VIT Fashion Institute of Technology (VFIT)

Technical Textiles

Assignment 1

Course Course Course Class Faculty Faculty

Slot Venue School
Code Title Type Nbr ID Name
Technical Theory
FST3011 E1+TE1 ADB405 2196 51073 N.GAYATHRI VFIT
Textiles Only

Name of the student: Anand Krishnan A

Register number: 16BCL1068
Branch & Semester: CIVIL 7th semester
E-mail id: anandasdf12@gmail.com
Mobile Number: 9400936098
Date: 14-08-2019

ASSIGNMENT 1 – REPORT
Title/Name of the Structure or Architecture

Venezuelan pavilion or Flor de Venezuela designed by architect Fruto Vivas

Description of the structure

Flor de Venezuela (which translates to flower of Venezuela) was designed by Venezuelan
architect Fruto Vivas. Fruto Vivas was inspired by the Tepuyes of the Gran Sabaana and the
national flower of Venezuela, an orchid. The pavilion was constructed during a time when
technology was becoming more prominent than ever. He adhered very closely to his Venezuelan
heritage which played a large role in what he placed within the pavilion. He included many
material natives to Venezuela in the piece. A huge aspect if the piece was the location and the
biodiversity of Venezuela.

Fruto Vivas designed the structure with a system of 16 petals that can be opened and closed
depending on the weather.
Inside there are several fish tanks, a large venue for presentations and an amphitheatre.
It is one of the places where you can appreciate the splendid barquisimeto dusk, known as the
city of Twilight.
The structure represented Venezuela at the World Expo in Hanover , Germany in the year
2000. It was progressively moved to Venezuela beginning in 2006 and inaugurated in its current
position in 2008 as property of the Venezuelan State, which was granted in bailment to the Lara
state government.
The beauty behind this piece exists in it’s theme of the harmony that must exist
between nature and technology. Fruto Vivas addressed an issue that is so relevant to us
nowadays.
Vivas constructed that pavilion with precision and articulation, focusing on the materials and
movement. The combination of the realness of the flower and the patriotism within the piece
made it significant.
Picture
Component parts of the building where textile materials are used or the full structure

The roof of the glass building was made using 16 petals, each at least 33 feet (10 m) long,
attached to a central mast in the glass-fronted building. A hydraulic system allows the petals of
the artificial flower to open and close, a function that isn’t only aesthetic: when the weather
turns, the flower can be closed to keep out the wind and rain.

Fabric type

PVC coated polyester fabrics, or PVC/PES, are strong and durable fabrics, a popular
choice in tensile fabric and membrane architecture. The base material comprises of a
woven high tenacity polyester base fabric and a flexible plasticised PVC coating is applied
to both sides. It is possible to apply coatings or lacquers, for example, dirt repellent
surface lacquers, to enhance the performance of these fabrics.
These fabrics are durable, translucent and waterproof and can withstand extreme
environmental conditions, humidity and UV-radiation. These highly functional fabrics
come in a wide range of colours, light transmissions and tensile strengths. Open-mesh
and opaque fabrics are becoming increasingly popular for semi-transparent fabric façade
applications.

Construction Techniques

The kinetic roof of the Venezuelan Pavilion is an impressive example of transformable frame
architecture,which fulfils both functional and artistic expectations.The roof include 16 petal-
shaped movable sections in a spirally shaped arrangement and is covered by a cupola.Each petel
Consists of a triangulated steel truss covered by a fabric membrane,pre tensioned by means of
tensile cables in order to achieve structural stability against external forces.The refractable wings
radiate outward from the centre in overlapping layers.The monument roof,which is designed to
symbolise the landscape of Venezuela ,covers a cylindrical shaped building.it opens and closes
like a flower and incorporates the colour of Venezuelan national flower.In the design,the
unity between the structural and enclosure components offers a close interaction with
and response to changing weather conditions,but also highlights the symbolic potential of
transformable frame structure.
Advantages of having textile materials for the structure

The resistance to weathering shown by membranes made of PVC-coated polyester is

demonstrated by the Venezuelan pavilion constructed at Expo 2000 in Hanover. The
structure, which was designed by the Venezuelan architect Fruto Vivas, was dismantled
after the fair and shipped to Venezuela in over 50 containers. It took six years to find a
new location for it there and during that time the membranes were stored in their steel
containers in the heat of Venezuela, having to withstand temperatures of over 80°C. In
spite of this all the original membranes were suitable for re-use.
A protective film gives the surface of PVC-PES membranes anti-adhesive properties, which
means that the material remains dirt-resistant for years and is easy to clean. Depending
on the climatic conditions, individual application and the demands made on them they
can last up to twenty years.
Thanks to its tensile strength and special flexibility PVC-PES can be universally applied,
and is used in particular for roof and facade applications. Its special features are its
relatively high level of transparency, low-flammability fire classification and resistance to
creasing.