STRUCTURAL DESIGN FOR ARCHITECTURE

Structural design for achitecture

Fig. 2.9 Florey Building,

Oxford, England, 1967-71.

lames Stirling, architect,

Felix Samuely & Partners,

structural engineers. This

building has a fairly complex

form which was realised by a

relatively straightforward

adaptation of a standard

reinforced concrete framing

system. [Photo: P

Macdonald]

construction process simple and therefore
inexpensive.
In the Willis, Faber and Dumas building the
curvilinear plan-form conflicted with the
square column grid and the problem was
resolved by the use of a series of small-
diameter perimeter columns (Fig. 2.8). This
technique by which the incomplete squares of
slab in the main structural grid were provided
with the support which they required was
made possible by the two-way-spanning
capability of the floor slab. The relatively large
span involved (16 m) justifies the use of the
coffered version of the flat slab. The distinctive
form of the Willis, Faber and Dumas building

was therefore made possible by a skilful

adaptation of one of the basic forms of

reinforced concrete structure.

The Florey Building in Oxford, England (Figs

2.9 and 2.10) has a reinforced concrete frame

structure with a one-way-spanning floor deck.

This is a university hall of residence with a

multi-cellular interior and it is also a relatively

small building. These factors would normally

favour the use of a loadbearing-masonry struc-

ture but the distinctive cross-section of the

building, together with the requirement for an

open plan on the ground floor, resulted in the

selection of a skeleton framework in this case.

The relatively complex form in both plan and 43