Yorkshire pavilion case study for architectural building construction

1. VEDANT MAHAJAN
PNEUMATIC STRUCTURES: YORKSHIRE PAVILION, UNITED KINGDOM
ARCHITECTURAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
VIVA SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE

2. • A pneumatic structure is a system of components that is supported by air in the same manner that a
balloon is supported by air.
• The components of a pneumatic structure consist of a membrane, supporting cables, and anchorage
system and an HVAC system.
• High Profile pneumatic structures are often used as temporary structures and are usually freestanding and
have little or no foundation.
• Such type of pneumatic structures are “Less common today because the cost of comparable tension fabric
structures has been reduced”.
• Low Profile pneumatic structures are mostly used to span great distances such as sports arenas and tend to
be placed on top of a building as a roof instead of on the ground as an individual structure.
• Form active structural systems are those structural systems in which the loads are taken by the ‘form’
or ‘shape’ of the structure.
PNEUMATIC STRUCTURES:
FORM ACTIVE SYSTEM
CABLE TENT PNEUMATIC ARCH
FORM ACTIVE STRUCTURAL SYSTEM:

3. EXAMPLES OF PNEUMATIC STRUCTURES:

4. CASE STUDY: THE YORKSHIRE PAVILION, UK
• Light and air shafts pierce the structure providing natural light and ventilation.
• At night, the translucent shafts and outer skin radiate light in all colors and directions which appears like a
diamond.
• The Yorkshire Pavilion also known as “The Yorkshire Diamond“, is a very particular structure with
inflatable tubes forming a diamond-lattice structure, forming a box with an excavated interior, which
allows for different configurations.
• The project is an attraction in itself with a striking exterior in the form of inflatable tubes arranged in the
atomic structure of diamonds.
• The 20 x 26 x 10 meter diamond grid volume is mined out to form a cavernous interior space reminiscent
of the coal mines of Yorkshire.
INTRODUCTION:

5. PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT:
• Creative new uses of existing proven technologies make this pavilion design possible to produce and
operate for a reasonable price.
• A focus on flexibility gives the pavilion multiple configurations which allow it to be used for everything
from small gatherings to large conferences or public presentations.
• The voluminous internal space will surprise and delight when installed in close quartered public squares.
• The pavilion can also be turned ‘inside out’ to open up a large covered area to open outdoor spaces to
create the ultimate mobile venue for concerts or big-screen events.
• Innovative sustainable features that can generate energy during transport, along with lightweight
recyclable materials with respect to the environment, wherever the pavilion is situated.

6. SITE SECTIONS OF THE PROJECT:
• Section A and section B shows how natural ventilation is precisely carried out along with natural lighting
using double layer skin.
• Section C and section D shows how natural ventilation is precisely carried out with the blackout skin
being the entrance to the pavilion.
• The entire structure can be inflated in 1 hour. Once inflated, the air tight tubes require only an occasional
corrective inflation which uses little electricity and emits little sound.
• The final product has a solid look and feel.

7. CONFERENCE &
LOUNGE
SECTIONAL VIEWS OF MULTIPLE ALTERNATIVES:
OPEN LOUNGE EXHIBITION &
WORSHOP
CONCERT &
BACKSTAGE AREA

8. STRUCTURAL GRID:
• With its inflatable structural skin, the Yorkshire Diamond is as lightweight as possible to reduce travel
weight and packing volume, which in turn reduces the carbon footprint for transport of the pavilion.
• The project also features innovative uses of natural light, natural ventilation, and recyclable materials.
• The diamond-lattice structure creates a stable 3D superstructure enclosing the project. This adds stability
to a series of domed shapes which are a triangulated network of tubes with dual-layer inflated cushions on
each side to provide in-plane stiffness.
• The outer cushion of the volume is translucent, giving the volume visual depth, the inner layer is a white
blackout fabric which allows the inner space to be darkened during the day.
• A 2m x 2m structural flooring grid with adjustable legs provides a stable base for the project.
• The 20 x 26 x 10 meter diamond grid volume is mined out to form a cavernous interior space reminiscent
of the coal mines of Yorkshire.

9. STRUCTURAL GRID:
• This is weighted down with the two shipping containers the project is transported in, and additional water
filled weights to limit the need to transport heavy ballast or foundations.
• The tubes are precision cut by a computer controlled CNC machine to give wrinkle free forms when
inflated, even on the complicated geometry shown here.
• A pressurization system of controlled fans placed in sound dampened compartment of one of the shipping
containers provides stable air pressure to the structure.
DESIGN OF YORKSHIRE PAVILION

10. MATERIALS:
• The structural inflatable skin is specified as a fire retardant, PVC coated, UV stabilized, high tenacity,
woven polyester base cloth.
• The inflatable skin is 100% recyclable using the texyloop process.
• Due to the constant monitoring of pressure by the fans, the structure will remain standing even if
punctured or vandalized.
• Minor repairs to the skin can be made on-site, and larger segments can be repaired or replaced seamlessly
in the factory.
• Secondary materials for use in the floor system, furnishings, and exhibition panels are chosen from the
Green Guide for material specification to assess the environmental impact of the material. Where possible
only materials with an ‘A’ rating are chosen.
INFLATED STRUCTURE

11. PORTABLE POWER GENERATION:
• The energy goal for the project is to generate enough power locally to be able to inflate the structure upon
arrival to a new site, maintain air pressure, and power the general working lighting and outside effect
lighting at night.
• This would also make it possible to install and use the basic structure on sites off the grid.
• Solar panels would be mounted to the top of the two modified 20’ shipping containers used to transport
the structure.
• A rack of batteries mounted in the containers stores the energy generated for use. This allows the project
to charge during transit between installations such that it will be ready for deployment.
• A small wind turbine is to be mounted to one of the containers after the structure is fully inflated. This
will add additional energy to the batteries and can provide energy throughout the night or on cloudy days.
3D VIEW AD SIDE ELEVATION OF THE STRUCTURE