TENSILE STRUCTURE
PROGRAM
DESIGN:
Small-scale membrane cover or eye-catcher that consists in both a membrane and a supporting primary structure, which itself is made of struts and cables. The structure must be temporary structure, thus dismountable.
FUNCTION:
Freely chosen function.
LOCATION:
VUB/ULB Campus, Ixelles.
YEAR:
2015, BA3, 6 weeks.
PROMOTERS-JURY:
Marijke Mollaert, Silke Puystiens, Maarten Van Craenenbroeck.
PROJECT
The aim of this project was to create a temporary welcoming space at the entrance of ULB and VUB campuses for "Open Days", "Sciences Spring" and other events that could bring new people on the site. The structure could easily travel between the campuses because of its lightness, compactness (the longest column is only 5m length) and the fact that it is dismountable.
Well situated, the structure would be a great welcoming space. It also acts as an eye catcher that makes people curious and tries to make them come to see what is happening. Moreover, because of its particular aspect, it is easily recognisable and it can become a landmark and a meeting point during events.
About the structure itself, it is composed of five columns and ten cables all fixed on concrete blocks (for the dismountable aspect). Two membranes are then suspended at a maximum height of 5m and a minimum height of 1,5m and cover the system and a surface of about 41m². All structural elements were designed with EASY. The two fabrics are one above another for a given surface so some the columns take two high or low points of the membranes. There is also a symbolic approach. The two fabrics placed on top of each other symbolise two hands about to meet, thanks to the opposite curvature of the membranes.