Today we explore a construction style. The Diagrid. The diagrid is load bearing diagonal structure with diagonal and horizontal structures. It is most often steel, but can also be wood or concrete. It is decorative, structural, and reduces the need for interior supporting walls thus more open floor. The construction style uses less material, less welding is striking and aesthetically pleasing. It also allows for curved structures and benefits of a cost-saving by using less material. I think my favourite in this selection is the Atlas Building. The most famous of course is St Mary Axe aka “The Gherkin”.
St Mary Axe “Gherkin”
2004, London, England
Seattle Library
2004, Seattle, Washington
Atlas building
2006, Wageninger, Netherlands
Hearst Tower
2006, New York, New York
Tornado Tower
2008, Doha, Qatar
170 Westhafen Tower
2009, Frankfurt, Germany
Aldar Headquarters Building
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Guangzhou International Finance Centre
2010, Guangzhou, China
Capital Gate
2013, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
CCTV – China Central Television HQ from China World Trade
2013, Beiging, China
The Bow
2013, Calgary, Alberta
Leadenhall Building
2014, London, England
170 Amsterdam
2015, New York, New York
Poly International Plaza
2016, Chaonyang Qu, China
