rather than incorporating them into the wall maintains a clear distinc-
tion between the structure and the visually arresting pre-cast concrete
and coloured glass building envelope. This relationship between columns
and skin is also considered to increase the sense of spaciousness within
the church.^13 The columns do not compete with the skin for attention
but rather their slenderness and wide spacing enable them to blend in
with it.
Before completing this discussion on how structure contributes to the
spatial qualities of interior space a final example demonstrates an archi-
tectural concept that requires vertical structure to become almost
invisible.
In the church of La Nôtre Dame de la Duchère, Lyons, its vertical struc-
ture fades into the background. Four slender cantilevered steel posts
support the whole roof and also resist all the lateral loads acting on the
building above eaves level. Lateral loads on the perimeter walls are
resisted by regularly spaced columns incorporated into self-supporting
walls that also cantilever from their foundations. Compared to the scale
of the deep glue-laminated timber roof beams and the visual solidity of
the ceiling, the posts are barely discernible (Fig. 6.28). Continuous strip
windows that separate the perimeter columns and walls from the roof,
reinforce the impression of the roof hovering (Fig. 6.29).Expressive structure
The last section of this chapter focuses upon structure playing expres-
sive roles. Examples of both surface and spatial interior structure
instance structure expressing a wide range of ideas. The structures ofINTERIOR STRUCTURE 121
▲6.28 Notre Dame de la Duchère, Lyons, France, F. Cottin,
- Posts supporting the roof are barely discernible.
▲6.29 The exterior wall is structurally separated from the roof
by glazing.