How to clad an existing column without metal frames?

[u/tsoknatcoconut]

We’re putting up a pop-up booth inside a department store where there are square columns that have glass cladding.

Initially, part of the agreement was they will remove the glass cladding so we can put up our own design so we designed the sides of the column with slotted wall panels with product displays which they approved.

Now, they told us we can’t remove the glass cladding and we have to find a way to put up our own cladding around the column without damaging the glass. We also can’t anchor support on their ceiling but we do have a 4 inch plywood platform placed on top of their existing flooring which we can use for support.

How can we clad the column without touching the glass if we can’t mount metal frames on the column for our cladding?

[u/Opening_Client_9349]

Could you build a freestanding sleeve that sits on that platform and wraps around the column without touching the glass. Basically a box that is slightly bigger than the column, anchored to the plywood base. You can use wood framing for the structure then attach your slotted panels to that, maybe leave a small gap between the glass and your cladding for safety

[u/TrussMeBrow]

Build a strong, freestanding frame attached to the plywood base, with enough space to avoid the glass and a wide heavy base and to prevent tipping.

[u/TythosEternal]

There are a couple of approaches I can think of but none that don't involve a decent amount of crafting and assembly, plus the process required to mount them on-site... A free-standing vertical tripod-mounted banner might give you less hassle, as well as being easier to reuse and reposition as needed. But if you have to mount/wrap something, it partly comes down to what material your cladding is and how it is assembled. If I assume it's relatively firm (not just a banner wrap for example but something paneled) and were putting something together from scratch, I would have a four-segment folding external (measurements are obviously important here) with straps at at least two separate heights (foam or padding to help tighten enough to avoid slipping but without scratching the glass; climbing ribbon comes to mind or something with a buckle you can tension). Those straps would be internal, bewteen one edge and the folding line three segments away, such that you can tighten in then close the final segment over it to hide.

[u/Elfich47]

Build a limited size stud wall all the wall around the column.

[u/tearjerkingpornoflic]

I would have a metal frame that's a square that mounts to the plywood that your cladding screws to. And I would tell them tough luck with the ceiling and that we are anchoring there if they like it or not. Basically your cladding will have to be strong enough to span from floor to ceiling whether it's wood or steel and wood or just steel.

[u/Least-Improvement369]

Build the sleeve as a four-sided box with plywood gussets at each top corner to keep it from racking, then shim the base so the whole thing lands plumb against the column.

[u/AdditionalMemory9389]

How long is your pop up booth going to be there? Tell the store that they’ve put you in a bind and you need to borrow some small fixtures. If it’s a department store they will have something you can use. Get some large format temporary vinyl prints to wrap the glass columns. I know it’s not a engineering type of answer😬

[u/tsoknatcoconut]

Thank you everyone for your comments! We did consider building a clamshell box and then putting foam inside to protect the glass.

Management did not allow us after all to clad it 🥲 We just decided to build freestanding product displays to place beside the columns.