A unique and complex structure with twisting, folding exterior walls, V&A Dundee is the first design museum to be built in the UK outside of London.

The project engaged Japanese architects Kengo Kuma and Associates to lead the design of this ground-breaking waterfront regeneration centrepiece for the city of Dundee. Arup provided engineering design services to this building that combines ambitious modern architecture with a dramatic location on the banks of the River Tay. 

The structure required to achieve this vision was extremely complex, consisting of a series of curved concrete walls which lock together to form a rigid structural shell. Arup developed a fully coordinated services model which was adopted by the contractor to develop and produce installation drawings.  We produced a low-energy design by minimising mechanical cooling, creating efficient systems design to exploit diversification in loads and matching the systems to the ground source heat pump primary heating and cooling plant.  

The building functions in a similar way to a shell in that it is a continuous, interconnected structure. The roof, walls and flooring all work together to make the building stable. Arup’s engineers considered how the twists and folds of the walls could strengthen the building. An integrated 3D model of the entire building was created as a coordination tool, meaning the engineers and contractors involved in the construction could all study a digital version of what they were about to create.   

 

 

V and A Dundee photo from the water - copyright Ross Fraser McLean
The project engaged Japanese architects Kengo Kuma and Associates to lead the design of this ground-breaking waterfront regeneration centrepiece for the city of Dundee.

Façade engineering and design 

A primary structure of inclined concrete shell walls supports a reconstituted stone façade. To invoke the appearance of a cliff face, as per Kengo Kuma’s vision inspired by the coastline of northeastern Scotland, a complex algorithm was developed to translate the twisting geometry into a series of organic, irregular elements made of horizontal, straight reconstituted stone panels. Parametric modelling was used optimise the pre-cast panels, while maintaining the random appearance, making their manufacture and transportation more economical. All 2,429 elements were compiled into a schedule of cladding panel lengths and shapes. 

The double curvature of the structural walls presented a specific challenge. The panels are hung off the structure and a bespoke bracket was designed to ‘prop’ each plank away from the curved wall and at the required angle. This meant that a common fixing could be used for all the variations of cladding and became an intrinsic part of the installation process we devised.   

Due to the waterfront location, certain areas of glazed curtain wall are directly exposed to strong wave loads and required an enhanced design of robust glass build-up and steel support members and necessary levels of corrosion resistance for all elements. The facade team steered the architect through materials choices, their feasibility, appropriateness and buildability. 

V and A Dundee at night - copyright Ross Fraser McLean
To invoke the appearance of a cliff face, as per Kengo Kuma’s vision inspired by the coastline of northeastern Scotland, a complex algorithm was developed to translate the twisting geometry into a series of organic, irregular elements made of horizontal, straight reconstituted stone panels.
V and A Dundee facade close up - copyright Ross Fraser McLean
The building functions in a similar way to a shell in that it is a continuous, interconnected structure. The roof, walls and flooring all work together to make the building stable.

A low carbon design

Energy to the building is provided by both ground and air source heat pumps. Early in the project we undertook a low- and zero-carbon technologies study. This was to decide the most appropriate form of renewable energy for the building, of which geothermal energy was identified as the solution. Thirty 200-foot-deep bore holes were created for the heating and cooling of the building, supplemented by air source heat pumps on the roof. Together, these provide renewable energy for the museum, with 800,000 kWh/annum of heating and 500,000 kWh/annum of cooling.