5 xy Figure 9.5 Umbrella support of the Imagination Building up. Therefore it may be desirable to express the importance of this connection by the way the detail is handled. The second possibility for creating high points is by the use of masts. There are three types of mast: exterior, interior and flying. The exterior mast can be seen as a variation of the version of suspended high points, as at the Olympic Estate in Munich. The difference, however, is that the climax can now be seen at the top of the mast, z rather than at the joint between the high point and the suspension. 89High point supports GY Le IRR suspended ring ‘towards which the high point of the tensile structure is pulled (for ‘example the Grande Arche in Paris). This type of high point can be read as a direct representation of the flow of the converging forces in ‘the membrane. As the forces have to join to form one resultant in order to be able to transfer the tension up along the suspension, the meeting point between tensile structure and suspension cable takes on a key position in the whole of the structure. Precedents for this can be found in the keystones and the bosses of historical arches and vaultings, which have the same importance as they are the highest points and the structure would not be able to stand up without them. A heightened importance also derives from the fact that they are the last pieces of stone to be inserted before completion of the structure, the last joints, Similarly, the joint between the high point of the tensile structure and the suspension is the essential joint, without which the whole structure would not.stand 88 Figure 9.4 Different highpoint supports of tensile structuresvy Case Study 6 Grande Arche de La Défense, Paris Location: Paris, France Date: 1989 Architect: Paul Andreu Engineer: RFR, Ove Arup and Partners The tensile canopy suspended beneath the Grande Arche de La Défense, Paris, is the result of a collaboration between Paul Andreu of Aeroports de Paris and Peter Rice of Ove Arup and RFR. After the resignation of Johan Otto von Sprecklesen, the architect of the arch, Andreu and Rice continued translating into built form the original concept of ‘clouds’, which had been a feature of Spreckelsen’s competition winning scheme. The resultant structure, suspended within the cube's huge hollow, was to be the first of a series of lightweight canopies, intended to link the plateau under the arch with the open spaces to the left and right of the main axis. The free-form cable-net and membrane structure contrasts with the strict Platonic geometry of the hollowed cube, creating a space on the plateau with a more human scale, where outdoor performances and events take place. The location of the canopy within the huge opening presented the designers with a number of specific problems. Due to the shape of the arch, with its tapered sides and raised plateau, the effects of wind loading on the canopy are quite significant. This results in the structure and support system having to deal with large loadings. The construction of the cube had already started before the detailed design of the ‘cloud’ was complete, so there were restrictions on the locations and capacity of the anchoring points. In addition, the requirements of fire regulations meant that the plateau becomes an escape route in the event of fire in the building. Consequently, the ‘cloud’ has been designed to retain its structural integrity even if it should lose all support from one compartment floor of the building. The structure that spans between the two sides of the cube is formed from convex, steel cable beams pre-stressed against ‘free-form’ edge cables. These are connected using purpose-designed steel castings, capable of dealing with the three-dimensional rotations caused during erection of the canopy and by the effects of wind loading during use. The structure ranges in height from 9m to 25m above the plateau and covers an area of about 2000 m’. The supporting cables are a combination of locked coil and spiral strand galvanized cables, which vary in diameter from 20 mm to 80 mm. The membrane panels are formed from rhombic modules of 1 mm thick translucent PTFE coated glass-fibre fabric. These are supported from beneath by means of small flying struts, attached to 1m diameter galvanized steel support rings. These tension the fabric and cause it to take the form of a number of gently curved shallow cones. At the centres of the galvanized steel rings, 10 mm thick toughened 136 Figure 10.6.2 Plan at plateau level Figure 10.6.3 Plan at canopy levelFigure 10.6.1 137glass disks allow direct light to penetrate and afford views up through the canopy from the plateau below. In using a combination of cable-net and membranes the canopy at La Défense demonstrates how a membrane roof may be constructed Using a series of repetitive modules, when for either structural or safety reasons the use of a single-spanning membrane may not be appropriate. References AA (1989), October Architects Journal (1989), Building Feature, 12 July Figure 10.6.4 Site plan with proposed parvis structures 138Figure 10.6.5 The tensile canopy is suspended within the huge cube hollow 139142 J smtetnancee ss omrenca Figure 10.6.8 Construction. detailsFigure 10.69 Section through the arch and canopyories for M&G Ricerche, Vanafro Vanatro, Italy 1992 Samyn et Associés IPL and Setesco chemical research facilty for M&G Ricerche, designed by the Sen architect and engineer Philippe Samyn, was completed in 9, Italy in 1992. The building incorporates a single-skin envelope to house a combination of offices, laboratories, ‘end test rigs, where research for the Sinco group is carried out. entional concrete and blockwork construction is used to form enclosures within the membrane envelope. Within these €s are housed facilities with subdivided spaces, which require ss degrees of environmental control. = decision to cover all the facilities with a membrane structure ‘the construction period to be reduced to 10 months, and has 2d in the creation of a temperate environment at low cost. =r to enclose the maximum usable volume, the white PVC polyester membrane is supported by six steel horseshoe arches. ‘three-dimensional tubular steel trusses are maintained sely by pre-stressed steel cables, which are attached to steel pyramids on the underside of the horseshoes, giving from the curvature of the membrane. The arches increase in the two ends, giving a maximum height of 16 m in the This extremely lightweight steel structure is composed of 1764 €5 cut into 441 different configurations, and was realized 2id of fully automated shop drawing procedures and tion methods. the interior construction completely separate from the skin, the problems of connecting the curved forms to the construction are avoided. However, to provide direct and to afford views out, glazed screens have been orated behind the scalloped edges of the membrane at ground ‘These are connected to the edges of the main membrane by parent PVC closing flaps. The steel arches are themselves covered 2 transparent PVC membrane which is pre-stressed in triangular is by means of metallic disks and tension cables. The use of membrane in this manner allows direct sunlight to to the centre of the plan and aids the legibility of the stee! structure,‘Environmental aspects ‘The project at Vanafro demonstrates how a membrane envelope may ‘Be used to create a more temperate environment, within which a ‘Guerse range of activities can be accommodated. By surrounding the ‘Eutiding with a lake, the designers have further reduced the ‘=esronmental demands. In the hot Italian summer the lake helps to ‘Jewer the direct outside air temperature. To further cool the internal is drawn into the building via underground shafts and wtake vents that are flush with the surface of the pool, ‘e5ng the air entering the building to be cooled without the need 2 air-conditioning. Furthermore, by setting the building in a lake the Stects avoided some of the potential security problems caused by g the membrane down to ground level. And the chance of the being touched or damaged by passers-by has been Architectural Review (1992), Building Chemistry, May Figure 10.7.2 Glazed scallops allow views outFigure 10.7.3 View from internal balcony Figure 10.7.4 ‘Surrounding the building with water hhas a cooling effect on the micro climate Figure 10.75 Model 147Ne a = CAN ART sa DIM OE Figure 10.7.6 Long section Figure 10.7.7 PlanFigure 10.7.8 Detail section through laboratories and underground ventilation duct