Structural Designer
BuroHappold Engineering
Client Name
Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC)
Location
Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Judge's comment: BuroHappold Engineering have engineered a 180m diameter dome in a unique manner to deliver the aesthetic desired by the architect Ateliers Jean Nouvel. The patternisation was derived from the standard cladding unit to avoid secondary support and was developed in a manner to avoid lines of strength. Rather than having the option of continuous perimeter support, the dome is supported at only 4 perimeter points and requires sufficient stiffness for the dome rim to hover so as to create a horizontal line only 1m above the galleries. Structural optimisation against the aesthetic requirements and engineering constraints was used to minimise structural weight. The dome has a perimeter belt truss, central arching and zones of perimeter bending. A dome at this scale is impressive but with the element arrangement and supports driven by the aesthetics, the structural engineering has been integral to the delivery of this beautiful dome.
Judge's comment:
BuroHappold Engineering have engineered a 180m diameter dome in a unique manner to deliver the aesthetic desired by the architect Ateliers Jean Nouvel. The patternisation was derived from the standard cladding unit to avoid secondary support and was developed in a manner to avoid lines of strength. Rather than having the option of continuous perimeter support, the dome is supported at only 4 perimeter points and requires sufficient stiffness for the dome rim to hover so as to create a horizontal line only 1m above the galleries. Structural optimisation against the aesthetic requirements and engineering constraints was used to minimise structural weight. The dome has a perimeter belt truss, central arching and zones of perimeter bending. A dome at this scale is impressive but with the element arrangement and supports driven by the aesthetics, the structural engineering has been integral to the delivery of this beautiful dome.