Author

SCHULTEN, Christoph

Prof. Dipl.-Ing., Technical University of Dresden, Department of Architecture
Abstract

In a free-form shell structure, the possibilities of masonry construction beyond vertical plane wall elements are explored. The shape has been developed in an iterative process, employing sculptural design methods and numerical modeling to obtain the final stable shell shape. In the construction in full scale, the practical feasibility could be demonstrated. The project shows the capability of masonry to assume complex shapes, and how this can be achieved using current building material and fulfilling the codes. In particular, the feasibility of shell structures in masonry with geometrically complex shapes is shown. A further aspect of the project is the design process, with the attempt to establish a continuous information flow from design to realization, by means of information technology. For the rim beams of the shell, a construction detail was developed to reinforce the masonry across the bed joint.