Buro Happold

“Design and Construction of the Downland Gridshell,” R. Harris et. al., Building Research & Information (2003) 31(6).

After reading this article, I have a lot of respect for the level of dedication, patience, knowledge, and planning that went into the Downland Gridshell. In spite of this, I think it looks like a worm wearing armor.

I think it’s possible to appreciate the details, innovation, and elegance of a building without finding its overall aesthetic to be incredibly pleasing. Admittedly, the interior is more inspiring (if not altogether evocative). The true value of the Downland Gridshell as a structure, however, lies not (imho) in its overall form, but rather in those aspects also highlighted by the authors: structural, material, & economic efficiency; structural modeling; collaboration; structural details; and innovative construction processes (though certain aspects—e.g. the enlarged center dome and gable end resolution—are thoughtful). As a prototype and reference for future gridshell design and construction, it is invaluable.

I particularly appreciated the discussion about funicular form (as was used in Frei Otto’s gridshell building in Mannheim) versus Downland’s form. “A funicular shape would be more of a ‘barrel vault’, which would have less lateral strength and stability than the form chosen.” (p. 434) Why? I wonder how the designers came to this specific form—was it simply the most efficient arc?

The decreased lath spacing in weaker regions was also a clever move. Here again, I wonder why they chose those timber sections (50mm x 30/35mm). Why would it help if the laths were wider than they are tall? Why not 30 x 30mm? Wouldn’t a 50 x 30mm lath have the same bending strength as one of 30 x 30? If they only modeled the building structurally once they decided on a section (50 x 30 originally), then how did they come to that dimension?

Amusing to me was that, of the joints that failed, most were made with the "latest jointing technology" (finger joints), and not the centuries-old hand-crafted scarf joints. This makes me even more afraid of "mechanically separated chicken."

Frankly (and despite its innovations), the Downland Gridshell is close enough in form to Ban’s Japan Pavilion that I find it difficult to herald it as the best thing since sliced bread. In fact, Ban’s gridshell seems far more innovative—using paper (both recyclable and potentially recycled) for both structure and enclosure (developed by Ban to be water-resistant and light-emitting), and boxes with sand as the foundation. The Japan Pavilion took three weeks to erect—admittedly, it was a temporary structure, but it demonstrates what is possible.

The gridshell can be a beautiful form in itself—why, then, did Downland need a set of armor?