Architectural category winner in the 2024 Steel Awards, the Nelson Mandela University Science Centre, also the Eastern Cape winner,  dazzles the senses with its appearance as an orb-like object rising from the ground. Clad with Shotcrete, it houses the 15-meter digital dome/auditorium, which according to the NMU (https://bit.ly/3YZtPUT),  offers a unique immersive space for learning and visualising spatial models in an engaging and entertaining format – with up top 8K image projection inside the screen of the dome.

According to the University’s press release, the new digital dome is the most sophisticated in the country to date, with only two other comparable ones at Iziko South African Museum in Cape Town and on Naval Hill in Bloemfontein. Funded by the Department of Higher Education’s (DHET) Infrastructure Efficiency Grant, and presently referred to as the Digital Dome or Science Centre, the structure offers capabilities beyond that of a planetarium.

It will be a major boon to everyone’s understanding of science, but also to the other areas of study because of its multi-purpose functions.

“Apart from the astronomy aspect of viewing the stars, the Digital Dome offers technology that allows the viewer to be immersed in other worlds, thanks to the 360-degree, screening techniques on the dome of the building,” explains NMU’s head of infrastructure Planning Graham Gouws.

The two-storey, 138-seater dome comes with extensive open plan exhibition space, a 100-seater interactive teaching laboratory with moveable desks, another 60-seater digital space, an office for VIP guests and presenters, another for the facility manager, a small boardroom, and other offices.

“This one-of-a-kind building will offer an immersive experience as three-dimensional images will be projected onto the dome and completely surround the viewer. It will be a bit like the IMAX theatre – but bigger and all around you,” enthused Gouws, referring to the 15-metre high-resolution images.

In addition, the 32 752m2 facility (1 699m2 ground floor, 1 576m2 first floor) will also become home to University Shop and a coffee shop that will open out onto a large forecourt looking over University Way.

The dome screen itself is suspended inside a concrete outer building shell.

A greenfield project, the Dome and its neighbour, Newtonian, the iconic engineering building across the road on University Way, will also face onto what will become a pedestrian boulevard for the institution.

According to project architect Tony Danev, from SVA in Port Elizabeth: “The dome’s design called for a complex steel  framework, with a network of tubular sections and pipe-to-flange connections that had to be  fabricated with the utmost accuracy.  The dome structure itself is a composite layer of steel  and concrete with a specialised digital installation within.

“What truly sets this project apart is how the steel construction was used to realise the architect’s  bold, sculptural vision. The tilted dome, with its seamless integration into the surrounding  landscape, is a testament to the versatility of steel and the skills of the project team” he finishes.

A total of 2100m2 of ColorplusⓇ was used for the administrative and services building components of this remarkable project.

The standout features of the use of the steel cladding sheeting in ColorplusⓇare seen to be:

• Complements the architect’s bold designs. Being extremely versatile and lightweight, ColorplusⓇ in Seaspray blends in beautifully into the overall design scheme and pallette, complimenting the neutral tone of the shotcreted dome without overshadowing it as the key design feature.
• ColorplusⓇ in Seaspray is one of the highest solar reflective index (SRI) colour in the ColorplusⓇ range at SRI 78, ensuring high infrared reflectance and minimal heat entering the building during hot sunny days. This compliments the role of HVAC systems in reducing energy consumption.  With global warming and the drive to reduce fossil-fuel based grid power usage for HVAC, this is an important factor that should not be overlooked.
• AZ200 is the best solution for coastal areas, where the prospect of salt-laden fog and wind driven particles from the sea require resilience of the steel substrate. Says Tony Danev: “Due to its proximity to the ocean, the steel roofing and cladding flat sections of the building uses Safal Steel Colorplus(R) AZ200 in colour Seaspray.  Into the Newlok standing seam wide pan profile”.
• Lightweight construction: Being a lightweight steel substrate with of total AZ coating thickness 0.53, ColorplusⓇ formed into the relevant roofing profile represents one of the lightest options supporting lightweight steel truss suspension in any This in turn supports dematerialisation of any building project where it is fitted.

“Our science centre is set to act as an exciting intermediary between our university, our partners and the public … It will be a dream to see this science centre serving as a platform for our scientists and researchers to share their work, explain complex concepts, and foster dialogue with visitors,” said Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Internationalisation Dr Thandi Mgwebi.

Steelwork completed: June 2023

Project handed over: September 2023

Products used:

Roleformed on site by Safintra: Newlok

Steel roofing and cladding: ColorplusⓇ in AZ200 0,53 G550 in colour Seaspray.

Client: Nelson Mandela University

Architect and SAISC Steel Awards nominator: SVA International.

Main contractor: WBHO Construction.

Steelwork contractor: Uitenhage Super Steel.

Structural engineer: Bosch Projects.

Steel detailer: Tekla Structures

Cladding/roofing contractor: Scheltema

Cladding manufacturer: Safintra South Africa.

Cladding roll former: Safintra South Africa.

Formed steel roofing and cladding supplier: Safal Steel

Site photography by: Ray Truter Photography and Jamie Thom / supplied courtesy of SVA  International