Novum Structures delivered a coordinated package of specialist architectural works for the Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities, centred on the internal glulam timber dome.

This secondary, fully independent structure supports the solid oak Brise Soleil louvre blades, while the external glazing is carried on Novum's Edge Clamped Toggle panels fixed back to the primary Free Form steel dome.

To complement the dome works, Novum engineered and installed two additional rooflight structures: a monopitch steel-framed rooflight above the stair core, and a smaller welded steel glazed monopitch rooflight over a lightwell. Both utilise flush-glazed Linear Supported Glazing on Architecturally Exposed Steel, silicone-sealed and triple-glazed to meet the project's Passivhaus performance criteria.

A clear logistical strategy underpinned the success of the installation. Working closely with Laing O'Rourke, Novum adopted modular construction methods, enabling the pre-assembly of both the oak dome and the steel Free Form dome on and off site. The nodal bolted spaceframe, engineered in-house to resolve the complex geometry, was lifted into position using a bespoke lifting beam and large-scale crane operations, ensuring the precise placement of both structures.

Passivhaus principles guided the project from design and engineering through to manufacture and installation, resulting in a high-performance and carefully coordinated building envelope.

Project Specifications

SIZE:
156 sq m / 1,679 sq ft

SYSTEMS USED:
Free Form
Edge Clamped Glass Toggle
Architecturally Exposed Steel
Linear Supported Glass

ARCHITECT:
Hopkins Architects

GENERAL CONTRACTOR:
Laing O'Rourke