Integration: Structure and Envelope

Integrated Building Systems

Part I: Integration Principles

Part II: Structure and the

Exterior Envelope

Part III: Integration Case

Studies
Building
4.405 Systems

Building Systems: Definitions

1. Foundation/Subgrade (SITE)
2. Superstructure (STRUCTURE) Daly, Genik: Valley Center, CA, 2000.
3. Exterior Envelope (SKIN)
4. Interior Partitions (SPACE
PLAN)
5. Mechanical Systems
(SERVICES)
Stuff
6. Furnishings (STUFF)
Space Plan

Services

Structure
Sources:
Brand, Howard, Skin

How Buildings Learn. Site

Also see Turner, Gregory,
Construction Economics and Building
Design
Bensonwood Timber Frame: 1996.

Image by MIT OCW.

Building
4.405 Systems

Building Systems: Definitions

1. Foundation/Subgrade (SITE)
2. Superstructure (STRUCTURE)
3. Exterior Envelope (SKIN)
4. Interior Partitions (SPACE PLAN)
5. Mechanical Systems (SERVICES)
6. Furnishings (STUFF)

Rush specifies only four systems;

• Structure
• Envelope
• Interior
• Mechanical

Source: Rush, Richard,

The Building Systems Integration
Handbook

Curtainwall and raised floor construction.

Image by MIT OCW.
Integration Levels

Definitions

1. Remote: systems are Remote

physically separated from
one another but yet still
coordinated functionally
Touching

2. Touching: One system

rests on another

Connected
3. Connected: one system is
mechanically fastened
and dependent on
another
Meshed

4. Meshed: systems occupy

the same space
Unified

5. Unified: systems share the

same physical elements

Five Levels of Integration

Image by MIT OCW. Image by MIT OCW.
Performance Mandates
Roof Assembly:
Performance is, generally, the Roof structure and
structural deck (S)
measurement of achievement Roofing (E)
E
against intention. Ceiling (I)
Lighting (MI)
Roof Assembly S Wall Assembly:
1. Spatial Performance Wall structure (the support plus
I
any lateral bracing, shear panels,
MI
2. Thermal Performance or sheathing) (S)
I Exterior wall covering (EI)
3. Indoor Air Quality Windows and doors (EI)
I Interior wall covering (I)
4. Acoustical Performance I EI
Interior Floor Assembly:
5. Visual Performance Interior Floor
Assembly
S S Wall Assembly Interior floor structure and floor
deck (S)
6. Building Integrity E
Floor covering (I)
I MI Furniture and interior partitions (I)
Ceiling below (I)
I
Lighting below (MI)
I On-grade Floor Assembly:
Source: Rush, Richard, Floor structure (S)
On-grade Floor Floor covering (I)
The Building Systems Integration Assembly
S
Membrane, vapor barrier (E)
Mechanical subsystems (M)
Handbook (electricity, piping, and wiring),
E
wherever they occur

Integration diagram
Image by MIT OCW.
Building
4.405 Example

Integration of:

1. Exterior envelope (also secondary

structure)
2. Mechanical Services (Lighting)

Level of integration: MESHED

Strategy:

Using aerogel as a translucent insulation

that provides thermal resistance to
the exterior envelope as well as
allowing natural light to illuminate
interior spaces.

Thomas Herzog, Aerogel Exterior Envelope System

Part II: Structure and the Exterior Envelope
Exterior Envelope Issues: stressors
Solar Radiation
heat gain/loss

Wind and Air Pressure

Differentials
air infiltration/exfiltration

Moisture
vapor
condensation, dew point
snow, rain and ice
hydrostatic pressure (basement)

Temperature Differentials
thermal gradient
freeze-thaw cycle
differential thermal expansion
thermal bridging

Extreme Weather
hurricanes
tornadoes
lightning

Image by MIT OCW.

 Structural Issues: stressors

Static Live Loads Occupancy

Environmental (snow, water)
Dead Loads Self-weight of structure
Fixed Building Elements
Forces due to
settlement,
thermal effects

Dynamic Continuous (oscillating- Seismic forces

uniform or regular)
Lateral loads Wind forces
Impact (discrete, e.g. blast)
 External Stressors produce Internal Forces
Structural Actions

Structural Element
Internal Forces 1 dimension 2 dimension 3 dimension

1. Compression column buttress ribbed vault

strut flying buttress fan vault
wall arch dome
barrel vault thins shells
grid shells

2. Tension tie catenary shear-free assemblies

cable suspension bridge (bubbles, cable nets, shear resistant
fabrics, membranes)
hanger

3. Bending beams egg-crate frames

one-way slab two-way slabs
portal frames (flat, ribbed, coffered, etc.)

4. Shear plate action plate action folded plates

shear wall shear wall torsion

5. Torsion n/a n/a cross-bracing

6. Bearing pin bearing plate moment connection

Opportunities for Integration: Structure and Exterior Envelope

The exterior wall and structural frame form the assembly at the edge of the building.
Therefore, the integration of the two systems has the capacity to:

• transmit natural light into the interior

• allow for the natural servicing of the building
• increase the efficiency with which individual materials and components are used
• reduce the weight of the building
• reduce thermal bridging (note on positioning of the exterior wall)
• reduce the exposure of the superstructure elements to the weather
• reduce differential movement between the skin and the structure
• reduce geometric coordination conflicts
• extend the life of the building by effectively addressing the weather enclosure

and ultimately
• reduce the material expenditure
• reduce the time expenditure
• reduce spatial needs
Structure: Guiding Principles of Analysis and Design Lightness
Maximum Lightness achieved by minimum use of
materials.

Maximum Diversity/Minimum Inventory

Element design.

Construction Logic
Awareness and optimization of the construction
sequence.

Economy
Constraints are good.

Systemic Thinking
Understanding and pursuing ideas regarding what the
entire structure is doing.

Scale of the Building.

Scale of the Joint.
 Equalize stress in all members
The result of equalizing stress in
Structure: Lightness elements of the same material is a
minimal use the total material used.

Buckminster Fuller, Biosphere.

Image Courtesy of Nicolas Janberg of Structurae.

 Element Design
Joint Design
Structure: Maximum Diversity/ Minimum Inventory
 Constraints are good
Anything can be built with enough $
Structure: Economy Lowest total cost wins
 Lateral Forces
Structure: Seismic Design
Hazards

Direct
Surface Fault Ruptures
Ground Shaking
Ground Failures
Liquefaction
Lateral Spreading
Landslides

Indirect
Tsunamis
Floods
Fires
 Design Strategies

Structure: Seismic Design Superstructure should be light.

Building plan should be simple,
symmetric and regular.
Superstructure should be symmetrically
loaded.
Continuous distribution of
mass, stiffness, strength, ductility.
Column-Beam alignments should be
coaxial, as much as possible.
Horizontal structural elements should
always fail first.
(Turkey 08.18.99)
Image by MIT OCW. Relatively short spans and avoid
cantilevers.
Non-structural components should either
be integrated or well separated.
Superstructure should have largest
possible number of defense lines.
Stiffness and strength of the
superstructure should be
compatible with the foundation.
(Taiwan 09.20.99)
 New Possibilities
Materials
Composites
Developing Materials/ Processes „ Glass
„ Carbon Fiber
I believe we can rethink the way we can use many materials,
especially how they are detailed, to express more clearly their „ Cellulose
engineering nature, and thereby find a new and interesting „ Panels: e.g.stress skin
aesthetic.
Peter Rice Processes
Concrete
„ Tilt-Up Slab
„ Rapid Curing
Developing Materials/ Processes Composite Structural Elements

Image by MIT OCW.

Part III: Integration Case Studies
Integration Possibilities Case Studies

Two-System Combinations
1. Structure and Envelope Glenn Murcutt: Houses
2. Structure and Illumination Louis Kahn: Kimbell Museum

Three-System Combinations
3. Structure, Illumination and Envelope Behnisch and Partners: General Assembly and Annex of Bundestag
4. Structure, Envelope and Services Sir Norman Foster: Stansted Airport
5. Structure, Services and Illumination Sir Norman Foster: Sainsbury Gallery
6. Structure, Mechanical and Illumination Sir Norman Foster: AMAir Museum
7. Structure, Envelope and Construction Process Arato Isozaki: Palais de Congres

Four System Combinations

8. Structure, Envelope, Mechanical and Illumination Sir Norman Foster: Reichstag

see Rush, Chapters 6 and 7

 Glenn Murcutt
Case Study 1: Two-System Integration Small Buildings
Structure and Services
Structure
Lightweight/columnar metal structure

Services
Natural ventilation
Kinetic exterior wall elements
Metallic roof finish for reduction of nighttime
heat loss

From Glenn Murcutt, Buildings and Projects,

Francoise Fromonot

“ The regional geology, hydrography,

climate and direction of the prevailing winds
determine the house’s positioning, its
structure, and the greater or lesser
porousness of the facades receiving breezes
necessary for ventilation. The sun’s angle of
incidence in different seasons determines
the dimensions of the roof overhang, which
cut off the vertical rays of the sun in summer
while the height of the façade’s upper
glazing allows the low winter sun to
penetrate the heart of the interior… Thus the
façade is a result, not an articulated formal
composition by the architect.”
 Louis Kahn
Case Study 2: Two-System Integration Kimbell Art Museum
Structure, Illumination

Structure
Cycloid vaults supported by columns
Not acting as a vault nor as a series of
arches the cycloid form facilitates a
structure that behaves more like a
curved beam resting on columns and a
terminal arch

Illumination
Natural Light
Provided by a central divide in the
cycloid vaults
Also, the structure allows for openings
along the lower edge of the end support-
arches.
 Louis Kahn
Case Study 2: Two-System Integration Kimbell Art Museum
Structure, Illumination

b. Acrylic skylights EI E a. Sheet lead roof

c. Post-tensioned concrete shell SI

d. Reflectors I

M e. Supply ductwork
f. Incandescent track
MI
lighting

g. Wood flooring I
h. Return air ducts

M
i. Exposed concrete
j. Waffle slab SI SI
masonry

k. Travertine infill

Image by MIT OCW.

 Behnisch and Partners
Case Study 3: Three-System Integration General Assembly and Annex of
German Bundestag, Bonn
Structure, Envelope, Illumination
Structure
Steel frame building

Envelope
Various glass and metal enclosure
elements

Illumination
Various natural daylighting techniques
 Norman Foster
Case Study 4: Three-System Integration Stansted Airport
Structure, Envelope, Services

Structure
Steel tube and cable modular unit as
basis for building design

Services
Air supply and return located at these
structural bays and integrated into
design

Envelope
Premanufactured roof elements lifted
whole onto the structural modules

Also, notice the “spoilers” along the

roof edge meant to redirect the
concentration of air pressure on this
part of the roof.

Also Image Courtesy of Ludwig Abache and Structurae.

Illumination
Natural light diffusers incorporated into
roof elements
 Norman Foster
Case Study 4: Three-System Integration Stansted Airport
Structure, Envelope, Services

Images Courtesy of Ludwig Abache and Structurae.

 Norman Foster
Case Study 5: Three-System Integration Sainsbury Gallery
Structure, Services and Illumination

Structure
3-dimensional steel tube trusses: wall
and roof construction

Allows for interstitial space to run

mechanical equipment
Spans are greatly increased thereby
foregoing interior columns

Services
Mechanical equipment and distribution
networks are contained within the
interstitial space created by the structure

Illumination
As the building is composed of a
panelized system natural light can be
brought into the space at any point
along the skin of the building.
 Sir Norman Foster
Case Study 6: Three-System Integration American Air Museum
Structure, Envelope and Illumination

Structure
Precast and cast-in-place concrete
construction produces a shell with of
large span

Envelope
Concrete mass minimizes the diurnal
temperature swing within the interior

Illumination
Allowed into the space through an edge
condition and vertical glass wall
 Sir Norman Foster
Case Study 8: Four-System Integration Reichstag
Structure, Services, Envelope and Illumination

Structure
Parliamentary Hall steel roof structure

Services
Naturally Ventilated
Utilizing existing natural ventilation
flues incorporated into the original
building in the 1890s, the parliamentary
chamber is naturally ventilated.

Also, the heat and power generators

are fueled with a refined vegetable oil,
derived from sunflower seeds.
This has produced a 94% reduction in
carbon dioxide emissions.

Envelope
Serves to allow for natural ventilation
and lighting

Illumination
Natural light is reflected down into the
Parliamentary Hall using a series of
faceted mirrors attached to the central
service cone.
 Sir Norman Foster
Case Study 8: Four-System Integration Reichstag
Structure, Mechanical, Envelope and Illumination
Buildings now account for ½ of energy use in the western world.
¾ of the world’s annual energy output is presently consumed by ¼ of the earth’s population.