Parabolic Workshop

This project is an exploration of a very simple building element: the shed roof. In this case, we took the simple shed and instead of employing one roof pitch as is typical, two opposing roof lines are joined by a hyperbolic paraboloid, a shape that appears to generate a although it’s constructed from a series of linear elements. The result is a beautiful, organic structure that both stands out and blends into its environment. Despite its unusual form, the structure utilizes conventional construction methods (light wood framing, plywood sheathing, corrugated metal roof) and was built by 12 novice students over the course of only 5 days. It was also constructed in a series of panels that allowed the whole project to be easily disassembled and moved to a remote location. It can be re-erected at its final site by two carpenters in two days with only a couple of cordless drills, a rope, and a pulley.