Jon Robinson

jonrobinson@london.com
July 2007
Fully internal space
External Space covered by timber roof with glazing
External space covered with reinforced concrete roof (semi-internal)
Below ground basements
 Sculptor Chris Fennel’s ‘Barn Wave’ in
the USA formed the inspiration for the
fragmented structural form of the Wave
Cave’s roof.

The over roof forms one of the principle Different structural systems have been considered In light of this a structural system has been developed

architectural aspects of the Wave Cave. It is looking at a number of precedents, two of which based on the ethos of the Belfast truss. Belfast trusses

essential in the creation of the phenomenology are shown, however these failed to encapsulate the are a piecemeal timber truss construction prevalent at

of an ocean wave and the sense of space that desired complexity and directionality intrinsic to a the the start of the 19th century. They found application in

the social aspects of the programme require. It mass and speed of a breaking water. The approaches World War 1 Britain when there were steel shortages,

is essential that its design – its structural elements, shown, in order to from long spans, either use heavy in particular in the construction of plane hangars. Their

material and form – combine to mirror the structural elements, as is evident in Renzo Piano’s great construction from small pieces of timber gives them a

dynamism, power and movement of the ocean. stone arches, or much smaller but extremely ordered certain disorder on a local scale while still maintaining

lattice structures, as found in the Downland gridshell a very simple structural form globally.

and the Saville building at Windsor.

This approach is synonymous with the fragments series of these 3-sides element are then joined to form was found using finite element analysis software the Wave Cave, and enclosure in the roof of the

and streamlines of rushing water which although the over roof which then spans from the front to the to model a typical single 3-sided truss forming the bulb which spans over the B-Max artificial wave.

complex and scattered closeup combines to give back of the building accentuating the required effect roof. This could be extended to the whole over roof. Several options were explored in to trying to find a

a homogeneous entity. of movement since all the timber elements are going Application of this technology makes a seemingly effective way to provide enclosure whilst avoiding

The basis of the Wave Cave’s over roof structure is in the same direction. piecemeal structure extremely efficient. By optimizing a cold bridging providing a means by which

that short lengths of timber are trussed together, as Where greater stresses are developed in these the amount of material used. rain can run off the roof and the glazing can be

in a belfast truss, and these trusses are connected longitudinal timber members the density of the The over roof also forms a part of the building’s maintained. The detail on the facing page shows

in three planes to to form a 3-sided truss on the members in the plane are increased, follwoing the envelope, providing a cover in the external parts of the best option in a detailed cross section through

same principle as a tower crane boom. Thin philosophy of the Belfast trusses. This differing density the roof.

steel struts brace the timber longitudinal member

together to form each plane of the 3-sided truss. A

Level [ 0]

Elevator Main Entrance Foyer Auditorium with Secondary Viewing Platform/ Bar Space Performance Stage and B-
Entrance at Rear Max Lifeguard/ Control Box

Level [-1]

Elevator B-Max Artificial Wave and Jacuzzi Hot Tub Auditorium Bar and Storeroom/ Barrel Male, Female and Disabled
waiting area Room WC