The structure of the Grand Théâtre de Rabat, Morocco: from digital design to local construction

Author: Gerry O'Brien and Nicolas Sterling

Date published

1 June 2020

Price

Standard: £9.95 + VAT
Members/Subscribers: Free

The Institution of Structural Engineers The Institution of Structural Engineers
Back to Previous

The structure of the Grand Théâtre de Rabat, Morocco: from digital design to local construction

Tag
Author
Gerry O'Brien and Nicolas Sterling
Date published
1 June 2020
Price

Standard: £9.95 + VAT
Members/Subscribers: Free

The Structural Engineer
Author

Gerry O'Brien and Nicolas Sterling

Citation

The Structural Engineer, Volume 98, Issue 6, 2020, Page(s) 13

Date published

1 June 2020

Author

Gerry O'Brien and Nicolas Sterling

Citation

The Structural Engineer, Volume 98, Issue 6, 2020, Page(s) 13

Price

Standard: £9.95 + VAT
Members/Subscribers: Free

This paper describes the structural design, from concept to delivery, of the Grand Théâtre de Rabat in Morocco.

The project includes an 1800-seat theatre, a large open-air amphitheatre, secondary experimental performance and rehearsal spaces, and a panoramic restaurant. It forms part of a national programme of cultural development located on the Bouregreg River between the ancient twin cities of Rabat and Salé.

The complex nature of the programme and the form demanded an advanced digital process for the structural design. The most prominent example of the 3D process is the structural envelope wrapping around the entire building. Its concrete skin is stiffened by a regular grid of ribs, rationalised, but following the complexity of the shape and spanning in an efficient way that provides a continuous system, together with the concrete roof deck, to support the facade cladding.

A highly automated parametric workflow was set up to create the geometry of the concrete ribs and shell, closely derived from the architectural design. The concrete ribbed shell and roof envelope went through an iterative process of rationalisation, informed by constructability constraints.

The fabrication and delivery of the Grand Théâtre de Rabat has been both a technical and a cultural challenge, with a London-led, digitally driven design process bridging to a local, traditional, analogue construction process.

Additional information

Format:
PDF
Pages:
13
Publisher:
The Institution of Structural Engineers

Tags

Concrete Metal - steel Public, Religious & Civic Project Focus Issue 6

Related Resources & Events

Guidance
<h4>Dynamic performance requirements for permanent grandstands subject to crowd action</h4>

Dynamic performance requirements for permanent grandstands subject to crowd action

Recommendations on crowd loading for those with responsibility for permanent grandstands, including: owners, operators, architects, insurers and design engineers.

Date – 1 December 2008
Author – IStructE Joint Working Group
Price – £34.95
The Structural Engineer
<h4>The New Tottenham Hotspur Stadium: the value of engineering</h4>

The New Tottenham Hotspur Stadium: the value of engineering

The new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is the realisation of an ambitious vision for Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, made possible by the response of the project team to the challenges this vision presented. Key to this has been the engineering innovation, particularly the contribution of structural engineering.

Date – 16 November 2020
Author – Rob Amphlett
Price – £9.95
The Structural Engineer
Prefabricated structural steel in a factory ready for transportation

Industry CPD: Steel and off-site construction

This CPD module, sponsored by Steel for Life, will look at the structural steelwork construction process with a focus on established off-site processes and practices and the benefits provided.

Date – 1 June 2020
Author – Steel for Life
Price – £0