Project
The Kochi-Muziris Biennale is an international exhibition of contemporary art held in Kochi, India. The show occupies existing galleries and halls, and site-specific installations in public spaces, heritage buildings, and disused structures. The Kochi Biennale Foundation retained Marvel Structural Consultants to design the Kochi-Muziris Biennale Pavilion as a temporary venue within the Aspinwall compound. Intended as a work of art itself, the INR 4.5 million structure will be used for six months.
Solution
The scope of work for this project included analysis and design of the structure, adherence to safety standards and functional requirements, and attention to aesthetics and structural novelty. Designed using STAAD, the wave-like structure is mostly steel, with the frames prefabricated and erected onsite to reduce costs. Its high strength-to-weight ratio, coupled with a low-carbon footprint and the ability to be reused, makes the temporary structure a truly sustainable project.
Outcome
Local prefabrication and onsite erection of the steel frames shortened construction time to 30 days and reduced transportation costs. The unconventional design by internationally acclaimed architect Nuru Karim minimized the pavilion’s environmental impact so that, when disassembled, it will leave almost no trace and can be recycled or reconstructed elsewhere. In fact, the steel in all of the superstructure and 70 percent of the substructure can be recycled or reused after the exhibition.
Software
STAAD, Bentley’s 3D structural analysis and design software, enabled Marvel Structural Consultants
to share synchronized model data among the design team. The software increased design productivity with streamlined workflows to reduce duplication of effort and eliminate errors.