The ‘Milkmaid’ Principle
In order to create the illusion of nature, MVRDV wished to use trees instead of columns in the space that would become ‘the forest’. However, this posed a problem with the construction of the layers that were being built above the forest regarding weight and stability. To solve this problem, the ‘milk maid’ principle was applied. The building would be supported on a central point in the center of the building, like how Dutch milkmaids would transport two buckets of milk by using a yoke on their shoulders. Stability would then be gained by tightening a firm cable at each corner of the building. In the same fashion the island layer was also stabilized.
Sources:
BESCHRIJVING.doc