Case Study
The Crystal Maze (TV series)
At a glance Solardome had the privilege of building the crystal dome for the revamped Crystal Maze TV series on Channel 4. Location The show, with new maze master Richard Ayoade, returned in June The Crystal Maze 2017 for 20 one-hour episodes, including the same features fans Channel 4 enjoyed in the original series, such as the themed zones, the lock-ins and the incredible crystal dome finale.
After supplying the dome for the original show hosted by Richard O’Brien, and The Crystal Maze Experience in Manchester which opened The challenge last year, the project continued Solardome’s long-standing partnership To create a bespoke dome for the with the show. return of the cult TV show The Crystal Maze was one of Channel 4’s most popular programmes and gained a cult following in the 1990s.
Design The solution Solardome® Crystal Maze sphere The team designed and produced a prototype, before manufacturing the dome ready for install inside a 10-week deadline. Solardome’s designer Bespoke design worked closely with the show’s production team to ensure the new sphere was a stunning final feature.
James Dillion, Production Designer at RDF Television, said: “When we Dome specification were planning the new Crystal Maze show, it was important the character of the original programme was maintained, whilst also . Mid-point diameter – 4.4m / 14’5” updating it for a new audience.” . Height – 4.2m / 13’9” The build . Area of base – 7m² / 75ft² The dome for the series was based upon Solardome’s geodesic glasshouse system and was specifically designed for use as a bespoke crystal sphere. Built over four days at the RDF studios in Bristol, the crystal dome was more than 13 feet high, assembled with 145 panes of
For more details, please contact Solardome Industries Limited T: +44 (0)23 8066 7890 E: [email protected] W: www.solardome.co.uk/commercial
glass and 245 aluminium struts which, when combined, is the same length as two football pitches.
At the end of filming, Solardome returned to the site to take down the dome and repack it carefully, ready to be reused in the next series.
The obvious choice
James Dillion said:
“Everyone remembers the finale of the challenges in the amazing dome, and for that the Solardome geodesic design was the obvious choice. The team were amazing in getting the dome ready for its return to our screens.”
Pippa Bailey, Managing Director of Solardome, said:
“It was incredible working with The Crystal Maze again and we were really excited to hear of its return. With a Solardome sphere being the
original crystal dome, and now with over 20 years’ experience in the
design and manufacture of glass geodesic domes, we were able to
meet the new requirements with ease and efficiency.”
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For more details, please contact Solardome Industries Limited T: +44 (0)23 8066 7890 E: [email protected] W: www.solardome.co.uk/commercial