DSGN119 - Design as a Generic Tool
Professor M Neil James - Web page http://www.plym.tech.ac.uk/si
Case Studies of Structural Design
Lyon Airport TGV Station
This is a good demonstration of the Gallic characteristic of building for posterity, as the station currently has little passenger traffic, but in 50 years time the station may still be impressive. Parts of the structure are built to resemble a TGV, one of the triumphs of French rail engineering. It was designed by Santiago Calatrava and built between 1989-1994.
Some details:
http://www.galinsky.com/buildings/lyonairport/
Eden Project, Cornwall
The Eden Project combines innovative ideas with interesting structural engineering and high artistic value and, of course, a sound grounding in sustainability - the project is built in Bodelva China Clay Pit (three miles east of St Austell) which was a 14-hectare bowl, 60m deep with steep facing walls that catch the sun, even in the depths of winter. Thus a disused quarry has been 'recycled' from an eyesore into something much more appealing. Home page is:
The biome fabric is made from a triple layer of Ethylene Tetra Fluoro Ethylene (ETFE) co-polymer - interesting, viewing this material through polarised glasses reveals a multi-coloured rainbow dome in sunlight. The framework is galvanised steel.
Outside view of biomes
Internal structure
Art and engineering - Dionysius amongst the vines
