Basler & Hofmann receives a Structural Award for the Future Tree outdoor pavilion
08.11.2021
The Future Tree outdoor pavilion by Basler & Hofmann in Esslingen, canton of Zurich, is the winner of the Structural Award in the category Structural Artistry (non building structures). The Institution of Structural Engineers presented the awards on 5 November in London.
The high-calibre, international jury praised the Future Tree project for its consistent use of parametric design and planning methods in combination with new, digital fabrication methods in support of optimised functionality and the sustainable use of resources.
With the Future Tree, Basler & Hofmann explored the potential of parametric planning and digital fabrication methods for structural design as part of the expansion of its own office building in Esslingen. The project was created as part of a development partnership with Gramazio Kohler Research of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich and Erne AG Holzbau. The architects, engineers and contractors optimised the design, structural analysis and fabrication in the parametric model in an iterative, collaborative process. The components were manufactured with the help of 3D printers and robots. The honeycomb-shaped timber structure and the organically shaped concrete column are characterised by a completely new design language and a supporting structure optimised in terms of functionality, use of resources and construction waste.
The Structural Awards were introduced in 1968 by the Institution of Structural Engineers. Each year, prizes are awarded in 14 different categories. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the project entries for both 2020 and 2021 were evaluated together by the jury. All the more reason for the Basler & Hofmann project team to be delighted with the award.