Observatory dome, Drenovci
The first observatory in Vukovar-Srijem County, located on the Franjo Hanaman Primary School building. The rotating astronomical dome with its movable telescope opening was conceived, drawn, fabricated and installed entirely by Metal 5 d.o.o.
- Location
- Drenovci, Franjo Hanaman Primary School
- Scope
- Design, drawings, fabrication, installation
- Type
- Rotating astronomical dome
- Purpose
- STEM teaching and observation
From structural drawing to stargazing.
23 photos · click to enlarge
The entire dome was developed from scratch.
The Drenovci observatory dome did not exist as an off-the-shelf product. Metal 5 developed its own structural solution, produced the technical drawings and built the complete dome from them: the load-bearing ring, the inner frame and the outer cladding made of segments shaped to the curvature of the sphere.
Rotation around the circumference and the movable telescope opening run on purpose-built guides, so no stress reaches the cladding while the dome turns or opens. The interior working platform, ladder, railing and terrace access elements were built to the same standard.
The dome was pre-assembled and its geometry checked in our own facility, protected for permanent outdoor exposure, then transported and installed on the school building. The result is a structure that supports precise observation and everyday work with pupils.
Dome build components.
- 01
Custom structural solution
Design, technical drawings and structure were developed from scratch by Metal 5 to suit the building and its equipment.
- 02
Segmented cladding
The spherical form is built from precise segments shaped to the curvature of the dome.
- 03
Dome rotation
A load-bearing ring and guide system let the dome rotate smoothly around its full circumference.
- 04
Movable opening
A telescope opening with guides and an opening drive that transfers no stress to the cladding.
- 05
Platform, railing and access
The interior working platform, ladder and terrace railing were built to the same standard.
- 06
Protection, transport and installation
Corrosion protection, pre-assembly and geometry checks in our facility, followed by installation on the building.
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