Casa Shopping Carioca Wave

The free-form steel/glass canopy roof is located within the new development of CasaShopping in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The sculptural shape of the free-form canopy as an ocean wave is inspired by the impressive seaside of Barra di Tijuca and its dynamic movement of the water.
Covering an area of 52mx23m the canopy consists of approximately 1.130m² surface area and is around 8m to 14m high. The canopy is supported by the primary structure only on the south and north sides on two levels located in different heights. The two other edges are free and cantilever over the parking space.
The structure is composed of a triangular steel grid has a size of about 2,20m with a circular circumferential edge beam. The structural members that form the elements of the triangular grid consist of grade S355 welded steel RHP 200x80mm profiles with a constant web thickness of 6mm and variable flange thicknesses depending on the internal forces and moments.
Knippers Helbig was involved from very beginning of schematic design until execution including design development phase. They did provide intense input for geometry optimization, carried out different investigations on mesh alternatives in close cooperation with the design architect, and prepared structural as well as detailed design.