Pavilion Studies

I began to play with shapes that could be considered organic. Shapes and forms that could cluster together to provide shelter, water collection and community.

A series of pavilions of differnet shapes and sizes, just like a forrest canopy. I began thinking how I could link the structures together.

An inverted lightweight pyramind structure that collects water through its centre, leaving underneith dry. The underlying structure could be used to house the native bouganvilia vines that could wrap their way up the columns.

This sketch is a study on using bamboo framing with the ETFE inflatable technologies. The structure could be very lightweight and responsive to the outside environment. A certain amount of light can be let in while at the same time reducing up to 90% of the thermal yield. This is very important in a tropical environment.

Study for bamboo truss elements coupled with rigid connectors and the ETFE frames above. The bottom chord will be a tensile wire which reacts against the compressive effect of the bamboo arch.

The size and distribution of the EFTE "pillows" needs to be addressed. From the reading I have done, the smaller the pillows, the easier it is to maintain their shape by use of air pumps. Also, the power required would also be reduced.

I am looking at both rigid and wrapped connectors at the moment. Each has its positives and negatives. Currently, I feel that the rigid connectors will assist more in maintaining the shape of the arch, without moving, as tied areas are prone to do.

I would like to use lightweight walling for the structures. Pieces that can easily be moved into place and stored when not used. I am looking at threading fabrics through the frame to maintain lightness and introduce colours. After looking at some of the presentations at the interim crit, I think that recycled plastic could be used to weave the wall fabrics.

This is a study for a cassette floor system. I am currently working on the scale and adaptability of the flooring so that it can be used in an number of ways.

More rafter connector studies. The top sketch is a study into integrating the walling system into the main structure.

It would be interesting to see if I can use one building element to build the entire frame! At the moment I am working with a 2 metre long building element to build the arch and the columns. Alot of tensile cross bracing would also be required to have the frame as a static structure that could withstand the wind loads.

Aluminium for the square frame of the 'tree like' structures could be ued in conjunction with the tensile fabrics. You can weld a bead onto the fabric so that it can slide into an extruded track in the frame. Also, tensile cables would be required to hold one individual 'tree' up. I must get another name for these structures!

Studies for wall framing using the 2 metre building element

Some basic 'method of joints' and 'method of sections' calcultationd for the roof truss. From the results, a number of bamboo elements would need to be used together in order to create a large span arch. Single bamboo would be too unpredictable.

Studies for column connectors and steel truss connectors.