Finishing touches

The sweeping, curved dome of the museum, one of its most striking features, proved to be a challenge for the system designer, supplier and installer.

Woods Glass (NZ) general manager Matthew Harris says supplying and installing the undulating glass roof and walls of the dome was one of the most complex projects undertaken by the company and associate, Thermosash Commercial.

Designing and extruding a new glazing bar suite to accommodate the parabolic shape, together with seismic and weathering requirements, meant each pane in the roof is a unique trapezial shape, Harris says. The panes are torsionally racked and structurally glazed to deliver the required clean lines and organic shape.

"In order to maintain site tolerances and control our own part of the project, Woods Glass also installed the structural steel work to which our system fits."

The uniquely shaped vertical dome walls incorporate the Thermosash Delta suite. This accommodates the significant differential building movements between the existing iconic structure and the new dome.

Other work undertaken by Woods Glass included suspended assemblies, toughened, laminated structural anti-slip glass floors, total vision glazing to lift mega-frames and events centre, display cases, frameless roof light glazing and frameless entry units.

For further details, contact Woods Glass NZ, phone (09) 525 3379. Website: www.woodsglass.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas