Rhythm and SpaceDesign of an Aquatic Center

ARCH 150Project 1

The very definition of structure implies rhythm. Consequently, rhythm is a useful filter for evaluating the architectural implications of structural design. While images of regularly ordered columns may immediately spring to mind when thinking of structural rhythm, it is a much deeper and varied attribute: the relationship of parts to a whole, negative to positive spaces, repetition, variation, and shifts in scale are all contained in the structural rhythm of a place. It is experienced while standing still or while moving through architecture.

In recent decades structural design has become increasingly disassociated from spatial aspirations. Building structure is often viewed as a necessary framework that is entirely respondent and subservient to the architecture it supports. This dismissal of structural design as being of secondary concern, however, is a self-imposed limitation of many designers. Structures will definitiely affect the spaces we attempt to create as architects; the only question is whether they will impact these spaces in an intentional and positive way, or whether they will detract from the experiences we are trying to create. We have all been in buildings where a massive cross brace slices through an office, or a post sits awkwardly in the middle of a room.

One of the primary intents of this project (and really, of the course as a whole) is to encourage a reexamination of structural design as a driver to be leveraged into creating great architecture. To aid in this examination, the following page presents a list of attributes of structural rhythm that can be utilized to achieve a good interlock between structure and space.

Cable Net Structure::Frei Otto

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INTRODUCTION

STRUCTURE:: an organization of parts as dominated by the general character of the whole

::Merriam-Webster Dictionary

1::Repetition: The establishment of regular patterns of the same elements or assemblages

2::Variation: The establishment of regular patterns through a consistent change between elements in a sequence

3::Aggregation: Spatial character is built up from aggregation of individual pieces and assemblies

4::Modulation: Rhythms are established through changes in some characteristic of the structural form, most often scale, while holding the rest constant.

5::Mutation: Rhythms are asynchronous, often established by consistent use of individual elements

6::Scale of Spaces: The structure should respond to the scale of the spaces they are attempting to create

7::Positive and negative spaces: the relationship between the structural forms and the negative shapes they create.

Attributes of Structural Rhythm

1::Sea Folk Museum::Naito Architect and Associates2::Palazzo Spada::Boromini3::Yusuhara Wooden Bridge Museum::Kengo Kuma4::Sydney Opera House::Jorn Utzon5::Park Guell::Antoni Gaudi6::Kuwait Pavilion::Santiago Calatrava7::Cloister at Mont Saint Michelle

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ARCH 150Project 1

Part 1:Precedent Analysis ARCH 150Project 1

To understand the way in which structural systems can establish rhythms and create beautiful space

One of the best ways to learn about anything is to look at what has come before. The study of structures and its architectural implications is no different. To that end, each group member will research and analyze a precedent that incorporates structural rhythm in a way that resonates with them. The research and analysis should be conducted individually. However, all the precedents in the group should relate to each other in a cogent way.

Find a building that explicitly uses structural rhythms to define space or achieve its spatial goals. Often good examples can be found in churches, train stations, airports, and museums. You must get approval from your GSI for your precedent. If you are having trouble finding a case study, your GSI can help.

1:: Record the critical facts about the building: name, date, location, architect/engineer, function, square footage, etc.

2:: In a paragraph or two, describe why you selected the precedent and what you intend to carry forward into your own design in part 2.

3:: Create at least two diagrams that analyze the structure with respect to the salient Attributes of Structural Rhythm previously listed.

4:: Include one or more photos that demonstrate the attributes that youre interested in.

Create a layout presenting the research and analysis of the precedent. Each precedent should be organized on one 11x17 sheet, and will be included as the first section of your Final Report for Project 1 (see page 8). You should coordinate with your group members to establish a common formatting that you will use for the precedents and the remainder of your report.

Oslo Central Station (Proposal)::Space Group

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OBJECTIVE

DETAILS

DELIVERABLES

BACKGROUND

Due in Section Week 4 (9/9-9/12)

Part 2:Aquatic Center Design ARCH 150Project 1

To approach design from the perspective of structural rhythm in order to create a cohesive blend between architecture and structure; to study vertical load transfer in an integrated way; to learn the challenges of structural analysis.

The most important feature (and greatest structural challenge) of the Aquatic Center is a rooftop pool. Your task is to design a structural system that will support the vertical weight of the pool while creating a beautiful and/or interesting spaces below and adjacent to it. The rhythms created by the structural arrangement, the variety and hierarchy of the member sizes, the proportions of the structural members, and the details of the connections should all reinforce your spatial goals in a cohesive and defensible way.

The restrictions are significant in order to allow you to focus on the use of structure rather than on the manipulation or development of the program to realize your structural goals. The footprint of the building and dimensions of the spaces are fixed. Your structure must sculpt the space within these confines.

1:: Use sketches or sketch models to apply what you have learned from the precedent analysis to the design of the Aquatic Center. 2:: Create plans and sections of the final design at an appropriate standard scale (minimum 1/8 = 1-0). You may include stairs, benches, and people in these drawings, but their inclusion must not detract from a clear reading and interpretation of the structure. For systems that use variation or mutation as the rhythmic device, serial sections may be appropriate.

3:: Design each type of connection used and create drawings (axon or exploded axon can be a good method of representation here). Remember you will have to build some analog to each of these.

4:: Create at least one perspective view rendering, either digital or hand drawn, that demonstrates how your structure creates beautiful space.

5:: Analyze the vertical force transfer for a critical longitudinal section of your design (your GSI will help to determine the critical section). For this section of your structure you must perform two parallel analyses: one by hand, and one with SAP. Track the vertical force flow through your structure with each method to determine the axial forces in the members and the vertical reactions at the base. Include all work from your hand calculations and appropriate diagrams from your sap analysis. You should also include a brief paragraph that compares the results from the two methods, identifies any significant discrepancies, and hypothesizes the reason for these differences.

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OBJECTIVE

DETAILS

Due in Section Week 6 (9/23-9/26)

BACKGROUND

ARCH 150Project 1

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DELIVERABLES

Part 2:Aquatic Center Design

FIG 1::PROGRAM SCHEMATIC >>

FIG 2::DIMENSIONS

When you are preparing your analyses you should consider the following imposed loads:

A:: Weight of water in pool: density of water = 62.4 lb/ft3B:: Self-weight of structure: 10 psf applied at every floor and roof levelC:: Live load of occupants & equipment: 40 psf applied at each floor and roof level

Create a layout presenting each of the sections detailed above. Your formatting should match the sheets you have prepared for the precedent analysis. This will form the bulk of your final report.

DETAILS (Contd)

Part 3:Structural Model ARCH 150Project 1

To encourage exploration of the limitations of a non-theoretical world.

The principal trap of structural analysis software is that it is impossible to evaluate the accuracy of your results unless you have a good understanding of the underlying mathematical theories and an intuition of how a structure will behave. The advantage of physical structural models is that their behavior is directly analogous to their full-scale counterparts. As the structural models of Frei Otto and Antoni Gaudi demonstrate, the physical structural model can be used to test and expand the frontier of what is possible in structural design.

Each group will create a scale structural model that will be tested in section (see part 4).

1:: The model must be built at a scale of = 1-0 Scale.

2:: The model must be constructed with a place for the swimming pool to be set during testing. The model pool will be built by the GSIs and will be set in place and then filled with water. If the pool cannot be placed in your model you will receive a 0 for the testing phase. Your model must support the weight of the model pool.

3:: All members must be to scale and made out of basswood (no plywood or balsa). The laser cutter may be used if you have access, but no assemblies may be cut as single pieces (see diagram at left). The cross sectional area of an individual member must not exceed 0.25 in2.

4:: All connections must be made with string. Any type of string is acceptable; as a caution, however, it is advisable to test out the construction of at least one joint before committing to a particular type, as there are advantages and disadvantages to each. Members may be drilled or notched in any configuration but no other connection method is allowed.

5:: No flat sheets of any kind are allowed in the model.

6:: The entire structure must be mounted on a plywood base measuring 18x36. The structure must be attached to the surface of the base (embedment is not allowed). Plywood bases may not be larger than the given dimensions as they will be placed in a tray in case of failure during loading. If your model does not fit you will receive a 0 for the testing phase.

Document the process of building the model, including photos of sketch models and test connections. Include this in the final design report.

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OBJECTIVE

DETAILS

DELIVERABLES

Due in Section Week 8 (10/7-10/10)

BACKGROUND

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Part 4:Physical Testing ARCH 150Project 1

To provide experimental results for comparison with the calculations conducted in part 2; to break things.

The testing will take place during the lab section listed on the course schedule. The scale pool will be placed in your model and then filled with water. Success will be measured by (a) supporting the full water weight and (b) using the minimal amount of structural support to do so. For each team, the following must be recorded:

1:: Level to which the pool was filled2:: Whether or not the structure failed3:: The weight of the structure (after testing the model wil be cut off the base and weighed)4:: The strength to weight ratio

The team with the highest strength-weight ratio will be awarded 5% extra credit and the title of Aquatic Architects Extraordinaire.

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Cable Net Structural Model::Frei Otto

Conducted in Section Week 8 (10/7-10/10)

OBJECTIVE

DETAILS

Final Report ARCH 150Project 1

The final report is made up of the precedent analyses from section 1 (one from each group member), documentation of your design from section 2, photos of the model and connections from section 3, photos and documentation from testing in section 4, and a conclusions section (as described below). The report should be no longer than necessary to fully describe your projects. Submissions must be less than 15 MB.

Grading and intermediate due dates are listed for each task. Keep in mind that your GSI may adjust this on a group by group or section basis depending on goals and hierarchies that emerge during the design process.

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SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS

Email to section GSI by 11:59pm on Saturday, 10/25

1::Precedent Layout a. Critical facts b. Written description c. Diagrams d. Photographs

2::Design of the Aquatic Center a. Concept sketches b. Study models c. Plans and sections d. Connection details e. Perspective view rendering f. Structural analysis of vertical load transfer g. Comparison of hand calculations and SAP Analysis

3::Physical Model a. Mockup models of critical connections b. Final physical model for testing b. Photos of final model c. Photos of connections

4::Testing a. Photos of model being tested b. Results

5::Conclusions a. Describe the most potent challenges and gratifying successes of the project. b. Describe the failure mode (if any) of the structure, and postulate a hypothesis of the reason for the failure. c. Compare the vertical analysis to the experimental results. Focus on differences, and give reasons as to why you think those differences occurred.

Due Week 4 :: 10%4 :: 1%4 :: 3%4 :: 5%4 :: 1%

6 :: 45%5 :: 5%5 :: 5%5 :: 10%6 :: 5%6 :: 10%6 :: 10%6 :: 5%

8 :: 30%7 :: 10%8 :: 15%9 :: 3%9 :: 2%

8 :: 10%9 :: 5%9 :: 5%

9 :: 5%9 :: 2%

9 :: 1%

9 :: 2%