Venezuelan Pavilion at Expo 2000
Multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy practice Buro Happold provided project management and structural design for the striking 'petal' shaped roofing structure of the Venezuelan Pavilion, part of the Expo 2000 exhibition in Hanover, Germany.
Architects SL Rasch, Germany appointed Buro Happold to work with the design team on the project management and structural engineering for the Pavilion. The Pavilion consists of a series of platforms at different levels, covered by a hemi-spherical moveable roof structure featuring 16, individually articulated 'wing' structures, which open and close similar to the petals of a flower.
The 'wings' are curved in an elegant convexed form from triangular truss elements and are clad with a doubly curved fabric membrane. They are integrated with a framed structure and mounted on top of a centrally located mast, which measures 18m from ground level to the top steelwork.
Articulation, provided by a hinge at the 'hub' connection, is controlled by a series of dual action hydraulic rams. The trusses are formed from circular hollow sections, and bracing rods that allow them to remain fully stable and torsionally stiff. The 'wings' measure approximately 18m in length and 6m in width (at the widest points) and are arranged in a radial pattern to form a complete circle measuring 32m in diameter.
Primary support for the roof is provided at one end by a cantilever connection to a central column structure, which incorporates the automatically controlled hydromechanical system. In the fully closed position, the 'wing' tips are also supported. This allows greater control over deflections when the 'wings' are in close proximity to each other and members of the public, also providing a greater degree of safety in the event of extreme weather conditions.
Jerry Young, Buro Happold partner who has overseen the project management of the roof construction for the Venezuelan Pavilion commented: “The construction of the roof presented a challenge for the team. There was a limited time period allocated for the erection of the roof and it had to be constructed in conjunction with the main pavilion works, which was being executed by others. It was agreed that the roof package would be split into three distinct packages – steelwork, membrane and mechanical controls. The roof was fabricated and erected over a three-month period and completed on time within our client's budget.”
Credits
Client Venezuelan Government
Architect SL Rasch GmbH
Architectural consultant Professor Frei Otto
Structural Engineering Buro Happold
Project Management Buro Happold
Project architect Arquitaecto Fruto Vivas
Contractor SL Rasch