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137
THE 100-PLAN GATE
ETHIOPIA
The gate has always been one of the most essential elements in architecture throughout history. It is basically a simple function, a passage marking a campus – a boundary. The challenge is how to bring a fresh look to a function that has been done so repeatedly. The 100-Plan gate was crafted as a modern transformation of the traditional ‘tukul’ structure native to the region where the project is located. It manifests a peculiar geometric object that carefully provides its visitors with an ever-changing shape and view. This complex geometric form was conceived as a series of 100 rotating beams, each shifting at an angle of 0.9 degrees and terminating at 90. It dramatically rotates to a height of twelve meters above ground closing with a four by four-meter roof slab. With a plan dimension of twelve by twelve-meter, the gate is basically carved out of a cube. The straight rotating beams made the implementation very simple using an ordinary local skill. While the concrete is casted in steps the reinforcement-bar is laid continuous. The design exploits the plastic nature of concrete. The positions of each rotating beam need to be laid precise during casting of concrete to obtain the final geometry of the gate. A white cement was employed on purpose to avoid any further retouch to finish this precise geometry. The result was a remarkable landmark to the skyline of the city.
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