Student geodesic experiment, ITESM projectos integradores

December 2017, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico

Arcadia, a upcoming school of experimental Architecture gave my class of 4th year Projects (ITESM, Queretaro) to design and build a large event space for a conference. The idea was to develop designs and construction documentation, procure materials and build a roof over 225-250 sq m to provide shade and shelter for a conference.

The students looked up several methods of quick roofing- Reciprocal structures, Tensegrity, suspended and finally geodesic.

The attempt to build sucha a large geodesic structure out of wood was a utter failure, resulting in a loss of more than 200 wooden 2x4s. While the attempt was admirable, we lacked the time and the effort to complete even a third of the geodesic structure designed.

We abandoned the project completely.

Two incredible architects Eduardo Obregon Peña and Mauricio Cardenas retook the project and redesigned the structure completely this time using steel sections, Carriso to cover and shade, and finally a asphaltic membrane to waterproof it all.