The Hanging Roof
A lightweight timber system designed to minimize material use and ensure efficient structural performance
Munich
Winter Semester 2024/25
Kilian Biermann, Ludovica Greco, Hicham Khazaal, Livia Marlene Kinzel
Prof. Dr. Pierluigi D'Acunto, Professorship of Structural Design
Technische Universität München
Place
Execution phase
Team
Professor
Institution
The project for the new roof of the Design Factory Workshop at the Technische Universität München integrates both engineering and architectural features. The design concept follows the principle of a HANGING ROOF, drawing inspiration from large-scale timber structures such as the Aquatic Heights Center in Surrey, Canada, or the Halle 10 Messe in Stuttgart. These projects exemplify the effective use of optimized tension systems and advanced timber engineering to create high-performance architectural solutions.
Source: Pierluigi D’Acunto, Intro_lecture: Tragwerksentwurf 2024/25 (Munich: Technische Universität München, TUM School of Engineering and Design, 2024), 34–36.Site Documentation
A key design consideration was maximizing natural light within the space below, achieved through the use of a continuous glass façade. Additionally, direct access to the workshop from the courtyard has been incorporated to encourage its use. The roof’s overhang is designed to enable the external perimeter of the workshop to be used during warmer months, providing a sheltered outdoor area with seating and bike racks, encouraging social interaction.
Interior view
Exterior view
The structural design of the roof is based on a tension system, with the optimal form calculated using structural analysis software. The roof is supported by wooden columns and steel cables, that pull toward the ground, effectively canceling out any rotational forces that might otherwise develop. Timber has been chosen as the primary material due to its structural capacities, durability, and aesthetic appeal.
Floor plan
Section
The structure features a suspended lightweight roof, supported by long timber beams, demonstrating the efficiency of wood, whose geometry has been optimized through softwares, in order to achieve an entirely suspended system following the given dimensions. The roof is subdivided into three primary sections at varying elevations, contributing to a dynamic and efficient design. The recessed glass façade along the longitudinal sides enhances daylight penetration, improving indoor luminous efficiency.
Structural concept
Forces acting on the roof
We took a section of the roof to align the acting forces on a support.
Grasshopper Code CEM
We used the Grasshopper tool CEM to calculate the reaction forces
CEM results
The structural framework consists of laminated timber beams with a cross-section of 100x150 mm, spaced at 35 cm intervals. These beams are supported by a series of timber columns positioned along the longitudinal axis. The structure spans 17.2 meters along its longest side and extends up to 16.7 meters along the shortest side. To counterbalance gravitational loads, a network of tensioned steel cables assists in load transfer, mitigating deformation. Therefore, the column, the outer wood slab and the tension cables are all connected thanks to a T profile steel element that unifies them into one central point, ensuring structural cohesion.
Dimensioning of the components
Through our calculations, we were able to determine the dimensions of our main structural components and select a material that made sense both conceptually and structurally.
Water channeling system
We took advantage of the slope of our roof to channel rainwater.
The suspended configuration induces non-uniform load distribution across the roof plane. This challenge is addressed through variable roof thickness modulation, directing external loads outward. This approach enhances both the structural integrity of the system, achieving an efficient load-bearing configuration.
1:10 construction details
1:5 detail model of the roof to column connection
1:50 model
Overall, the hanging roof prioritizes two main aspects: ensuring a high-performing and efficient structure through strategic material selection—favoring renewable and regenerative resources—and enhancing the human experience within the workspace by bringing the courtyard to life.