Summary
Located at Lord’s cricket ground in London, the building won the RIBA Stirling award in 1999. The structure was designed by Future Systems and was largely intended to be a spectacle to be seen by people rather than one intended to create space as is the tenet for most architecture establishments. The designer published the building as the first-ever world’s aluminum monocoque structure that utilized technology similar to the one used in boats, cars and airplanes.
Material Considerations
Utilizing, the technology that is usually used in boats, cars and aircraft fuselages. The structure uses aluminum only. Experts at Future Systems have argued that aluminum is the metal of the future. In the same vein, the firm has argued that aluminum is recyclable a claim that has not been objected to by the green peace movement. The firm has averred that aluminum has 3 times the shelf life of steel since the metal does not rust underneath the paint. In addition, the firm has observed that aluminum is half the weight of steel.
Design Details
The interior design of the structure is such that it is without columns and provides a perfectly unobstructed view of the pitch 15 meters below. In the semi-monocoque, the form and structure are similar as the outline of the building follows the curves of the structure. In the planning of the pitch, the curve acts as an extension of the field. In the essence of the plan is the fact that apart from the specific and practical concerns of the field the form is arbitrary yet simple and unique. The interior of the media center is painted blue, the carpeting wrapped up with the outer surfaces to become the ceiling of the building and finally the structure is enriched by a myriad combined set of elevators, Stairs and washrooms. The structure also achieves a balance between the outside and the interior by use of large glass walls (Archidose par. 3).
Relation to the Context
Architecture is not only about beautiful and great buildings but also buildings that enhance the discipline and the life of the people who consume them. To this extent, therefore, I observe that by making the semi-monocoque only a preserve of the fourth estate at the center of the public who come to watch the game at the field limited the opportunity that was available to future systems to revolutionize how sports stadia are designed in the world. In my view, by focusing on the semi-monocoque, the project only became a pilot project of what may be a major architectural project in the future. In contrast, for the journalists who commentate in sports, the project brings convenience in terms of visibility of the pitch and this sense the semi-monocoque (Archidose par. 2).
Projections
It is my considered opinion that the client’s brief for the project may not have been conclusively executed in the semi-monocoque. This is because major investments with regard to infrastructure are not aimed at only providing unique and peculiar spectacles, but solves a problem or provide a completely new experience for those who consume the products of major investments.
Works Cited:
Archidose. A weekly dose of architecture. 2012.Web.