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STRUCTURAL DETAILING 157▲ 7.53 Centre Pompidou, Paris, France, Piano and Rogers, 1977. Double-chords reducethe visual mass of the truss.that reduces its visual mass and scale, rendering the space moreamenable to human habitation. The thinnest portion of a pier crosssectionwhen traced from its base up to the beam and down to the baseof the opposite pier reads as a portal frame. The next thicker areaappears to be supporting and connected to the keel-like ceiling shape,and the thickest remaining section is seen as part of the walls above theshop frontages. Structural details like these downsize one’s perceptionof structure towards human-scale and create friendlier, more humaneenvironments.Use of multiple members is another strategy to prevent peoplefrom feeling overwhelmed by otherwise large structural elements. Thedouble-chords of the Pompidou Centre trusses, Paris, have their visualmass reduced to a minimum (Fig. 7.53 and see Fig. 4.18), and the clusteredcolumns of the United Airlines Terminal have a similar effect (seeFig. 7.13). Multiplicity of structural members may bring additional aestheticbenefits as well, such as introducing a sense of rhythm to anelevation or a space.▲ 7.54 Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris,France, Jean Nouvel, 1987. Light vierendeeltrusses support the end wall.Returning to lightness of detailing for transparency, L’Institut du MondeArabe, Paris, illustrates in at least two areas a successful detailing strategyutilizing composite rather than solid members. Open vierendeelbox-trusses span the width of the narrow exterior wall of the mainfaçade (Fig. 7.54). Positioned in front of the cladding, they offer supportto it at each floor level. With their outer chords curved in plan, they