NAU Skydome
The ensphere concept began as a recreational field house and ice rink for Northern Arizona University. Future NAU needs and site parameters were investigated. As architects we suggested that a multi-use building with wood laminate would be economically correct. A collaboration with the geotechnical engineers, wood suppliers, and structural engineers lead to the ensphere concept, which brought the roof to ground level. This resulted in a tremendous cost savings.
The later development of the Ensphere Connector by our firm, which has been duly patented, has enabled us to design long-span laminated beam structures far beyond any other connector capacity.
The ensphere concept began as a recreational field house and ice rink for Northern Arizona University. Future NAU needs and site parameters were investigated. As architects we suggested that a multi-use building with wood laminate would be economically correct. A collaboration with the geotechnical engineers, wood suppliers, and structural engineers lead to the ensphere concept, which brought the roof to ground level. This resulted in a tremendous cost savings.
The later development of the Ensphere Connector by our firm, which has been duly patented, has enabled us to design long-span laminated beam structures far beyond any other connector capacity.