The Downland Gridshell
Conservation Store and Workshop

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Building the Gridshell - Assembling the Grid

January 2001

The completed laths are laid on the supports to form the first layer of the grid.

February 2001

With the four layers of laths arranged, the grid is fixed in place by clamps at every intersection point.

The clamping assembly consists of a galvanised steel plate with steel pegs protruding on both sides which are inserted into holes drilled into the innermost laths in order to exactly locate the intersection. Plates on either side with four bolts clamp the whole assembly together.  The two outer laths are not drilled as they will need to move slightly to accommodate the curvature of the structure.

[Next: Lowering the Gridshell]