ETH zurich’s intricate doubly-curved concrete roof tops new research unit in switzerland
the new structure boasts an ultra-thin, doubly-curved concrete roof, lightweight funicular floors, and self-learning building technology.
[ADVERTISEMENT]
ETH zurich finalizes ultra-thin curved concrete roof
after introducing their ultra-thin, curved concrete roof prototype in 2017, and successfully completing it in 2020, researchers at ETH zurich have now unveiled their finalized innovative roofing in the new empa and eawag NEST research building located in duebendorf, switzerland. boasting an intricate, doubly-curved concrete roof, lightweight funicular floors, and self-learning building technology, the new structure illustrates nearly a decade of the team’s formative research in architecture and sustainable technologies.
image by roman keller
combining medieval and futuristic architecture
dubbed HiLo, the latest NEST unit combines medieval building principles with futuristic construction methods. the two-story building with its striking concrete roof and its novel funicular floor system draws influence from the architecture of the past, and is developed using ultra-modern computational design and fabrication techniques.
for this project, a team of scientists led by philippe block, professor of architecture and structures, and arno schlueter, professor of architecture and building systems, together with industrial partners, explored how lightweight structures, efficient construction and intelligent, adaptive building systems can be combined all together. the ultimate goal was to reduce both embodied and operational emissions in the building industry.
image by roman keller
resource-efficient concrete structures
the innovative roof takes its load-bearing capacity from its distinctive curved geometry, combined with a concrete sandwich structure. this structure is composed of two thin layers of reinforced concrete connected by a grid of concrete ribs and steel anchors. in order to save large amounts of formwork material, the roof was built using a flexible formwork consisting of a tensioned cable net covered with a thin membrane onto which the concrete was sprayed.
for the mezzanine floors, the researchers used as little material as possible in the structure itself. by employing a rib-stiffened funicular shell rather than a flat plate, the structure’s funicular system uses over 70% less material than conventional floor slabs in reinforced concrete. in addition, digital production methods allowed the integration of ventilation, cooling, and low-temperature heating systems into the floor structure, resulting in an even greater reduction of materials and volume.
image by roman keller
learning building technology
the new unit is equipped with an adaptive solar façade, which consists of 30 photovoltaic modules that can be aligned with the sun. these flexible modules can also be used to control how sunlight enters the room to passively heat it or to reduce cooling requirements.
this solar façade is just one of the many innovative building technology components that have been integrated into the structure, to ensure efficient indoor climate regulation. during operation, the researchers optimized the interplay of the individual technologies using machine learning and considering the users, thus investigating how comfortable indoor conditions can be achieved with as little energy and emissions as possible.
image by roman keller
research and industry learn from each other
HiLo stands for ‘high performance – low emissions’. the unit allows researchers to test how the construction and operation of buildings can be designed to be as energy- and resource-efficient as possible, while at the same time ensuring an attractive architectural space and a high level of comfort. HiLo is the eighth module in the experimental nest building on the campus of the two research institutions empa and eawag in duebendorf, switzerland (just outside of zurich). in the modular research and innovation building, scientists and industry partners can test and advance new building and energy technologies in temporary building modules or units and under ‘real-life’ conditions.
image by roman keller
1/12
project info:
name: NEST HiLo roof
location: dübendorf, switzerland
project by: ETH zurich
