Structural design via form finding: Comparing Frei Otto, Heinz Isler and Sergio Musmeci


Loading...

Date

2021

Publication Type

Conference Paper

ETH Bibliography

yes

Citations

Altmetric

Data

Abstract

Form finding is an effective approach for the conceptual design of structures. In the 1950s and 1960s, various form finding techniques flourished to create geometries that could not be realized with analytical models or graphical methods alone. The development of contemporary form finding owes much to the seminal work of a number of structural designers of the period, notably Frei Otto, Heinz Isler and Sergio Musmeci. The scientific cultures to which they belonged led to differentiated results in their research and design. This paper examines the approaches to the form finding of Otto, Isler and Musmeci, looking in particular at the inspirations, methods and visions of these protagonists in the history of structural design.

Publication status

published

Book title

History of Construction Cultures

Journal / series

Volume

2

Pages / Article No.

431 - 438

Publisher

CRC Press

Event

7th International Congress on Construction History (7ICCH)

Edition / version

Methods

Software

Geographic location

Date collected

Date created

Subject

Form-finding; Structural design; History of engineering; Spatial structures; Experimental methods

Organisational unit

03800 - Schwartz, Joseph (emeritus) / Schwartz, Joseph (emeritus) check_circle

Notes

Funding

179095 - Experimentelles Entwerfen in der Nachkriegszeit – Der Beitrag von Heinz Isler (1926–2009) aus ingenieur- und kulturhistorischer Perspektive (SNF)

Related publications and datasets