AA Membrane Canopy in London

In the Detail Magazine 2010- 5 : "Analogue and Digital" the AA Membrane Canopy in London is discussed in detail. Below you'll find and excerpt of the article:

AA Membrane Canopy in London
Architects: Micheal Hensel, Achim Menges,Micheal Weinstock

The AA membrane canopy provides constant weather protection to the terrace.Yet it is so permeable that it maintains views of the surrounding London roof scape and avoids excessive wind. ...... A systems was developed, based on components, that reconciles the performance criteria - allowing light and air to enter, maintaining views and providing protection from the elements- by explicitly defining each component in an overall system. The individual components, developed on the basis of numerous analogue and digital test are made out of tubular- steel frames (resisting compressive forces) and membrane elements(tensile strength). The material and geometric properties were embedded in a parametric model, which constitutes the building block of subsequent integral design process.......