Tensegrity structure specialists Base Structures has completed one of the UK’s most technically demanding tensile fabric roof replacements at the Castle Meadow Campus owned by the University of Nottingham.
Its central building was formerly home to the Inland Revenue and was designed by renowned architects, Michael Hopkins & Partners in 1994. The building broke new ground in office design at the time and replaced traditional heavy steel frameworks with an innovative synergy of fabric, steel, and tierods. Covering a vast footprint with minimal supports, it remains one of the most intricate roofing structures in Europe. With the original fabric reaching the end of its design life and the University of Nottingham’s future plans for the campus, the incredible 3,000sqm tensile roof has now been replaced to preserve this historic structure and prepare it for years to come.
Andy Traynor, Director at Base Structures, said: “This has been one of the most significant projects we’ve undertaken, as the complexity of the large fabric roof is highly unique. The good news is that we love projects that challenge us, we thrive on problem solving and pushing the boundaries of the tensile industry. This project is a real showcase of engineering skill and collaborative teamwork.
At the heart of the challenge was the removal and replacement of the highly engineered roof structure, supported by three floating ladder trusses. These trusses had to be sequentially lowered in precise 100mm increments to avoid overstressing the existing system, an operation carried out using twelve load cells and delivered with rope access specialists. Each of the twelve lifting beams, required to manoeuvre the trusses, were designed in five separate sections and constructed in mid-air to accommodate the existing structural tierod system. The new roof also includes new 19.5mm laminated & toughened glazing units, installed by RAC Ltd.
Now fully revitalised, the new roof reinforces the Central Building at the Castle Meadow Campus as a beacon of architectural and academic excellence. It sets the stage for a vibrant, flexible space in the heart of the city for learning, collaboration and community engagement.
