Thoughts_Ribs + Ribbons

after some initial pasta charetting (see nate's post), i have been investigating way to redefine the role that steel can act as structure or as skin, primarily in conjunction with nate and jill. the idea is to have it act as both in the form of ribbons that sweep across the building, sometimes acting as skin/wall, sometimes allowing for controlled penetration of light, sometimes acting as primary structure for curtain wall. at this point, we are primarily focusing on refining this system and finalizing a general form, always keeping program and siting in the back of our minds. we should quickly be able to refine program once this system has been further refined. below are some quick formz models based on earlier pasta models.

scheme 1

here is a quick study of the potential of swept ribs. the space between the ribs would allow for the penetration of light. this approach could be further refined to more carefully control the entry of light: in areas, the ribs could touch so that no light could penetrate (like in an auditorium).


img_1.0 - largely transparent


img_1.1 - largely opaque

scheme 2

here, the ribs twist to accomplish various functions. at their start (at the narrow end of the structure, they act as traditional lap siding. at the midpoint, they function as above to support clerestory windows. at their terminus, they are perpendicular to the space to act as the primary support in a curtain wall system. see jill's post for siting.


img_2.0 - plan


img_2.1 - front elevation


img_2.2 - perspective


img_2.3 - aerial perspective