David Rudel mentions the "Queen side cup" as a good defensive formation to hold the queenside (on page 49 of Zuke'Em) ... increasing the mobility of white's bishops.

Do you know of any other games where white forms a queen side "cup" or "bowl" ... a4, b3, c3, d4? When is it appropriate to form the cup and when is it not appropriate? What is the function of the 'cup' When can the cup be safely be dismantled?

Is this Q-side cup useful in any other openings or defenses?