewer components, and minimal access-platform rental.
• High slip-resistance performance suitable for supporting HVAC, MEP and building services.