META(L)-TIMBER

This tectonic class is divide into two parts there in the first part consist of a deep research to identify the main details that defined a facade’s system. We were interested in timber structures and explored the Shigeru Ban’s Nine Bridges Country club. A deep understanding of the tectonic system was explored through research & 3-D modelling.

The country club is made up of three buildings which encompasses different structural systems present in a more modern sense through traditional materials like wood and glass.

Materiality of the joints and facade system was explored. Shigeru Ban’s approach to the facade design consisted of solid sustainable wood columns which was parametrically visualised.

After after having explore fully Shigeru Ban’s Nine Bridges Country club and how are the structural and tectonic design strategies worked harmoniously to create structure, we choose the Novartis building by Frank Gehry, to further expand on the tectonics of building technology. The challenge was to combine the timber structure of the steel and glass envelope where elements of the Novartis building for both facade and the roof of Nine Bridges.

The dynamic facade to our wooden columns where created a new tectonic element that would be sound both structurally and formally. The diagonal metallic mullions of the Novartis harmonise well with the hexagon and Timber grid of the club.