The Eden Project, Saint Austell

Architect: Grimshaw
Type of works: design, manufacture and installation of AES steel structural system and SSM aluminium profiles with ETFE membrane.

The architect approached Novum to design multiple canopies with transparent, light roofs to mirror existing ETFE air filled pillow structures on the property. Because the canopies did not require thermal insulation, Novum proposed an innovative, single layer of tensioned ETFE to achieve maximum transparency. For larger areas, stainless-steel cables are within the membrane to resist wind and snow loads. Novum had to work within very tight schedules for fabrication, delivery and installation as the attraction was still open to the public. Novum executed the project on schedule and within budget, while achieving the architect’s vision of “simple, light and transparent.”

An AES structural steel system, media blasted, primed, and liquid painted, supports the canopies. SSM aluminium profiles with an anodized finish hold a single layer of tensioned ETFE.