BDS VirCon scooped the first prize for its work on Gehry Partners’ iconic Louis Vuitton Foundation for Creation, which will house the new Paris Museum of Contemporary Art.
This iconic building features a structural cover of glass sails, supported on stainless steel frames on top of a structural steel and timber glulam main frame. The 12 sails form a cloud over the museum, with numerous curves and angles, each reflecting its surrounding of parkland trees and the Paris skyline.
BDS VirCon was contracted by Eiffage Construction Metallique to detail out the stainless steel frames, along with the glazing fixing plates, main frame and locating base frames.
Because of the complexity of the geometry the only drawings produced were those for the fabrication of the parts and assemblies. All other information was provided between each party directly from the 3D modelling process.
Gehry Partners delivered 3D requirements via Digital Project to Eiffage for the structural design. Digital Project data exchange files were then issued to BDS and imported into Tekla for BIM collaboration and detailing.
The nature and intent of the project meant 3D interfacing between the different software tools was the only way to get the job done. Even the intricate fabrication drawings had to be supplemented with electronic files and 3D data exchange files, on top of the CNC files for part fabrication via automated machines. BDS also supplied 3D DWG files to speed up and aid setting out and quality control of all node points.
The multiple curved glassing surfaces of each sail meant the stainless steel mullion supports had to follow these curves, and also transoms spacer beams with varying end plate rotations. Eiffage was able to automate the fabrication of these members, with aid of Tekla and BDS, using the geometry information created from the model to supply the required information to the CNC machinery.
BDS VirCon’s knowledge of how to get the most out of Tekla made for a successful project, along with a client and project team willing to work with the company providing the right information to all parties involved at the right time.
