Wave Cave

Jon Robinson [email protected] 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

steel struts brace the timber longitudinal member together to form each plane of the 3-sided truss. A

the roof.

Level [ 0]

Elevator

Main Entrance Foyer

Auditorium with Secondary

Viewing Platform/ Bar Space

Entrance at Rear

Performance Stage and BMax Lifeguard/ Control Box

Level [-1]

Elevator

B-Max Artificial Wave and waiting area

Jacuzzi Hot Tub

Auditorium

Bar and Storeroom/ Barrel

Male, Female and Disabled

Room

WC