Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities

Novum Structures delivered a coordinated package of specialist architectural works for the Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities, centred on the internal glulam timber dome. This secondary, fully independent structure supports the solid‑oak Brise Soleil louvre blades, while the external glazing is carried on Novum’s Edge Clamped Toggle panels fixed back to the primary Novum Free Form steel dome.

To complement the dome works, Novum engineered and installed two additional rooflight structures: a monopitch steel‑framed rooflight above the stair core, and a smaller welded steel glazed monopitch rooflight over a lightwell. Both utilise flush‑glazed Linear Supported Glazing on Architecturally Exposed Steel, silicone‑sealed and triple‑glazed to meet the project’s Passivhaus performance criteria.

A clear logistical strategy underpinned the success of the installation. Working closely with Laing O’Rourke, Novum adopted modular construction methods, enabling pre‑assembly of both the oak dome and the steel Free Form dome on and off-site. The nodal, bolted spaceframe-engineered in‑house to resolve complex geometry-was lifted into position using a bespoke lifting beam and large‑scale crane operations, ensuring precise placement of both structures.

Passivhaus principles guided the full workflow, from early design and engineering through to manufacture and installation, resulting in a high‑performance, tightly coordinated building envelope.