Structure Precendents.

Analysing structural systems to influence by design

Centre Pompidou

Paris, France

Rogers + Piano, 1977

Centre Pompidou is the cultural centre in Paris that is famous for exposing all the infrastruture of the building on the outside of the building. The skeleton itself engulfs the building from its exterior showing all the mechanical and structure systems to maximise the interior space.

Structural Frame

The frame is cross-braced at certain points to increase stability. This is something to consider in my design

Interior

This interior sketch shows the open structure of the building and how the concrete slabs fit into the steel frame

Facade

This elevation highlights the parts of the facade that are made up of a mesh screen. This creates a wall that contains the building but also feels fully open

Plan

This plan shows the two elements of the building clearly - the open framework and the enclosed building. The structure spans the whole building but while the framework is open or enclosed with mesh, the building is clad with polycarbonate panels that play with light and privacy

Elevation

Drawing highlights consistency of cross bracing throughout building and stand out staircase snaking up the building

Exterior View

The stairs are on the exterior of building, snaking up on the outside of the exposed structure

Structure Joints

Drawing showing how the metal cross bracing

Structure Close Up

A copy of Roger + Piano’s intial sketches showing more structural detail

Structure Analysis

Blue shows columns in tension and red shows in compression. Beams have cross bracing