A striking new feature at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra is turning heads, not just for its scale, but for the engineering behind it. The Oculus, a nine-metre-wide curved skylight, now forms the centrepiece of the Memorial’s redesigned entrance foyer, blending modern architectural flair with the symbolism of the iconic copper dome above.

Designed by Sydney’s Studio SC, The Oculus mirrors the curvature of the Memorial’s dome, creating a visual connection between the original building and the new underground spaces.

But achieving this elegant curve was far from simple. Spanish glass specialist Cricursa produced 32 double-curved insulating glass units, each weighing up to 350 kilograms. Every panel had to match the steel framework precisely, which was manufactured thousands of kilometres away in Australia.

The key to making such heavy, highly curved glass units durable and airtight was the choice of edge spacer. The project relied on Edgetech’s Super Spacer® TriSeal™ Flex, a warm-edge spacer system engineered for demanding curved and structural glazing applications. Unlike standard spacers, TriSeal™ Flex can flex with complex geometries, absorbing mechanical stress and ensuring the insulating glass edge seal remains airtight over time.

Mike Moran, Vice President of Sales at Edgetech/Quanex, explained: “The Oculus is a perfect example of how advanced spacer technology meets architectural vision. Super Spacer® TriSeal™ Flex maintains the integrity of the glass edge seal even under significant load and climatic stress.”

For The Oculus, this meant the glass could withstand heavy weight, tight tolerances, and extreme thermal fluctuations without compromising performance. The combination of cutting-edge spacer technology, expert glass bending, and precise engineering has produced a skylight that is not only visually stunning but technically exceptional, a true benchmark in contemporary curved glazing.