MORE POMPIDOU PHOTOS COURTESY OF J.HAM

I choose the Pompidou Centre as my inspiration for the Major Project because of its amazing exoskeletal structure incorporating the use of gerber beams or "gerberettes" which allow for a flexible and unobstructed interior - excellent for warehouses. The trusses are loaded onto these huge gerber arms which transfer the bending moments via tension rods to the footings. This allows for greater span of the trusses and a interior freed of supporting columns.
An equally important reason for choosing the Pompidou was that it was designed by two Pritzker prizewiners! Richard Rogers won the Pritzker this year and Renzo Piano in 1998. They worked in partnership at the time of the Pompidou in the 70's.