Tensile fabric structure for geodesic dome with sound proofing

We developed a mesh for the canopy, and form-found it to suit the client’s aesthetic requirements. We then carried out a preliminary analysis for the fabric, and redesigned the aluminium structure beneath.

The new venue needed sound-proofing, for use at night. Therefore, we helped develop and coordinate the attachment of internal sound absorbent panels to the aluminium nodes.

This project was completed in June 2012, to a very tight schedule, having been first approached by the client in February 2012.

We carried out a soap-film form-finding analysis for the fabric canopy, which was added to the original dome model to create a complete non-linear static and buckling analysis model.

This project is unusual, as it involves the reuse of our original demountable aluminium dome, as described above.

Our new design was to reuse the original frame to support a new tensioned outer fabric canopy, for a semi-permanent use in London. There was also a new imposed loading arrangement.