The subject was to understand the principle of a masonry arches and re-think it.
We wanted to create an arch that doesn’t look like a traditional arch and that defies the laws of gravity.
That is how we come up with the structure made of 18 independent voussoir. They hold together thanks to the central cable in traction. This traction force leads to a compression force in the voussoir and makes the whole structure stand. The shape of the voussoir has been carefully studied taking into account the funicular load path regulating the structure.
The center of gravity of the structure is a little bit offset, which allows it to stand in this adventurous position.
