Sports Hall Roof Structure ‘Fluid Steel’, It is an interesting result of technology- the inference of possibility. How is a curved, flowing roof structure actually constructed? This study, by Cargo Collective is poignant in its singularity. Only the roof is worked out. This can create questions of full enclosure and resolution, sure. Yet, because of its isolation, one is forced to really contemplate this form and its execution. If it were to be just one of many building elements, it could be overlooked. We might just believe it out of default without truly contemplation the implications.
Courtesy of Power Architecture
Forms such as this can be made from a lot of steel (large members relying on material) or a lot of steel (small members relying on geometry and constructed depth). This seems to fit into the latter category. A double depth of steel members is created by struts, into which smaller cable or bar is trussed for lateral and angular support.
Courtesy of Power Architecture
We architects really can make anything we want. One must only se débrouiller, or to untangle. To not leave it for a structural engineer to figure out but grasp the fundamentals of geometry and use intuition to ‘solve it, even though it’s impossible’.
Matt Davis is a Virginia Tech graduate and one of the founding editors behind Arch2O. Launching the platform in mid‑2012 alongside fellow Hokies, he helped shape its identity as an international hub for design innovation and critical dialogue . With a foundation in architectural education and a passion for uncovering unconventional design approaches, Matt has contributed significantly—both editorially and strategically—to Arch2O’s growth, ensuring that emerging architects, academics, and creatives have a space to question, explore, and elevate the built environment.