2010 Nested Catenaries Prototype 1, Oslo, Norway
Design: Defne Sunguroğlu Hensel.
Master Mason: Øyvind Buset, Oslo, Norway.
Design and Construction Team: Linda Blaasvaer, Mattis Fosse, Marine Giller, Esa Hotanen, Torstein Hågensen-Drønen, Johnbosco Mulwana, Emanuel Ssinabulya, Simen C Lennertzen, Daniela Puga, Joakim Hoen, Rikard Jaucis, Eva Johansson, John Pantzar, Oda Forstrøm, Maximilian Hartinger, Fabian Onneken, Leonard Steidle, Nikolaos Magouliotis, Andre Severin Johansen
Industry Sponsors: Byggutengrenser, Wienerberger, Weber and Einar Stange
Acknowledgements: special thanks for support to Prof. Dr. Michael U. Hensel, Prof. Dr. Birger R. Sevaldson, Prof. Dr. Remo Pedreschi, Dr. Jane Burry, Dr. Chris Williams, Daniel Davis, Daniel Piker.
The first Nested Catenaries prototype aimed at exploring some of the heretofore unexplored potentials of catenary arch arrangements, focusing on a spatially organized network of interacting Catenaries. The aim was to accomplish an undulating wall made from nested catenaries. Methodologically the research employed a combination of physical form-finding experiments with hanging chains, digital parametric and associative modelling, and 1:1 tests. The form-finding processes proceeded in an iterative manner progressing from a single chain towards arrangements of interaction chains.
Digital registration of the physical form-finding experiments was enabled by the use of a mechanical digitizer and photometric readings. The digital form-finding process and model was developed in Rhino3D and the Grasshopper Kangaroo physics engine.
The prototype covered a floor area of approx. 8000 x 2000 mm reaching 2500 mm high at its highest point.
