Polin is a museum in Warsaw designed by Helsinki based Lahdelma & Mahlamäki Architects, opened in 2013. We came into the project after Lahdelma & Mahlamäki’s competition win in 2005.
The museum has a 70 meters long, cavernous entrance hall that cuts through the building. Our role has been to be in charge of the digital design of the museum’s freeform entrance hall walls and roof.
In addition to modelling the wall surfaces, various digital tools were developed for producing geometric data for the needs of analysis and design by structural engineers. Digital tools, created by computer programming, were used and developed at all stages of the design process. These tools were used for organizing the 3d-model, for producing data for structural engineering, to facilitate exchange of data with engineers, and also for creating reference maps according to the specific needs of construction site workers.
After evaluating different methods for constructing the freeform walls, a construction where the walls have a load-bearing tubular steel structure with MDF slabs and a thin layer of gunned concrete on each face, was chosen. Throughout the project the master model for the freeform wall and roof geometries was maintained by us.
Modeling for the needs of structural analysis and for the design of steel and concrete structures
A series of wire models were generated for preliminary structural analysis. The line models, where lines have nodes only at their intersections, were generated from Rhino surface models, using algorithm based methods.
Cad model with double curved wall surfaces and steel structure
Steel structure with fire protection
Expansion joints. Modeling and data generation.
Canyon geometry with expansion joints on wall surfaces.
Every expansion joint is named. Intersection locations and names are exported to spreadsheets.
Sprayed concrete walls
Sprayed concrete
Sprayed concrete
Two layers of sprayed concrete
Height map for construction workers with information about topology measured between diagonal seams.
CREDITS
Architectural design: Lahdelma & Mahlamäki Architects Finland
Geometry consultant: Markus Wikar, Geometria
Structural engineering: Arbo Project Poland
Sprayed concrete walls: Torkret SP. z. o. o. Poland
General contractor: Polimex-Mostostal Poland
Read more about the project here
Lahdelma & Mahlamäki architects
2014
Warsaw, Poland
Lahdelma & Mahlamäki Architects
Completed
Consulting, Fabrication
