VILLA CENTOFIORI

I consider the study and the realization of the dome to cover buildings I previously made, my engineering achieved goal. I have broken the bond that always unites a building to its roof and a large skylight provides light inside the living spaces below. I deeply considered any lightweight structure, to be compact and durable for which I was inspired by the shell of an egg that though extremely lightweight, can withstand enormous stresses. The dome has the asymmetric shape of a longitudinal portion of that shell. The study required complex calculations and the decision how to sit the shell on the ground. I had to devise stratagems of scale drawing to computer and pointing with a laser to determine, with extreme precision, the curve to grazed the cusp of the highest roof of the buildings, but not too high, not more than necessary. The structure, I opted for, is made of 15, longitudinally placed, delta shaped longerons, that sits on two stands on both sides of the houses, firmly drowned in concrete foundations, three on each side. A longeron(also called frames) run in the longitudinal direction of the dome, like in the aircraft fuselage, is where the “skin” of the dome is fastened.

Each longeron is 36 meters long, and all together are the backbone of the structure. They were constructed with 1inch pipes places delta modularly into pieces of 6 meters. The modules were then welded in place to make 2 halves of the longerons by 18 meters each, which were hoisted on bamboo structure placed at the right half where the two

halves met. The roofs have been deprived of the tiles and protected from the rain with the waterproofing membranes. Particular attention was required to fix the foundation at the right position, distance and height from the ground so that the longerons, once hoisted, could stay comfortably.

The laying of the first longeron, the central one, saw me in suspense because of possible errors, despite the certainty to have done a good calculation job. The result was gratifying. The longeron has found its position on stands perfectly and permanently. The blacksmith at this point confessed to having had many doubts that the structure of the individual longitudinal members could hold its own weight and that really was the right length. He was ready to add or cut a piece not to mention the strength of the final structure. The structure, once completed, would have the required strength but the single longeron was still a fragile structure that has been toughening uniting it gradually to other adjacent longerons with the sleepers duly reinforced with a bow below. Successfully tested the first posing with a happy alignment, it was possible to proceed with confidence and speed. The blacksmiths first and carpenters later were moving nimbly over the metal skeleton and just to make me happy, during the welding work, were tied to the hooks I specially added to the structure.

Starting from the central longitudinal longeron it was added one to the right and one to the left so that the weight was always balanced. The new side hoisted were joined to the adjacent one with the crossbars, each of which is of a different lenght depending on its position. Major on the apex of the curve in the upper and lower at the bottom. The final shape of the dome looks like a paraglider and my son was concerned that it could take off and fly away with high winds. The weather has denied and with high winds the structure did not have any problem.

Proceeding with the construction of the structure, the carpenters began to fasten the wood paneling on the metal structure: the shell. Once completed, the shell is lined with a membrane of tar waterproof, scaly ceramic reflective heat on top, green colour to limit the environmental impact, imported directly from Italy since not available locally.

VILLA CENTOFIORI

Between the two buildings under the dome and then above the kitchen which is at the center, I made a second floor that just because of the temperature, it is an excellent place for drying laundry in a very short time.

The result was immediate: a pleasant coolness in the buildings under the dome.

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Come for a visit. Call +62 (0)817 368‐444 or email me: centofiori.giligede@gmail.com. 

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