Die Meister der Betonschalen Mitte des 20. Jahrhunderts begann die Hochphase des Betonschalenbaus. Weltweit entstanden technisch avancierte Konstruktionen von aufsehenerregender Expressivität. Mit Félix Candela, Heinz Isler und Ulrich Müther nimmt dieses Buch exemplarisch drei Protagonisten dieser Bauweise in den Blick. Ihr Wirken – vorwiegend in Mexiko, der Schweiz und der DDR – fand unter sehr verschiedenen politischen, ökonomisch-sozialen und kulturellen Bedingungen statt. Die Autoren analysieren die Bauten und Projekte vor dem Hintergrund der Entwicklungen der Architektur und des Ingenieurwesens jener Zeit. Sie thematisieren wechselseitige Einflüsse, Gemeinsamkeiten wie Unterschiede in den Entwurfsprozessen, der Konstruktion und der Ausführung. Darüber hinaus werden Fragen der Rezeption und der heutigen Nutzung behandelt. Lernen von Félix Candela (1910–1997), Heinz Isler (1926–2009) und Ulrich Müther (1934–2007) und ihren historischen Schalenbauten Unbekanntes aus den Planarchiven Englisch mit Zusammenfassungen auf Deutsch und Spanisch

Concrete shell construction started to become popular in the mid-20th century. Technically advanced designs with conspicuous expressiveness began to appear all over the world. With three typical protagonists - Félix Candela (1910-1997), Heinz Isler (1926-2009), and Ulrich Müther (1934-2007) - the book examines this construction method. Their work - primarily in Mexico, Switzerland, and the former GDR - was carried out under very different political, economic, social, and cultural conditions. The authors analyze the buildings and projects against the background of developments in architecture and engineering at that time. The focus is on mutual influence, shared aspects and differences in the design processes, the structural design, and the execution. In addition, the book examines how the work was received and today's application of the building method.

*Winner of the 2021 TAA Textbook Excellence Award* Honorable Mention of the 2021 BTES Book Award Structures by Design: Thinking, Making, Breaking is a new type of structures textbook for architects who prefer to learn using the hands-on, creative problem-solving techniques typically found in a design studio. Instead of presenting structures as abstract concepts defined by formulas and diagrams, this book uses a project-based approach to demonstrate how a range of efficient, effective, and expressive architectural solutions can be generated, tested, and revised. Each section of the book is focused on a particular manner by which structural resistance is provided: Form (Arches and Cables), Sections (Beams, Slabs, and Columns), Vectors (Trusses and Space Frames), Surfaces (Shells and Plates), and Frames (Connections and High-Rises). The design exercises featured in each chapter use the Think, Make, Break method of reiterative design to develop and evaluate different structural options. A variety of structural design tools will be used, including the human body, physical models, historical precedents, static diagrams, traditional formulae, and advanced digital analysis. The book can be incorporated into various course curricula and studio exercises because of the flexibility of the format and range of expertise required for these explorations. More than 500 original illustrations and photos provide example solutions and inspiration for further design exploration.

This book provides an understanding of the fundamental theories and practice behind the creation of architectural structures. It aids the development of an intuitive understanding of structural engineering, bringing together technical and design issues. The book is divided into four sections: 'Structures in nature' looks at structural principles found in natural objects. 'Theory' covers general structural theory as well as explaining the main forces in engineering. 'Structural prototypes' includes examples of modelmaking and load testing that can be carried out by students. The fourth section, 'Case studies', presents a diverse range of examples from around the world – actual buildings that apply the theories and testing described in the previous sections. This accessible, informative text is illustrated with specially drawn diagrams, models, CAD visualizations, construction details and photographs of completed buildings. This book will give students and newly qualified architects a firm grasp of this essential topic.

Shell structures is a term defining concrete or steel vaults of present century architecture that derive from the masonry vaults and domes of the past.

"In Liquid Stone architects, engineers, and scholars explore the changing nature of concrete from both technical and aesthetic perspectives. More than thirty buildings by leading international architects such as Jean Nouvel, Herzog & de Meuron, Tadao Ando, Zaha Hadid, Steven Holl, Norman Foster, and Santiago Calatrava demonstrate through detailed descriptions, photographs, and technical drawings the remarkable new architectural and engineering accomplishments taking form at present and the promising future of this dynamic medium."--BOOK JACKET.