Contrasting Orientation
Just as two structural grids may have contrasting 
geometries, they also might have differing orientations
to address unique features of a site, accommodate an 
existing pattern of movement, or express contrasting 
forms or functions within a single composition.Although structural framing systems are usually developed 
in plan, consideration should also be given to the effect 
of the structure on the vertical aspects of a building--its 
elevations and the scale of its interior spaces.66 / BUILDING STRUCTURES ILLUSTRATED
IRREGULAR GRIDS
Plan and section: Palmach Museum of History, Tel Aviv, Israel, 1992-1999, Zvi Hecker and Rafi Segal
STRUCTURAL PATTERNS / 67
IRREGULAR GRIDS
Plan and section: Valley Center House, San Diego County,
California, 1999, Daly Genik Architects
Plan and section:Lois & Richard Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art,
Cincinnati, Ohio, 2001-2003, Zaha Hadid Architects
The examples on this and the previous page illustrate several ways in which 
contrasting orientations can be accommodated within a single composition.The structure of the Lois & Richard Rosenthal
Center for Contemporary Art is based on a regular rectilinear grid but the 
columns have the shape of parallelograms to reflect the skewed geometry of 
the full-height, skylit atrium space housing the vertical system of stairways.68 / BUILDING STRUCTURES ILLUSTRATED
IRREGULAR GRIDS
Accommodating Irregular Spaces
Design ideas are often generated not from the pattern of
structural supports and spanning elements but rather from 
the desired ordering of program spaces and the formal 
qualities of the resulting composition.In the latter two cases, the resulting irregular or 
nonuniform layout of vertical supports and varying span 
lengths make it difficult to use repetitive or modular 
structural members.70 / BUILDING STRUCTURES ILLUSTRATED
IRREGULAR GRIDS
Accommodating Irregular Shapes
It is advisable to try to recognize the inherent geometry 
embedded in irregular plan shapes when attempting to 
develop a strategy for its structural system.Although appropriate to accommodate the spatial 
requirements of such spaces as theaters, concert halls, and 
large galleries, this strategy typically requires long-span 
spanning systems.The transitional or interstitial space formed by the 
intersection of two geometries having contrasting 
orientations can, if large or unique enough, begin to attain 
an importance or significance of its own.The Palmach Museum of Historyconsists of three parts, two of which are
skewed to preserve an existing cluster of trees and rocks and define an 
irregularlyshaped courtyard.Discrete irregularspaces may be framed bythe structure
to conform with and reinforce the program requirements of 
the spatial volume.STRUCTURAL PATTERNS / 69
IRREGULAR GRIDS
Accommodating Irregular Shapes
See plan and section of Centre Le Corbusier, pg. 16.