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RELATNSHP BW ARC & STRUCT FORMS-notes

The document discusses the relationship between architectural form and structural form in buildings. It defines architectural form as a building's external shape and organization and structural form as its primary load-bearing system. There are three categories of relationships between the two: synthesis, where the structural system dictates the architectural form; consonance, where architectural and structural forms are integrated but maintain separate identities; and contrast, where the forms are dissimilar through differences in geometry, materials, or scale. None is inherently better, but understanding the diversity is important for architectural design.

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104 views6 pages

RELATNSHP BW ARC & STRUCT FORMS-notes

The document discusses the relationship between architectural form and structural form in buildings. It defines architectural form as a building's external shape and organization and structural form as its primary load-bearing system. There are three categories of relationships between the two: synthesis, where the structural system dictates the architectural form; consonance, where architectural and structural forms are integrated but maintain separate identities; and contrast, where the forms are dissimilar through differences in geometry, materials, or scale. None is inherently better, but understanding the diversity is important for architectural design.

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ANSLEM ALBERT
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RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN

ARCHITECTURAL & STRUCTURAL FORM


Architectural form can be loosely defined as “an inclusive term that refers primarily to a
building’s external shape or outline and to a lesser degree the internal organization and
unifying principles”. Architectural form can have several other definitions and these can
include
 Architectural form can be generally defined as aspects of three dimensional massing and
structural configurations as long as it organizes and unifies architectural design.
 Architectural form can be fundamentally understood as and limited to enveloping forms and
shapes
 Architectural form and shape encompasses various visual relational properties such as size,
colour, texture, position, orientation and visual inertia. (-Francis Ching-form space and
order)

Structural form however can be defined as a building’s primary or most visually dominant
structural system. Many buildings have more than one structural system and some have only
one. Structural systems are of different types and they include
o Gravity resisting systems
o Lateral load resisting systems
o Gravity and Unidirectional lateral load systems

Structure is the most powerful element of form so much so that if it is not the last
consideration in the long series of decisions determining form, it distorts or modifies all
other determinants of a building. One finds that structure in fact determines or dictates
all other all other aspects of design. However, structure is usually considered last in the
design process and it follows design intent. Many designers (particularly architects)
follow this pattern in designing.

Structure can be viewed from two perspectives


1. As Form giver
2. As Form follower

1. Form giver- there are certain structural/architectural forms that inherently possess
dominant forms. These forms in themselves are structurally sound and stable. Once the
designer chooses to use any of these structural forms, the architectural (form)
outlook/configuration is already concluded upon. Examples include hyperbolic
paraboloids, domes, barell vaults, arches, catenary arches (inverted barrel vaults) etc.
2. Form follower- in the design process, frequently the shape, three dimensional
massing or physical configuration is concluded upon first, after which the structural
design elements are considered and finalized. In this regard, structure is considered as a
form follower.
There are three categories of architectural form and structure.
 Synthesis
 Consonance
 Contrast
It should be noted that none of these categories is superior or preferable to the other but
the diversity needs to be understood in consonance with the principles of application. A
combination of these two aspects is needed to produce exemplary architecture.

 Synthesis-
Structural systems that exemplify synthesis can be understood by studying the under-
listed structural types/forms.
i. Shell structures
ii. Fabric structures
iii. Catenaries
iv. Ribbed Structures
v. Framed structures
vi. Walls
vii. Arches
In each of the above instances, structure is classified as the form giver. The geometrical
configuration of the structural system is the final determinant of the architectural form.
Very little, if nothing is modified to give the building being designed an aesthetic appeal.
Let us examine a few examples more closely.

i. Shell structures-
Shell structures are thin, curved or folded plates shaped to transmit applied forces by
compressive, tensile or shear stresses acting in the plane of the surface.
o These are the purest forms of synthesis of architectural and structural forms.
o The form is the structure and the structure is the form.
o The transfer of loads occur within minimal thickness and this transfer relies upon
the three dimensional curved geometry, correct orientation and placement of
supports for adequate structural performance
o These can be constructed from materials such as r.c. concrete, fabrics (pneumatic
domes held together by pressure), glass, aluminium composite panels,
laminated/ordinary timber, earth etc.
o Examples of shell structures include hyperbolic paraboloids, barrel vaults, domes,
folded plates, and conoids.
o Examples of buildings that are shell structures are Sydney Opera house Australia,
National Arts Theatre, Lagos, TWA airport, NY USA, St Peter’s Basillica, Rome,
Nagoya Dome Nagoya, Japan.
Types of shell structures

ii. Fabric Structures-


o These deploy surface tension in fabrics to resist self-loads and lateral thrusts
o It also uses three dimensional curvatures for structural adequacy/stability
o It requires additional and separate compression members to create high points
over which fabric can be stretched e.g. tension cables and ribs
o They can be
constructed from
different types of
fabrics of which the
two main categories
are Natural and
Synthetic fabrics.
(example of synthetic
fabric is Teflon used in Burj Al Arab)
o Examples of buildings that are fabric strictures are Millennium dome, Greenwich
England, Olympia stadium, Munich Germnay, Denver International Airport USA.

iii. Ribbed Structures-


o Ribs provide additional stiffness through
ring beam action
o Ribs act primarily as columns and define
single volume spaces
o Ribs have visual dominance in the
structures and maximize daylight
o Ribs require props near the base and are
configured to resist horizontal loads and
lateral thrusts
o Ribs can either be primary or secondary
o Examples Soccer stadium, Amiens
France, Reichstag Cupola Berlin
Germany.

iv. Arches-
Arches vary in span (depending on the radius)
Arches possess natural load resisting capabilities
Arches are the basic form from which barrel vaults and domes are generated from

 Consonant forms
Here architectural and structural forms neither synthesize nor contrast but both are in
harmony in all respects. The term consonant, derived from the meaning of the word (i.e.
being in agreement or harmony with) best describes the major characteristic of these
kinds of forms which is the high level of integration of the different structural systems
within the building. This is what creates the form(s). Unlike forms in the synthesis
category which possesses a full integration of both architectural and structural systems
in a singular aesthetic configuration, consonant forms still maintain the identities of
either system but both are in harmony. In consonant forms, there often exists more than
one structural system within the building.

Case study 1- Mont-Cenis Academy complex


Constructed from timber columns, purlins and trusses, this three floor building
accommodates a library, accommodation block, administrative section and teaching
spaces.
It has a visually dominant post and beam construction laid out in regular grid pattern. It
has circular columns and glass “skin” for cover. The architectural form is the simple
cuboid concept. Both architectural and Structural forms are in harmony.

Case Study 2- European Institute of Health & Medical Sciences, Guildford England
This building has a higher level of complexity than the previous case study. It features a
rounded apex above the main entrance much like the brow of a ship.
It is constructed out of reinforced concrete, laminated timber and timber.

It has four structural systems namely concrete beams and columns, steel and timber
cross braces (diagonal structural members), concrete walls and timber portal frames.
Designed based on a rectangular structural grid, this building also has curved timber
rafters. The building despite all the several architectural and structural forms possesses
distinct character of harmony (of both structural and architectural forms).

 Contrasting Forms
Contrasting forms are characterized by a juxtaposition of architectural qualities like
geometry, materiality, scale and texture. Dissimilarity in between forms is the most
common quality of contrasting forms while the element of surprise (i.e. meeting with/
encountering unexpectedly) different structural elements within the building is also a
common place occurrence. Well-designed contrasting forms give room for innovative
architectural designs and interesting experiences.

Case Study 1- Exchange House London


Constructed out of steel
and reinforced concrete,
this building sits astride
underground railway
lines. The floor plan and
elevations are mainly
rectilinear in form. The
prominent arc on the
elevation actually
functions as a support for the floors above the rail lines. On the sides, there are
unexpectedly, transverse cross bracings. These though dissimilar to the general
rectilinear form, provide a point of interest to the building. The inclined columns were
not intended to be another contrasting design feature but to function as cheaper
additional supports transmitting structural loads to pre-existing column bases.

Case Study 2- Stuttgart Airport, Germany


Constructed out of steel and glass, this
building with a four floor internal headroom on
one side and a two floor headroom on the
opposite side is replete with surprises. It has a
rectilinear outlook externally but possesses an
element of surprise internally with the interior
steel columns mimicking tree trunks and
branches. The roof has a completely rectilinear
form, broken into twelve smaller rectangles by
strips of glazing.

Another example is the Lille TGV Station in France

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