book-2

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN ARCHITECTURAL AND STRUCTURAL FORM 21▲ 3.1 Library Square, Vancouver, Canada, Moshe Safdie and Associates Inc., 1995.A typical longitudinal frame and the end of a perimeter transverse frame.resist gravity and longitudinal loads, and exposed cross-bracing resiststransverse loads (see Figs 3.40 and 3.41).In buildings with more than one structural system and where it isunclear which system is primary from a visual perspective, the conceptof structural form is too simplistic. The term structural systems is moreappropriate in these cases.Suckle’s study of ten leading architects suggests that architects determinebuilding form after considering a wide range of factors that usually, in thefirst instance, do not include structure. 2 Design issues such as integratingthe programme or brief within the allowable site coverage and budget allwithin an overriding architectural concept tend to be dealt with first. Shefinds that while the intensity and importance of an initial design conceptvaries greatly from designer to designer, structural considerations arenever paramount during the initial design stage to determine buildingmassing. Many architects probably identify with Erickson when he states:Structure is the strongest and most powerful element of form, so much sothat if it is not the last consideration in the long series of decisions determiningform, it distorts or modifies all other determinants of a building. Onefinds in fact, that the structure has dictated all the other aspects of thedesign. The inhabitants should not behave as the columns dictate – the contraryshould surely be the case . . . As with all my buildings the structure wasnot even considered until the main premises of the design – the shape ofthe spaces and the form of the building had been determined. Thus, thestructure did not preclude but followed the design intent. 3