July 20, 2006

Unique structure

OTTAWA

With the opening of the Strong Museum in Rochester, N.Y., Ottawa-based Triodetic marks a milestone in the history books as the only structure of its kind in the world.

The undulating 200-foot long caterpillar-like structure — the first space frame in the world with this organic shape — “capped” by a 70-foot high curved irregular glass wall now faces Chestnut Street in downtown Rochester.

The structure is composed of 1,100 anodized aluminum roof panels and 4,500 galvanized steel tube roof members — all hand-made and every tube and panel is unique.

All materials incorporate between 60 and 90 per cent recycled materials.

The exposed aluminum skeleton frame on the roof’s underside is as breathtaking a design element as the bronze-colored outer surface.

The soaring ceiling encircles a sweeping, central staircase that will lead museum guests up to the expanded National Toy Hall of Fame and other second-floor exhibits.

“The project is one of the more complex challenges we have tackled and the only structure of its kind in the world,” said William Vangool, president of Triodetic Building Products Ltd.

“Our team used the most advanced design methods to minimize the mass of materials required and to provide the structural capacity for wind pressure and the substantial snow loads.”

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