Solar Research and Development Facility
The structural principles of the building center around the notion of a cellular voronoi system. The lower level requires a longspan open area for large-scale experiments to be conducted. The research and administrative areas overlook the ground floor, and are housed in cellular pods on the upper level. This allows for the notion of a structural cavity that can be inhabited, and joins the concept of structure and skin. As a light farming development facility, the cells serve as light collectors and refractors in order to channel light to the appropriate research spaces.
Instructor: Roland Wahlroos-Ritter
Voronoi geometry generation
Voronoi aggregation
Conceptual sketch
Volume defined by two surfaces
Skylight diagram
Program organization
Structural components
Sectional diagram
Structural cavity
Structural cavity
1/4 scale model > museum board, acrylic
1/4 scale model > museum board, acrylic
1:2 scale joint connection model > cast aluminum
1/4 scale sectional model > museum board, acrylic
1/32 scale site model > basswood, acrylic
1/4 scale model > museum board, acrylic
1/4 scale model > museum board, acrylic
Interior perspective
Solar Research Facility > Los Angeles, CA
1/4 scale model > museum board, acrylic