Bridges across the world

This paper describes the buildings that lie at the heart of the new Sage Music Centre in Gateshead, designed by Mott MacDonald. The vast sweeping roof encapsulates three performance halls, a 25 room music school, recording studios and entertainment facilities. A paper presented by Buro Happold at the Institution of Structural Engineers in London in June 2006 described the concept and design for the enveloping roof. The entire complex was designed and constructed to accord with the highest standards attainable for music performance in the 21st century. The project took 8 years from concept to completion. This paper takes the lid off The Sage and examines what lies beneath. Paul Bates, BSc(Hons), CEng, MIStructE Mott MacDonald Saeed Chaudhry, BSc(Hons), CEng, MICE Mott MacDonald Stephen MacQuiston, BSc(Hons), MSc, MIEE, MCIBSE Mott MacDonald