TERRACOTTA THISTLE
Multi-layered biomes.
Warner Hall’s thistle-inspired exterior seamlessly combines tradition and innovation. The soft, graceful thistle spikes offer sun protection and stunning views. With a unique thermal bridge, terracotta modules, and hexagonal pipes, it’s a tribute to CMU’s heritage and a beacon of its innovative future.
The softer form of the Scottish thistle is used to mimic the spikes instead of the pointy form. New skin is added to the exterior of Warner Hall by extending the floor, creating a thermal bridge at the junction of the floor and the existing structure. This floor supports the facade structure that holds the terracotta modules. These modules are supported by vertical hexagonal pipes that sustain wind loads and also allow for certain angles of rotation around the pipes. The modules are fixed at specific angles through pins on the top and bottom of the modules, which also hold them in a fixed position on the pipes.
Details
Modules are supported by the vertical hexagonal pipe that sustains the wind load and also allows the rotation of certain angles around the pipes. The modules are fixed at a certain angle through the pins on the top and bottom of the modules that also hold the modules at a fixed position on the pipe.
The new skin is added to the exterior of Warner Hall by extending the floor creating the thermal bridge at the junction of the floor and existing structure. This floor supports the facade structure that holds the terracotta modules.
Performance Optimization
The dataset of the rotation angle of the modules is optimized computationally based on performance goals such as Glare performance, solar radiation, and view accessibility.
Density Optimization
Elevation responds to the optimization goals as well as the level of privacy of space by the ratio of close versus open and using the less dense modules at such places.