Figure 1

In addition, the structure which is composed of tessalating steel triangles conveniently creates the image of the six-pointed star of david repeating on its facade (figure 2).

Figure 2

A more suble feature of symbolic significants is the use of 3 different metals to construct cube (Figure 3: Roof and Wall Contruction) The way the three metals interact with each other and the environment creates a dynamic similar to the story of conflicts  between various people of Europe. The steel structure attaches to the aluminum which holds the glass envelope. and also stainless steel posts which support the bronze skin. All three of these metals have the potencial to corrode each other over a long period of time if not in proper contact.

The structural independence of the cube atrium allows for a all four sides of it to be open so that worship can be practiced from three of those sides. This independence is also utilized to allow a sky light on the side of the sanctuary where the choir performs (Figure 4)

( Figure 4)

Kielder Observatory is stationed in Kielder Forest, in what could be the darkest, least light-polluted location in all of England. Designed by Charles Barclay Architects, here the observatory can view the sky in an unadulterated view, free of the distraction of a functioning city. The structure was created with the sole intent of providing an unparalleled sky viewing expierence, boasting two powers of telescopes as well as an observation deck which allows for casual viewing and private telescopes. Two freely rotating turrets house the  telescopes and provide an uninturrupted view of the sky at inclinations as low as 5 degrees. The equiptment is powered by a 2.5-kW wind turbine, which is also insured by photovoltaic panels. The project manager for the observatory was Simon Pepper, while the structural engineering was headed by Michael Hadi Associates.

The structure of the Kielder Observatory is soley dedicated to the telescopes views and operations. A basic rectangular shape and muted wooden exterior masks the technology at work inside, where the central turrent controlling the more powerful telescope is controlled by computer in the adjoining space. The second telescope can be operated manually via a circular ramp which moves up the entirety of the tower. These towers are seperated from the rest of the structure via steel piers, which allow for the towers to rotate on top of the rest of the building freely. Hinged doors swing open on top of the towers when viewing through the telescope. The entire structure is diagonally braced by a number of steel tie rods between the piers supporting the building.

Almost the entire building is constructed out of various woods. The wall’s exteriors are made up of horizontal larch cladding on the lower portions, with vertical battens on the upper sections. Within this outermost layer is a small 25mm ventilated cavity, which acts as another layer of insulation as well as a moisture deterrent. Due to the proximity to a local river, the structure will be constantly bombarded by water by the sprays and inherent humidity of a riverside location. And since the exterior is in no way waterproofed or sealed, this cavity allows for any moisture that builds up to simply fall through the bottom of the wall, encouraged by the vapor barrier adjacent to the cavity. Waterproof plywood and 125 mm of thermal insulation make up the rest of the wall, which is fitted with a veneered plywood interior.

The roof continues the primary use of wood for construction, with the topmost layer 20 mm of asphalt roofing. The second layer of 90 mm of polyurethane rigid-foam thermal insulation is followed by a vapor barrier on top of waterproof plywood. The roof is then supported by 50/250 mm softwood joists, while the interior is once again finished with 12 mm veneered plywood. The roof also features a skylight of double glazed, toughed glass which allows for easy viewing of the sky’s conditions.

All pictures and relative information was found in Detail Magazine, 2008, Issue # 12.

Architect: Huber Staudt Architekten

Structural Engineer: Reinhard Damm

Although these two buildings were built in 1965 during the period of Communist rule in East Germany, their new, innovative facades have become a precedent for environmental and energy-saving approaches across the nation.  The buildings designed and erected by architect Huber Staudt Architekten and structural engineer Reinhard Damm remain intact, but have been enhanced by a rhythmic thermal insulation system.  This curtain-wall façade was not only energy conservative, but also represented  an aesthetically warmer and more artistic solution.  The form of urban architecture represented by these schools was replicated on other school buildings across East Germany.

Structure

Because of material shortages and restricted capacities, the structure of the schools follows the standard set by many buildings built during Communist rule of simple concrete construction and few details.  Between the 1960s and the 1980s, some 2,500 schools were built, following this same structural design of pre-cast concrete units assembled on-site.  As seen by the floor plans below, the classrooms were designed in a rigid modular pattern.

The long rectangular shape is maintained by three rows of columns which follow the corridor on both sides and do not interrupt the square classroom spaces.

Roof Assembly

The roof structure of the schools was designed to drain to the center of the building.  As shown in the exterior wall section below, the titanium-zinc sheet capping slanted inward, drawing water away from the façade.  The relatively flat roof consists of concrete beams below a thick layer of polystyrene rigid foam insulation encased in anodized aluminum.

Outer Wall Assembly

The perimeter concrete beams and columns are wrapped in a layer of insulation, then a concrete wall, and finally another layer of insulation with 1mm sheet-metal covering.  Another important detail of the out wall section shown above is the adjustable sun screen, rolled up above the window and concealed in the aluminum window sill.   In an effort to add visual interest to the schools without detracting from the sound structure and functionality of the building, the new façade was designed.  This addition protected the structure and insulation of the walls while diversifying the school’s uniform building type and is described in further detail below.

Special Feature – Rainscreen Addition

The façade addition to the original structure is composed of aluminum RHSs in different sizes and lenths and anodized in different colors.  Between this new outer rainscreen and the outer metal covering of the wall is 120mm of ventalation space and a thin, moisture diffusing membrane.  The strips are attached to the structure by metal hooks drilled through the insulation to the concrete.  Althought the rainscreen addition prevents the majority of rain from hitting the surface of the structure, the moisture diffusing membrane insures that absolutely no water penetrates to the insulation.  The different tones articulated in each aluminum strip of the rainscreen add depth to the building while being cheaper than a wood alternative.  The lightweight skin is fastened onto the structure and protects the wall from weather erosion.

The pattern of the strips, as shown below, helps to individualize the building and allow different amounts of light and views into each classroom space.  The areas near the courtyard space have fewer strips over the windows, and areas closer to another building have more to prevent views.

References

“Blumen Primary School and Bernhard Rose School in Berlin.” Detail. 2009. 4. p 894-902.

Located in Cahuita on the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica, the house was designed by Architect Gianni Botsford of Giani Botsford Architects with structural designs by Engineer Toby Maclean of Tall Engineers and built by Lechenne Construction. Consisting of two twin pavilions, the house uses geometry based of a twenty-two degree parallelogram and consists of two pavilions connected by an elevated walkway. The larger pavilion serves as a study while the other features a small bedroom and bathroom.

Although a modern house, the structure makes use of traditional construction methods and materials. The structural framework is composed of timber beams laid out at various angles to compose a rhomboid grid. Lateral bracing is provided by the rigid corner details where up to eight beams intersect at different angles, while the roof and walls serve as a load bearing diaphragm.

The roof is composed of plastic-coated corrugated metal sheeting and attaches to an internal fixed element glass louvre system via 50/200mm studs. The louvre system along with horizontal eaves allow for the use of a 100mm sliding door. On the roof’s exterior, timber battens serve as point bearers for the sheet-zinc concealed rain water gutter and allow for air circulation.

The walls consist of either a glass louvre system supported by vertical 50/200mm studs or 50/200mm laurel beams/ studding covering the interior wall with the plastic-coated corrugated metal sheeting on the exterior. The bottom of the wall is comprised of a 50/50mm closing strip, a 30/30mm aluminum angle, and an insect screen to prevent insects from entering the open air system that flows throughout the building.

Featuring excellent ocean views, the house is extremely environmentally conscious and uses the sea breeze to naturally ventilate the home. Additionally, no trees were felled and the house was constructed of local materials.

The Durance Theatre was constructed as an expansion of the cultural center in Chateau-Arnoux, France. The design was intended to accommodate a seated audience of 350 people while focusing on versatility of the performance space. The theatre exposes both the concrete structure of the main building and the steel truss structure of the roof.

Structure

Section of the theatre showing the roof and wall shape and structure.

The structure of the theatre can be separated into two parts, the reinforced concrete main building structure and the steel truss roof structure.

The mass of the building is composed of a simple structure of 300 mm reinforced concrete walls with insulation on the inner face. The only complexity arises where windows puncture the wall face, they are bordered by 300 mm square coated steel HSS.

Detail of window assembly.

Key:
7) 300 mm reinforced conc. wall; 80 mm expandd polystyrene ins.; 13 mm plasterboard
8) thermally divided aluminum facade element, coated 12 mm lam. safety glass + 10 mm cavity + 12 mm toughened glass
9) aluminum casing to sunblind coated
10) 300/300 mm steel SHS coated

The roof structure is a very interesting exposed steel truss system that can be seen from the exterior and experienced in an amazing way from a balcony level within the roof structure.

View of exposed steel truss roof structure.

Detailed section of roof structure.

Key:
1) 300 mm reinforced concrete wall
80 mm expanded polystyrene insulation
13 mm plasterboard
2) galvanized sheet-steel covering
3) 180/180 mm galvanized steel SHS column
4) sheet aluminum-zinc profiled panels with pattern of perforations and slide-in connections, bolted to 80/80 mm galvanized steel SHS structure
5) 114 mm galvanized steel tubular strut
6) two-layer seal
100 mm compression-resistant thermal insulation vapor barrier
260 m prefabricated floor element:
sheet-steel bearing plate
mineral-fiber insulation
concrete with mesh reinforcement
7) 300/300 mm reinforced concrete plinth
8) 16 mm galvanized steel cable
9) 190/190 mm steel SHS trussed girder
10) steel grating
11) 140 mm galvanized steel channel

“Theatre Durance in Chateau-Arnoux.” Detail. 2009. 4. p 341-345.

Location: Lake Huron, Canada

Architect: MOS – Michael Meredith, Hilary Sample

Structural Engineer: David Bowick, Blackwell Engineering

The Floating House is a summer vacation home that fits harmoniously into its surrounding environment. This house is a modest sized dwelling with only about 1500 square feet of living space and 2 bedrooms. The first floor has a dock for a ski boat and or a pair of jet skis.

Structure:

The foundation is a steel frame with integrated steel pontoons. The superstructure is made out of prefabricated timber elements.  The structural columns and beams are made from 90 x 90 mm timber posts.

Roof Assembly:

The roof is made from tongue and groove cedar boarding on the exterior, battens for nailing down the cedar boarding, plywood, thermal insulation between rafters, joists, and plasterboard for the finished interior soffit.

Wall Assembly:

The wall assembly is relatively typical for a single family residential house. From exterior to interior the walls are made from tongue and grooved cedar boarding, pine battens, a windproof layer, plywood, thermal insulation between posts and rails, plasterboard.

Special Detail – Floating Foundation:

Due to the relatively drastic changing water levels of Lake Huron and remoteness of the site, erecting this floating house was both a constructional and logistical challenge.

The remoteness of the site made traditional building methods cost prohibitive because most of the cost would be wasted transporting materials to the site. Instead the materials for the house were delivered to the contractors fabrication shop on the lake shore where the steel pontoon platform was prefabricated first. The platform was then towed to the lake outside the fabrication shop. On the frozen lake the contractors built the house on top of the steel platform. The house was then towed to its final site and anchored. Throughout all the construction phases the house traveled approximately 80 km on the lake.

References:

MOS. MOS Architects. Web. 25 Jan. 2012. <http://www.mos-office.net/>.

“Floating House on Lake Huron, Canada.” DETAIL 2009 issue 12. Print.

The building is a massive concrete structure. Architects used projections and recessions of a rectangular nature. The building has two load bearing cares. Ceiling slabs support the loads of transposed levels. The wall system includes windows with two layers of sealed glass. The wallas are wrapped in two layers of concrete with a layer of insulation in between. Pins placed horizontally span the three layers to provide lateral bracing.  The roof includes a concrete slab with a stainless steel grate system to drain water. In some portions of the roof there is a space for planting. The upmost part of the roof is supported by steel beams and includes a skylight system.

Sources: DETAIL MAGAZINE, College in Zurich, 2007 Volume 4

Assistants:
Nanne de Ru, Charles Bessard,
Alexander Sverdlov, Nolly Vos,
Wouter Hermanns, Anne Luetkenhues,
Bjorn Andreassen, Joe Matthiessen

Structural Engineer:
Breed ID Gilbert van der Lee, Den Haag

History and Early Development:

The development of the structure of this building arose from unique circumstances. In the 1970′s the local authorities for landscape planning placed a ban on desctruction of trees in the surrounding areas of the Douglas fir plantation, of which was the prime location for the construction of this villa. In response to this ban, many of the major functions of this villa had to be taken underground. The garage and bedrooms are located here. This innovative design can be seen through the section-cut photographs below:

Another interesting design feature that Powerhouse Co. integrated into this building is the villa’s optimum orientation for the various living areas. The dining rooms face east/south-east, the ofice lokos north-west, and the lounge north and south. These geometric orientations can be seen through the top views of the structures shown below:

Structure:

The main structure of the villa is made of concrete cores clad in wood or stone for asthetics. These columns are also intelligently placed throughout the building so that the views of the landscape will not be obstructed. The only column exposed is made of clad thick rubber which serves as a stopper for the sizeable, marble clad sliding door. In addition to the hidden columns and single exposed column is another important support that takes the shape of a bookcase at one end of the villa, designed as a kind of structural Vierendeel girder. All of the structural elements mentioned can be seen below:

Marble sliding door and glass facade

Marble sliding door and interior

Detail of the sliding door and cross-shaped supporting column

Bookcase that doubles as a stuctural support for the roof

Walls and Glass Ceiling:

The walls for the building are constructed with an external layer of travertine tile, fixed with adhesive to a layer of multiplex board, then a layer of timber post rail wood bearer support frame, followed by wood lathing, then fibre-cement board thermal insulation, then a layer of polyestyrene, and finally renforced plaster that faces the interior of the villa. These walls frame into a portion of the roof that is made of glass. This portion is near the exterior walls and only a few feet deep but allows alot of natural light to penetrate the buildings roof. This glass is designed with a U-value f 1.4 W/m^2*K in order to block some of the ultra-violet light that could be harmful to individuals inside. A detail of one of the walls and its connection to the glass portion of the roof is located below:

Main Roof Construction:

The rest of the roof is constructed with a top layer of EPDM sheeting, then a layer of thermal insulation, followed by multiplex board, a steel I-section beam for support, then fibre-cement board, then a layer of thermal insultion, then reinforced plaster that is flush with a curtain track for asthetic purposes. This design can be seen through the detail of the roof below:

References:

“Detail” magazine. Issue 5. 1999. ”Villa in Holland.”

Structure:
The architects for the VM Bjerget project, area labeled as 1 on the site plan below, combined terraced apartments with the main parking garage for the entire apartment complex.

The primary structure of the building is reinforced concrete with timber covering majority of residential facades, while the parking lots are suited in aluminum sheets. The building provides 480 parking spaces, and the south facade is a staircase of terraces providing the residents with a fabulous view of the neighboring city of Tarnby. As shown in the section view below, the parking spaces are positioned directly beneath the residential space and the terrace.

The wall are constructed from 200 mm reinforced concrete at the interior, then 200 mm of insulation, 10 mm fire-resistant board, and 145/22 mm yellow poui boarding on the exterior. The south facade of the apartment rooms are sealed by a double glazing window frame, which provides access to the terrace.


The roof includes numerous levels of material, with artificial turf covering the outermost layer. From there, 100 mm of crushed sand leveling layer, a filter mat, 100 mm extruded polystyrene bituminous sealing, two layers 60-100 mm of foam-glass insulation, and finally 220 mm reinforced concrete are placed in. One roof of an apartment room acts as a terrace space for the floor above, creating a unique ten story staircase of terraces.

Source:
All photos and information is credited to Detail Magazine 2009 Edition 2, Pages 148 – 153

Structural Engineers: Datum Engineers

Structure: The primary structure is composed of reinforced concrete along with steel beams on the top floor.

Roof Assembly: The exterior roofing consists of sheet-steel seam roofing followed by several layers of polythene, glass fiber, and polystyrene for insulation.  Trapezoidal steel-sheet metal provides decking for the roof.  The entire assembly along with any additional roof live loads are carried by a system of steel joists connected to wide-flange steel beams. The ceiling finish is attached to a series of steel omega-sections connecting directly to the joist systems.

Wall Assembly:

The curtain wall containing glass windows is supported by the structural frame through a series of angles connecting to the stem of the wide flange steel beams  (top floor) and directly to the concrete columns (other floors).  Aluminum panels span between the beams and the window.

The brick curtain wall is held up by angles attached to the structure.  Insulation and empty space is provided between the inside of the structure and the outside.  Some of the structure contains brickwork in stretcher bonds for aesthetic purposes.

Special Detail: Brickwork

The bricks were hand made fired and cooled for eight days each in Reynosa, Mexico.  This form work provides an aesthetic appeal resembling that of a monastery.  The architect intended to provide this monastic tone to the structure in order to emphasize the similarities in uses of the housing unit to that of a monastery: sleeping, studying, and dining.  Certain portions of the brick work are patterned in a stretcher bond to provide an archaic and rough appearance.

source: “University Hall of Residence in Austin” from Detail Magazine ed. 2009 issue 6. pages 584-589.