August 12, 2010

Suspension Roof

The swooping roof of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh hangs from a series of 15 enormous cables tied to tall masts.


Designed by architect Rafael Viñoly, the structure mimics the curves of Pittsburgh's many suspension bridges.


The cable-suspended roof owes its graceful shape to the natural curve formed by a flexible cable or chain hanging between its fixed ends—a catenary.



The cables end in exposed anchors (above) inside and on the roof, visible to passersby.


Photos by I. Peterson

1 comment:

Nuri Rossignol said...

Basically, suspension roofs are mostly used for sporting stadiums and pavilions, which usually hold large and grand events. Personally, I think the best thing it has is its capability to hold the roof basically through the cables. Well, what technology cannot do nowadays?