Weekly Response 5 - Structure

Group 1
Dome: Odate Jukai Dome

From the first group, I have picked the Odate Jukai Dome to look at. The dome was designed by Toyo Ito, who completed the project in 1997. It is located in the Akita Prefecture of Japan, which is on the north side of the main island. This dome is particularly interesting because it is the one of the world's largest wooden domes, which is constructed with cypress wood and steel. It is used as a multipurpose sports facility, and was built to appear to be floating a few meters high in order to allow traffic to flow in and out easily. There is a glass facade around the building which is pushed in a few meters to further create the sense of the dome floating above ground. This floating appearance is possible due to steel columns that hold the dome up. The use of cypress wood connects the architecture to nature, while still showcasing the impressive technological aspect of the dome. Raising the dome, and using natural cypress wood with the clear glass help to create a transparency between nature and the structure. Another interesting aspect to look at is the outside of the dome. Its design was greatly inspired by wind, since the northern part of Japan has a fairly harsh climate. The grooves in the roof help to minimize the impact of winter monsoons, while also enhancing ventilation significantly during the summer months. This helps the dome to also be energy efficient. This structure is designed to be warm and welcoming to large gatherings of people with the use of wood and the natural lighting coming through the dome. Not only does it hold sporting events, but it holds performance shows and other large events as well. It is built to act as a shelter for the people of Akita, and to help connect the community as a whole.

Group 2

Truss: Northwest Corner Building

From the second group, I have chosen to look at the Northwest Corner Building, which is located in New York City, New York. The lead architect was José Raphael Moneo, who finished the project in 2010. It was was built to accommodate the need for a new science building for Columbia University. It holds courses such as biology, chemistry, engineering, and physics. The design of this building helps enhance the intellectual feel of the building. The steel structure provides an extremely firm sense, and it appears to be built to last. This building is interesting because the truss structure is built throughout the entire building. The beams are extremely large and go at 45 degree angles, which make it look very geometrical. Moneo had to design the building within a 65-foot square area at the corner of 120th and Broadway, and had to have a very complex structure in order to hold the building up since it was built over a gymnasium. The inside of the building is designed to create lot of open spaces and present a welcoming environment to draw students into the university. It is meant to be a space where ideas can be generated and shared easily. Above the gymnasium was seven double-height floors of open laboratory area, which were forty-foot concrete slabs, so this required a very intricate structural design in order to prevent collapse. The diagonal irregularities found on the exterior were specifically designed to contrast the forms of regular, basic structures. The exterior is covered in patterned aluminum fins, which cause light to glisten as one views the building. This sparkling effect makes the building stand out to the public, and helps make it look new and clean. The use of glass for a majority of the outside walls also repeats the theme of wanting to create an open sense in the university. I believe that the entire truss design is extremely interesting, effective, and also visually appealing to the building as a whole.