The Adelaide Entertainment Centre Upgrade features an iconic entry structure that creates a space for the wider community to gather in a secure, protected area. The dome is a lightweight structure, clad in ETFE fabric with specialist lighting effects, which provides a destination and promotes participation in the arts and entertainment events held at the Centre.

The dome designed for the entry is a pure form, and is based on the careful dissection of a toroid. The initial stage of the project involved intensive workshops with the architect to develop the shape of the iconic entrance structure. This collaboration allowed the creation of an aesthetic form together with a lightweight efficient structure.
Following the concept stage the structural steel design was optimized through sophisticated analysis, including;
• Wind tunnel testing to provide realistic loads to the curved structure;
• Finite element analysis of the critical nodal connections that minimized the additional strengthening requirements of the thin walled light weight members;
• Non-linear buckling analysis with non-linear materials to determine the overall stability as well as erection sequencing;

All these processes enabled maximum functionality to be achieved with an optimal amount of material and resourcing that reduced the carbon footprint of the structure.

The approach of early collaboration was of vital importance in achieving this iconic structure. The collaboration of architects and engineers, coupled with the correct use of technology, is a path where our profession can add value to the community through increasing efficiencies in built form and inspiring individuals.