Dexter Rowing Arena, Structure

DEXTER ROWING ARENA Dexter Lake, Lowell, OR Ryan Al-Schamma Clay Neal, TH2-4PM

The Dexter Rowing Arena’s sweeping form dramatizes the seemingly mundane sport of rowing by creating opportunities for spectators to engage with the sport, with the building as a vehicle. The form that the architecture has adopted is a representatoin of the power expended in an oar stroke, as athletes reach for the finish line. The center heightens the rowing experience not only for spectators, but also for rowers, and serves not only spectators but also rowers and community members.

Aerial Rendering

Exterior Rendering Front Entrance

Interior Rendering Community Room

G

+1

+2

Roof Floor Plans 1/32” : 1’0”

East-West Elevation 1/32” : 1’0”

West-East Elevation 1/32” : 1’0”

South-North Section 1/32” : 1’0”

East-West Section 1/32” : 1’0”

1

STRUCTURAL GEOMETRY

Each of the individual stylistic and structural elements of the architecture of the boathouse has a precedent in rowing. The arcing forms that reach across the landscape mimic the sweep of an oar stroke, the interior walls’ orientation is based off of the fanning out of an oar during different stages of each stroke, and the allignment of the structural column grid within the boathouse represents the dynamic back-and-forth motion of an oar in action. The combination of all three elements of a strong rowing oar stroke synthesizes into a cohesive and dynamic architectural composition.

Three arcs of differing sizes form the two main bays of the boathouse, and its longitudional interior walls. The differently sized arcs create gradually expanding spaces, instilling a sense of dynamicity in the building that users experience in passing while progressing through the building. The end of the building overlooking Dexter Lake is the largest end of the building, as the “sweep of the oar� explodes outwards opening up grand views of the racing arena to spectators and athletes in the workout area on the first floors, and in the community viewing spaces in the upper floors.

The pivoting interior walls of the boathouse resemble the pivoting motion of an oar around the oarlock during an oar stroke (F0, in the above diagram). All interior walls perpendicular to the arced axis of boathouse hinge about a point in the distance determined by the directions of both end faces of the boathouse. The orientation of those faces is determined by the restraints of the narrow site on which the building sits, and the most logical and compelling angle from which to receive athletes at, and to spectate the 2km racecourse from. http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/bjsports/36/6/396/F4.large.jpg

The dynamic column grid references the blade path during an oar stroke, as seen from above. The diagram above hows the movement of the blade, relative to the rower in the boat, where the upper side of the diagram represents the farthest end of the blade, and the bottom side of the diagram represents the movement of the rower in the boat. The concentration of lines is the swift motion of the oar during each stroke, to which the boathouse’s column grid is referencing. http://studiogang.com/img/YmVHNjRRMituQ081bVU5OVJKNEYvdz09/1142-wms-boathouse-at-clark-park-pattern.png

2

SPATIAL-STRUCTURAL AXONOMETRIC

This exploded axonometric drawing highlights the placement of structural columns and beams in the boathouse, and clarifies the fanning motion of the beams. The rear quarter of the building is primarily of load bearing concrete walls, and lightly framed floors not shown above.

3

STRUCTURAL GRID

The structural grid of the boathouse is dictated by its curving walls, its arcing row of columns, and its pivoting overhead beams. Spaces within the boathouse are constructed within the bounds of the curving matrix, or using a combination of spaces within the matrix.

4

STRUCTURE AS SPACE

Circulation Misc.

G Boat Storage + Rigging

Floor Plan 1/16” : 1’0”

Circulation

+1

Lockers

Circulation Offices

+2 Meeting Club Room

Training

Community Room + Spectating

Floor Plan 1/32” : 1’0”

The few structural interior walls in the boathouse allows for a flexible and open floor plan which can be infilled as needed. The open plan of the ground floor with bays divided only by two arcing rows of columns creates an ideal space for boat storage and rigging of boats. The open space in the upper floors allows for the creation of spaces as needed programmatically.

5

CONCRETE + STEEL STRUCTURAL COMPOSITION

Exploded Axonometric 1/64” : 1’0”

The structure of the boathouse also serves as the facade for half of the building, as the shear curving concrete shell contrasts the dynamic and lightweight glass structure on the opposite side. The pivoting and slanting column and beam structure complements the dynamic facade of the building by responding in similar fashion, reflecting the exterior movement within. The seemingly light steel skeleton and the heavy concrete skin combined create a striking composition.

Exploded Axonometric 1/64” : 1’0”

Isolated steel skeleton structure (columns and beams).

Isolated concrete skin structure (external load bearing walls).

6

EVOLVING STEEL STRUCTURE

2/9

9/9

6/9

The boathouse’s primary concrete and steel structure is punctuated by nine different support systems, that evolve from the front to the back of the building. These structures become more tilted, the area within each box of the structural matrix increases, and the the ground floor roof beam for the patio viewing area ceases to be, the farther into the building one goes The concrete skin on the left side of the building remains the same throughout the transformation.

7

TENSION AND COMPRESSION ANALYSIS

C

2/9

C

C

T

6/9

C

C

T

9/9

C

C

90º

80º

70º

Though the outermost members of the individual structures don’t bear the most weight, they are the most critical in holding together the building, as the columns begin to slant the farther into the building one goes. The top beams transition from being in compression, to being in tension as they pull against the slanting columns.

8

LOAD TRACING

Load tracing and distribution through the slanted structure.

9

CONCRETE-STEEL CONNECTION DRAWING

Bolts

Plate

I-Beam

The above drawings detail the connection of the horizontal steel beams to the shear concrete shell wall. The I-Beam would be welded to a joining plate, which would then be fastened to the wall using bolts.