This seminar was divided into two parts, proposing a new pavilion for IAAC’s rooftop and with the aim of being manufactured, developed the connections required to set up the structure. The focus of our group was to design connection proposals between the proposed structure and the existing roof. After a productive three-day workshop, connection proposals were developed for the various connections to the roof, i.e, cables, free-standing columns, and the columns against the parapet. The project looks into the overall principles of these structures through the use of scale models and Karamba analysis.

Location: IAAC Rooftop, Carrer de Pujades, 102, 08005 Barcelona

Our objective from this workshop is to test the elements that are in direct contact with the existing structure and design the best strategies for these conditions 

Connection Proposals

With the use of Karamba, we performed a series of structural analyses on our proposed connections, and based on these results, we physically developed 1:5 prototype connections in order to test their strengths and visualize the deformations while comparing them to the karamba analysis.

Our first step was to build a 1:5 cross-section model of the roof in order to test the proposed connections. From our observations, expanding the surface area of the direct connection between the column and the roof helped to spread the load more evenly across the ground surface.

Connection 1 // Free  Standing Column

Physical Prototype 1

Physical Prototype 2

Karamba Analysis // Free Standing Column

Connection 2 // Parapet & Cable Connections

Bracing

While this proposal was considered the strongest, we felt it went against our brief as the use of the material was relatively much hence our next proposal which was supported by the brick offset on the exterior facade of the roof.

Uniform Hook

By attaching a horizontal beam to the brick offset, the cable forces are spread across three connections hence reducing the load on the column. However, due to the strength of this exterior connection, the column was then pulled back. Our solution was to add a brace on the column against the parapet.

Karamba Analysis // Parapet + Column + Cable Connections

Tension/Compression/Load Case 1

Bending/Load Case 1

Tension/Compression/Load Case 2

Bending/Load Case 2

Data-Informed Structures // Interaction with Existing is a project of IAAC, Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia developed in the Masters of Advanced Architecture 2020/2021 by Students: Pamela Inegbedion, Jihad Ojaili, Elizaveta Veretilnaya, Matvei Genne. Faculty: Manja van de Worp, Raimund Krenmueller