BiomimicryStudy on a deep water sea snail and

seashells who live by geothermal

vents that experiences extreme fluc-

tuations in temperature and acidity.

Yet in this highly corrosive environ-

ment their shells still provides protec-

tion from predators.

It relates to the nature of the sound

barrier.

First Montreal highway constructed in 1958. The current

site is a 2800m part of the highway that requires a sound

barrier to protect the neighborhood on the north side.

The project explores biomimicry aspect of the sound

wall, drawing inspiration from shell structure, emphasiz-

ing the continuity of form and structural proficiency.

SchemeAn community and exhibition

center is placed in the middle of

the sound barrier,accessible to

public.

Turcot highway

Shell WallSSEF competition-Turcot sound barrier

alalalal

Structural System

Gridshell derives its strength from its double curvature. Large span

Steel gridshells are constructed by laying out the main lath members

flat in a rectangular lattice, and deforming this into the doubly curved

form,achieved by pushing the members up from the ground

interior

pv panels

space frames

spider fitting

generating solar

energy

SPACE-FRAMESLarge spans can be achieved Large spans can be achieved ,concentrated

loads are evenly distributed on the entire

structure. Pleasing decorative appearance

and fast installation at site due to pre-fabricat-

ed components.As sound walls, providing

very good acoustical properties