Client – Timber dome: Constructional Timber (Manufacturers) Limited
Client – brise soleil and erection: Novum Structures
The centrepiece of the new Schwarzman Humanities Centre at Oxford University is the central domed skylight.
Tamarind Engineering were asked to carry out the detailed structural design of the oak dome and develop a suite of details that responded to Hopkins Architects‘ vision. Tamarind Engineering’s involvement later extended to the design of the oak brise-soleil panels, the timber dome erection sequence and lifting frames for both the timber dome structure and the brise soleil panels.
Our works was based upon AKTII’s scheme design for the dome. In developing the detailed design, careful consideration of creep effects was essential in member sizing. Our timber to timber connection details aimed to blend traditional carpentry forms with modern screw fixings. We are particularly pleased with the timber-concrete connection at the base of the dome which catered for tolerance during erection.
On of the more challenging aspects of the project was the development of the erection sequence and the design of the lifting frame to facilitate this. The dome structure was built in 2 parts: the lower “A-frames” were erected in-situ, while the dome cap was built at ground level onto the lifting frame. Once complete, the cap was lifted by crane and landed temporarily onto a concrete upstand using specially designed screw jack legs before being lowered onto the A-frames. The lifting frame was then disassembled and lowered to the floor piece by piece.
The dome was erected in May 2024.
