Building with curved roof structure

Abstract

A large-scale building in comprising a curved roof structure (1) including a roof (10), the roof (10) including a pair of spaced outer roofs portions (30a,b) and an inner roof section (40) between the outer roof portions (30a,b). The footprint of the inner roof section (40) overlaps the inter edges of each of the outer roof portions (30a,b). The outer roof portions (30a,b) have a sigmoidal shape and include both convex (32) and concave (34) contours.

Description

[0001] BU I LD I NG WITH CU RVED ROOF STRU CTU RE

[0002] FIELD OF INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates to a curved roof structure for large scale buildings, such as agricultural sheds, commercial or industrial buildings, and educational facilities, requiring natural or passive ventilation and large internal spaces uninterrupted by internal columns.

[0004] BACKGROUND ART

[0005] The following references to and descriptions of prior proposals or products are not intended to be, and are not to be construed as, statements or admissions of common general knowledge in the art. In particular, the following prior art discussion should not be assumed to relate to what is commonly or well known by the person skilled in the art, but to assist in the inventive process undertaken by the inventors and in the understanding of the invention.

[0006] Large sheds or roofed structures for agriculture and other uses benefit from maximum ventilation for example in the cattle industry, but also in other applications, such as covered areas of educational and sporting facilities. Often structures require the use of active ventilation such as ducts or fans to increase ventilation due to inadequate passive ventilation, but passive ventilation created by a natural draft is advantageous at least due to energy and cost savings. Improving the natural draft for large roofed areas is therefore desirable.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to ameliorate one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative thereto.

[0008] STATEMENT OF INVENTION

[0009] The invention according to one or more aspects is described herebelow and further defined in the independent claims. Some optional and / or preferred features of the invention are described herebelow and further defined in the dependent claims.

[0010] In one aspect, the invention provides:

[0011] A building including a curved roof structure, the curved roof structure including a roof that, when viewed from above, has a concave shaped region to one side of the building, an upper convex shaped region, and an upper draft feature.

[0012] The concave-convex roof structure is preferably adapted, with the airflow passing above, to create a negative pressure immediately above a central gap in the roof structure, whilst building positive pressure immediately below the gap in an interior space of the building, to enhance draft through the interior space of the building, providing passive cooling.

[0013] LARGE SCALE BUILDING

[0014] The large scale building structure includes a roof with a curved roof line. By "large scale", it is understood that the structure may have a minimum width of 20m, and a maximum width of 60m, the width being preferably in the range -30m - 45m. The length of the building, typically having a rectangular roof footprint, may be at least 30m, 50m, 80m, 100m, the length preferably being between 50m - 500m, although there is no fixed upper length limit.

[0015] Internal Air Space

[0016] The building defines a volume of internal air space, namely the air in the footprint of the roof between the roof and the ground, floor or platform above which the roof is located. The "footprint of the roof" includes the area between opposed ends and side edges of the roof, inclusive of a central draft feature.

[0017] ROOF

[0018] Curved Roof Line

[0019] Sigmoidal Curved Portions

[0020] The end profile of the roof may comprise a pair of sigmoidal curved portions. The sigmoidal curved portions may be substantially mirror images of each other. The sigmoidal curve may describe the shape of supporting beams or purlins ("beams") from a side elevation view of the beams. The beams may extend laterally from a central ridge outwardly toward the side edges. The sigmoidal curve may describe the shape of a roof covering from an end elevation view of the structure. The roof covering may extend either side of the central ridge and be directly supported by the beams, or be indirectly supported by the beams through intermediary brackets, frames or struts. The beams are preferably in the form of trusses. The roof covering and roof supporting structure, such as the beams, are collectively referred to herein as the roof.

[0021] In section viewing from an end of the structure, from the respective outer sides of the roof there may be a first relatively low gradient inclination that gradually increases from an outer side to an inflection or inclination point intermediate the span between the side and a central ridge of the roof. Further toward the central ridge from the inflection point, the curve may gradually flatten as it approaches the central ridge. The roof line may always slope downward from the central ridge to the respective sides. The steepest inclination of the curve is at the inflection point.

[0022] Bell Curve

[0023] An end profile of the roof is preferably in the shape of a bell curve. That is, the bell curve shape comprises of a pair of opposed sigmoidal shaped roof structures. The sigmoidal shaped structures may be mirror images of each other. Alternatively, the bell curve shape may be non-bisymmetrical. The positioning of the building may be configured to accommodate the direction of prevailing winds and / or the direction of the sun. The building may have a "fat side" where the distance from the central draft feature to the right side edge is greater than the distance between the central draft feature and the left side edge. This may provide greater protection from one particular directional approach, a "skinny side", for example, being located on a south side of the building in the Southern Hemisphere and on the North side in the Norther hemisphere. The interior space is the volume of space immediately under the footprint.

[0024] Outer Roof Portion

[0025] The roof preferably includes a pair of outer roof portions.

[0026] A peripheral section of each of the outer roof portions may be generally concave from above in shape. The outer roof portion (in profile from an end view) is preferably sigmoidal in shape.

[0027] The outer roof portion may vertically include the lowest part of the roof. The lowest part of the roof may be at an outermost edge or periphery of the outer roof section. The outer roof portion may only increase in height moving inwards towards the centre of the curved roof structure from the sides.

[0028] Outer roof radius

[0029] A radius of the outer portion of the roof may be measured in terms of the width of the overall structure. For example, the outer portion of the roof may be a relatively shallow curve having a radius Ri between W / 0.5 and W / 3, preferably W / .7 and W / 1.5, and most preferably about W, where W is the width of the curved roof structure. The inner portion of the roof may have a radius Rzof between W and W / 8, preferably W / 2 and W / 4, and most preferably about W / 3.

[0030] Convex and concave contours

[0031] The outer roof portions preferably include both convex and concave contours.

[0032] The convex and concave contours may be concave and convex in profile, for example as viewed from a front of the curved roof structure. The front side of the curved roof structure may be normal or tangent to a longitudinal axis of the inner roof.

[0033] The outer roofs may include concave contours as viewed from above on an outermost portion of the outer roofs. The outermost portion of the outer roofs may transition into a convex contour as viewed from above in an inner section of the outer roof portions.

[0034] INNER ROOF SECTION

[0035] The roof preferably includes an inner roof section between the outer roof portions.

[0036] A ridge line may extend centrally along the length of the building. The ridge line may be inclined. The ridgeline may be stepped in increasing height from a lower height at one end to a higher height at the other. The ridge line is preferably linear and of substantially constant height throughout its length. The ridge line may extend substantially horizontally. The ridge line may extend parallel to and be co-terminal with the central draft feature.

[0037] The inner roof section is preferably positioned above and, in plan, overlaps a respective inner edge of each of the outer roof portions. The "inner" location is central and closer to the central draft feature than the outer periphery of the building.

[0038] Central Draft Feature

[0039] The central draft feature may include a central ventilation or exhaust feature. The central draft feature provides ventilation or exhaust for an internal air space of the building. The central draft feature may be a central gap between the outer roof portions.

[0040] Central Gap

[0041] The roof preferably includes an inner roof section in the form of a central cap extending above and along the central gap.

[0042] The end profile of the roof structure may comprise a pair of spaced and mirror image sigmoidal curved portions between which is a central gap. The curved roof structure preferably includes a central cap extending above and along the central gap.

[0043] Central Cap

[0044] The footprint of the central cap preferably overlaps and exceeds, in terms of the area of its footprint, the footprint of the central gap.

[0045] INFLECTION LINE

[0046] The outer roof portions may include a transition zone or inflection line as the concave shape from above of the periphery of the outer roof portion transitions into the convex shape of the inner roof section. The transition zone or inflection line may be located between 25-45% of the horizontal distance across the outer roof. The transition zone or inflection line may be located between 10 - 50% of the horizontal width of the outer roofs inwards from a centre of the curved roof structure.

[0047] It will be appreciated that any of the features described herein can be used in any combination, and that the invention as described in respect of the second aspect may have the specific features referred to above in respect of the invention as described in respect of the first aspect.

[0048] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] The invention may be better understood from the following non-limiting description of preferred embodiments, in which:

[0050] Figure la is a front view of a curved roof structure;

[0051] Figures lb - Id are front sectional views of portions of the structure shown in Fig. la;

[0052] Figure Id is another front view of the structure shown in Fig. la;

[0053] Figure 2a is a left side front perspective view of the curved roof structure;

[0054] Figure 2b is a front sectional view of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. 2a;Figure 3 is a right side front perspective view of the curved roof structure; and

[0055] Figure 4 is an upper perspective view of the curved roof structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] Preferred features of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings are not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention. In describing the various embodiments of the invention, like features will be referred to using like references, with references for features of each embodiment generally preceded by 1, 2, 3, or followed by a Roman numeric sequence, such as i, ii, iii, etc. or an alphabetical sequence such as a, b, c, relative to the corresponding feature of the first embodiment. For example, a feature 10 of the first embodiment may represented as 110, 210, 310, (or nlO), or 10a, 10b, 10c, (or lOx) or lOi, lOii, lOiii, (or lOr) etc. in second, third and fourth embodiments, respectively.

[0057] Curved Roof Structure

[0058] Turning to the drawings, in Fig. 1 there is a shown an end profile of a large-scale building in comprising a curved roof structure 1 including a roof 10, the roof 10 including a pair of spaced outer roofs portions 30a, b and an inner roof section 40 between the outer roof portions 30a, b. The footprint of the inner roof section 40 overlaps the inter edges of each of the outer roof portions 30a, b. The outer roof portions 30a, b have a sigmoidal shape and include both convex 32 and concave 34 contours.

[0059] The roof 30, when viewed from above, has a concave shaped region to one side of the building, an upper convex shaped region, and an upper draft feature.

[0060] A first series of upright supports 14 are located close to the side 39 of the building.

[0061] The peripheral concave shaped region is one of a pair of spaced peripheral concave shaped regions, the convex shaped region is central to the curved roof structure and the uppermost draft feature is a central draft feature 35.

[0062] The roof structure comprises a first left wing corresponding to one of the pair of spaced peripheral concave shaped regions, the left wing extending laterally from the central draft feature 35 outwardly to an outer left periphery at the side 39 of the building.

[0063] The roof structure comprises a second right wing extending laterally from the central draft feature outwardly to an outer right periphery of the roof structure. A second series of upright supports are located close to the right periphery.

[0064] The roof defines a footprint 15 within which there is an interior space 19 the horizontal extent and boundary of which is defined by the first and second series of supports 14, there being no supports in the interior space 19.

[0065] The geometry and dimensions of each of the peripheral concave shaped regions are consistent along the length of the building. The geometry and dimensions of the central convex shaped region are consistent along the length of the building. The central draft feature 35 bifurcates the central convex shaped region.

[0066] The central draft feature 35 is in the form of at least one vent extending along the length of the building. The vent is a continuous gap extending along the length of the building.

[0067] The building includes an elongate central cap 3 with a footprint that has a width that is at least the width of the gap 35 at any position along the length of the gap. The central cap 3 is convex from above.

[0068] The building extends in a first direction parallel to the central draft feature 35 whereby the length of the building in the first direction is larger than the width of the building in a second direction normal to the first direction. The large scale building includes: a pair of opposed and spaced roof wings, including a first left wing and a second right wing, the pair of roof wings providing a covered roof area that defines a footprint of the building; a central draft feature and outer left and right side peripheries; a pair of spaced rows of upright supports, including: a left-hand side row of upright supports aligned inboard but close to the left side periphery; and a right-hand side row of upright supports aligned inboard but close to the right side periphery; a plurality of curved beams extending parallel to each other and spanning between the pair of spaced rows of upright supports, wherein: the structure provides an interior inwardly of the pair of spaced rows of upright supports space free of supports; and the pair of roof wings are spaced by a central ridge gap between the pair of roof wings; and an area of the interior represents at least 75% of an area defined by the footprint.

[0069] Convex and concave contours

[0070] The convex 32 and concave 34 contours are concave and convex as viewed from a front 2 (see Fig. 2) of the curved roof structure 1. The front side end 2 of the curved roof structure 1 may be defined by the roof's 10 front edge, the front end posts 14 and the chords 16 and web 18 of the end-most bell curve shaped beam 12. The front side 2 is normal or tangent to a longitudinal axis 31 of the inner roof section 40.

[0071] The outer roof portions 30a, b include outer peripheral sections 34 that have concave contours 34 (as viewed from above). The peripheral sections 34 end at their outer edges in peripheral edges 36a. The peripheral edges 36a of each of the outer roof portions 30a, b transitions into the convex contour of inner roof sections 32 (as viewed from above) that corresponds to an innermost or central portion ending at an innermost edge 36b of each of the outer roof portions 30.

[0072] The beams' 12 chords 16 extend at least generally parallel to one another. The web elements of the web 18 are arranged in classic triangle formation with substantially consistent spacing between web element apex meeting points along the beam's 12 length as shown in Fig. 1.

[0073] Preferably, each of the beams 12 is continuous throughout its length forming the structural support for both of the roof portions of the outer roof portions 30a, b. Therefore, the beams 12 provide continuous and uninterrupted support for the convex contour inner portions 32 of the outer roof portions 30a, b between the spaced transitions and across a gap 35 between the innermost edges 36b. Due to the negligible footprint of the beams 12 across the gap 35, a draft encouraged to flow upwardly through the gap 35 is substantially not impeded by the beams 12.

[0074] The formation of the curved chords 16 in the assembly of the trusses or beams 12 is carried out by roll-forming using jigs that are purpose built for the assembly of the trusses. The chords 12 are continuous along their lengths L (i.e. through the footprint of the gap of the vent 35). Depending on the length L, which may be substantial in the large-scale building, of each of the chords 16 includes joins serially connecting part lengths of each of the chords 16. The part lengths of each chord 16 are joined with splices. The splices are preferably positioned in the transition zone 37, ideally at one of the transition lines 38 where the curves change. Pre-assembly, the frame of the beam 12 corresponding to the part-lengths of the chords 16 is, for example, prepared in halves, thirds, or quarters, depending on the span of the beam 12. The truss sections of the webs 18 may be bolted together.

[0075] To support the laterally and parallel aligned truss beams 12, longitudinally aligned cross beams 13 are arranged at regular intervals or spacing along the length of each of the truss beams 12.

[0076] Central Cap

[0077] The gap 35 extends substantially the full length of the building. The gap 35 is approximately one span of web element, that is the gap 35 width is approximately the same size as the spacing between adjacent apices of joins of web elements in the web 18.

[0078] Inflection line

[0079] The outer roof portions 30a, b include a transition zone 37 having an intermediate inflection line 38 as the concave (viewed from above) peripheral sections 34 transition into the convex shape (viewed from above) of the inner roof sections 32. The transition zone 37 or inflection line 38 is located between 25-45% of the horizontal distance across the outer roof portions 30a, b, taken from their respective outer edges 39. The transition zone 37 or inflection line 38 is located 25-45 % of the horizontal width of each of the outer roof portions 30a, b outwards from a centre 3 of the curved roof structure 1.

[0080] Outer roof radius

[0081] With particular reference to Figures la-ba curve of the beam 12 is a complex shallow "S" shape and may be described mathematically, changing from an internally shallow convex curve having a radius Ri at the outer roof portion 34 through to an internally concave curve having a radius R2 at the inner roof section 32. The radius Ri of the outer roof portion 34 may be measured in terms of the width W of the overall roof structure 1. For example, the outer portion 30a, b of the roof may be a relatively shallow curve having a radius Ri in profile looking from an end through a section of the roof of about W, where W is the width of the curved roof structure. The inner portion 32 of the roof in profile looking from an end through a section of the roof has a radius R2 of about W / 3. For example, for a structure 1 having a width of 60m, R1 is about 60m and R2 is about 20m.

[0082] The roof sections 32,34 are demarcated in Fig. lb by virtual purple bars for the inner roof section 32, and virtual red bars 34 for the outer roof section 34.

[0083] Outer roof profile

[0084] The vertically lowest part of the outer roof portions 30a, b is the outermost edge 39 of the outer roof 30. The building may include eves 30c or skillions 30d extending 0.5 - 4m beyond the beyond the outer roof 30. Alternatively, the large scale building may not include an eve 30c or skillion 30d beyond the posts 14 supporting the outer roof 30. Preferably, the building includes at least a short eve 30c and guttering 30e extending along the length of the outermost edges 39 on the outside of a plane 30f in which the respective series of posts 14 are located. The outer roof 30 only increases in height moving inwards toward the centre axis 31 of the curved roof structure 1.

[0085] The concave inner roof section 40 is effective to guide the airflow or wind flowing across the slope of the roof from either side of the building over the outer roof portions 30a, b. As the airflow follows a trajectory above the central draft feature in the form of an air vent 35 to create a suction or venturi effect. Inside the building immediately under the gap of the vent 35 in the space 19 between the inflection lines 38 the air pressure is generally higher. The combined effect of suction / venturi outside with higher pressure in the space 19, synergistically works to enhance the draft of air from the space 19 to the exterior through the vent 35. The result is an increased amount of air from inside in space 19 going outside the roof 10 above the gap 35. Factors that affect the draft are: (1) the local wind speed and direction; and (2) the relative dimensions of the structure 1, such as (a) the height of the vent 35 from the ground; (b) the curvature or radii of the sections 30a, b, 32 of the roof 10, (c) the width or span of the vent 35 whereby to ensure that the airflow passes over the vent 35 and not through it, ie. avoiding counter-productive incoming flow of air from the outside to the space 19.

[0086] As is evident in Fig. 1, the footprint of the central cap 3 overlaps and exceeds, in terms of the area of its footprint, the footprint of the central gap 35. The central cap 3 has a radius r that is similar to the corresponding radius R of the outer roof portion 34 immediately under the central cap 3. The curved convex surface (from above) of the central cap 3 facilitates a low pressure zone 41 immediately above the central cap 3 (where ref. No. 41 points to in Fig. 1). Similarly, as air passes over the convex (from above) surface of the inner roof section 40, the roof structure 1 is adapted to create a low pressure zone 42 immediately above the inner roof section 40 and immediately above the gap 35. This has the effect of drawing higher pressure air from space 19 through the gap 35 and out from under the roof 1 of the building. A natural upward and centrally drawn draft is passively created for the building.

[0087] The highest stress in the chords 16 is typically in the peripheral portions close to the vertical columns 14. The chords 16, in any case, are calculated according to available standards with high safety coefficients. Furthermore, the unique concave-convex-concave shape of the roof 1 provides enhanced shape stability in the performance of the roof trusses 12. Sag caused by self-weight is reduced compared to a linear truss.

[0088] The size and thickness of the chords 16 and web 18 throughout the truss beam's 12 length L are typically calculated according to available standards. In Australia, these calculations are conducted by a structural engineer using a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) program to ensure that the structure meets the Australian Structural Engineering Standards. Strength analysis guides the individual design of trusses 12 for a particular application, including spacings and sizing of web 18 members throughout the truss length L. Web 18 members may vary in dimensions of length, thickness, load capacity, stiffness, attachment (bolts, welds, etc.) and frequency of placement along the length L depending on the application and the results of strength analysis, which a structural engineer is equipped to do. However, preferably the web member lengths are kept uniform for easier fabrication wherever possible.

[0089] Referring to Figs. 2a-b, the length of the structural beam 12 comprises the inner section 32 and the outer section 34, bolted at a join B intermediate the beam's 12 length with bolts. Each section 32,34 of the beam 12 includes a welded truss assembly A, including the internal triangular braces of the web 18. Wider span buildings, shown here in the form of sheds, may require more than 2 welded truss assemblies 32,34 on each side of the structure 1. However, each section combines to form an "S" shaped beam 12 as a whole, whether that is in 2, 3, 4 or 6 parts. Throughout the specification and claims the word "comprise" and its derivatives are intended to have an inclusive rather than exclusive meaning unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. That is, the word "comprise" and its derivatives will be taken to indicate the inclusion of not only the listed components, steps or features that it directly references, but also other components, steps or features not specifically listed, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise.

[0090] In the present specification, terms such as "apparatus", "means", "device" and "member" may refer to singular or plural items and are terms intended to refer to a set of properties, functions or characteristics performed by one or more items or components having one or more parts. It is envisaged that where an "apparatus", "means", "device" or "member" or similar term is described as being a unitary object, then a functionally equivalent object having multiple components is considered to fall within the scope of the term, and similarly, where an "apparatus", "assembly", "means", "device" or "member" is described as having multiple components, a functionally equivalent but unitary object is also considered to fall within the scope of the term, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise.

[0091] In the present specification, the phrase "and / or" refers to severally or any combination of the features. For example, the phrase "feature 1, feature 2 and / or feature 3" includes within its scope any one of the following combinations: Feature 1 or feature 2 or feature 3; feature 1 and feature 2 or feature 3; feature 1 or feature 2 and feature 3; feature 1 and feature 3 or feature 2; feature 1 and feature 2 and feature 3.

[0092] The meaning of descriptive, precise or absolute terms, such as "flexed", "normal", "parallel", "horizontal", "vertical" or "fully" includes the preceding qualifier "substantially or almost", unless the context or contrary is expressly indicated.

[0093] Qualifying relative terms, such as "relatively", "sufficiently", "near", "almost" or "substantially", may be taken to indicate a variation in an absolute value of between 05 and 10^ or between 0% and 10%, relative to the absolute value. For example, "near horizontal" may be taken to mean any orientation between 05 and 105 relative to the horizontal.

[0094] Where the word "for" is used to qualify a use or application of an object term, the word "for" is only limiting in the sense that the device or component should be "suitable for" that use or application. In the present specification, the term "integral" means formed of one body in a single process. In particular, the term "integrally formed" means formed of the one body without postforming attachment of separately formed component parts. That is, "integrally formed" and the similar term "unitarily formed" mean formed in a single forming process and do not include post-forming attachment of component parts by means of fastener or other component fixing substances or methods.

[0095] Orientational terms used in the specification and claims such as vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, upper and lower are to be interpreted as relational and are based on the premise that the component, item, article, apparatus, device or instrument will usually be considered in a particular orientation, which will usually be apparent from the context.

[0096] The articles "a" and "an" are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e. to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article. By way of example, "an element" means one element or more than one element.

[0097] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made to the methods of the invention described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The features and components of each of the embodiments of the invention described in the detailed description and / or depicted in the accompanying drawings may be interchangeable as required, with regard to functional equivalency and compatibility. A feature or component described with reference to one but not all embodiments, if functionally and dimensionally compatible as an addition with another embodiment herein described, or substitutable with a corresponding feature or component of that other embodiment in relation to which it has not been expressly described, should be read as a potential addition or substitution to that other embodiment and as being within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, in considering a feature or component that is described in relation a particular embodiment but may be omitted from the embodiment without losing the functionality characterising the invention and without departing from the scope of the invention, unless the context and expressions used in describing the embodiment imputes that the feature or component is essential to the invention as broadly described, the omittable feature or component may be read as not being included in the embodiment.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 06 June 2025 (06.06.2025)The Claims:

1. A building including a curved roof structure, the curved roof structure including a roof that, when viewed from above, has a concave shaped region to one side of the building, an upper convex shaped region, and an upper draft feature, wherein the building is adapted to create passive ventilation by a natural draft in which air passes over the upper convex shaped region immediately above an inner roof section and immediately above a gap having the effect of drawing air through a gap and out from under the curved roof structure whereby to passively create a natural upward and centrally drawn draft for the building.

2. The building as claimed in Claim 1, including a first series of upright supports, each of the first series of supports located close to the side of the building.

3. The building as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the peripheral concave shaped region is one of a pair of spaced peripheral concave shaped regions, the convex shaped region is central to the curved roof structure and the uppermost draft feature is a central draft feature.

4. The building as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the roof structure comprises a first left wing corresponding to one of the pair of spaced peripheral concave shaped regions, the left wing extending laterally from the central draft feature outwardly to an outer left periphery at the side of the building.

5. The building as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the roof structure comprises a second right wing extending laterally from the central draft feature outwardly to an outer right periphery of the roof structure.

6. The building as claimed in Claim 5, including a second series of upright supports, each of the second series of supports located close to the right periphery.

7. The building as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the roof defines a footprint within which there is an interior space the horizontal extent and boundary of which is defined by the first and second series of supports, there being no supports in the interior space.

8. The building as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the geometry and dimensions of each of the peripheral concave shaped regions are consistent along the length of the building.

9. The building as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the geometry and dimensions of the central convex shaped region are consistent along the length of the building.

10. The building as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the central draft feature bifurcates the central convex shaped region.

11. The building as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the central draft feature is in the form of at least one vent extending along the length of the building.

12. The building as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the vent is a continuous gap extending along the length of the building.

13. The building as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the building includes an elongate central cap with a footprint that has a width that is at least the width of the gap at any position along the length of the gap.

14. The building as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the central cap is convex from above.

15. The building as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the building extends in a first direction parallel to the central draft feature whereby the length of the building in the first direction is larger than the width of the building in a second direction normal to the first direction.

16. A curved roof structure for a large scale building as claimed in Claim 1, including: a pair of opposed and spaced roof wings, including a first left wing and a second right wing, the pair of roof wings providing a covered roof area that defines a footprint of the building; a central draft feature and outer left and right side peripheries; a pair of spaced rows of upright supports, including: a left-hand side row of upright supports aligned inboard but close to the left side periphery; and a right-hand side row of upright supports aligned inboard but close to the right side periphery; a plurality of curved beams extending parallel to each other and spanning between the pair of spaced rows of upright supports, wherein: the structure provides an interior inwardly of the pair of spaced rows of upright supports space free of supports; and the pair of roof wings are spaced by a central ridge gap between the pair of roof wings.

17. A curved roof structure for a large scale building as claimed in Claim 16, wherein an area of the interior represents and area between the spaced planes in which the respective series of posts are aligned that is at least 75% of the area defined by the footprint.

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