Research Essays



Vordach fur das Hotel Consul

Berlin, Germany
Gruntach & Ernst, architects

Location


History

The covered shelter to the entrance of the Hotel Consul was part of a renovation which occured between 1992 and 1994 by the architects Gruntuch and Ernst. The original fabric shelter was replaced with a lightweight steel and glass structure giving a fres h modern look to the historic facade.

Physical Description

The overall dimension fo the structure is 3.9 meters wide, 11.4 meters long and 4 meters high. The structure consists of two steel columns which branch out to connect at two points on each of the two primary horizontal beams (11.4m x 10mm). Eight second ary beams (60.3mm diameter) are suspended from, and run perpendicular to the two primary beams. Glass plates (1.3m x 1.3m) are held to the secondary beams by stem connections. Stability is achieved by the use of tension rods (16mm diameter).

Loading on the structure is minimal for both dead and live loads. Expected live loads would be snow, rain and wind.

Building Process


Structural Descripton/Aspects

Lateral Loads
The splay of the columns, combined with the horizontal steel tubing between the two columns, help in resisting lateral loading. Other connections which add stability to the structure are the steel tension rods, the secondary beams and the actual intercon nection between the shelter and the building.

Vertical Loads
The vertical load is transfered from each corner of the glass plates to connections which are bolted to stems attached to the primary and secondary beams. The outer forces are resisted by the secondary beams, the inner forces are resisted by the primary beams. Both connections meet at the same spot to create eight points of connection along each primary beam. The load is then transfered to the two columns which are pinned to ground plates.

Conclusions


Bibliography


Associated Buildings


Rod Lawler and Eunice Furuta
ARCH 461/561 Spring 1995

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