Original concept taken from architects drawings, clearly showing gabion wall section to the front of the structure. This forms the main entrance wall and the closing face for the bubble section.
The Classroom of the future - London
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Original concept taken from architects drawings, clearly showing gabion wall section to the front of the structure. This forms the main entrance wall and the closing face for the bubble section.
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| As can be seen here early on during the construction phase, from what would be the inside of the structure, the gabion walling utilising Hy-Ten trapezoidal gabion baskets of the triple life coating type. This wall design achieves the trapezoidal shape by utilising a preformed frame of welded galvenised 10mm bar. Openings are achieved by the use of preformed concrete sections, these can be clearly seen. |  |
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Again from the front during the wall construction, here clearly showing the dividing section that is used to house the facing finishing stone, this allows a more cost effective material to fill the major mass of the gabion and provide a water proof membrane making the wall weather proof and still allowing a highly decorative finish to be applied to the wall that remains on view. Care is taken when applying the membrane and finish stone, as not to puncture or tear the membrane thereby compromising weather proofing. |
| The structure here towards the end of construction, the curvature of the wall to dome interface was achieved using a framing mesh of triple life 76.2mm x 12.5mm x 4mm, this gives a defined line allowing the framing of th dome to be completely supported along its length. |  |
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The final product after some months of use, the use of the natural stone finish provides not only a good solid exterior wall and finish with good thermal value and weather proofing but also provides an interesting contrast with the composite and platis materials used in the rest of the construction. |