Abstract
The relationship between structural form and natural force allowed medieval master builders to construct spaces that still inspire awe today, many of which would be difficult to recreate. But with an understanding of antique knowledge, traditional construction, and contemporary computation we can once again explore the form and structure of centuries ago in contemporary architecture and engineering. Combining historic wisdom with the latest natural material technology offers the promise of novel and sustainable building solutions, especially as far as curved structures are concerned. We discuss developments from our research at Cambridge and our practice Light Earth Designs on curved structures that draw on learning from ancient traditions for contemporary sustainable architecture and engineering.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Al Asali MW, Couret DG, Ramage MH (2021) Beyond the national art schools: thin-tile vaulting in cuba after the revolution. J Soc Architect Historians 80(3):321–345
Anderson S, Dieste E, Hochuli S (2004) Eladio Dieste: innovation in structural art. Princeton Architectural Press
Block P, Ochsendorf J (2007) Thrust network analysis: a new methodology for three-dimensional equilibrium. J Int Assoc Shell Spat Struct 48(3):167–173
Collins GR (1968) The transfer of thin masonry vaulting from Spain to America. J Soc Architect Historians 27(3):176–201
Grand Designs (2009) The eco arch
Lacuesta R, Llorens J (1998) C´esar Martinell. In: Col?legi d’Arquitectes de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
Martinell C (1976) Construcciones agrarias en Catalun˜a. In: Barcelona: La Gaya Ciencia
Ochsendorf J (2010) Guastavino vaulting: the art of structural tile. Princeton Architectural Press
Ramage M, Dejong M (2011) Design and construction of geogrid-reinforced thin-shell masonry. In: 35th annual symposium of IABSE/52nd annual symposium of IASS/6th international conference on space structures: taller, longer, lighter-meeting growing demand with limited resources, London, United Kingdom, September 2011, p 1
Ramage MH et al (2010) Design and construction of the Mapungubwe National Park interpretive centre, South Africa. ATDF J 7(1/2)
Ramage M, Hall TJ et al (2018) Rwanda cricket stadium: seismically stabilized tile vaults. In: Proceedings of IASS Annual Symposia. Vol. 2018. 25. International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS), pp 1–8
Ramage M, Hall TJ et al (2019) Rwanda cricket stadium: seismically stabilised tile vaults. In: Structures, vol 18. Elsevier, pp 2–9
Acknowledgements
Thanks to all of the colleagues we collaborate with and the men and women who build the things we design.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Ramage, M.H., Gatóo, A., Al Asali, M.W. (2022). Complex Simplicity—Design of Innovative Sustainable Thin-Shell Masonry Structures. In: Milani, G., Sarhosis, V. (eds) From Corbel Arches to Double Curvature Vaults. Research for Development. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-12873-8_10
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-12873-8_10
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-031-12872-1
Online ISBN: 978-3-031-12873-8
eBook Packages: Literature, Cultural and Media StudiesLiterature, Cultural and Media Studies (R0)