Transparent Shells - Form, Topology, Structure

The book describes the design, detailing and structural design of filigree, double-curved and long-span glazed shells with minimal weight and ingenious details.§Innovative, clear and understandable geometric principles for the design of double-curved shell structures are explained in a practical manner. The principles are simple to use with the modules now available for the usual CAD programs. The author demonstrates how flowing and homogeneous structures can be created on these "free" forms, particularly framed structures of planar rectangles, which are especially suitable for glazing with flat panes and offer constructional, economic and architectural advantages. Examples are provided to explain in a simple way the latest methods of form finding calculation and holistic optimisation through the complex interaction of structure, form and topology.§Numerous examples built all over the world in the period 1989 to 2014 offer orientation and assistance in the design of such double-curved shells. Essential design parameters, constructed net structures and their node connections are presented and evaluated. These structures have been built all over the world in close partnership with renowned architects.§§- Assistance with the design, structural design and detailing of representative gridshell structures.§- These structures are relatively simple to generate with CAD programs.§- with 35 examples built all over the world by the architect schlaich bergermann partner sbp, Stuttgart, between 1989 and 2014.§- Examples with details, systematised according to roof form; vaults, domes, free-formed gridshells.§- Some examples in Germany include: the hippo house at Berlin Zoo, Berlin main station, platform roof; Aquatoll, Neckarsulm; German Historical Museum DHM - Schlüterhof, Berlin.§- The architects sbp Schlaich Bergermann Partner are known all round the world.