Romuald Tarczewski

Post-Tensioned Modular Inflated Structures

Pneumatic structures are usually considered as inalterable, with predetermined features, e.g. shape etc. According to this approach, they cannot be easily rebuilt or modified. Application of techniques current in other sectors of construction industry leads to the structures that are much more flexible and adaptable.

Impact of New Design Techniques on Environmental Orientation of Architectural Form-Finding

The paper presents problems related with influence of new techniques of building modeling on creation of architectural form. Short historical context is presented, which allows reader to became familiar with some oldest issues related to the exchange of information in the investment process. It is followed by study of architect-structural engineer relations and changes caused by new paradigms of aesthetics, referred to as “free-form design”.

Ergonomic Solutions in Capsule Hotels

World hotel branch have lately (across XXI century) experienced a phenomena of popping-up capsule hotels in an exact city centres, offering travellers accommodation with economical, yet highly restricted living conditions. Only a bed and an access to a shower are offered, and in many cases, capsule use time is limited to maximum 9-hours. Moreover, in studied buildings there is no natural light accessibility, with total lack of windows to the exterior, even on corridors or halls. Users have no privacy guaranteed and acoustical conditions are highly peculiar. This article will be focusing on a question, whether spending an overnight in a capsule is comfortable and why this phenomena nowadays occurred with such strength? During case studies on examples like: Youth Hostel in Munich (Germany), Luxury Capsule Hotel in Tokyo (Japan), The One Hostel in Wroclaw (Poland), the ergonomic of layouts and capsules was studied. Also psychological conditions of such solutions were an important issue for the Authors.

Changes in the Contemporary Public Space: Libraries

Contemporary library is no longer silent study hall filled with books and limited, small work-spaces, complemented by huge, closed storage rooms for almost inaccessible books. It is more of a welcoming public space, dedicated to culture and opened for all users. Designers create interesting forms, bringing people together and at the same time symbolizing knowledge and wisdom. The workspaces are ergonomic and provide people with sufficient space and friendly environment, allowing spending a whole day in the interior. This article was devoted to present findings on changes that have occurred in the contemporary public space of libraries, aiming at architecture humanization. The studies were carried out on examples, i.e.: “Harold Washington Library Center” in Chicago (USA), TU Delft Library (Nederland), Library of Faculty of Architecture of TU Delft (Nederland), Wroclaw Municipal Library “Grafit” (Poland), Library of Faculty of Architecture WrUST (Poland), “Muntpunt” library and information centre Brussels (Belgium), etc.

Structure vs. Ergonomics in Contemporary Hotel Design

The structural system is not only a carrier of architectural form, but also an important factor in the process of formulating the spatial-functional plan of facilities. Its impact goes far beyond the basic function of ensuring safety of the building. Proper coordination of architectural solutions and structural system allows zone optimization, influences layout arrangement and interiors span and therefore has a strong impact on ergonomics of room solution. Moreover, it allows combining (correct mutual positioning) of the various zones in the building, deployment of special and additional functions (e.g. swimming pools, conference centers, parking lots, etc.). Such interaction is also crucial for matching the hotel facilities to the surrounding environment. Presented article is a summary of research on architecture to structure relation, in pursuit of optimal solutions for maximizing safety and comfort of use in contemporary hotels. The needs of people with impaired physical of psychical conditions were also taken into account.

Impact of New Construction Technologies on Sustainable Hotel Design

One of the important trends in contemporary design of hotels is to obtain environmental compatibility. This is manifested on the one hand in the search for the special locations of these facilities, and on the other hand – in giving them a very sophisticated, organic form. The specific location means scenically attractive site, surrounded by spectacular natural forms. These can be, for example hardly accessible mountain slopes, old abandoned quarries, desert areas, or even the sea bottom surrounded by coral reef. Until relatively recently, both the construction process and operation of hotels in such locations was extremely difficult or even impossible for technical reasons. Also, nature conservation considerations constituted a serious obstacle, because often these areas are protected by law. Technological development enables to overcome these barriers, and limitation for designers is often only imagination. This is manifested in the second-mentioned aspect of striving for environmental compatibility – organic shaping the architectural forms. During several years of development of so called free-forms in architecture, often called “the Bilbao effect”, have been developed appropriate design tools, which in combination with modern technologies open up completely new possibilities for architects. This article is an attempt to summarize the most important issues in this respect, illustrated with most characteristic examples.

Shift of the Function of “Temple of the Travelling” from Railway Stations to Airports

Human culture, lifestyle and economy are strictly connected to traveling and shipping goods at long distances. Means of transport have influenced societies and architecture through history, however the strongest impact was related to industrial revolution of XIX century and invention of rail. Possibility and commonness of covering long distances in a short time gave impact of developing whole cities and regions, as well as creation of specific architecture of transportation. Serving as not only a shelter and distribution hub for travelers, but allowing fulfilling certain journey habits and specific customs, train stations became kind of “Temples of Traveling”. Nowadays traveling function has shifted towards new means of transport—airplanes and their sanctuaries—airports. New religion become shopping and usage of all commercial services, offered in ever-expanding terminals. Also neglected and forgotten to some point railway stations are nowadays being subject of transformation and upgrading. This article was devoted to presentation of conclusion from research on European “Temples of Travelling” with a special focus on: architecture and structure significance, users, their needs, ergonomic aspect and surprising shifts of functions. It seems that architecture of transportation is now balancing between commercial and cultural function, therefore is especially interesting scientific study object.

Some Paradoxical Aspects of the Use of Computers for Architectural and Structural Design

The architectural form determines visual perception of the building and its social acceptance. From it depends also fulfillment of functional and utilitarian assumptions, adopted at the project beginning. The aim of architectural modeling is primarily to create a geometric model of the future facility. It has also influence on the ability of modeling of the structural system which is a carrier of architectural form. All limitations of the structural system translate into limitations of architectural form. As long as only straight lines and planes were readily available, and any curves and non-planar surfaces were extremely difficult to model – architectural form was characterized by preference of orthogonality. If one looks at the restrictions in both architectural and structural modeling, resulted from the shortcomings of the underlying theory, and the impact that introduction of modeling with use of numerical tools had on change of that situation – it can lead to surprising conclusions.

The Beauty of Technical Thought in Architecture – the Lifework of Stéphane Du Chateau

The work of Stéphane Du Chateau is clearly inscribed in the second half of the twentieth-century. Throughout his life, the famous engineer and architect developed and patented several spatial structure systems based on an ingenious design of nodes and skillfully applied them in the architectural form of various buildings. As of today, over 250 of his designs were successfully realized. Apart from the above, Stéphane du Chateau also established several associations in order to bring architects together and to promote Spatial Structures. His charisma and commitment brought a remarkable contribution to spatial structures.

Rapidly Assembled Structures - New Applications of Inflatables

The paper discuses advantages of shaping structures by means of self-erecting. It is a particular case of tensioning applied to structures with ability to large deformation. Semi-rigid structures completed at ground level can be easy erected into final position by means of shortening of cable-type bottom chord. The final curvature achieved after erection is a result of interaction of rigidity of the structure and value of post-tensioning force. When cross-section height is changing along the span, the curvature can be increased or decreased in the chosen part of the structure. Two systems varying on upper chord are considered in the paper. Some technical solutions and examples of application are presented.