CIMU - ILE DE SEGUIN, France

A photovoltaic sail moves around the CIMU, following the course of the sun. Dlubal customer sblumer ZT GmbH from Austria provided the timber engineering and design. RSTAB structural frame and truss analysis software was used for the structural analysis.

Structure

The three-dimensional freeform structure of the CIMU is composed of glued-laminated timber. A total of 22,955 ft³ double curvature glulam beams were used. Visually, the wooden structure resembles a woven basket. The timber structure is mounted on steel columns which transfer the loads to a circular foundation.

The architecture of the new cultural center was made to resemble a cruise ship. The design is by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban and French architect Jean de Gastines. Both men previously designed the Center Pompidou in Metz, which was also analyzed and designed in RSTAB.