TRITANE PAVILION

2023

The TriTane is a structure that simplifies stability to the most basic form – a tripod, with a cranelike support at the end to hold up the load. It relies on the compression strength of the wood, and the tension forces of the thread to produce a formation that harmonizes the strength of each material. The rigid upright wood creates a strong loading point at the top, and tension allows the transfer of the off-centre load back to the middle point, with a wooden brace to further allow for rigidity above the loading zone.

In cases of extreme load carrying, the structure spreads its legs outwards rather than splitting the wood, thus tension cables at the bottom prevent such spread. For the parts that brace, such as the middle and back support, the wood is simply reinforced, whereas towards the front where the main load is, the legs are curved in a way that allows the building to bend in a controlled manner. Bending on the front legs push into each other to provide more resistance to load bearing.

The structure overall also consists of the wood in original lengths, only attached at points that allow for flexibility – the less joints and connections, the less places for the structure to break at, so the only strength factor is the material.

TEAM: ALEX XIE, KADEN KO