Design Strategy

My main priority was maintaining the integrity of the architectural design’s openness and flow. Entering the structural design phase, I modified interior walls by aligning them along common axes that would then serve as future gridlines. There was not a one-size fits all, but I optimized for what I believed to be the best solution.

I selected steel to be able to span long beam lengths between columns. I’m using W14x82 steel columns and W14x30 steel beams. These elements are larger than standard to accommodate for the large beam spans and minimal load bearing walls in the design.

The below image depicts the system grid that spans all four levels of the building.

The biggest structural design challenge I faced was deciding how to best support the southern curtain wall and roof arc that define the lobby. Ultimately, it system became a beam arc and support braces.

Model Coordination