Developments in Gridshell Design

In 1959 Heinz Isler challenged the world of concrete shell design by proposing a series of shapes for shells that were very different from what most designers thought were logical or appropriate forms. These geometries were the result of experimentation and form finding methods that creatively explored form in shells beyond strict geometry and moved into a world of structural expression. In a similar way contemporary engineers are encountering forms for steel shells that are going well beyond established notions of geometrical optimization, pushed by extreme architectural programs and client demands.

This paper will trace the evolution of the steel and glass gridshell and examine their current development. This evolution has been impacted by the digital revolution both in terms of computation, design tools as well as fabrication technologies. Different case studies will be examined that chart this evolution of technology and look at how this has changed the way structural engineers work.