2265x
001114
2018-06-04

Conversation Plinth in Columbus, IN

The Conversation Plinth is a collaboration between IKD, a Boston-based architectural design firm; Bensonwood; SMARTLAM, the first CLT manufacturer in the US; and Clemson University’s Wood Utilization and Design Institute....

Project Details

The design for Conversation Plinth takes inspiration from the conversation pit in the Miller House and the plinths that elevate the landmarks immediately surrounding the Cleo Rogers Memorial Library.

Large shifting timber discs compose a series of plinths that rise upward towards the west and encourage dynamic circulation around the sculpture, allowing the plaza to be experienced in new ways — even by night, thanks to dramatic lighting.

Structure Details

The structure was analyzed and designed in RFEM utilizing the RF-LAMINATE module. RF-LAMINATE allowed for custom and unique CLT layers to be defined apart from the widely used APA PRG 320 material. These custom compositions were further assigned to 84 curved surfaces connected vertically with smaller segment dimension lumber members. A stress and deformation analysis was then performed in RF-LAMINATE for the CLT surfaces.



Project Specifications

Model data

Number of Nodes 943
Number of Lines 761
Number of Members 274
Number of Surfaces 84
Number of Solids 6
Number of Load Cases 5
Number of Load Combinations 1
Total Weight 29.680 tons
Dimensions 73.68 x 41.64 x 14.5 feet
Program Version 5.14.03

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