Hudson and Rex: Where Canine Heroes and Triodetic Structures Shine!
For fans of the hit series Hudson and Rex, one of the most memorable settings is the sleek, modern police station, the backdrop for many of the adventures of Detective Hudson and his loyal dog, Rex. But you might not know this impressive building is real: it’s the Bruneau Centre (formerly known as the INCO Innovation Centre) at Memorial University of Newfoundland. In the show, it serves as the fictional St. John’s Police Department, but in real life, it’s a stunning architectural masterpiece designed and built by Triodetic.
With its elegant inverted dome roof and intricate glass façade, this building isn’t just a visual highlight on screen—it’s a triumph of precision engineering. Like Rex, who impresses with agility and strength in every episode, this structure combines flexibility and resilience, critical elements in Triodetic’s modular design. Measuring 11.14 meters in diameter at the top and standing 12.81 meters tall, the dome’s 24 precisely calculated divisions were crafted to create a self-supporting masterpiece without any visible bracing on the perimeter. This is no ordinary building; it’s an architectural marvel where vertical and horizontal trusses work perfectly to resist natural forces like wind, dead loads, and even Newfoundland’s heavy snowfalls.
An Unprecedented Structural Challenge
One of the most impressive achievements in creating this structure was designing a fully self-supporting building without visible bracing on the perimeter. Triodetic engineered a sophisticated system of vertical and horizontal trusses to withstand all wind, dead, and snow loads. The 1.45-meter by 1.63-meter glass panels add a modern, transparent aesthetic and maintain the building’s structural integrity.
The key to the building’s stability lies in its upper dome, which ties all the trusses together. Throughout the construction, which began at the base of the cone-shaped structure, special care was taken to ensure that each truss was perfectly aligned, providing the building’s resilience and balance under all conditions.
Impact Beyond the Screen
The Bruneau Centre is not just a film set; it’s a shining example of Triodetic’s commitment to innovation and engineering excellence. Around the world, Triodetic structures are redefining what’s possible in sustainable modular design. This building shows how Triodetic can tackle monumental engineering challenges while balancing functionality and beauty.
As you watch Hudson and Rex, you’re not just enjoying a thrilling detective show—you’re witnessing a modern architectural achievement that inspires architects and engineers alike. Just as Rex brings loyalty and reliability to every mission, this building brings strength and elegance to both the screen and the real world. The partnership between Hudson and Rex, based on trust and coordination, mirrors the precision and teamwork required to bring this architectural wonder to life.
Discover More with Triodetic
At Triodetic, we tackle complex challenges on every project, constantly pushing the boundaries of design to create functional and inspiring structures.
Are you curious how a structure like this could transform your next project? Learn more about our architectural solutions and how our engineering expertise can bring your vision to life with the precision and creativity that made this iconic building possible.