Pneumatic Structures a Revival of Formal Experiments

Pneumatic Structures A revival of formal experiments

Niels Wouters / 0930132 Pneumatic Structures A revival of formal experiments

Niels Wouters / 0930132

Contents

Introduction ...... 3

General Principles...... 5

Technical Background...... 7 Form...... 7 Materials...... 8 Construction...... 8

Real-Life Examples ...... 9 Parasite - Michael Rakowitz (USA)...... 9 Yorkshire Pavilion - VA (Norway)...... 10 Spacebuster - Raumlabor (Germany)...... 14 Air Forest - Mass Studies (Japan)...... 16 Inflatable Teahouse - Kengo Kuma (Japan). . . .20

2 Introduction

Our society has drastically changed since the 1960’s . Not only did sociological concepts and issues in the field of politics and social life change drastically, also a handful of technical innovations have improved the overall quality of life .Televisions were introduced in our living rooms; communication via telephone was made available to anyone; and popular rock music got introduced to the masses .

In the field of architecture innovative materials and new knowledge allowed for more intensive formal and structural experimenting . Building upon the foundations from the 1950’s HAUS-RUCKER-CO - Oasis Nr ..7 (1972) towards formal experiments and freeform thinking that Richard budget restrictions and technical stood out in their urban contexts, Buckminster Fuller help lay, a obstacles, the whole subculture of such as alien crafts landed new generation of engineers pneumatic constructions silently amongst the stone, glass and and architects introduces the died out . grass . In Austria renowned artists population to an architecture for like Coop Himmelb(l)au and the new era .An overwhelming Of those exploring inflatable HAUS-RUCKER-CO explored embrace of bubbles in their architecture in the sixties the possibilities of pneumatic numerous connotations and seventies, Ant Farm was dwelling units .Yet without clients (lightness, transparency, the most prolific, gearing a or sites they failed to get beyond embrace, equality, difference) number of projects around air the prototype stage . Even critic characterizes this period of the and plastic, and even creating Reyner Banham got in on the 60’s .An environment in which an Inflatocookbook . Fellow act, combining the ideas of free thinking was allowed and Americans like Jersey Devil Buckminster Fuller and Marshall stimulated, resulted in the use also explored what they called McLuhan in a transparent igloo he of airy constructions for shaping Inflatables in the early seventies, designed with Francois Dallegret . enclosures . Nevertheless, due to created as “happenings” that

3 Ant Farm - Expositon of Inflatocoocbook at MUMOK, Vienna (2008)

Nevertheless, our present- and other improvements have background will be outlined . day architectural scene is contributed to the durability In this chapter the usefunless characterized by a certain and cost-effectiveness of these of techniques and materials renaissance of pneumatic constructions . in relation to membrane and constructions .Although mostly pneumatic constructions will encountered in temporary This research document will first be described . Finally the subject building projects, they also discuss the general principles of will be practically illustrated on take an important role in art pneumatic constructions, their the basis of a couple of real life installations and experimental advantages and the possible examples, both from the past and construction techniques .There disadvantages or caveats . present . is no doubt that technological Secondly the necessary technical

4 General Principles

Air-inflated and air-supported the type of weaving and so on . high air pressure is required structures represent a special The compressed air pretensions to keep the elements in shape . area of membrane construction . the membrane and forms the This leads to higher energy In pneumatic constructions, volume of the structure defined costs, a parameter which cannot pressure differences between by the membrane-cutting pattern . be relentlessly denied in a the enclosed space and the Such a pre-stressed membrane century of energy awareness . exterior are responsible for can support both tension and Innovations in this field have giving the building its shape and compression and thus can led to a new structural concept, also for stabilizing the hull . Fabric withstand bending moments . Tensairity® . It counters the major is pretensioned by an internal Obviously, the pre-stress in the energy-related disadvantage, by overpressure of the air .While membrane is a function of the air combining the classic pneumatic this might seem at first to be pressure . structure with an internal cable- uncomfortable to the occupants strut structure .The main function of the structure, the pressure The membrane’s minimal weight of the pneumatic structure is to differential is no greater than and small size when deflated stabilize the cable-strut structure . that of ordinary barometric allow for easy manipulation and Tensairity structures have a fluctuations . transport, hence offer a lot of multitude of very interesting perspectives towards repeated properties . Not only is the beam Pneumatic structures are a use at different locations . very light, but it can also keep its combination of two components However, proper attention shape under very low pressure . with very different properties: should be paid to deflating the Compact transport and compact an airtight membrane and construction . Depending on the storage is possible, as well as compressed air .Air is a gas, materials used for constructing fast and easy deployment on essentially composed of nitrogen, the skin, there is a danger that site . Furthermore, new lighting oxygen and carbon dioxide, folds damage the skin when possibilities and special forms can and its properties are merely improperly stowed . Should any be realized with Tensairity . One of defined by its composition, the cracks and leaks appear, a prompt the most outstanding properties temperature, the pressure and repair is necessary although a of Tensairity is that the structure the volume .The membrane is in a damaged inflated structure will is adaptable to changing load solid state and its properties are most likely maintain its form conditions . defined by the material properties because of the minimal difference and geometry of the constituents, between inner and outer air However, because of the specifics as well as by the way materials pressure . of Tensairity structures – an are used for its construction, such explanation of which would fall as the chemical composition and One of the main disadvantages beyond the scope of this research the elastic modulus of the yarn, of pure pneumatic constructions – it is likely that focus will remain the mass density of the coating, however is that a constant on classic pneumatic structures .

5 Typical pneumatic structure, deflated and inflated - Simulated via nParticle method in Maya

6 PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

Technical Background

Form internal structure coupling high lateral forces of the border in Pneumatic structures follow strict the cushion .Another option is physical rules, which influence to implement them as a cover

their form-finding and their design on a primary structure and PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT process .The form of a pneumatic allowing them to guide horizontal structure can always be derived forces into the main structure . from a specific formula: p = nk / rk Compression load is carried by an + ns / rs . increase in pressure on the other side of the cushion . In this formula, p is the internal pressure appearing on the inside Nevertheless, in modern of the construction . Both nk constructions, we tend to notice and ns define the membrane the use of air beams mostly .Air stress, whereas rk and rs define beams are cushions in the form the radius of the curves . Based of a tube or sphere .These can on the results of this formula, a be used for either compression

classification of three different struts or beams, as compression PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT types of constructions can be of bending leads to a reduction drafted . of the implemented volume . Therefore, inner pressure is A first group of constructions increased, as well as pressure and are the air-supported halls, which bending resistance .

are fixed circumferentially to PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT a foundation and have a great synclastic curvature .The external loads like forces of nature and Tension diagrams for air-supported halls, air weight of the skin itself, are cushions and air beams . supported by thePRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT air residing inside the hall . Internal loads pointing outwards are carried by the membrane and have a tension-increasing effect .

Secondly, cushionPRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT structures are

pneumatic structures in two PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT layers .They are attached to an

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT EDUCATIONAL AUTODESK AN BY PRODUCED

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT EDUCATIONAL AUTODESK AN BY PRODUCED PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT EDUCATIONAL AUTODESK AN BY PRODUCED Graphical representation of air-supported hall and hall constructed with airbeams

Materials in sheets, usually about 3,6m issues when exposed to wide and with varying length . ultraviolet light . Made from laminated membranes The easiest and most common such as fiberglass, nylon, or method of joining the fabric Construction polyester, coated with polyvinyl together is the standard lap joint . chloride (PVC), silicon rubber or The two pieces of fabric are With the present-day digital Teflon for weather protection, the overlapped by approximately 8 possibilities in mind, the design electronically welded components cm and Teflon FEP (fluorinated and construction of membrane are tailored to define the building ethylene-propylene) film is structures has become more shape .The durability and heat- inserted between them .The joint straightforward .Through digital and light-filtering properties of is then heat welded together . design software, a project can the membrane are determined When completed, the joint is be drawn in 3D, then this three- by the careful choice of surface stronger than the fabric, and dimensional model can be finishes and inner lining . Because completely water- and airtight . translated – through scripting – to of its lightness, the air-supported a two-dimensional comparative . structure is among the most In structures where cables are The final step before receiving a efficient structural forms, necessary to maintain the form, final result, is to transfer these combining high-tensile strength mostly steel cabling is used . images to professional printing materials with the shell form . Although Kevlar and glass fiber and/or cutting machines . cables are stiffer and stronger, The fabric is not made and they are not widely used because shipped in one piece . It is made of a high cost and degradation

8 Real-Life Examples

Parasite - Michael Rakowitz (USA)

A sustainable design philosophy should definitely The plastic structures are easily transportable when be combined with an aesthetic sensibility and a deflated .When hooked to a building exhaust vent, constructively critical approach to the production of the air inflates the double-membrane structure into art . Rakowitz succeeds very well in combining these its habitable shape, while also heating the inside . different aspects . Parasite is his interpretation of how to use citywide ventilation outlets to provide comfortable housing for the homeless people .While clearly not trying to be aesthetically pleasing it surely gives the spectator something to think about beyond mere beauty .

Parasite - Michael Rakowitz (exposition at MoMA)

9 Yorkshire Pavilion - VA (Norway)

The project is an attraction in itself with a striking A focus on flexibility gives the pavilion multiple exterior in the form of inflatable tubes arranged configurations that allow it to be used for everything in the atomic structure of diamonds .The 20 x 26 from small gatherings to large conferences or x 10 meter diamond grid volume is mined out to public presentations .The voluminous internal space form a cavernous interior space reminiscent of the will surprise and delight when installed in close coalmines of Yorkshire . Light and airshafts pierce the quartered public squares .The pavilion can also be structure providing natural light and ventilation .At turned ‘inside out’ to open up a large covered area night the translucent shafts and outer skin radiate to open outdoor spaces to create the ultimate light in all colors and directions like a diamond mobile venue for concerts or big-screen events . twinkling in the sunlight .

Yorkshire Pavilion - Various Architects (model view)

10 Section over the Pavilion’s interior space

Scheme of possible interior organisation

Spacebuster - Raumlabor (Germany)

Spacebuster is a mobile inflatable structure - a The pavilion is comprised of an inflatable bubble- portable, expandable pavilion - that is designed like dome that emerges from a step van that also to transform public spaces of all kinds into points houses the compressor that keeps the Spacebuster for community gathering .A new iteration of a inflated .The dome expands and organically adjusts past Raumlabor project, the Küchenmonument to its surroundings, be it in a field, a wooded park, (presented in Europe in 2006-8), the Spacebuster or below a highway overpass .The material is a will travel throughout the United States, starting translucent plastic that allows the events taking in Manhattan and Brooklyn .The main goal of the place inside of the shelter to be entirely visible from Spacebuster was to offer a venue for community the outside . events .

Spacebuster - Raumlabor (interior view)

Air Forest - Mass Studies (Japan)

Air Forest is a 56 .3 by 25 meter pneumatic structure, composed of 9 hexagonal canopy units, at 4 meter height .These units are interconnected as one large piece of fabric, which are then inflated from the 14 blowers that are located at the base inside its 35 columns .These columns are 5m apart, and are weighed down by dirt and lighting elements, which are also inside the columns, which light up at night and provide a public space after dark as well .

Each 6 of these pneumatic columns form a unit as they are connected in a hexagonal manner creating a circular opening from their inside perimeter . Out of the 9 total hexagonal units formed, 3 of them are left open-air while the remaining 6 have vortex- shaped meshes that hang from them, providing shades for the public from any harsh sunlight .The nylon fabric is coated with a gradient of silver dots, whose reflective surface mimics the colors of its surrounding environment, as well as providing a playful dotted shadow on the people under the structure .

The structure also acts as a giant device to measure the site’s conditions . Not only does it sway gently with the wind, it also acts as a barometer, since the installation becomes structurally weaker (and thus affected by the wind more) as the air pressure drops due to cooler weather or even after sunset .

Air Forest - Mass Studies (Denver)

16 Air Forest - Mass Studies (Denver)

17 Structural principles of the installation

18 19 Inflatable Teahouse - Kengo Kuma (Japan)

Last summer Japanese architect Kengo Kuma The teahouse does not rise up from the ground presented anv inflatable tea house at the Museum as a fixed wooden construction, but unfolds as für Angewandte Kunst in Frankfurt .The temporary an airborne form .When a ventilation system is space was set up in the museum’s garden and once activated, the teahouse swells into shape like a white fully inflated, covered approximately twenty square high-tech textile blossom . meters .The structure’s interior is illuminated using integrated LED technology and fits nine tatami mats, a stove for the water kettle, as well as a preparation room . Moreover, the interior can be heated by way of the membrane .

Inflatable Teahouse - Kengo Kuma (displayed at Museum Für Angewandte Kunst, Frankfurt)

20 Structural system

Interior view

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