Since 1 October 2014, Novena Church, a Roman Catholic Church in Singapore, has been closed for a major renovation. The church, established in 1950, is now going through one of the most dramatic redevelopments in its history. The new church can accommodate a congregation size of 1,500, compared to previously 800. Worshippers will get to experience towering pillars, high arches, and a grand dome rising high above the altar. One will feel like you are in a Gothic Cathedral somewhere in Europe.

Aver Asia is involved in this redevelopment project. Genie boom was first introduced into the construction project to lift up marble slabs to cover the walls and pillars of the church. Initially, the construction project team wanted to use the scaffolding that was already in place to lift up the slabs. Traditionally scaffold is used in the redevelopment of churches to safeguard the historic elements in the building. But with each piece weighing about 60 kg, it was too difficult and dangerous a task for their workers.

 

Eventually, they did away with all scaffolding and also saved significant costs. Dedication of the Novena Church is now made possible for 1 August 2017 (and it coincided with the feast day of St. Alphonsus Liguori).