Modeling, Analysis and Simulation of a Form-Found Civic Sculpture for Lower Manhattan

Analysis and design of an 8-storey cable net sculpture for a new transit center in Lower Manhattan required its designers to adopt a highly integrated computational approach. This approach combined aspects of structural analysis, form-finding, 3D and parametric modeling to achieve the artistic objectives of the sculptural form while ensuring desired performance of the extensive tensile system. This paper presents an overview of the artistic and functional objectives of the cable net and describes in detail the design approach of the project team, including software integration, nonlinear analysis, geometric modeling, documentation and construction administration. It outlines a partial approach toward performance-based design for a system with strong aesthetic objectives and a collaborative approach to construction administration to manage risk amogst the various stakeholders.