Theoretical Basis of a Structural Strategy for an Art Gallery

In the design of an art gallery situated in a dense urban district within a hot, humid, equatorial climate, the structural strategy plays a vital role not only in spatial organization but also in environmental responsiveness and long-term adaptability. The structure is conceived as both a spatial and expressive framework, integrating architectural, climatic, and curatorial considerations into a unified tectonic system.

Folded Plate Roof as Structural and Climatic Element

The roof structure is a critical feature, designed as a folded steel plate system punctuated with strategically located rooflights. Folded plate structures are ideal in this context due to their inherent stiffness, load-bearing efficiency, and capacity to span large distances without the need for deep beams or intermediate supports (Engel, 2007). The angled surfaces of the folded roof also offer opportunities for passive ventilation, reduction of solar gain, and control of daylight, essential for a gallery in a hot-humid zone (Olgyay, 2015). The roof is supported by a grid of reinforced concrete columns spaced at 6.0 meters, which are structurally independent of the roof geometry. This decoupling of vertical support from roof form facilitates flexibility in spatial planning and enables large, uninterrupted exhibition volumes, suitable for displaying large-format artworks. It also reflects a modernist structural ethos, where clarity of load path and legibility of components contribute to both functional and aesthetic coherence (Frampton, 1995).

Uniform Load Distribution and Core Integration

The structural system adopts a strategy of uniform load distribution across all members, minimizing variation in structural depth and avoiding bulky trusses or deep transfer beams. This results in a slim floor profile, which is particularly valuable in a humid climate, as it limits internal layering and potential for condensation or trapped heat between floor and ceiling assemblies (Givoni, 1994). Instead of large-scale reinforced concrete cores, the design incorporates frequent, smaller steel columns integrated within the depth of core walls. This approach allows these columns to serve dual roles: supporting floor and roof loads and forming the structural backbone of internal partitions. Such an arrangement not only maximizes internal flexibility but also reduces material redundancy, aligning with tectonic efficiency principles (Allen and Iano, 2017).

Interation of Structure, Envelope, and Environmental Control

The facade and structural system are designed as a unified assembly, using a consistent palette of materials—principally steel and concrete. Steel columns on the perimeter serve both structural and environmental roles, providing support for glazed facade systems while also enabling cross-ventilation and solar screening when integrated with external shading devices. This system avoids reliance on air-conditioning alone, promoting a passive environmental strategy that is especially suited to equatorial climates (Yeang, 1999). This integration is further emphasized in the central spine core, which consists of a steel-framed volume 6.0 meters wide, flanked by 3.0-meter-wide zones on either side that contain stairs, lifts, and service shafts. These areas are structurally braced to avoid reinforced concrete shear walls, enhancing material continuity and enabling dry construction techniques, which are preferable in humid environments due to faster build time and reduced moisture retention (Hyett and Woudhuysen, 2003).

Exposed Structure and Long-Term Flexibility

All structural components are left exposed where feasible, eliminating the need for suspended ceilings or applied finishes. This not only supports a stripped-back aesthetic that contrasts with the richness of the art but also allows the building to be easily modified or adapted over time. The exposed steel and concrete elements are fire-protected by intumescent coatings, ensuring code compliance while preserving material honesty. The strategy follows a "loose fit" philosophy of building design, in which the structure is robust enough to accommodate unknown future uses (Brand, 1994).

Comparative Analysis: Three Structural Options

Option 1 employs a regular grid of circular reinforced concrete columns and flat slabs, with an independent glazed facade. While structurally rational, this option lacks integration between the structure and the envelope, reducing opportunities for environmental and spatial synergy. Option 2 advances this concept by introducing a perimeter steel structural frame, enabling structural support for both the slabs and the facade. This offers increased opportunities for modular facade integration, critical in climates where double-skin or ventilated facades can significantly reduce solar heat gain (Mehta, Scarborough and Armpriest, 2018). Option 3, the preferred scheme, fully integrates all structural components—including floors, roof, facade supports, and cores—within a single steel framing system. Varying scales of steel members are used to suit specific structural tasks: slender members in the facade and cores, and deeper members for floor and roof plates. This not only simplifies coordination across trades but also enhances structural clarity, a quality advocated in high-performance cultural buildings such as the Centre Pompidou and the Menil Collection (Chilton and Tang, 2016). In this final iteration, structure becomes both an ordering device and a climatic moderator, aligning architectural space, environmental performance, and curatorial flexibility into one cohesive system.

References

Allen, E. and Iano, J., 2017. Fundamentals of Building Construction: Materials and Methods. 6th ed. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Brand, S., 1994. How Buildings Learn: What Happens After They're Built. New York: Viking.

Chilton, J. and Tang, M., 2016. Architectural Design and Construction of Cultural Buildings. London: Taylor & Francis.

Engel, H., 2007. Structure Systems. Basel: Birkhäuser.

Frampton, K., 1995. Studies in Tectonic Culture: The Poetics of Construction in Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Architecture. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

Givoni, B., 1994. Passive and Low Energy Cooling of Buildings. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.

Hyett, P. and Woudhuysen, J., 2003. The Manual of Construction Techniques. London: RIBA Enterprises.

Mehta, M., Scarborough, W. and Armpriest, D., 2018. Building Construction: Principles, Materials, and Systems. 3rd ed. London: Pearson.

Olgyay, V., 2015. Design with Climate: Bioclimatic Approach to Architectural Regionalism. Updated ed. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

Yeang, K., 1999. The Green Skyscraper: The Basis for Designing Sustainable Intensive Buildings. Munich: Prestel.