Vancouver's Science World dome transformed into giant Trionda ball for World Cup
In Vancouver, the famous geodesic dome of Science World, built for Expo 86, is getting a makeover with 131 unique fabric panels that resemble the Adidas Trionda match ball for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This stunning structure, inspired by Buckminster Fuller and designed by Bruno Freschi, was finished in 1985. The Beautiful Dome initiative, led by The Look Company, a sports branding agency, will use 65,000 square feet of premium coated fabric, 12,000 feet of webbing, and 15,000 grommets. They employed their ScanAudit technology to create an accurate digital model and project the Trionda design onto the dome. Expected to wrap up in June, it will serve as a broadcast and visitor hub during the World Cup, which spans Canada, the US, and Mexico.
Key facts
- Science World dome in Vancouver is being covered with 131 custom fabric panels to resemble the Adidas Trionda World Cup ball.
- The dome was designed by architect Bruno Freschi and completed in 1985 for Expo 86.
- The project is called the Beautiful Dome and is led by The Look Company.
- The installation uses 65,000 sq ft of fabric, 12,000 linear ft of webbing, and 15,000 grommets.
- The Look Company used ScanAdudit technology for precise mapping of the dome's geometry.
- The covering is expected to be completed in June 2026.
- The dome will serve as a broadcast and visitor centre for World Cup events in Vancouver.
- The Trionda ball was unveiled by Adidas in 2025.
Entities
Artists
- Bruno Freschi
- Buckminster Fuller
Institutions
- Science World
- Destination Vancouver
- The Look Company
- Adidas
- FIFA
Locations
- Vancouver
- Canada
- United States
- Mexico
Sources
- Dezeen —