Precedent Study

4 Fiera

Elastic Gridshell Exploration

Part 1: Precedents

There are a number of takeaways from the precedent study conducted in order to understand how a successful eleastic gridshell can be successful. A key aspect is trhe bracing, with clear bracing always around the entrance. This allows for a clear entrance and minimising outward forces from the gridshell. Furthermore, the structure itself shall be braced at continuous centres through the form. There must also be points of anchorage on the ground, transferring the load and minimising outward forces. Many precedents use concrete anchor points where the form makes connection to the ground, withholding the elastic potential energy in the shell. The bracing itself is generally twice the with of the conventional gridshell spacing, through the centre of each diagrid panel.

The gridshell may include voids, however these must be braced similarly to any entrances on the form.

> Japan Pavillion by Shigeru Ban Architects

> > Further precedents outlined on page 5

Japan Pavillion, Shigeru Ban

The following precedents are examples of elastic gridshell architecture, being the Japan Pavillion by Shigeru Ban Architects, the Mannheim Multihalle by Frei Otto and Acts on Tracts by the Institute of Advanced Architecture in Catalonia, Spain. Acts on tracts is noted for its unique bracing system attached to anchor points, which will be benificial for the final design. Fiera 5