Structural Engineering: Concept Design

Hello!

We are architects based in Lagos, Nigeria in the early concept design phase of an architectural project: a two-level building with a barrel vaulted roof structure on the upper floor. The space must be open plan and column free for maximum flexibility. The size of the open plan space is 15m (width) x 12m (length).

We are looking for a knowledgeable and creative structural engineer to give some high-level advice and a preliminary design at this early stage to help us achieve the design intention.

All of the precedents which we have seen for barrel vaulted roof structures are either cast concrete, or brick timbrel vaults. However, given the limitations of the country in which we are building and the skillets of the craftsmen here, we believe that a composite roof using a framed structure, made with steel and timber, and clad in aluminium would be a more realistic tequnique.

We are striving for a roof that appears seamless and hides its complexity, we also want a roof that appears to be thin while achieving a 12m span.

If you are interested in working with us, we can share models and drawings with you to give a better picture of the concept design. For now, we have posted a screenshot of the concept model as well as a precedent image