Page 146 - JCAU-6-2

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism RuiXue Multi-Hall in reciprocal structures

projects such as the Oguni Onsen Spa in Oita, Japan, and area on the southwest side. In addition, semi-outdoor
the Swatch Omega Headquarters. spaces are created by small-scale shells located between
In 2010, Sanbe designed a complex 3D canopy for the functional blocks. On the south side, a shell, combined
Rokko Mountain observatory. This distinctive canopy with a central courtyard and variations in site elevation,
facilitates the construction of a semi-outdoor theater with
boasts a 16-meter diameter and is constructed from stair stands and stage space (Figure 2).
interconnected geometric units (Larsen, 2014). The
canopy’s design is rooted in the principles of the Voronoi 4.2. Shell structure performance optimization
diagram, with its individual members dimensioned using
the SFG solver (Goto et al., 2011). The steel pipes employed The process of optimizing the shell shape begins with
the rationalization of the boundary control curves to
in this structure come in two sizes: 50 mm for the primary achieve a smooth and reasonable initial shape (Figure 3).
framework and 15–20 mm for the secondary support Subsequently, the particle-spring algorithm is employed
structure. The final design minimizes the total length of to compute a stable shell shape, followed by multi-round
the structural members, optimizing both efficiency and functional space optimization to obtain the fundamental
functionality. free-form continuous shell prototype. This procedure
3. RuiXue blending into the rural landscape primarily focuses on the two-dimensional spatial
parameter optimization of the architectural entrance space
The architectural design of RuiXue Multi-Hall seamlessly (E1–E6) and the internal space of the shell (S1–S7).
integrates with the natural landscape (Figure 1) by To enhance the height-to-function ratio and prevent an
employing computational structures, resulting in a imposing scale from a human perspective, the height of the
multidimensional geometric shell that harmonizes
with the surrounding environment. This unique form,
reminiscent of mountains and drifting clouds, establishes a
meaningful connection with the earth and emphasizes tree
preservation, encapsulating rural forestry esthetics.
The amalgamation of architectural and spatial design
enables the creation of a continuous indoor-outdoor space,
facilitating various cultural activities, exhibitions, forums,
and agricultural presentations. The use of eco-friendly
materials, robotic manufacturing, weaving techniques,
and 3D-printed walls exemplifies intelligent construction
practices that not only support rural revitalization but also
pay homage to traditional craftsmanship.

4. The architectural shape design of Figure 1. Ruixue Multi-Hall blending into the rural landscape. Source:
free-form shells Photos by Wongke
4.1. Rationalization of the boundary of a free curve
A two-step method is proposed for achieving stable control
of plane boundary shapes in building projects. The method
first utilizes linear line segments to approximate discrete,
nearly straight-line curve segments with low discreteness.
Next, it employs second-order rational circular arcs to
approximate curve segments with higher discreteness,
ensuring continuity at the splicing points. This method
results in a relatively stable control line for the plane
boundary shape. Subsequently, the three-dimensional
cable-net space is computed using the particle-spring
method and divided into indoor and semi-outdoor spaces
based on architectural form and function. The building
consists of interconnected shells on the north side, forming
an indoor exhibition hall, a main office area, and a logistics Figure 2. Zone definition and division. Source: Drawing by Yingzi Hu

Volume 6 Issue 2 (2024) 4 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.1635