Daniel Bosia

Rising 200m along the southern coast of Cyprus in Limassol, Aura is a high end residential tower, lifted 25m above a 200m long public park which extends deep into the urban neighbourhood. Designed in collaboration with Foster+Partners as a repeating stack of 4 9-storey blocks, each overlooking an open sky-garden, the building is a three-dimensional, modular, self-shading articulation of cantilevering units with views of the sea to the south and of the mountains to the north. This articulations… Show more

Rising 200m along the southern coast of Cyprus in Limassol, Aura is a high end residential tower, lifted 25m above a 200m long public park which extends deep into the urban neighbourhood. Designed in collaboration with Foster+Partners as a repeating stack of 4 9-storey blocks, each overlooking an open sky-garden, the building is a three-dimensional, modular, self-shading articulation of cantilevering units with views of the sea to the south and of the mountains to the north. This articulations minimises solar gain and wind exposure, providing ample and comfortable terraces, which provide an outdoor extension to the apartments. The structure uses a prefabricated twin-wall technology, which maximises off-site prefabrication, and allowing a fast, efficient and economic construction. Show less

Wedged between the Manchester Library and the adjacent building the Library Walk Cloud is a stainless steel monocoque roof structure, supported on a curved frameless structural glass facade, providing the environmental enclosure to the pavilion and giving the roof a sense of floatation.

In the Russian Silicon Valley, Skolkovo, at the outskirts of Moscow, the Sberbank Technopark is a new type of workspace on a massive scale. It accommodates 12,000 workers in a 2.7m sqf, long span span, deep plan, flexible space. Daylight is maximized through the use of organically shaped winter gardens and a street for electrical vehicles runs through it, traversed by 45m span inhabitable bridges. To create maximum flexibility of the workspace, an hexagonal grid of tree-shaped columns was used,… Show more

In the Russian Silicon Valley, Skolkovo, at the outskirts of Moscow, the Sberbank Technopark is a new type of workspace on a massive scale. It accommodates 12,000 workers in a 2.7m sqf, long span span, deep plan, flexible space. Daylight is maximized through the use of organically shaped winter gardens and a street for electrical vehicles runs through it, traversed by 45m span inhabitable bridges. To create maximum flexibility of the workspace, an hexagonal grid of tree-shaped columns was used, with spans of 23m, afforded by deep trusses, through which MEP services are fully integrated. Show less

Set in a vast area of the south San Francisco Bay, the new Google headquarters consist of a series of lightweight, 650 ft long-span structures covering city-like office, leisure, retail, research mixed-use facilities referred to as the “human scale”, accommodating tens of thousands of employees. A totally new typology of workspace has been created in the first two buildings of this development, Charleston East and Bayview. Based on the same construction system, coined “grid-nets” (hybrids of… Show more

Set in a vast area of the south San Francisco Bay, the new Google headquarters consist of a series of lightweight, 650 ft long-span structures covering city-like office, leisure, retail, research mixed-use facilities referred to as the “human scale”, accommodating tens of thousands of employees. A totally new typology of workspace has been created in the first two buildings of this development, Charleston East and Bayview. Based on the same construction system, coined “grid-nets” (hybrids of grid-shells and cable-nets), these dome-like installations have been designed to be super-efficient, economic and deployable as a typology on the wider Google Campus Masterplan. Show less

A collaboration with Toyo Ito, the Taichung Opera House extends 80x40m in plan and rises 3 storey in height. The building is a doubly-curved, single-surface in-situ construction flowing seamlessly to form walls and floor slabs, providing vertical support and lateral stability to the building in a heavily seismic region like Taiwan. The complex geometry of the building is a multi-catenoidal surface, parametrically generated, analysed and optimised to be efficient and buildable by local labour… Show more

A collaboration with Toyo Ito, the Taichung Opera House extends 80x40m in plan and rises 3 storey in height. The building is a doubly-curved, single-surface in-situ construction flowing seamlessly to form walls and floor slabs, providing vertical support and lateral stability to the building in a heavily seismic region like Taiwan. The complex geometry of the building is a multi-catenoidal surface, parametrically generated, analysed and optimised to be efficient and buildable by local labour. This project has become a seminal example of contemporary digital design. Show less

Designed for the 2010 Shanghai Expo, the Danish Pavilion consisted in a knot-like spiralling ramp providing a looping journey for people and bicycles around a central pool with the Copenhagen "Little Mermaid" at its centre. The structure consisted of a self supporting steel monocoque structure cantilevering more than 50m along a 1000m curve. The structural skin of the pavilion was perforated to let light and air in, with a pattern of circular holes of gradually varying size based on structural… Show more

Designed for the 2010 Shanghai Expo, the Danish Pavilion consisted in a knot-like spiralling ramp providing a looping journey for people and bicycles around a central pool with the Copenhagen "Little Mermaid" at its centre. The structure consisted of a self supporting steel monocoque structure cantilevering more than 50m along a 1000m curve. The structural skin of the pavilion was perforated to let light and air in, with a pattern of circular holes of gradually varying size based on structural stress distribution. Show less

A collaboration with Anish Kapoor, Temenos is a 120m span cablenet stretched between two large steel rings, one of which is suspended by a 45m mast. This is the first of 5 giant structures designed for the regeneration of the Tees Valley. The sculpture formed of a network of 10 to 30 mm diameter stainaless steel cables, tensioned between the two 30 to 40m diameter induction bent steel rings, was form-found and optimized using sophisticated non-linear analysis tools.

Situated on the banks of the Tigris, a waterway of ancient significance, Zaha Hadid’s design for the Central Bank of Iraq signals a new phase of construction in a growing and developing Baghdad. The 170m tall tower sits within a 200x100m basement box more than 15m in depth and its structural exoskeleton of twisting concrete walls which stems from a solid blast proof base open up to reveal large glazed openings and atria. The building, located in a highly seismic region, was designed combining… Show more

Situated on the banks of the Tigris, a waterway of ancient significance, Zaha Hadid’s design for the Central Bank of Iraq signals a new phase of construction in a growing and developing Baghdad. The 170m tall tower sits within a 200x100m basement box more than 15m in depth and its structural exoskeleton of twisting concrete walls which stems from a solid blast proof base open up to reveal large glazed openings and atria. The building, located in a highly seismic region, was designed combining the stiffness of the perimeter exoskeleton with that of the central core creating a rigid composite stability system. The complex geometry of the building was modelled, analysed and optimized parametrically. Show less

16m tall installation in collaboration with Anish Kapoor at the Royal Academy consisting of 70 1m-diameter mirror polished stainless steel spheres.

Designed in collaboration with Cecil Balmond, the bridge consists of 6 interweaving strips of steel folding to form a woven "tube".

A 30m span installation in collaboration with Matthew Ritchie and Aranda/Lasch, consisting of a fractal tiling of aluminium tetrahedral units in 4 different scales (6m, 2.5m, 1m and 0.5m). This transportable pavilion was exhibited at the Seville Art Biannual and the Venice Biennale in 2009, in Istanbul City of Culture in 2010, Vienna, London, NY and now resides permanently in Karlsruhe.

The bridge, designed by Daniel in collaboration with Cecil Balmond and Antonio Fonseca is a 240m footbridge, with a clear central span of 120m. The bridge consists of a steel box girder construction, "cut and shifted" at midspan and then folded to for the arching supports to form a wide gathering platform hovering over the river.

Based on a simple mathematical algorithm, the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2002, designed in collaboration with Toyo Ito Associates, consists of a network of intersecting flat steel bars framing a chequerboard pattern of glass and aluminium panels, folding from the square roof to the rectangular facades. This caleidoscopic structure, assembled in large interlocking prefabricated panels as a kit of parts, was designed and constructed in only 14 weeks, for the high profile summer events in Hyde… Show more

Based on a simple mathematical algorithm, the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2002, designed in collaboration with Toyo Ito Associates, consists of a network of intersecting flat steel bars framing a chequerboard pattern of glass and aluminium panels, folding from the square roof to the rectangular facades. This caleidoscopic structure, assembled in large interlocking prefabricated panels as a kit of parts, was designed and constructed in only 14 weeks, for the high profile summer events in Hyde Park, London. Show less

Tide is a 5km elevated walkway, forming the heart of the public real to one of the largest redevelopments in UK at the Greenwhich Peninsula in London. Designed in collaboration with Diller Scofidio+Renfro, the project consists of a series of "islands" and bridges spanning up to 25m between them, connecting the developments North to South in a figure of 8. The structure was prefabricated in large steel monocoque elements, shipped directly from the factory of the fabricator Cimolai on the shores… Show more

Tide is a 5km elevated walkway, forming the heart of the public real to one of the largest redevelopments in UK at the Greenwhich Peninsula in London. Designed in collaboration with Diller Scofidio+Renfro, the project consists of a series of "islands" and bridges spanning up to 25m between them, connecting the developments North to South in a figure of 8. The structure was prefabricated in large steel monocoque elements, shipped directly from the factory of the fabricator Cimolai on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, to the Peninsula along the Thames River. Show less

Rising at the heart of Hudson Yards, the largest redevelopment in New York City, Vessel is a 150' tall, 150' wide cup-shaped stairway with a parabolic elevator which reaches the top. Constructed as a monocoque structure in “dog-bone” shaped components prefabricated in Italy the structure was erected on site as a bolted kit of parts. Detailed and complex dynamic analysis was carried out in order optimize the tuned-mass-dampers designed to mitigate the dynamic effects of vibrations due to heavy… Show more

Rising at the heart of Hudson Yards, the largest redevelopment in New York City, Vessel is a 150' tall, 150' wide cup-shaped stairway with a parabolic elevator which reaches the top. Constructed as a monocoque structure in “dog-bone” shaped components prefabricated in Italy the structure was erected on site as a bolted kit of parts. Detailed and complex dynamic analysis was carried out in order optimize the tuned-mass-dampers designed to mitigate the dynamic effects of vibrations due to heavy crowd loading and provide a comfortable, robust and stable structure. The Vessel is more than an art installation, it is a piece of urban infrastructure, animating the public realm of the entire redevelopment. Show less

A collaboration with Knight Architects, the Merchant Square Bridge is the public realm centrepiece of one of the largest mixed use redevelopments in London. The bridge at Paddington Basin in London consists of 5 25m cantilevers opening in a fanning motion, due to their skew alignment to the canal. Each of the 5 cantilevers is actuated by a hydraulic ram and balanced by a counterweight that emerges from the landscape as a series of sculptural pieces and disappears into an underground pit to form… Show more

A collaboration with Knight Architects, the Merchant Square Bridge is the public realm centrepiece of one of the largest mixed use redevelopments in London. The bridge at Paddington Basin in London consists of 5 25m cantilevers opening in a fanning motion, due to their skew alignment to the canal. Each of the 5 cantilevers is actuated by a hydraulic ram and balanced by a counterweight that emerges from the landscape as a series of sculptural pieces and disappears into an underground pit to form a stepped seating. Show less

A Sterling Prize winner, the Bloomberg Headquarters are a 1m sqf office building, in the heart of the City of London. Innovation is at the core of this project, from the triangular/hexagonal columns grid, which optimizes an open-plan office layout, to the breathing façade, which draws fresh air from the outside, distributing it through the building using the central atrium as the “lung” of the building. Through the atrium a 50m diameter stepped-ramp in a hypertrocoidal geometry, coils its sway… Show more

A Sterling Prize winner, the Bloomberg Headquarters are a 1m sqf office building, in the heart of the City of London. Innovation is at the core of this project, from the triangular/hexagonal columns grid, which optimizes an open-plan office layout, to the breathing façade, which draws fresh air from the outside, distributing it through the building using the central atrium as the “lung” of the building. Through the atrium a 50m diameter stepped-ramp in a hypertrocoidal geometry, coils its sway down and through the deep floor plates, connecting them visually, physically and environmentally in a single collaborative workplace, that promotes the wellbeing of the employees. Show less

Shaped by sunlight, the Bournemouth Drawing Studio is a smooth steel structural shell with 5 different shaped openings, creating 5 different light conditions within the space. Constructed by shipbuilders as a structural monocoque, the skin of the building is the load-bearing structure, environmental envelope and architectural form. The smooth surface was designed to be assembled in large prefabricated panels, welded on site in a seamless blue "skin" a true "Archigram Dream" come true!

The new Arnhem Station completes the transformation of the area, started in 1996. An integrated design, the station is part of a larger masterplan masterplan including a public transport terminal and underground parking. Key to the terminal design was a fast and smooth transition between different modes of transport and realising these modes on a very small plot.

The terminal has two below-grade levels for bicycle storage and vehicular parking and multiple undefined above-grade levels… Show more

The new Arnhem Station completes the transformation of the area, started in 1996. An integrated design, the station is part of a larger masterplan masterplan including a public transport terminal and underground parking. Key to the terminal design was a fast and smooth transition between different modes of transport and realising these modes on a very small plot.

The terminal has two below-grade levels for bicycle storage and vehicular parking and multiple undefined above-grade levels that contain a spacious entrance lobby, retail shops, offices, service areas and corridors that link the train platforms, local and regional bus terminals, taxi stands, bike storage, and parking.

Based on a mathematical Seifert surface the roof geometry folds down through the station to form the support to the entire envelope of the building. Constructed as a composite steel and concrete construction, the inner surface is formed by a thin, smooth steel shell and an external layer of concrete.
Show less

This masterplan of concrete shell structures, up to 90m in span, houses the Presidential Palace in Algiers. In collaboration with Zaha Hadid Architects, new techniques of form and pattern finding were developed, using genetic algorithms and topological optimization, allowing the optimal design of lightweight, long-span concrete shell structures in an extremely seismic region. Using parametric tools, form rationalization was possible in order to generate the information for a fully digital… Show more

This masterplan of concrete shell structures, up to 90m in span, houses the Presidential Palace in Algiers. In collaboration with Zaha Hadid Architects, new techniques of form and pattern finding were developed, using genetic algorithms and topological optimization, allowing the optimal design of lightweight, long-span concrete shell structures in an extremely seismic region. Using parametric tools, form rationalization was possible in order to generate the information for a fully digital fabrication of form-work moulds for casting of the articulated concrete soffits. Show less

Set in the 2012 Olympic Park the BMW pavilion was a temporary installation during the games, consisting in a series of curved timber stress skin roof surfaces, supported on thin steel columns. These super lightweight roof structures hovered over a pool of water, cascading into the canal below and providing the enclosure the pavilion below.

Located in the London 2012 Olympic Park, the Beatbox Coca Cola Pavilion was a temporary installation during the games. Based on a three-dimensional reciprocal tiling of self-supporting ETFE airbeams the facade was a touch-sensitive interactive facade of light and sound, wrapped around two concentric spiralling ramps.

The extension to the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), now named the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal, is situated at one of the most prominent intersections in downtown Toronto. It is the largest Museum in Canada and attracts more than a million visitors a year. Its new name is derived from the building’s five intersecting metal-clad volumes, which are reminiscent of crystals—inspired by the crystalline forms in the ROM’s mineralogy galleries. Daniel, as lead structural engineer on the project, collaborated… Show more

The extension to the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), now named the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal, is situated at one of the most prominent intersections in downtown Toronto. It is the largest Museum in Canada and attracts more than a million visitors a year. Its new name is derived from the building’s five intersecting metal-clad volumes, which are reminiscent of crystals—inspired by the crystalline forms in the ROM’s mineralogy galleries. Daniel, as lead structural engineer on the project, collaborated with Libeskind to create a structure of organically interlocking prismatic forms turning this important corner of Toronto, and the entire museum complex, into a luminous beacon. The design succeeds at inviting glimpses up, down, and into galleries, from its interior bridges and from the street. Show less

Winner of the prestigious Royal Institute of British Architect Sterling Prize in 2005, the New Scottish Parliament Building is a 30,000m2 series of structures comprising the Ministers of the Scottish Parliament building, two assembly buildings and a debating chamber, covered by a 28m span three-dimensional timber trusses. All of these are interconnected by a roof-lit garden foyer. Daniel was involved from the competition, to the early conceptual design with Enric Miralles through to… Show more

Winner of the prestigious Royal Institute of British Architect Sterling Prize in 2005, the New Scottish Parliament Building is a 30,000m2 series of structures comprising the Ministers of the Scottish Parliament building, two assembly buildings and a debating chamber, covered by a 28m span three-dimensional timber trusses. All of these are interconnected by a roof-lit garden foyer. Daniel was involved from the competition, to the early conceptual design with Enric Miralles through to construction. Show less

Spanning 165m span the roof of the Messehalle consists of a series of single layer steel compression shell structures tied horizontally by a series of valley tensile nets. The new Messehalle creates 40,000 sq m of exhibition space and is one of the largest column-free spaces in Europe. Covered by a giant folded form, the envelope of the building is constructed from just 6 different panel types, its deck of prefabricated profiled steel sheets create the distinctive troughs and peaks, which were… Show more

Spanning 165m span the roof of the Messehalle consists of a series of single layer steel compression shell structures tied horizontally by a series of valley tensile nets. The new Messehalle creates 40,000 sq m of exhibition space and is one of the largest column-free spaces in Europe. Covered by a giant folded form, the envelope of the building is constructed from just 6 different panel types, its deck of prefabricated profiled steel sheets create the distinctive troughs and peaks, which were produced with an in-built twist at minimum cost. Inside, clerestory windows filter more light into the large, glazed hall. Upper and lower level exhibition halls are separated by a double deck, which accommodates plant and service ducts, as well as forming the upper pedestrian route to the existing Messe. Giving expansive views across the site to the Agora, the Messehalle is very much a public building in a vibrant city centre. Show less