Skyboat

Cafe and WalkOn Glass for XinY structural consultants

The structure cantilevers 36m over the 613m deep sinkhole. The top of the sinkhole is extremely narrow which can only accommodate a small passageway. Skyboat is proposed to span over the passageway and cantilever out to each side of the mountain ridge. Similar to the tumbler toys, it is proposed to lower the structure centre of gravity and utilize the minimum area (10metres by 30metres), in which way, the self-balance of the structure is therefore achieved.

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Skyboat by XinY

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Cafe and WalkOn Glass by XinY

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XinY Skyboat

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XinY Cafe and WalkOn Glass

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Skyboat Cafe and WalkOn Glass Press Releases

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Skyboat Cafe and WalkOn Glass Media Articles

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Unique Properties

The structure cantilevers 36m over the 613m deep sinkhole. The top of the sinkhole is extremely narrow which can only accommodate a small passageway. Skyboat is proposed to span over the passageway and cantilever out to each side of the mountain ridge. Similar to the tumbler toys, it is proposed to lower the structure centre of gravity and utilize the minimum area (10metres by 30metres), in which way, the self-balance of the structure is therefore achieved.

Tags

Skyboat, XinY, Glass floor, Cantilever, Leye, Dashiwei

Production Technology

There are only five supports proposed. This minimizes the damages to the local vegetation. To protect the local plants and rivers, hanging falsework was used during the construction stage and to have the structural members installed by pieces.

Design Challenge

The structure cantilevers 36m over the 613m deep sinkhole. The top of the sinkhole（the site）is extremely narrow which can only accommodate a small passageway. A long crack at the site indicates the site is not stable. Apart from grouting the existing crack, it is also proposed to have the key struts at each ends of the building inclining towards the ridge, the horizontal component forces from which then provided the embracing forces to the ridge and hence improved the stability of the site.

Project Duration

The project started on 2018 in Leye China and finished on 2019.

Operation Flow

Visitors can enjoy coffee in the beauty of nature, or they can walk on the glass floor above the 600-meter deep pit to experience the shock of their heartbeats.

Research

The structural system and component arrangements were adapted to the force distribution, perfectly aligned with the elegant architectural geometry. By increasing the key strut lengths, the pre-cambering of the front cantilever structure is then achieved, which can compensate the deflections under the dead loads and some of the live loads. This also protects the glazings from large deformations.

Inspiration

A big goose, a e tumbler toy. The long crack at the top of the ridge indicates the site is not stable. Apart from grouting the existing crack, it is also proposed to have the key struts at each ends of the building inclining towards the ridge, the horizontal component forces from which then provided the embracing forces to the ridge and hence improved the stability of the site.

Image Credits

Image#1: Photographer Li Jin, Yongheng,2019. Image#2: Photographer Yongheng, Yongheng,2019. Image#3: Photographer Yongheng, Yongheng,2019. Image#4: Photographer Xin Yuan, XinY,2019. Image#5: Photographer Yongheng, Yongheng,2019. Video Credits: Yongheng

Project Overview

Skyboat Cafe and WalkOn Glass has been a Golden winner in the Architecture, Building and Structure Design award category in the year 2021 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Gold A' Design Award is granted to designs that demonstrate a high level of innovation and a significant impact on their intended audience. Recognized as a major achievement by the A' Design Awards, these designs are characterized by their visionary approach and the exceptional skill of their creators. Winners of the Gold A' Design Award are noted for their ability to push the envelope in art, science, design, and technology, delivering solutions that not only meet but exceed expectations. These designs serve as benchmarks for excellence, encouraging further innovation and inspiring future generations of designers.

Golden Recognition

XinY was recognized with the coveted Golden A' Design Award in 2022, a testament to excellence of their work Skyboat Cafe and WalkOn Glass.

XinY Press Releases

Journalists and media members can enrich their content with our press releases on XinY, available for free use. Available now: 1 press releases ready for immediate access by journalists.

Skyboat: A Marvel of Architecture and Engineering

XinY's Skyboat: A Cantilevered Cafe and Glass Walkway Over a Deep Sinkhole

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