Strategy & Features
I started mapping my structural elements with a 25’x25’ grid system including some exceptions. Then, I drew diagonal lines to match some of the diagonal walls within the building to build upon. My building was only 2 stories tall but the curve shaped of the walls and open floor concept inspired me to come up with creative solutions. My construction method was establishing the columns first and then putting in the column footings. After the foundation and beam was added, the beam system went in last.
Framing System
Material
Element | Material | Dimension |
Column (1st & 2nd Floor) | Steel | W10x33 |
Column (Roof) | Timber | 12x14 |
Beam (1st Floor & 2nd Floor) | Steel | W12x26 |
Beam (2nd Floor) | Timber | 12x12 |
Beam System (1st & 2nd Floor) | Steel | W 8x10 |
Beam System (2nd Floor) | Timer | 8x8 |
Foundation | Concrete & Steel | 3” LW Concrete on 2” Metal Deck |
Column Footing | Concrete | 72x48x48 |
Columns
1st & 2nd Floor:
The columns for the 1st and 2nd floor were generic W10x33 Steel with a 3’ gap below the foundation for the footing. Selecting where the columns would go in an open spaces was difficult because I had to meet certain material requirements. The beam system did not allow for more than 50’ so I had to break up the main atrium/hall by placing columns in a circular pattern. The rest of the columns were placed on wall corners and building outline.
Roof:
The roof is cone shape so it required slanted columns to match the angled sides. The roof is circle with 20 sides and I had condensed it down to 10 sides. There are 10 wooden columns coming from the center to the edge of the circular office space. Wood was chosen as a material because for the roof construction, it did not need to be as strong as the 1st and 2nd floor column. There is rarely any snow in Jasper Ridge and no live load to account for.
Beam
The beams for the first and second floor are W12x26 Steel. The beams were used to create pockets for the beam system to be applied and stay under the 50’ maximum. There are curved beams on the outside to match the curved façade of the building while the inside only has straight beams. Also, the beams were used to outline openings in the building like the elevator shaft, stair case, and mini courtyard.
The roof has a 10 sided beam circular configuration to give support to the slanted columns. This was constructed out of 12x12 timber.
Beam System
The beam system for the 1st and 2nd floor are made out of W8x10 Steel. The system is eclectic and oddly shaped because of the column placement. Trying to minimize the distance of the beam system, some of the pockets are polygon shape.
The beam system for the roof is made out of 8x8 timber. There is only one beam system and it is in circular shape because of the cone roof. The system is 7’ from the tip of the roof to provide support for the beams midway from the bottom to the tip.
Foundation
The foundation of the building is 3” LW Concrete on 2” Metal Deck on the bottom of the first floor. I decided to forgo a foundation slab on the 2nd floor because it already has the support of the beam system and columns. The building is designed for a small number of occupancy on the 2nd floor, so a foundation slab there didn’t feel need.
Challenges
Some challenges of this constructing the structural frame would be the windows and curtain walls. Trying to avoid putting a column in the middle of these elements while also insuring the beam is not reaching the maximum length. Some compromise had to made such as including a column in the middle the curtain wall on the North side because the beam was getting too long.
Also, the curved shape of the building was challenging to design around because the grid system could not be adapted to this model. Usually, in a rectangular building, it was would be easy to decide were the grid lines but in my case I had 3 types of lines (horizontal, vertical, and diagonal). The curved shape also meant I had to pay attention to the rotation of the column to insure the beams would be able to connect.
Lastly, the cone roof was difficult to design for because I am so use to flat roof. I had to research on how circular roof were structural supported and then go figure out how to do that on Revit. Also, I thought I would have to compromise the height of the roof to guarantee enough structural stability. I believe the design I implemented was a good compromise between the aesthetic and strength of the roof.
