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KING ABDULAZIZ CENTER FOR WORLD CULTURE Erik Verboon Buro Happold Façade Engineering
Façade Design and Construction Team
Designer
Engineers
building services engineering structural engineering ground engineering facade engineering fire engineering infrastructure acoustics lighting computational simulation and analysis sustainability and alternative technologies
Façade Contractor image by snøhetta
COLLABORATION
METALS IN CONSTRUCTION FACADES CONFERENCE
image by google earth
Gift to the Saudi kingdom from the Saudi Aramco oil company to celebrate its 75th Anniversary.
Saudi Aramco, orginally Saudi Arabian Oil Company, is the state owned national oil company of Saudi Arabia
Started in 2007
Headquartered in Dahra
Created to inspire a passion for leaning, creativity, volunteerism, and cross -cultural engagement throughout the Arab community
Known to have the world's largest oil reservers
Center is a result of an initiative by Saudi Aramco to honor Arab tradition, connecting Saudis to their culture while also attracting other world cultures to the Kingdom through authentic, personal encounters with science, history and culture.
Worlds most valuable non-publically listed company. Project budget of $400 millon USD is 4.5 days revenue. Site chosen due to its proximity to Prosperity Well #7, the first location where oil was successfully sourced
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image by snøhetta
The origins of the building form originated around the concept of cultural interdependency in space, time and context, manifesting itself in the form of a series of pebble shapes that are discrete and individually recognizable, but that are organized in a way that every singular form is dependant on the next through the way they are supported.
image by snøhetta
Building elements elevated out of the desert landscape Surrounded by a rammed earth ring that defines the extent of the plaza.
image by snøhetta
Great Hall: large assembly area Library: Historical and contemporary texts Tower: office and flex space, and penthouse bar restaurant. Auditorium Keystone: conference, projection and performance space.
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free form
sand proof
try most materials
bird proof
reflectivity
self cleaning
vibrant light
durability
uniformity vs joints
cultural reference
openings and stripes
budget
uniqueness image by snøhetta
polished s/s
nat. aluminum
zinc
metal mesh
black titanium
carbon fiber
dull black rubber
tensile fabric
copper
shiny black rubber
polychromic car paint
glass
ceramic
stone
gfrc
uhpc
grp
concrete
acrylic
etfe
schedule
image by snøhetta
image by snøhetta
So began exploration of material types.
Counterpoint to desert landscape building was envisaged as a glossy, reflective skin.
Process of design: Multiple and often conflicting criteria. Architect: delivering vision and architectural statement Client: pragmatic criteria driven by experience.
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concept models
images by snøhetta
image by snøhetta
RON ARAD ”THUMBPRINT”, CHATSWORTH
Started with metal mesh, then moved to tube veil.
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Sun screen
View out
image by snøhetta
Models confirmation of design concept.
image by snøhetta
Inspired again by veins seen in pebbles.
Architect liked unique seams building forms were imprinted with stripes that defined windows.
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TUBE SECTION
TUBE SECTION
TRANSITION ZONE h = 12 mm d = 76.1 88% Closed
73mm Gaps 84% Open
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Together with Architects developed strategy for all facades from concept through construction docs. All but tower were a faceted , triangulated skin of metal decking spanning triangulated purlins with insulation and membrane. Tower utilized a faceted unitized system.
Meanwhile... Architects process time consuming and error prone. Building forms changing. Tried in CATIA, known to have offseting ability. Error prone due to input surface (irrational sub-division surface)
Tubes supported by a subframe that penetrated the inner skin and was structured to primary structure.
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King Abdulaziz Center for Knowledge & Culture
Tried to automate offsetting in Rhino but its tool was not successful in creating the seams.
Crated a custom tool in Rhino based on first principles
Developed process for automating the detection and fixing the cusps. This also yielded errors.
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Smart Peel
Automated the process of subframe generation. input: base building surface, base structural model, and subframe grid lines.
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Meanwhile, early prototyping began. Challenge was recognized early: HOW TO BEND THE TUBES?
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Initial mockup: Utilized facade concept developed by the team. Prefab panelized system Preferred initially by the team due to its assumed quick installation and high quality controlled within factory controlled fab.
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Snøhetta Buro Happold
Snøhetta Buro Happold
Came to conclusion that this type of system would prove difficult to hide the joints between panels or the panels and tubes would not align to desired tolerance. Additionally it proved difficult to address movements and tolerances at a larger scale.
Seele wins bid Chosen because of their idea to have independent tubes attached to a continuous standing seam alum primary skin. No penetrations to weather line.
Panels allowed more movement while tubes would only tolerate small movements.
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Inner facade is a doubly curved standing seam system. this is biggest departure from the tender design.. Duplex SS was chosen due to its env resistance. and need for minimal maintenance critical for hidden components such as anchors.
double curvature needed because the system required an inner skin to be a perfect offset from tubes.
Tubes 5m continuous lenths Pre-curved
Standing seam roofing installed on site for all conditions except tower
Laid so joints are staggered
Tower needed single story high panels to allow for differential movements at stack joint. Joints are sealed on site with insulation membrane and tapes. Panel frames comprised of heavy steal frames that are hung similar to a curtain wall.
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Each tube has three fixing points Thermal expansion and contraction happens in direction of tube. 2 of the fixing holes are slotted and 1 is fixed
Movement in the other direction, normal to facade is take through bracket stress.
Stresses, temps and limited access resulted in the use of titanium.
Male/Female movement joints provided with ring gasket to prevent water and air ingress. This also allows for ease of removal
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Thank You
http://www.doyleandassociates.com
COLLABORATION METALS IN CONSTRUCTION image by snøhetta
FACADES CONFERENCE
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