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Box Columns

Opening context:
Root Foundations, Final Column Distribution

Conflict

In all the world’s traditional and historic buildings, the columns are expressive and beautiful, and treasured elements. Only in modern buildings have they become ugly and meaningless.

Resolution

Make the columns in the form of filled hollow tubes, with a stiff tubular outer skin, and a solid core that is strong in compression. Give the skin of the column some tensile strength — preferably in the skin itself, but perhaps with reinforcing wires in the fill.

Closing context:
Root Foundations, Floor-Ceiling Vaults, Perimeter Beams, Column Connection, Column Place