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Construction: Pompidou Center, Paris

The Pompidou Center in Paris features a unique prefabricated structural system called gerberettes. The gerberettes form a flexible bridge structure 50 meters long and supported by columns 42 meters apart on each level. Each gerberette unit weighs 110 tonnes and had to be transported by truck at night to minimize disruption. The gerberettes allow the heavy library space above to be reconfigured easily. This innovative structural system was a key part of Renzo Piano's design vision for the Pompidou Center to be a flexible, people-oriented cultural center.

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191 views

Construction: Pompidou Center, Paris

The Pompidou Center in Paris features a unique prefabricated structural system called gerberettes. The gerberettes form a flexible bridge structure 50 meters long and supported by columns 42 meters apart on each level. Each gerberette unit weighs 110 tonnes and had to be transported by truck at night to minimize disruption. The gerberettes allow the heavy library space above to be reconfigured easily. This innovative structural system was a key part of Renzo Piano's design vision for the Pompidou Center to be a flexible, people-oriented cultural center.

Uploaded by

Husna Afifi
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CONSTRUCTION

POMPIDOU CENTER, PARIS


Pompidou Centre
“… it is not just an elitist cultural monument made up of a number of watertight
compartments, but a people’s center, a university of the street, capable of reflecting
the constantly changing needs of its users…”
-Renzo Piano
Component – Gerberette (structure)
 A bridge of fifty meters
long, supported on both
sides by columns of 42
meters apart made up
each level. It was
balanced by a system of
flexible arms called
gerberettes.
 The gerberettes formed a
great flexible unique
structure
 All the structural and
environment parts of the
system were prefabricated and
standardized for easy
assembly in the field.
 Main-bearing columns,
gerberettes and tension rods
were painted white, while the
main beams were in stainless
steel claddings.
 The gerberettes used to
achieve the long spans
required to support a heavy
library that could be moved
anywhere in the building, would
be loaded on two lorries and
brought to the site along a
prearranged route during night
time. Because of their weight
(110 tonnes) even the sewers
had to be reinforced at some
points.
The gerberette
Gerberette

Main issues of this building and it’s construction:


Huge and heavy prefabrication structure
How to bring the main structure to site due to its sizes and weight.
Carrot fibre properties
The lower density of carrot fiber is an interesting parameter in designing
lightweight material made from carrot fiber-epoxy composite.

Density for carrot fiber-epoxy composite is better


comparing to Steel, 7.85g/cm3 lead to a lighter but
strong structure
CelluComp – carrot fiber-epoxy composite
GFRP - glass fibre reinforced polymers

CFRP - Carbon fibre reinforced polymers


Currently structure
Improvement : Carrot fibre structure
References
1. Richard Rogers, 1990, Architecture: A Modern View, Singapore, C.S. Graphics
2. Massimo Dini, Renzo Piano: Projects and buildings 1964-1983, Italy, Electa
Editrice
 Abishek Behera, Renzo Piano, [online],
 Available from http://www.scribd.com/doc/29335773/Renzo-Piano [accessed
November 29, 2010]
 http://architecture.about.com/od/findphotos/ig/Renzo-Piano-Photos/Centre-George
-Pompidou.htm
,[ access on October 24, 2010, 1818 pm]
 http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Centre_Pompidou.html , [access on
October 24, 2010, 1820 pm]
 http://www.cellucomp.com/

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