Kinetic Membranous Structure, Kunming, China

This paper presents the design and construction of Art Square, in Kunming, China. This building provides low lying auditorium space which accommodates around 3000 visitors and with a stage area of 600 sq. metres. The paper presents an innovative structural solution to problems caused by rainfall and sun. A kinetic roof structure was designed using five trapezoidal wing-shaped canopies plus two symmetrically arranged canopies cantilevering out from two rectangular movable stages. The special structural system and architectural form of the project, required experimental research considering both structural and mechanical safety to be carried out.