Finishing touches

As the only part of the museum extension visible from many parts of the city, the copper dome has become a symbol of the Auckland Museum Trust Board's architectural vision.

But, while the dome's undulating design highlights the modernity of the fit-out, it also reflects the highly skilled craftsmanship that went into its construction.

Copper Roofing Company spent several years fine-tuning new techniques to enable the construction of the waved dome, which features 1760 splayed panels each with a different radius. Director Mark Hall says the company pioneered new technology, designing a tool to manufacture the wind-rated stainless steel clips needed for the project.

Hall says another key challenge for the job was the fact that only four of the 1760 panels were the same shape.

"Using a CAD software system with 3D imaging, the team devised a variety of innovative solutions to configure the different radii," he says. "Copper Roofing then produced trial panels to perfect the 3D curves, ensuring the panels were concentric."

Hall says the company needed to produce a quarter of the panels before the team had access to the roof and were able to physically measure the dimensions.

"It was a credit to the Copper Roofing in-house design team that the CAD specifications were so precise," he says.

The copper panels were made at the company's factory, and individually catalogued for transportation and installation.

"The team at Copper Roofing are honoured to have had the opportunity to work on such a renowned heritage building," says Hall.

For details, contact Copper Roofing Company, freephone 0800 501 996, phone (09) 267 6454, fax (09) 267 6457. Email: info@copperroofing.co.nz. Website: www.copperroofing.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas