Steve Jobs Theater Pavilion wins Structural Award for Structural Artistry

The Steve Jobs Theater Pavilion in the Apple Park (Apple’s “spaceship” headquarters) has been given a 2018 Structure Award by the Institution of Structural Engineers for Structural Artistry.

The awards honor the creativity of structural engineers with the winning projects showcasing cutting edge examples of innovative engineering solutions. You can find the winners of the Structural Awards 2018 here.

The Steve Jobs Theater Pavilion is the largest structure in the world solely supported by glass. It features a 47m carbon fibre roof, the largest of its kind, comprised of 44 radial panels, which were assembled on site before being raised into position in one lift. This 80 tonne roof is supported by a 7m high glass cylinder, made up of glass panels, each consisting of four layers of 12mm thick plies, which hold up the roof without any additional support. 

Here’s what the Institution of Structural Engineers has to say about the theater: “The Steve Jobs Theater Pavilion represents a culmination of the advances in structural glass technology born from the close relationship between Apple and EOC. The 47m carbon fibre roof is the largest of its kind, comprised of 44 radial panels, which were assembled on site before being raised into position in one lift. This 80 tonne roof is supported by a 7m high glass cylinder, made up of glass panels, each consisting of four layers of 12mm thick plies, which hold up the roof without any additional support. It is the largest structure in the world solely supported by glass.

“The structural systems were designed so that the conduits, sprinkler pipes, data, audio and security systems needed in the roof could be accommodated in the 30mm joints between the glass panels. As Cupertino is in a highly seismic zone, several strategies have been employed to protect the structure against seismic activity.”