PANCAKE GridSHELL


This fabrication was a collaboration — between Alex Basler, Gen Chen, Matthew Bone, Miguel Solorio, & Van Escobar, c.2016

The pancake gridshell is the product of combining the structurally-efficient waffle slab with the mathematical brilliance of the catenary arch and the deliciousness of pancakes. The waffle slab, generally formed around a rectilinear grid, was modified to match the formal language with circular, pancake-like indentations that reduce material without sacrificing structural stability. The pancake gridshell explores the structural potential of single-pour concrete forms as well as the fleeting beauty of temporal creations.

 
 
 
 

Construction of the structure begins by CNC'ing the inside formwork out of five layers of 4" styrofoam. The layers represent contours of the center volume taken every 4" so that they may be stacked into the final negative. From there, the styrofoam is given two coats of resin to seal the gaps and to create a smooth surface for concrete extraction. The outer shell is a single piece of bent 1/16" steel. Both the inner and the outer formworks are then placed within a wooden framework in order to retain their shape during the concrete pour.

 
 
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