Shell Prototype obtains Planning Approval
Park Grounds, Royal Wootton Bassett
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Designscape architects, along with Format Engineers, have been commissioned by
Crapper and Sons to develop a prototype building structure that could be developed
for use as commercial space for various purposes, while allowing the roof to be used
as pastureland.
This building type forms part of a masterplan for a sustainable, self-sufficient town, and utilises the power generated by the energy recovery plant already planned for the site. The prototype structure uses the slope of the land to provide roof access from the upper slope, and building access from below.
Key to the proposals is the ambition to build large spaces with a load bearing roof structure, at relatively low cost. Designscape worked with Format Engineers to develop the concept of a thin concrete shell structure that could span a 20m x 20m grid with clear internal headroom up to 6m high. These shell structures had been used widely in the 1950s and 60’s, however have largely disappeared from use due to the high cost of shuttering formwork. The ambition of this project was to test a method of construction that could be repeated in an infinite number of different plan variations, avoiding this high formwork cost. After considering alternative forms of shuttering, including pneumatic balloons and methods to avoid it altogether, Designscape proposed that the shells be cast on earth formed to shape on site and then excavated beneath after curing.
Crapper and Sons are experts in earthmoving and established that that they could utilise GPS controlled equipment to sculpt the specific forms of the proposed shells. Using parametric modelling, Format Engineers designed the minimum of reinforcement necessary for the shells and conceived a unique method for placing it on the earth forms using Augmented Reality headsets. The concrete is applied by spray and then trowelled to the specified thickness. The first prototype has now obtained planning approval and Crapper and Sons intend to test the design and construction methodology early next year.
Full page here
Collaborators: Format Engineers
This building type forms part of a masterplan for a sustainable, self-sufficient town, and utilises the power generated by the energy recovery plant already planned for the site. The prototype structure uses the slope of the land to provide roof access from the upper slope, and building access from below.
Key to the proposals is the ambition to build large spaces with a load bearing roof structure, at relatively low cost. Designscape worked with Format Engineers to develop the concept of a thin concrete shell structure that could span a 20m x 20m grid with clear internal headroom up to 6m high. These shell structures had been used widely in the 1950s and 60’s, however have largely disappeared from use due to the high cost of shuttering formwork. The ambition of this project was to test a method of construction that could be repeated in an infinite number of different plan variations, avoiding this high formwork cost. After considering alternative forms of shuttering, including pneumatic balloons and methods to avoid it altogether, Designscape proposed that the shells be cast on earth formed to shape on site and then excavated beneath after curing.
Crapper and Sons are experts in earthmoving and established that that they could utilise GPS controlled equipment to sculpt the specific forms of the proposed shells. Using parametric modelling, Format Engineers designed the minimum of reinforcement necessary for the shells and conceived a unique method for placing it on the earth forms using Augmented Reality headsets. The concrete is applied by spray and then trowelled to the specified thickness. The first prototype has now obtained planning approval and Crapper and Sons intend to test the design and construction methodology early next year.
Full page here
Collaborators: Format Engineers
