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Buildings with Interesting Geometry enhance the Reputation of the
Architect Often the ingenuity brought to building projects by the Architect is hidden. The difficulties of short design & construction times, and budget constraints, frequently limits the Architects ability to create the structure with the features initially envisioned. The Space frames structural system is an affordable means of achieving visually impressive structural arrangements that provide conspicuous and unique appeal in many different ways to all buildings. There is virtually no limit to the geometrical arrangements that are possible. Some of the common forms that Space frames supplies include: Domes, Spheres, Cones, Prisms, Ovaloids, Toroids, Arches, Cylinders, Ellipses, Pyramids, Hypars, Cantilevered, Suspended, Inclined Structures, Multiple Curvatures and Free-form Shapes, Theme/Exhibition/Display structures, Stars, Fish, Turtles, etc….. Space Frame structures can help overcome Budget Constraints on many projects Often a limited project budget restricts the thinking of the designer to less interesting materials and building layouts. It is very easy to create an Aesthetic enhancement to a 'least cost' building through the addition of a decorative and functional entrance canopy that becomes the visual feature and focal point. It is also very cost effective to make the structural members the feature in a building. Space frames not only provide structural support to the cladding system and service lines but can be left exposed internally. The savings afforded by eliminating the need for ceiling materials, installation, painting & maintenance are substantial. Space Frames allow Air conditioning, heating & other service lines to pass through the frame thereby maximizing available ceiling height. This can allow major construction economy, particularly in multi-story buildings, by reducing the required floor height. Curved Structural members often provide more economical use of material than more conventional beam-column arrangements. A dome roof for instance may require only 1/3 the steel mass of conventional members. Design, Manufacture and Installation times and costs are often much less than for other structural arrangements. Space frame design has been refined over the last 35 years and is tailored to accommodate unusual geometry. Computer automated processes now achieve very rapid and reliable design and detailing. Even complex Space Frame fabrication is readily achieved on Space framess automated, purpose-built equipment. The Space frames product is delivered to site as a kit, which is very simple and quick to assemble. Every structure piece is readily lifted by a single worker & the unique Space frames system requires only one bolt per joint. No special tools or skills are required. Space frames structures can be remotely pre-assembled, to not interfere with other site activities, and easily moved to the final position when required. High quality materials & shop-applied coatings are provided to avoid site painting and in-service maintenance. Difficult Sites actually make Space frames structures more advantageous Remote locations favor the Space frames product, which was originally developed for locations where equipment & skilled labor are not readily available. Many structures are supplied every year to remote sites and are assembled by unskilled residents within 1 day with only hand tools. Sites with poor or limited access pose no real problem because the Space frames structure is assembled from low mass components, which can all be moved & assembled by hand. Poor site conditions including poor ground, drainage, topography, or weather do not impede correct & rapid assembly of Space frames structures. Assembly is fast and can be performed at ground level or elevated to best suit the prevailing conditions. Site space limitations do not present a significant problem for Space frames structures which are compact to transport & store, and can be assembled without interfering with other site activities. Numerous Space frames structures have been erected over operating facilities without interruption to production. As Space frames structures can be assembled by hand, poor site conditions that might normally limit equipment availability & construction progress, are not a problem. Space frames structure erection is self-contained and does not impact on or interfere with other activities on projects involving concurrent contracts. Project Time Constraints actually make Space frames structures a good solution The speed of design & construction of Space frames structures well-serves projects with fast-track programs. Remote pre-assembly of the Space frames structure is a major benefit in this regard. The increasing demand for advanced completion date and project delay catch-ups can often be addressed by increasing assembly crew size. The componentized nature of the product and negligible equipment needs, readily allows assembly to extend beyond a single shift. Seasonal & weather constraints and site access & co-ordination difficulties that might dramatically impede progress with traditional building practices are frequently not a significant problem with Space frames structure erection. Space frames offers streamlined design, detailing, fabrication and construction, which effectively removes common delays that otherwise arise from co-ordination, communication & problem resolution between separate suppliers. Space frames therefore is a great partner on Turnkey projects or those where project management & inspection efficiency is paramount. When Aesthetics are Important, space frame structures meet the challenge An emerging architectural trend is to create buildings and public spaces that are inviting, interesting and novel. A growing trend in building design exhibits far more curvature than has been seen in the past. There is no doubt that the Space frames system provides an unmatched means of achieving almost any structural & decorative form. The Space frames system allows any architect to affordably add an artistic or symbolic statement to the structures they design. Space frames structures provide the theme at many entertainment, recreational and commercial facilities. An intelligent architectural solution is one where the structural members can be the feature of the building. This serves to create a visual theme but also can reduce cost that might otherwise be incurred to cover unsightly structural members. The Space frames system is aesthetically appealing and very flexible in dimension, material, finish and color. The smooth lines of the tubular members, simple joint consistency with no exposed discontinuity, weld or fastener has considerable visual appeal. Ceiling height constraints pose no problem for Space frames structures because the open web of the frames allows air-conditioning & heating ducts, fire water supply, other service lines, and lighting to be accommodated within the frame depth. The Space frames frame ideally suits building spaces where asymmetric or complex geometry applies or where long column-free space is needed. The Space frames system is frequently used in Airports and other heavy traffic areas where clear sight to signage, and open, airy, high ceiling space is required. Space frames structures are an ideal solution where large expanses of glass in walls or roofs are designed which must be reinforced against wind, snow, and other live loads. Quality Assurance is Critical on all projects and Space frames consistently meets or exceeds the specified requirements. Space frames is a pioneer of space frame & lattice structure technology and continues to lead the industry. The structural design method is fully supported by full-scale testing and has been further validated by the long-term integrity of thousands of structures in a wide variety of situations around the world. Space frames offers over 35 years of continuous, reputable performance. Our enduring technical strength and commercial success is vested in our in-house expertise & experience of our people in all aspects of this technology. We are experts in design of this type of structure, have specific manufacturing expertise that consistently achieves precision and efficiency, and our construction techniques have been refined over many years and thousands of installations and are fully proven. |