Anno Accademico 2009-2010

Laurea Specialistica in Ingegneria (C.C.S. Edile)

COMPOSIZIONE ARCHITETTONICA
&
TECNOLOGIE INNOVATIVE PER LEDILIZIA

Prof. Arch. Attilio Pizzigoni

Architettura delle strutture reciproche.

Lezione 13 ottobre 2009

Good afternoon, everyone,
I would like to give my particular thanks to Professor
Brian Smith the Chairman of this section and others
friends I see here.
My name is Attilio Pizzigoni, Im an architect, as well
as a lecturer (lec.iu.rer) at the University of Bergamo
School of Engineering.

2
Form is a mathematical problem
Growth is a phisical problem

Cecil Balmond
Olga POPOVIC LARSEN , Reciprocal
Frame Architecture, Architectural Press
of Elsevier Ldt, Oxford UK Burlington
US, 2008

CHILTON J. C., Atlante delle strutture reticolari, UTET, Torino 2002

 Prof Arch
Attilio Pizzigoni

Il programma e gli allegati

bibliografici di riferimento sono
rintracciabili sul sito dellUniversit
Facolt di Ingegneria /
Indice degli insegnamenti 2008/2009 /
Tecnologie innovative per l'edilizia /
Codice Corso 20013

http://www.unibg.it/dati/corsi/20013/27901-Pizzigoni%20Le%20Str.Sp.Rec.%20x%20CTE%209.03.2008.pdf
Le strutture spaziali reciproche

riferimenti storici

historical references

6
 STRUTTURE SPAZIALI RECIPROCHE

Tumulo galitiano ad Ankara

Karalar - Turchia III secolo
I Darbasi dell architettura georgiana VII sec AC
.

La Sala quadrata di Nisa in Afganistan

X sec AC

7
 Villard de Honnecourt
Il costruttore della Cattedrale di
Rheims (autoritratto), nel suo
Taccuino (1225-50), disegna il :
metodo per costruire una casa o
Villard
una torre quando dediHonnecou
le travi legno
Costruttore della
sono troppo Cattedrale di Rheim
corte.
(autoritratt
co

On the right you see the very famous (fei.mous) sketch by Villard de Honnecourt:
and the self-portrait of this medieval architect
that worked (workt) in France at Rheims on the construction of the gothic
Cathedral
and that, in thirteenth century, describes (de.scraib) this building method in his
notebook (1225-1250),

presenting it as the method to construct a house or a tower when the

wooden beams are too short

8
 Diversi accidenti vengono alle
mani de lArchitetto, come saria
quello che volendo, ad
esempio gratia, fare un palco o
solare o tassello che dir lo
vogliamo ,il loco del quale sar
de piedi quindici e una quantit
di listelli che non sariano di tale
lunghezza, ma gliene
mancher un braccio a
ciascuno, nondimeno egli se ne
vorr servire. In tal bisogno
non avendo altro legname, in
quel loco egli potr tenere il
modo qui a fianco domostrato,
e lopera sua sar fortissima,
mettendo un travicello nel muro
da un lato e laltro capo
suspeso come qui si vede
espresso
Sebastiano Serlio (1475-1555),
De Architettura Libri Sex,
Venezia 1663, p. 28

Sebastiano Serlio, from De Architectura Libri

Sex
This one illustrated here is an extremely well
known drawing (drou.win), showing the technique
of short beams.
How you can see, their use stands out as being
a true and genuine (gen.niu.wain) handbook
solution in the manual (ma.niu.al) of architecture
of Sebastiano Serlio (1475-1554)

The methods available to an architect for

building a ceiling are various; for example, a
ceiling of 15 feet, when only short beams of 14
feet are available. Thus not having other wood
than that, one would be able to keep to the
method demonstrated here. The work will be 9
t l h d fi i h tb i t th ll
I studied some years ago the work of
Brunelleschi (I wrot a book edited by Zanichelli
in Italy and Artemis Verlag in Germany) and I
noticed that a principle of structural reciprocity
is also present in the static design of the dome
of the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral by Filippo
Brunelleschi in Florence. In particular, in the
spirals (spai.ral) of bricks laying in form like a
herringbone as pointed out by Giuliano Da
Sangallo in contemporary designs.

13
This principle is formed (fo.md) by the skeleton of
bricks positioned in order to reciprocally
discharge the loads (LOds) onto the spirals as
indicated (in.dic.ei.tid) in the drawing by Sangallo
This Brunelleschian or herringbone procedure
(pro.si.diur) permits the load of a vault to be
discharged upon the inferior spirals; thus (thas)
creating a spatial (spei.scial) system that is very
similar to a reciprocal structure.

Recently (rii.cently) this question was also emphasised

(em.fa.saized) by Salvatore Di Pasquale in his studies
about Brunelleschi ( Larte di costruire Art of
building, 1996)

14
Leonardo da Vinci, dal Codice Atlantico, f.gli 310 (ora 899), 1500ca
 Il progetto di Leonardo per una struttura provvisoria

Questa struttura provvisoria deve

coprire uno spazio di 45 braccia,
senza puntelli in mezzo.
La struttura costituita da 84
travelli, o cantili (tondi, di legno
dabete o castagno). Di questi 84,
24 sono esterni e devono
sostenere i 60 travelli interni: di
conseguenza ogni cantile esterno
dovr sostenere il peso di 2
cantili e mezzo.

60:24=2 e

Questi cantili sono lunghi 10

braccia (circa 5.83 metri).
In lunghezza abbiamo 4 cantili,
per un totale di 40 braccia; ci
sono poi 3 spazi tra le fronti dei
cantili, ciascuno i 3 braccia per
un totale di altre 10 braccia.
Il tutto fa 50 braccia, che per
larco che fa la volta del tutto,
diminuisce di 5 braccia: il
risultato sono 45 braccia di
spazio coperto da questa
copertura in travelli di legno.
Trascrizione dal foglio 899 del Codice Atlantico
La struttura temporanea e smontabile di Leonardo da Vinci nel modello ricostruito dagli studenti della
Facolt di Ingegneria dellUniversit di Bergamo
La struttura temporanea e smontabile di Leonardo da Vinci nel modello
ricostruito dagli studenti della Facolt di Ingegneria dellUniversit di
Bergamo
Leonardo da Vinci
dal Codice Atlantico,
fogli 266 e 23
1500ca
 STRUTTURE SPAZIALI RECIPROCHE

Ponte cinese detto dellarcobaleno realizzato durante la dinastina Song 960-1280 a Shandong i .

Luso di questa tecnologia costruttiva viene applicato in divesi casi nella

realizzazione dei templi dei monaci buddisto Chogen (1121 1206)

21
Ricostruzione del ponte cinese
del XIII secolo, raffigurato nel
rotolo Beijing Qingming
 Ricostruzione del ponte di Giulio Cesare Massimo Scolari . Il Ponte di Cesare
De Bello Gallico Vol. IV cap.XVII Vicenza- Centro Palladio 2002

It is probable that this short beam construction

technique was also well known during the
Imperial (Im.pii.rial) Roman period (pii.riod). It was
most likely for the construction of temporary
works like the bridge over the Rhine (Rhai.ne) as
cited (sit.d) by Vitruvio and described by Julius
Caesar in his book Commentary (COM.men.ta.ry)
on the Gallic War .
Some years ago was studied in a full-scale
reconstruction;
drawing, plans and models were produced
(pro.diu.st) by Massimo Scolari with F.Laner and
exhibited (ex.HI.bited) in a recent (rii.cent) show in
Vicenza at the Centro Palladio
.
23
Massimo Scolari . Il Ponte di Cesare
Ricostruzione
del ponte di Cesare
De Bello Gallico
Vol. IV cap.XVII
Progetto per il ponte
dellAccademia a Venezia derivato
dallo schema leonardesco del
foglio 23 del Cod Atlantico
Attilio Pizzigoni,
Biennale di Venezia, 1983
fine
fine
 Louis Kahn . Community Center in Philadelphia 1952-53
(Mill Creek housing project)

These four square rooms of the Community (comm.iu.nity) Centre in Philadelphia,

designed in 1952 by Louis Kahn, are often cited, and it is one of the very few
examples of reciprocal structure by concrete in contemporary architecture.

34
Yashigumi Kijima,
Museo dei muratori di Tokyo,
kumamoto
Julius Natterer,
Deposito del sale, losanna
Kazuhiro ishii, teatro dei burattini, Seiwa
(giappone)
 Cecil Balmond Modello di
struttura reciproca esposto nella
mostra al Museo Louisiana di
Kopenhagen -2007
.
Cecil Balmond - Plastic model of a
reciprocal grid exhibited in the
Luoisiana Museum 2007.

But in recent years, the choice to use these

structures seems to occur ever more frequently
(frii.quentli) in international architecture

And this image is how Balmon presented one

potential use of reciprocal grids with a model of
a pavilion that was displayed at the Louisiana
Museum exhibition in 2007
(tu.tausand.and.seven).

38
 Cecil Balmond,
Evidence of reciprocal grillage
A+U Architecture and Urbanism Special Issue , November 2006, A+U
Pubblishing Co, Japan 2006

This is a very explicit image how Cecil Balmond

presented spatially reciprocal grids in a recent
publication.

39
 Shigeru Ban architect, and Cecil Balmond ARUP, Forest Park Pavillon, St Louis Missouri USA 2007

Here is a study for the Forest Park Pavilion, St.

Louis Missouri USA 2004-2007 ;
another project by Cecil Balmond, in
collaboration with Sigheru Bahn architect.

40
 Sigheru Bahn
con
Cecil Balmond

New Centre
Pompidou.
Metz, 2007

Reciprocal Frame
of roofing

Sigheru Bahn with Cecil Balmond,

Studies for the
New Guggenheim Museum. Metz, 2007
Reciprocal frame roofing

41
 Santiago CALATRAVA Skyscraper Torso at Malmoo 2007

You can see the structural analogy of two

works: an earlier Scandinavian hut (hat), and
the Calatravas skyscraper (sky.screiper) Torso
in Malmoo, also in comparison ( com.par.is.on)
to the brunelleschian dome.

42
 Geometrical research design and

experimental test models

assembled by
students of the University of Bergamo

I will now show you some models and

prototypes built together with the students..
These teaching studies began from geometrical
studies of a modular (mo.diu.la) model that is
flexible and demountable

43
Moduli compositivi a griglia ortogonale con elemento standardizzato
fine
fine
Of course we began the studies using Serlios
beams, trying out their modular flexibility and
.. arranging the beams into various
geometries using a single modular element.

62
A single element is able to make different knots
(notz) and types of junction .

The arrangement of the elements was also

studied considering a modular element that is
able to form 3, 4, 5, 6 or even (ii.ven) more
element junctions.

63
A single element is able to make different knots
(notz) and types of junction .

The arrangement of the elements was also

studied considering a modular element that is
able to form 3, 4, 5, 6 or even (ii.ven) more
element junctions.

64
A single element is able to make different knots
(notz) and types of junction .

The arrangement of the elements was also

studied considering a modular element that is
able to form 3, 4, 5, 6 or even (ii.ven) more
element junctions.

65
And the flexibility of knots between the
elements, their flexibility on a plane and/or in
space, permits them to express very different
characteristics.

66
During our trials, a certain interest grew (gru)
from the formal research aimed at defining a
more organic shape for the basic (bei.sic)
element.

The geometrical optimization (opti.mai.zation) of the

elements ( short beams) was done in order to
increase their flexibility and produce organic
and biomorphic (baio-) shapes, in a similar way to
an anatomical joint or to helix (hii.lix) geometry.

67
During our trials, a certain interest grew (gru)
from the formal research aimed at defining a
more organic shape for the basic (bei.sic)
element.

The geometrical optimization (opti.mai.zation) of the

elements ( short beams) was done in order to
increase their flexibility and produce organic
and biomorphic (baio-) shapes, in a similar way to
an anatomical joint or to helix (hii.lix) geometry.

68
During our trials, a certain interest grew (gru)
from the formal research aimed at defining a
more organic shape for the basic (bei.sic)
element.

The geometrical optimization (opti.mai.zation) of the

elements ( short beams) was done in order to
increase their flexibility and produce organic
and biomorphic (baio-) shapes, in a similar way to
an anatomical joint or to helix (hii.lix) geometry.

69
These models are 3D CAD (Three dimensional
computer design)

70
 Leonardo da Vinci, dal Codice Atlantico, f.gli 310 (ora 899), 1500ca

This is the key (kii) study by Leonardo, which we

have examined (ics.amind) and which gives most
useful suggestions and insight on our topic.
This famous sheet (number 899 of Leonardo Da
Vincis Atlantic Code) is the project for a
temporary roof of 45 arm spans, built with 84
wooden beams which he calls :cantili).
(about 20 metres (mii.terz) spanned (spand) by
this framework of timbers

71
 Il progetto di Leonardo per una struttura provvisoria

Questa struttura provvisoria deve

coprire uno spazio di 45 braccia,
senza puntelli in mezzo.
La struttura costituita da 84
travelli, o cantili (tondi, di legno
dabete o castagno). Di questi 84,
24 sono esterni e devono
sostenere i 60 travelli interni: di
conseguenza ogni cantile esterno
dovr sostenere il peso di 2
cantili e mezzo.

60:24=2 e

Questi cantili sono lunghi 10

braccia (circa 5.83 metri).
In lunghezza abbiamo 4 cantili,
per un totale di 40 braccia; ci
sono poi 3 spazi tra le fronti dei
cantili, ciascuno i 3 braccia per
un totale di altre 10 braccia.
Il tutto fa 50 braccia, che per
larco che fa la volta del tutto,
diminuisce di 5 braccia: il
risultato sono 45 braccia di
spazio coperto da questa
copertura in travelli di legno.
Trascrizione dal foglio 899 del Codice Atlantico
La struttura temporanea e smontabile di Leonardo da Vinci nel modello ricostruito dagli studenti della
Facolt di Ingegneria dellUniversit di Bergamo
La struttura temporanea e smontabile di Leonardo da Vinci nel modello
ricostruito dagli studenti della Facolt di Ingegneria dellUniversit di
Bergamo
 B
C
D

E C
A A C

E
A

C
E B
E
GLI SCHEMI DI LEONARDO
A B C D

?
E
A: schema a quadrati e rettangoli
B: schema a quadrati grandi e piccoli
C: schema a esagoni e triangoli
D: schema a ottagoni e triangoli
E: schema di ponte a travi curvate
Adjusting the thickness of the joint gives the grid
a three-dimensional form, forming a geodetical
dome .

77
 Leonardos model assembled by students at the University of Bergamo

This is the 3D phisic model of Leonardos design

reconstructed by the students,

It clearly demonstrates the geodetic
conformation.

78
We wanted also to confirm the real applications of the technologies studied.
The idea (ai.dii.a) of the proposed project makes reference to Leonardos design
in the Atlantic Code.

So this project was submitted to the competition for the construction of the Italian
Pavilion \ for the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai.
Although it did not gain the successful of a price but only of a recommendation.
The competition rules required \ for environmental sustainability that the structure
could be dismantled after its temporary use and potentially reused in a different
form and for a different function.

Here is the presentation of our project..

79
This is a rendering outside elevation

80
A planimetrical view

81
The function layout

82
Leonardos design is twenty meters spanned. Our project is forty

83
Elevation plans

84
sections

85
Outside view

86
Some structural models

87
Simulated mounting

88
Here is the presentation of our project..

89
A renowned company from Bergamo, a world
leader in the production of cement, also looked
at this project, gave us the possibility to make
and test some prototypes of demountable
elements for the creation of temporary roofs and
buildings.

90
 STRUTTURE SPAZIALI RECIPROCHE

We built the model using a high resistance

concrete of reinforced fibre (fei.ber) (HRC).
The prototype was of an appropriate dimension
and weight (weit) (25 Kilos) such that it could (cud)
easily be positioned (poz.i.sciond) during the trials.

91
 STRUTTURE SPAZIALI RECIPROCHE

The photo is of the students with the laboratory

models

92
Finished (..t) Elements Model FEM

The theoretical model FEM, Finished Elements

Model, of a three element junction, elaborated
(i.la.bor.ei.tid) using the computer software
ABACUS

93
The fracture (fra.ciur) trials conducted in the
laboratories of the University of Bergamo
confirmed the results obtained from the static
tests carried out on the Finished Elements
Model.

94
In the graph we see the plastic behaviour of the model in Height Reinforced Fibre
Concrete.
We found substantial homogeneity (ho.mo.ge.ni.ty) in the results between the
physical and theoretical model.

Their agreement with the results of experimental fracture trials, demonstrated the
possibility of studying even more complex structures using the classical process
of the Science of Building

95
 STRUTTURE SPAZIALI RECIPROCHE

The prototype demonstrated the ease of their

assembly and of their dismantling.
.

96
 STRUTTURE SPAZIALI RECIPROCHE

The composition game is without limits. The

same elements arranged with a different
geometry

97
The physical model with prototype beams \
assembled into hexagonal schemes (skims) \
with three-element junctions

98
The physical model with prototyped beams \ assembled into square schemes
(skims) \ with four-element junctions

99
This is my last image
On the right you see the very famous (fei.mous) sketch by Villard de Honnecourt:
and the self-portrait of this medieval architect
that worked (workt) in France at Rheims on the construction of the gothic
Cathedral
and that, in thirteenth century, describes (de.scraib) this building method in his
notebook (1225-1250),

presenting it as the method to construct a house or a tower when the

wooden beams are too short

Eight century are past, and you can see, we are small followers of those
biggest builder men.

Thank you very much.

100