Douglas Wood Associates, Coral Gables, FL

2015

On the outskirts of Miami, this piece, was designed by internationally-renowned artist Michelle Oka Doner, who envisioned the structure as a “feral” gateway to the adjacent Everglades. The structure is reinforced concrete, strengthened by structural steel spines. A self-compacting mix with a 24-inch spread was chosen to assure complete filling of the intricate forms. Flyash replaced 40% of the cementitious material and a 56-day design strength was specified. The completed pavilion spans 50 feet and extends to a height of 25-feet.

Found objects in nature were digitally scanned in 3D. In collaboration with the engineer and contractor, electronic models were manipulated by the artist and landscape architect to create conceptual designs. Scale models were created using 3D printers. The team determined that the large, intricately shaped object could best be constructed in cast concrete, using forms of expanded polystyrene, sculpted by robotic routers, guided by the 3D computer model. The engineer used the same model for the conceptual structural design, which was then analyzed using sophisticated finite-element software. The structure is reinforced concrete, strengthened by structural steel spines. Within the 3D model, the engineer kinked, bent and skewed the spines to fit the object. The spines were reinforced and stiffened to withstand hurricane winds. For durability, reinforcing bars and spines were hot-dipped galvanized.