Foro Sur, Valencia

The Foro Sur building was designed as a convention centre for international events. The futuristic roof structure is made of the galvanized single layer patented MERO-PLUS system with fire proof cladding. The horizontal semi-ovoid dome structure consists of 2 mirrored ellipsoids which are connected at the ridge of the roof.

The intersection point of roof and facade was designed as a welded box girder following a polygonal outline. The mirror image cladding continues to the end of dome. Below the equator of the dome the roof merges to a cantilevering curved facade.
The vertical elliptical rings located parallel to the longest axis of the dome are a typical feature of this construction. These rings are subdivided in the classic pattern of a triangular grid shell, which serves to create the impression of regularly flowing lines, but leads to a great number of different node, member and panel types.

The roof cladding, which can be walked on for inspection purposes, consists of app. 1100 differently shaped, triangular panels of insulating glass, with a sun-protection coating.



Location: Valencia, Spain
Architect: J. M. Tomás Llavador-AREAS Ingenieria y Arquitectura S.L.
Completion: 2006
Owner: Feria de Valencia
Scope: Engineering, fabrication and errection of the steel/glass structure.
Cladding: Height app. 20 m, Width app. 40m,  Length app. 48 m, Roof app. 2800 m² insulated glass with Low-E coating; Fassade app. 620 m² insulated glass; App. 115 to of steel, App. 185 to of glass
Structure: Single layer, egg shaped gridshell.
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