In late December of 2012 Mr. Geoffrey Harrison, President of the SDG Design Group approached Bob Darvas to study and propose an affordable structural scheme for the planned East Entry Canopy to the COBO Center. An earlier structural scheme was rejected for being far too costly.
There were several major components to the architectural concept. The glass-clad front had to be on the surface of a torus with a minimum span of 180 ft. plus 40 ft. extensions. The members were to project a so-called dia-grid pattern. The glass cladding had to be eccentric to the structure in order to provide space for the large video screen. The glass clad roof extending to the west at the top had to be large enough to provide protection to people traversing toward the main entry doors of Cobo Hall. Finally, the structure had to present a light, visually clear appearance.
Based on our many decades of experience with the design and construction of complex structures, it was quite clear to us that the successful solution required in developing a node, where the rigid (moment) connection of the six crossing members of the dia-grid can be easily accomplished by bolting. This concept allowed us to create a reticulated toroidal shell made up of steel members, fully continuous at the nodes, easily absorbing the bending moments at the nodes from the eccentric weight of the glass and the video screen.
RDA’s design has saved several millions of dollars in construction cost by reducing the structural steel to less than 1/3-rd when compared to the earlier scheme and creating an easily constructible structure. As Mr. Harrison commented: “Bob, without your design, the canopy would never have happened.”
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The Traverwood Branch Library is a one story library building with underground parking that brought together a variety of materials in its construction. The building sits on approximately 4.3 acres on the North East side of Ann Arbor in an “L” shape. The building design incorporates a floor plan that is not shy to angles, sloped walls and cantilevered roofs. While this buildings complex shape was a challenge to design and draw, it is a challenge that was openly welcomed at Robert Darvas Associates.The building was designed with sustainability in mind. Ash trees from the site that had been killed by the Emerald Ash Borer were re-used in the building as structural columns, flooring and wall paneling. Additionally, this was the first building where we incorporated the use of a High Recycled Content Concrete mix. After researching the mix designs it was decided that this type of concrete would be suitable for a number of the vertical concrete walls to be used in the underground parking. Its use was highly successful and has become a standard in our designs today.
Vibration control was a strong concern in this building and an extensive analysis was completed. A king post truss design for floor beams accommodates the strict vibration, mechanical and architectural requirements.
RDA successfully supported the architect’s vision of the globe inside the box with open dialog, provocative imaginings, and remarkable results. The iconic expression of the weightless orb is a true mark of the successful collaboration of the building’s team.
The whole team worked well together with the favorable outcome of completing the project ahead of schedule and under budget.