Title: 'Belvedere' office tower Rotterdam: structural design of a sloping hybrid high-rise

Authors: J.N.J.A. Vambersky

Addresses: Corsmit Consulting Engineers, Delft University of Technology, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands

Abstract: The ambitions of architects to realise exciting designs that challenge gravity and |defy| the laws of nature are never-ending. An example is the 100 m high sloping office tower |Belvedere| in Rotterdam, designed by the architect Renzo Piano. The design process, concepts, alternatives, final solutions and detailing of this architecturally appealing building are discussed in this paper, to illustrate the value that structural design and hybrid structures can have.

Keywords: architecture; structural design; sloping high-rise buildings; precast concrete; hybrid structures; office towers; high-rise office blocks; Belvedere tower; Rotterdam; Renzo Piano; The Netherlands; design process; design concepts; design alternatives; design solutions.

DOI: 10.1504/JDR.2007.014879

Journal of Design Research, 2007 Vol.5 No.3, pp.317 - 332

Published online: 14 Aug 2007 *

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