Draft:Holedeck

Holedeck is a type of reinforced concrete structure characterised by lateral perforations, which reduce the volume of concrete and allow the passage of installations.

Design
The design is based on the principles of the lightened, triangulated bird bone structure.

For the construction of the transverse windows, special removable and reusable truncated cone-shaped moulds are used, which are extracted laterally after the concrete has been poured. This technology was patented and developed by the Spanish architect Alberto Alarcón García.

Configurations
The structure has two configurations: unidirectional or in orthogonal or triangular grid. For lattice arrangements the structural behaviour and calculation is similar to that of other waffle slabs. In the case of the one-way system, the layout is similar to a conventional in-situ joist and beam truss. The shear of the structure is solved by the literal application of the tie rod model and is calculated in a similar way to concrete structures without perforations.

These structures are suitable for spans of between six and twenty-two metres, making them an optimal choice for the construction of sustainable concrete structures.

Features

 * Lower consumption of concrete and steel. The compression layer has a minimum thickness of between 8 and 12 cm, strictly sized according to structural fire regulations. The joists are spaced between 1 and 3 metres apart, thus making structural use of this compression layer, lightened by the perforations. For further optimisation they can be post-tensioned.


 * Minimisation of concrete and steel consumption making it possible to reduce the embedded carbon footprint by around 50% compared to a lightened slab.


 * Possible elimination of false ceilings and raised floors. Installation and maintenance of facilities is facilitated.


 * Possible reduction in the height of the building by integrating the installations and the structure in the same thickness.


 * Good geometry for thermal activation due to the high surface area in contact with the air and a smaller volume of concrete than a slab.

Built Projects
"Edificio Logytel I+D", Alcalá de Henares. 2012. Arquitects: Alarcón+Arquitectos.

"Oficinas Badajoz 97", Barcelona. 2019. Arquitects: Batlleiroig Arquitectura​. Developer: Conren Tramway.

"Ampliación de la sede de Roche Diagnostics", Sant Cugat del Vallès. 2022. Arquitects: Batlleiroig Arquitectura.

"Edificio 77A", Elche. 2021. Arquitects: Antonio Pérez Serrano arquitecto + Serrano y Valderrama Arquitectos.

"Campus Méndez Álvaro MADNUM". Madrid. 2023. Arquitects: Estudio Lamela.

Recognitions
"Innovation Award" del CTBUH, 2015​.

"Programa Retos de la Colaboración", 2017. Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades. In collaboration with Instituto Eduardo Torroja, IECA y FEDER.

"Advanced Architecture Awards", 2021.

"Premios Everis", 2014. Fundación Everis.

"Premio EmprendedorXXI", 2012. Caixabank.