A 20m-diameter moving dome has been unveiled at the new Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) research centre in Oxford.
The project team includes architect Foster + Partners, contractor Laing O’Rourke and specialist contractor Seele.
The new campus is dedicated to advancing research and development in four focus areas – health, medical science and generative biology; food security and sustainable agriculture; climate change and managing atmospheric CO2; and AI and robotics. It brings together laboratories, clinical facilities, conference spaces and public engagement areas in a single integrated environment.
The dome will be a multifunctional venue for learning, lectures, events, and interdisciplinary exchange and was revealed two weeks ahead of schedule.
The design combines timber, glass, and steel. At its heart is a glazed laminated timber dome, which is enclosed by an external steel structure.
The steel framework automatically tracks the sun’s movement, functioning as a dynamic shading system for the auditorium. By continuously adjusting its position as the sun moves throughout the day, it enhances occupant comfort while contributing to the building’s overall energy performance.
Powered by four motors and a highly engineered drive system, the 80-tonne steel structure can theoretically complete a full rotation in 10 minutes.
To track the sun accurately, the system performs a series of exceptionally fine start-and-stop movements, placing significant demands on the drive technology.
