The Roof of the Glòries Tower: The Design Process for a Steel Dome at a Height of 120 m

Twenty years after its construction, the Agbar Tower remains one of the most recognizable landmarks in Barcelona’s skyline. This article analyzes the dome that serves as its roof. The design of this element required a year of development, during which more than ten iterations were analyzed, resulting in the final design. There was no similar precedent published, as it is a 30 m high dome with significant wind exposure. This study offers an analytical review of the design process and the dome’s enclosure, providing a reference for similar architectural construction projects. This research focuses on describing the elementary loading hypotheses and obtaining numerical models for structural calculations, comparing the results of the five most representative models of the process. Various factors are considered, such as shape, enclosure, structural frequency, deformations obtained, fire protection, and cost. The conclusion focuses on explaining how a form that remains unchanged throughout the process slightly varies the structural solution while respecting the project, to adjust to all the final regulations, construction requirements, cost requirements, and project requirements.