Armadillo Vault

399 limestone blocks with a thickness to span ratio half that of an eggshell.

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Weighing 24 tons, the Armadillo Vault is a testament to modern building methods showcasing that clever computation could revolutionize the construction industry.

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Unreinforced and assembled without mortar, the Armadillo Vault spans 16 meters with a minimum thickness of only 5 cm.

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Starting from the same structural and constructional principles as historic stone cathedrals, this sophisticated form emerged from novel computational graphic statics-based design and optimization methods developed by the project team.

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The Armadillo Vault was the centerpiece of the “Beyond Bending” exhibition at the 15th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, curated by Alejandro Aravena, which was held in Venice, Italy.

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The Armadillo vault is the perfect mix of design and engineering prowess.

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Concepted by Philippe Block @philippe_block @blockresearchgroup, John Ochsendorf and David Escobedo.

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The engineering of the discrete shell used innovative computational approaches to assess stability under various load conditions.

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Each stone voussoir is informed by structural logic, by the need for precise fabrication and assembly, by the constraints of a historically protected setting, and by limitations on time, budget, and construction.

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Currently for sale to the highest bidder.

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