The case study Analysis of

Eden project
By Sa'id Kori
Location: Cornwall, UK
Latitude/Longitude/Elevat
ion: 50°N 4°W, 213' above
sea level
Building type: Biome
Square footage: N/A.
Outdoors is considered
one of the three
biomeslargest biome;
240m long, 55m high,
110m wide
Completion: April 2001
Client: UK Millennium
Project for the Eden Trust

Aim

To identify, explain and compare the unique ways in which different practitioners frame their design problems and the solutions, the terminologies they
use to refer to specific concepts, and the tasks and procedures they follow in unique situations with regard to the EDEN PROECT.

Objectives

To review the data provided by different stakeholders that participated in the project through reviewing literatures related to the project cycles. and
finally analyse the Project with regard to a framework which consists of 5 main categories designed by my Lecturer Dr Tuba during her PhD Studies.

The case study is to contain mostly the particular way the stakeholders narrate the story of their experience as well as how related literatures narrate and
followed by my personal reflection, acquisition and framing of the information, domain concept and the categories, its bi-directional and mono-
directional links of categories relation to the each other respectively and the rationale behind the design decision.

At the end would be coming up with a framework that shows the bi-directional and mono-directional links of categories.

The Description of the Framework for Analysis:

A particular focus of the case study will be on the design of the building skin and its supporting structure. The case study is required to be conducted
with regard to a framework, providing a decomposition of the design life-cycle, and providing a context for your critical analysis, described as follows:

DESIGN INTENT

RATIONALIZATION MATERIALIZATION

REPRESENTATION FABRICATION

The contextual framework of the knowledge elicitation/analysis, illustrating the semantic relationships across five categories
 DESIGN INTENT - specification of the formal qualities and design approach of the designers

REPRESENTATION – how the design object has been represented for subsequent phases

RATIONALIZATION - division of the of the free-form surface into rational cladding components combined with a supporting structure

FABRICATION - selection of the fabrication processes, tools, techniques and strategies

MATERIALIZATION – decisions concerning the formal and behavioural properties of the structural system, the elements and the choice of
materials.

INTRODUCTION
“In the early hours of a May morning in 1994, the best part of a bottle of whisky to the good, we had a
concept that, though rough around the edges, excited us. There would be five glass houses, or giant poly-
tunnels, linked together for a walkthrough experience. Four would focus on a particular climate region of
the world and the fifth would contain a composite of the world’s productive domesticated plants. As I recall
we suggested rainforest, subtropical rainforest, Mediterranean, and a combination of savannah and desert.
At the time we were focused on celebrating the floristic riches and the productivity of the planer, with a nod
towards conservation – in essence a large-scale theme park fit for a garden festival that intended to make a
case for performance. (Smit, 2001, p.33)

It was from the above Tim Smit’s visionary idea that the concept of the Eden project emerged, which
consecutively inspired many professionals of the environmental sciences, engineering, as well as public and
private financiers.

''The inspirational effect of the vision undoubtedly smoothed the progression from conception through to
Architectural qualities of the biome form
design and construction.''(Smit, 2001,33) The digital techniques were evident in many aspects of this
Structurally efficient: maximum size and
project including ''the design, fabrication, structural analysis and environmental control .''(Smit, 2001,
strength with minimum steel.
p.33) Of particular interest is the form itself which has mathematical and structural significance.
Energy efficient: maximum volume within a
In addition to the digital representation of the complex geometric form together with its structural analysis, a
minimal surface area, thus minimising heat loss
range of digital techniques were also applied to the environmental analysis of the functionalities associated
Adaptable: structural form configured to the
with keeping and exhibiting plant life under controlled conditions.
shape of the site
Transparent: it lets through more light (including
Scheme of the Design team UV light) than glass
Lightweight: weight of the steel structure is
Initiator or proprietor similar to the weight of air enclosed by it
Tim Smit together with Jonathan Ball, Spacious: spans 110m at its widest point with no
internal supports, thus allowing unrestricted
Architects planting and landscaping
Nicholas Grimshaw and Partners architects

Structural Engineer
Anthony Hunt Associates structural engineers.

landscape architects
Land Use Consultants.

Mechanical and Electrical Engineers

Ove Arup and Partners provided mechanical and electrical design.

Tim Smit together with Jonathan Ball,

Site.

Smit concluded with finding of suitable site of Bodelva pit,

The site is located around east of Austell in Cornwall. The design generator for the structure, climate and
water control systems was the need to create the correct environment for plant growth using clear span,
lightweight transparent structures .
''Support for the realization of these ideas through technologies focused on four key areas: digital
representation and analysis of the site, computer modelling of the complex form, and the structural
analysis techniques.'' (Szalapaj, 2005)
 site view

DESIGN INTENT
The designs innovative structure comes with many design challenges and strict criteria which is mainly
under:

Formal intentions design sketches

Enclosure

 The structure was to be the world’s largest plant enclosure. This involved in the making of
 a design scheme that could span for great distances without the use of a single internal support.
 The structure must be as light as possible. This was needed for transportation reasons primarily
because all the materials would have to be brought in from other cities, a long distance away. In
addition, a lighter structure would put less stress on the soil and allow for smaller footings and less project site
site impact.
 The enclosure must be ecologically friendly helping it to be used as an educational demonstration of
sustainability.

Site

The first step for finding the form was analysing the site. The site in was a china clay pit nearing the end of
its working life – the Bodelva pit close to St Austell in Cornwall. The pit covered an area of about 22
hectares and varied in depth from 30 to 70 metres.
The visually dramatic landscape presented a substantial challenge to the engineering team. The brief was to
preserve as much of the wild, rustic appearance as possible, while creating a safe stable environment
for visitors. sketch of site plan
 ''Digital ground models or digital terrain models (DTMs) as they are sometimes referred to, based
on aerial survey data, were used to sculpt the pit. The digital ground models were created using
the Microstation system combined with the use of specialised road modelling software (In-roads).
The DTMs were needed in order to simulate in detail the cut and fill operations''(Szalapaj, 2005)
that were to take place on site. As part of the environmental statement for the subject, an
undertaking was given that the exporting or importing of fill material would be kept to
minimum.

Associations

The formal intention of the enclosure being largest in the world and having maximum performance with digital terrain models (DTMs)
less stress on the soil and allow for smaller footings and less site impact influenced the decision of the
framing strategy of the enclosure that can allow for a longer span without an internal support and
lighter structural framing.
As part of the environmental issue the brief, export and import of fill material should be reduced to minimal
which in turn influence the use of DTMs and micro station to simulate and sculpt the pit which also in turn
influence the form of the geometry later on.

geodesic domes of Eden Project

DESIGN INTENT RATIONALIZATION

Formal Intention Framing Strategy

 World largest plant enclosure.  Greater span distance without

internal Support
 Less stress on soil, smaller
footing and less impact.  light structure framing

DESIGN INTENT REPRESENTATIONAL soap bubbles

Formal Intention Surface representation

 As part of the environmental  obliged the use of the DTMs,
issue, export and import of Micro station system to sculpt the
fill material should be pit.
reduced to minimal  light structure framing
Factors which have determined the design decisions
 The main factor that determined the design decisions to the problem was inspiration of how nature
resolves similar problems. Grimshaw’s looked at nature. He got his inspiration from looking at the
honeycomb of bees and even the multifaceted eyes of a fly. These creatures used their surroundings
most effectively to create a very strong, yet light-weight, solution. In addition, a geodesic dome-like
structure would be able to conform to the expanding and contracting contours of the clayey soil.
 Also of greater importance is the performance of the enclosure which inspired use of the concept of
being ecologically friendly.
Honeycomb

RATIONALIZATION
The form:
The design solution progressed from one in terms of a series of arches to a more structurally efficient one
based upon the idea of geodesic sphere. The undulating ground profile meant that the spheres, known as
biomes, became more organic and less geometric.

Associations
Intuitive ideas for the form were influenced by what is sometimes referred to as biomimetics – looking at
how nature resolves similar problems. The soap bubble studies of Frei Otto were a significant factor in that
process. According to Barry Johson, McAlpine’s project manager; it is a natural fact where bubbles
intersect they do so vertically in a plane, which means that you can put an arch between the two bubbles hex-tri-hex structure
and it will automatically be vertical and straight.(Johson,)

DESIGN INTENT RATIONALIZATION

Form Finding Approach Curvature rationalization

 How nature resolves similar  Bubble-like geodesic structure geodesic geometry
problems (Biomimetics) ''hex–tri–hex''.

Factors which have determined the design decisions

The Eden Project uses a variety of design strategies to help it complete its goal of sustainability. The official
name for the bubble-like geodesic structure mentioned earlier is a “hex–tri–hex.” Though the final structure
looks very similar ''to half a sphere, the entire building uses straight planes with straight edges. It
incorporates an outer shell of primarily hexagonal pieces, (some pentagons) which attaches to an inner
network of triangles for stability. The design is so structurally stable that it does not need any internal
supports even in the 240m span of the largest biome. In addition, all the steel tubes that make up the grid-
like network could be easily transported to the site in small pieces reducing costs.''(Szalapaj, 2005). The
structure transfers loads to the ground uniformly around its base which helps to eliminate large footings that
otherwise might have been needed to support such a large enclosure. Energy efficiency-wise, the hemisphere maximization of transparency
shape helps to conserve the heating that is needed especially in the humid–tropics biome. This is because of
the fact that a sphere has the largest amount of volume compared to its surface area of any form.

structural form, showing the different sizes of

domes
 soap bubbles hex-tri-hex structure

Structural analysis:
''In addition to modelling the form together with its structural detail, computational structural analysis
was used to assess intuitive solutions to the problems of intersecting biomes of different sizes and
frequencies (number and size of panels).''(Szalapaj, 2005) The structural resolution of horizontal thrusts
needed particular attention, and additional arch elements needed to be modelled where biomes intersected
each other. structural detail of HTB with hex-tri-hex system

Foundation lines also needed to be identified where the biomes intersected the ground. Since geodesic
structures consist of discrete elements, elements can be added or removed depending upon the location of
the foundation lines.
Association
''Hexagonal elements with pentagonal intersections were chosen primarily to maximise the amount of
light that could be received into biomes structures.''(Szalapaj, 2005).

REPRESENTAIONAL RATIONALIZATION DESIGN INTENT

3D data description Cladding organization Formal intention

 computational structural analysis was
used to assess intuitive solutions to the
problems of intersecting biomes of
different sizes and frequencies.
 Hexagonal elements with pentagonal
 Maximum
intersection( Bubble-like geodesic
amount of light
structure ''hex–tri–hex''. ) basic form and structural form superimposed

over DTM

Geodesic Geometry:
''A series of intersecting domes of varying diameter were developed. Once the size and the relative
position of the domes could be determined, the shape of the pit became a secondary consideration. The
structural form of the domes could then be confirmed, and the intersection line between superstructure
and the ground determined the position of foundations and extent of cladding. This enabled the team to
proceed with design development of the biome envelope even before the final survey of the pit was
complete.''(Szalapaj, 2005)

A principal criterion in the clients’ brief was to maintain the transparency of the envelope at a maximum.
To achieve this, the cladding material had to provide high levels of light transmission, and structural
elements had to be kept to minimum size and number. After a detailed study of various geometrical
arrangements for a spherical surface, a geodesic arrangement was selected. By adopting hexagons with
pentagonal intersections, an even distribution of structural members could be achieved. Varying the
frequency of subdivisions in the spherical elements gave rise to optimum cladding panel sizes and light
levels. computer generated 3D model used to analyze

energy efficiency within the biome

DESIGN INTENT MATERIALIZATION

Formal intention Material Level

 The transparency of the envelop at  The cladding material had to provide

maximum. high amount of light transmission.
 Light structure  Structural material be small in size
and minimum number.

structural CAD model of the HTB with concrete

necklace

MATERIALIZATION REPRESENTATION RATIONALIZATION

Element level Cladding organization Cladding organization

 Variety of the frequency of
 Optimum cladding panels and  Various geometric
subdivisions in the spherical
lights level. arrangements of the
elements .
spherical elements.
 design of the ETFE cushions was initially based

on theoretical analysis
Once the type of cladding and intensity of environmental loads had been established, the design team
focused on deriving the optimum geometrical arrangement for the spherical structures. The objective was to
use ''the largest cushion possible in order to maximise light transmission and to minimise cost: large
cushions mean fewer connections in the steelwork and reduced length of aluminium framing. ''(Szalapaj,
2005). Mero, the subcontractor undertook the detailed design of the cladding system. Cushion sizes with
side lengths up to 5.5m were possible, but would need cable net reinforcement above and below the
cushions. To avoid this added expense, the geometry of the domes was scaled to suit their size- smaller
domes incorporating smaller cushions. Only the largest cushions, on dome B in the HTM and dome G in
the WTB, required reinforcement.

The figures – and – give the final geometric arrangements for the biomes. The lines of intersection between computer programs allowed Grimshaw to
domes posed a particular problem. It was not possible to align the nodes on either side and this was
exacerbated as the geometry of each dome had been scaled to give suitable cushions dimensions. ''Tubular accurately determine the size of each shape of
lattice arches were introduced to accommodated this and pick up individual node points. These were
fabricated in segments from curved tubes and the site welded together.''(Szalapaj, 2005) the biomes

FABRICATION MATERIALIZATION RATIONALIZATION

Subtractive Process Cladding organization Framing strategy
 Maximum Cushion  Base on the cushion sizes, i.e. 5.5.m  Framing base on the
sizes, 5.5m with side with size length. cushion size.
length  Maximum light transmission
 scaling the size of
 Large cushions means fewer
the dome, that each
connections in the steelwork and
reduced length of aluminium dome had been
framing scaled to give
 Domes were scaled to suit the size suitable cushions
smaller domes incorporating dimension biome model
smaller cushions

Each sphere was oriented such that one of the twelve principal nodes was at the apex. The geometry
determined that pentagon was formed at this location. The spherical surface was then set out from this point.
Repetition within the structure was also important.
Structural form:
During early scheme design, it became apparent that the exact profile of the pit would not be known until
construction began. Initial schemes for the biomes used curved, arched trusses at regular intervals spanning
from the base of the pit onto cliff face. Each truss had a unique profile and span. For this solution to work,
the pit shape needed to be maintained wherever possible, but even if it was, very little repetition or
rationalisation of trusses could be achieved. In this approach, and with the constantly changing topography another computer representation of the biomes in
as mining continued, several redesigns would be necessary before a final geometry could be determined.
the context of the site.
structural form, showing the different sizes of domes

automatically controlled openings

structural detail of HTB with hex-tri-hex system basic form and structural form superimposed over DTM

At this point, the design team proposed a radical change to the basic form of the biomes, and considered the
benefits of having an external structure in the form of intersecting domes. One benefit would be easier
access for the application and maintenance of a corrosion protection system. This approach also allowed the
possibility of placing the structure within the envelope. A twin layer system with sealed skin above and
below the structural zone could also provide a controlled environment. This solution also offered the
possibility of having a fully braced geodesic geometry all in one plane.

''After evaluating the practical limitations, a single layer, unbraced, three dimensional space frame
structure with 500mm diameter circular hollow sections was selected. Without triangulated bracing in the
spherical plane, hexagonal cladding panels located within the structural openings could be used. The the panels were formed from multiple layers of
envelope was tendered as two packages, steel and cladding. ''(Szalapaj, 2005). The successful contractor,
Mero Gmbh, offered to supply the frame and cladding. Their proposal incorporated a space truss system, ethyltetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) foil
developed over many years.

MATERIALIZATION RATIONALIZATION

Cladding organization Skin/Structure configuration

 Practical limitations.  Making the layers into single
 A single layer structure with two packages, steel and structure with two packages, steel
cladding was selected.
and cladding.
aluminium cladding frames

The hex-tri-hex structural form:

Grimshaws and hunts, together with Mero, finalised the design of an efficient two-layer steel space frame
structure, which used the geometry given in the tender (hexagonal, with occasional pentagons) for the outer
layer, with a combination of hexagons and triangular elements for the semi-braced inner layer. Diagonals
connected the node points of the layers together to make the structure rigid. This structure was called the
hex-tri-hex. The two-layer structural system, the first of its kind on this scale in the world, was referred to as
a hex-tri-hex arrangement. The series of images give an indication of both the outer and inner structural
elements, as well as their relationship to the connecting trusses and concrete foundations.
aluminium cladding frame
In the hex-tri-hex form the larger the diameter of the sphere the larger the hexagon and pentagons. The
side length were fitted together through a series of universal connector ball joints at every node position that
allowed for connection in all the different configurations. Side lengths varied from 1 m to 5.4 m. The largest
uninterrupted clear panel was nearly 11 m from point to point.

''The inner lighter shell was braced to the main outer frame to give it rigidity using diagonals connecting
the node points of both layers. Having two shells connected vertically makes it a curved space frame. This
three-dimensional curved space frame acts like a shell, such that wind, snow and other loads are
transferred through the shell into the foundations.''(Szalapaj, 2005).

aluminium cladding system and ETFE cladding

REPRESENTATION
material
CAD software is primarily concerned with geometric modelling techniques, along with varying degrees of
analysis and optimisation functionality. Computer aided manufacturing (CAM) is the technology
concerned with the use of the computers systems to plan, manage, and control manufacturing operations.
Integrating these two processes aims to make the product cycle more efficient and therefore most cost-
effective.

In addition to the succession of ''digital ground models of the site produced at various stages of its
development, a board range of computational analysis techniques were used by Anthony Hunt Associates
for the different types of analysis of the structural form. The design of the biome structures incorporated
full inner elastic analysis of all environmental loads and combinations of loads.''(Szalapaj, 2005). These
included wind loads, temperature loads, snow loads, and analysis of the differential settlement of
foundations. An important feature was the development of CAD model specifically for the foundations of complex structure of domes
the scheme. This model represented the intersection between the structural model of the biomes and the
ground model, and required a total of six months effort for its completion. It is effectively a 3-D concrete
necklace which follows the perimeter of the buildings and hugs the contours of the site. The digital model
incorporating the necklace was used as a basis for the generation of all working drawings, as well as for
the numerical analysis, such as the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques developed by Arup
Associates.
The final design of the biome structure incorporated a full linear elastic analysis of all environmental loads The digital data was exported to a machine shop
and combinations of loads. These included:
 Wind loads derived from the wind tunnel test where a computerised production line
 Temperature loads between the extremes of -10° C and + 50° C
 Uniform snow loads automatically cut components of complex
 Drifting snow accumulating between cushions
 Drifting snow accumulating between spheres structure to the precise specifications provided.
 Differential settlement of foundations.
 assembling the cladding materials
Digital representations of membrane theory combined with bending effect, along with finite element and
finite strip analysis ( which sum over large numbers of discrete sections) have been in existence since the
1960s (Robin, 1996, p. 63). In the 1970’s non-linear time-dependent analysis was introduced which
supported the dynamic representation of structural responses under increasing loads. More recently,
structural analysis software has been developed for a wide variety of analyses including load history, creep,
shrinkage, aging of concrete, anchor slip, friction and relaxation (loc. Cit.). Digital representations of
structural topology can support the optimisation of both shape and topology. For shell structures such as
the Eden biomes, the goal was to minimise tension and bending forces as much as possible. Once the
structural frame layout had been determined through analysis, consideration could then be given to the Each piece of cushions of EFTE is determined
positioning of the structure relative to the cladding envelope.
with a specialized 3D computer program and
The design of the ETFE cushions was initially based on theoretical analysis using an iterative solution.
The size of the panels was greater than any system previously built by the supplier, so a series of physical these data are then transferred to a machine that
test and mock-ups were included in the contract. As a result of these tests, the degree of patterning used to
form the cushion profile was increased, and cable net reinforcement was omitted in favour of a second top correctly cuts and labeles each piece.
layer of foil. Under negative wind pressures, principal loads are applied to the top layer of foil and the load
capacity can be increased by either providing thicker material or a greater rise in the profile.

complex structure of domes

The digital data was exported to a machine shop where a computerised production
line automatically cut components of complex structure to the precise specifications
provided

RATIONALIZATION
Form finding
 The form of the
enclosure losing its
hemisphere shape and
being more organic .
 due to the CAD model
of the foundation of the
building.
REPRESENTION
RATIONALIZATION
3D Data representation
Curvature analysis
 The CAD model of the Analytic
and optimization functionality  Optimization of the
(CAM) structural form
 Computer analysis, inner elastic
analysis, full elastic analysis for
structural form selected.

MATERIALIZATION

Material Level

 Finite element and finite strip analysis.

 Design of ETFE cushions with
theoretical analysis using an iterative
solution

MATERIALIZATION
Cushions of ETFE (ethyltetraflouroethylene) transparent foil are used for the glazing. This very light-
weight material weighs approximately 1% of glass. In addition, its strength and the fact that it is self-
cleaning make it the perfect product to use for this project. Last, it also has excellent ultraviolet trans-
mittance which is essential for the healthy development of the plants grown inside.
 DESIGN INTENT MATERIALIZATION

Formal intention Element level

 The skin should have  Choice of lightweight ,strength,

performance and lightweight self cleaning, excellent ultraviolet
but strong. transmittance,
 cushions of ETFE aluminium
cladding frames

Beginning with dome A of the HTB in the west and the dome H of the WTB in the east, a space frame was
assembled from a kit of individually labelled parts. Primary elements were shipped to site prefinished by hot
dip galvanising nodes were prefinished with a zinc rich paint system. Elements were lifted into position by
mobile crane and on the larger dome in the HTB, a tower crane on piled foundations was used. Aluminium
cladding frames were bolted to the top boom elements on the ground before erection, leaving only the
corner units to be installed at high levels. As each dome and parts of adjacent domes (to ensure stability)
were constructed, the pneumatic cushions were installed.

The cladding system:

The performance criteria developed for the cladding system were extensive. The size of panel was very
important, and glass would be limited to double glazed panels no greater than 4 X 2 meters weighing up to
75 kg/m². The installation, leaning and replacement of large glass units requires careful planning and large
crane capacities to reach over the buildings. The system chosen to lad the biomes was a pneumatic structure
of cushions. Each cushion was contained within one module of the structure in the form of a hexagon,
pentagon or triangle. On the largest domes, hexagonal cushions up to 10.9m across were used.

''The panels were formed from multiple layers of ethyltetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) foil. The foil is
extremely thin, each layer being between 50 and 200μm thick, giving very high levels of light transmission
in both the visible (94-97%) and ultra violet range (83-88%). The cushions are held in extrude aluminium
perimeter frames using a huff groove and bolt rope type detail, know as a keder, derived from sailing and
fabric structure technology .The frames are in turn bolted to brackets on the tubular steel structure at
regular intervals. Even with such large panels, the whole cladding system only weighs around 15 kg/m² - a
considerable weight saving on the equivalent glass envelope. Thermal insulation values (U-1.95 w/m²°k for
a triple layer cushion) are better than triple glazing when used horizontally. The ETFE is a modified
copolymer which is extruded into a thin film.'' (Szalapaj, 2005). This means the surface is extremely
smooth and when coupled within the anti-adhesive properties of the material, gives a self-cleaning surface.
Dirt such as bird droppings is washed off by rain and the requirement for regular cleaning is minimal. The
material is unaffected by UV light, atmospheric pollution or weathering and extensive testing themselves
only weigh up to 50kg making replacement a much easier operation than glass. It is also possible to effect
short-term repairs in-situ using adhesive ETFE tape. The system is considered to be environmentally
friendly. The inflation units consume energy to maintain the air pressure within the system, but the
increased light transmission compensates for this in reduced artificial lighting requirements.

In the hex-tri-hex structural system, the outer members were 193mm diameter circular hollow sections
with semi-fixity at the nodes, whilst the inner members were 114, diameter circular hollow sections with
pin ended connections from the meter system. This alternative offered considerable reductions in the
weight of steel although fabrication complexity and the number of nodes increase considerably so the
tendered cost was generally in accordance with the anticipated budget. The number of nodes in the system
has a significant effect on cost, as does the size of the cladding panels.

assembling the cladding materials

Each piece of cushions of EFTE is determined with a specialized 3D computer program and these data are then
transferred to a machine that correctly cuts and labeles each piece.

FABRICATION MATERIALIZATION
RATIONALIZATION
Additive process Material level
Cladding organization
 Complexity and the
 Glass would be limited
 In the hex-tri-hex increase in number of
to double glazed panels
structural system, the
Environmental loads:
The combination of a lightweight steel frame and cladding system (with an average combined weight of
around 40 kg/m² of surface area) meant that the effect of environmental loads on the structure was very
critical. To achieve the most efficient solution possible, snow and wind loads were assessed in detail
according to proportional loading characteristics. The consequences of drifting snow accumulating between
cushions, or in the valleys between domes were evaluated, with particular emphasis on the arch between the
two biomes.
A detailed study was conducted using a 1:300 scale model of the biome complex and surrounding quarry in
the wind tunnel at British Maritime Technology Ltd.

REPRESENTATION
RATIONALIZATION
3D data representation
Cladding organization
 Use of 1:300 scale model of
 The combination of the the biome complex to
lightweight steel frame and achieve the most efficient
cladding system solution.

FABRICATION
Since each of the hexagonal pieces of the biome is a different size, Grimshaw worked with others to come
up with a specialized 3D computer program that determines the dimensions of each piece of cushions of
ETFE. These data are then transferred to a machine that correctly cuts and labels each piece before it is
shipped to the construction site.

CAD/CAM Technology
The complex structural design of the Eden steelwork was digitally represented using 3D CAD/CAM
modelling and structural analysis software developed jointly between Grimshaws, Hunts, and Mero. The
digital data was exported to a machine shop where a computerised production line automatically cut
components to the precise specifications provided. The many thousands of individual components were
individually numbered, so that when fitted to their unique positions, matching elements could be
accommodated with minimal tolerance values.

Geodesic Domes
Design concepts based upon natural forms helped the design team on the Eden Project to explore new and
innovative solutions. Natural forms are concerned with efficiency, minimising use of energy and
maximising use of resources. By drawing geodesics on a sphere and connecting the points at which they
intersect with straight lines, a geodesic structure is produced. Forces within a geodesic structure are
uniformly distributed, and natural forms indicate that hexagonal structures are an extremely efficient
way of absorbing stress.

REPRESENTATIONAL FABRICATION

3D data representation Subtractive process

 3D CAD/CAM modelling  The dimension of each

and structural analysis piece of cushions ETFE
software determined the and they are
complex structural design. automatically cut.
 A specialized 3D computer  Complex structural
program determined the
design.
dimensions of each piece of
cushions of ETFE and they
automatically out.


The unfolding of a geodesic dome is based on the idea that three-dimensional polyhedra can be formed by
the rotation and displacement of two-dimensional polygons. Each of the triangular elements is considered
to be developable. In the Eden project these parts were hexagonal, but developability was still an intrinsic
property of the geodesic structure, i.e. component parts could be fabricated essentially in a flat plane.
 DESIGN INTENT FABRICATION

Formal Intention  Develop ability

component parts could
 Natural forms are be fabricated essentially
concerned with in a falt plane.
efficiency minimizing
use of energy and
maximizing use of
recourses.

We can see that, finally, in the Design life cycle, the design intent almost influenced the
rationalization and the materialization, because of that formal intentions set out by the visionary
statement of Tim smit, whilst, having a bi-directional links with the representation due to the
numerous analysis and simulation, just like with that of the rationalization.
In case of the fabrication, the framing strategy and the outcome of the 3d model finally
determined mostly the way of the fabrication, whilst, the way to do that were all put into
consideration by the design intent and the choice of the material.
REFERENCES
Robbin, T.(1996) Engineering a new architecture, Yale University press.

Gill, J, .Clarendon, C. The Evolution of the Post-Industrial Landscape.

Jackson, M .(2000). Eden:The first book, St Ives, Roche.

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