Brief
Explore the architectural and engineering marvel that is the First Light Pavilion, built as an homage to the Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank Observatory, an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Insight
The Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire, England, is a beacon of scientific achievement. With its centrepiece being the Lovell Telescope, the observatory plays a vital role in the Enhanced Multi-Element Radio Linked Interferometer Network (eMERLIN). One of the latest additions to this historic site is the First Light Pavilion.
The development of the First Light Pavilion was a challenge presented to the team of architect Hassell and Atelier One. The pavilion had to serve as an exhibition space for the telescope’s story, while also avoiding interference with the telescope’s operation and blending into the surrounding arboretum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The solution came in the form of a large-scale shell structure, the first in the United Kingdom in 25 years.
The pavilion design mimics the Lovell Telescope’s diameter with a 76.2-metre dome, housing a column-free central exhibition hall, auditorium, café, and office spaces. The dome form was chosen for its synergy with the landscape and efficient structural support.
Creating the UK’s first large-scale shell structure in 25 years was a demanding task, requiring an intensive understanding of concrete shells. With the guidance from John Chilton, an expert in shell structures, the team managed to integrate a concrete shell structure into the design.
Designing the dome was an intricate process, as it had to accommodate public load. It required a careful balance between achieving a feasible dome shape and ensuring it was sturdy enough to support visitor loads. Additionally, the building’s low height, mandated by the telescope’s operation, led to design modifications.
The construction method of the pavilion involved a unique design, turning it into a single monolithic concrete element. All thrust forces from the dome are resolved within the structure rather than being transferred into the ground. The design’s complexity required the usage of two structural software programs, Robot Structural Analysis and midas FEA NX.
The construction of the dome was a feat in itself, with two shifts of workers casting 381 cubic metres of concrete in just 10 hours. Opened in June 2022, the £21.5 million pavilion celebrates not just the marvel of the Lovell Telescope, but also the engineering prowess of its creators. The First Light Pavilion now stands as an emblem of scientific curiosity and architectural achievement, inspiring the next generation of explorers.
Highlight
- The pavilion design mimics the Lovell Telescope’s diameter with a 76.2-metre dome, housing a column-free central exhibition hall, auditorium, café, and office spaces.
- Designing the dome was an intricate process, as it had to accommodate public load. It required a careful balance between achieving a feasible dome shape and ensuring it was sturdy enough to support visitor loads.
- The construction of the dome was a feat in itself, with two shifts of workers casting 381 cubic metres of concrete in just 10 hours.
READ MORE
Recent Comments