World’s Largest Retractable Aluminum Dome

Openaire, a Canadian company is currently building the largest retractable aluminum dome in Donetsk, Ukraine. Aluminum is not a commonly used material in civil engineering. However, its certain characteristics such as corrosion resistance could be advantageous in some harsh environments. Below is the press release explaining the project:

Donetsk, Ukraine will soon boast the largest aluminum-domed indoor waterpark in the world. Scheduled to open in the fall of 2011, the Royal Marine Aquapark dome is the creation of Oakville-based OpenAire, which specializes in totally unique structures that incorporate retractable roofing systems. OpenAire has created retractable roofing enclosures for water parks, hotels, community centers and other commercial applications.

“At 26m / 86’ high and 85m / 278’ in diameter, it’s the largest free-standing aluminum dome structure in the world,” says OpenAire president Mark Albertine, “And the unique retractable design makes it the first park of its kind. There is simply nothing else like it.”

The waterpark had initially been planned as a steel/polycarbonate structure with a fixed dome. “Things were already in the planning stages when we were brought on board,” says Albertine. “When the developers heard about OpenAire, they loved the idea of a retractable roof. To them, it opened the park up to a whole new world of possibility.”

There are great benefits to OpenAire’s approach of using aluminum for water parks. Unlike steel, aluminum doesn’t corrode, doesn’t need to be painted, withstands chlorine, and requires zero maintenance. In addition, the retractable roof offers flexible, year-round enjoyment. People don’t want to be inside on a beautiful day; opening the roof instantly transforms it into an outdoor facility, giving users the best of both worlds. Plus, opening it up to outside air helps reduce
dehumidification costs for water facilities.

“It will be a gorgeous, light-filled space that takes advantage of the outdoors whenever possible,” says Deborah Baker, OpenAire COO. “Families will love being able to get a break from the cold in winter – and feel the sun on their faces in the warmer months.”

The Royal Marine is a joint venture between the City of Donetsk and private sector investors. The Royal Marine is OpenAire’s second Ukrainian project. The company previously built a retractable skylight for the Terminal Water Park in Kiev-area Brovary Park, the country’s first major indoor water park. In the Donetsk water park, OpenAire’s role has been more significant, with the company providing the entire design and manufacture of the retractable structure.