Weekly Response 5: Structure

Group 1: Dome Structure

The Eden Project, designed by Nicholas Grimshaw
Location: St Blazey, Cornwall UK
Structural Engineer: Anthony Hunt and Associates

<--Inside the tropical Biome













From the readings, Simon Unwin states that, “The relationship between space and structure is not always simple and straightforward; it is open to different approaches.” The Eden Project is a futuristic modern example of the dome structure, with the relationship between the space and structure being more complex than other buildings I’ve seen. Opening in 2001, the Eden Project amazed me when I first looked at it. The plastic exterior with the steel hexagonal frame makes it look as if it is from a different planet. A dome structure can be thought of as an arch that has been rotated around its central vertical axis.

The reason I chose this building was because of its extraordinary look. The plastic exterior gives it an otherworldly appearance, it looks like some sort of Mars dwelling. Not only does it look exceptional, but it also has a very unique function. Each dome structure is a biosphere, encasing a different environment in each. I also chose this building because of its juxtaposition on the land it’s built on. It is secluded, on a land that seems barren, yet it houses a multitude of different environments inside of it. It also is one of the most futuristic dome structures I have seen, which even more adds to the juxtaposition against the land. The fact that this extremely modern dome structure is located in a remote place adds to the experience of the building itself. The building almost seems out of place, with a mountainous environment on which it’s laid. This adds to the experience, evoking a sense that the building may be “out of place”, which makes it seem very otherworldly. Another element of the building that adds to the otherworldly feeling is the fact that there are two sections, separated by a connecting non-dome building. This allows the different biomes to be connected. When walking through it with Google street view, you really get a feel for the experience of the building. The difference in size of dome structures gives a very versatile feeling, along with the versatility in the inner biomes of each dome. Along with the versatility of each dome, the size of each adds to the otherworldly feeling, with each dome over 100 feet high and covering more than 1.5 acres. The enormous size of each dome makes the experience almost one of entering a unique planet environment. The fact that it is a dome structure alludes to the fact that each biome is almost like a planet, with its own environment, in a spherical shape. The overall experience of this building is otherworldly, which makes it one of the most outstanding dome structured buildings I have ever seen.

Group 2: Thin Shell Structure

Teshima Art Museum, designed by Ryue Nishizawa
Location: Teshima, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan

<----This shows how thin the entire building is, being a thin shell structure

<---One of the elliptical skylights

The Teshima Art Museum is located on the island of Teshima, part of Japan. Ryue Nishizawa designed the museum, along with artist Rei Naito. The primary structure of the building is a thin shell concrete structure. It is entirely made up of a 25 cm concrete shell, with two openings in elliptical shapes. Most buildings use thin shell structure as an element of the building, but in this case the entire building is a thin shell structure. In the book Analysing Architecture by Simon Uwin, he mentions, “Space itself can be thought of as material to be excavated.” The Teshima Art Museum puts this quote into reality, by using the thin shell concrete structure to form the space, rather than using the space to form the building.

What makes this building so outstanding is the fact that the space inside the building is so open, almost as if the space shaped the building. The remote location of the museum also is extraordinary, because the structure almost wraps around a space above the remote area. Its simple design, being white and being one connected structure makes it fit into the remote area, without being too bombastic. Also, the museum fits into the natural environment of the area because of the open skylights that allow the elements to enter the building. The entire building is a 25 cm concrete shell, and the shape the shell is in is very smooth and soft. This is one great feature of this building, because it gives the building a feeling of smooth flow and transition. The fact that there are no tough edges, and that there are multiple open ellipses evokes the feelings of openness and allows the building to flow.  When Rasmussen speaks about daylight in architecture, he mentions, “Light is of decisive importance in experience architecture.” This is relevant when experiencing the Teshima Art Museum. The museum uses exclusively natural light, let in by the openings of the entrances and the skylights. This plays into the entire experience of the museum. The experience of the museum is one of tranquility and a feeling of being at one with nature, which is created by the use of the thin shell structure and by the openings at the entrances and skylights. The entire museum is a thin concrete shell, which makes the feeling inside of it simply being under a thin barrier. Being surrounded by nature, with a thin white barrier separating you from the nature makes the experience very at one with nature. The fact that there are many openings and skylights that allow rain and light to flow through make the experience very natural and raw. There is no sign of man-made influence when in the building, other than the thin shell above you. The Teshima Art Museum is the closest you can get to nature, while still being in a building. Not many buildings are so simple, yet so provocative. Its simplicity allows for greater appreciation of nature. The experience of simply being under an open shell protecting you from nature, while still allowing you to come in contact and embrace the environment surrounding you.