KETANKUMAR JAGDISHCHANDRA SOLANKI (1) and PARAG MISTRY (2)
(1) B.Arch., ar.ketankumarsolanki@gmail.com
(2) Assistant Professor, parag.mistry@nirmauni.ac.in Institute of Architecture and Planning, Nirma University, Ahmedabad- 382481 Gujarat, INDIA

ABSTRACT
This research discusses the use of the technique known as ‘Catalan Vaulting’ or ‘Tile Vaulting’. This is a 600-year-old construction technique to build masonry vaults with remarkable thinness either without the use of or with very minimal formwork or guides. Remarkable structures have been designed by the architects Antoni Gaudi, Rafael Guastavino and Eladio Dieste inspired by this technique. Recent innovations in form finding methods, materials and falsework have extended the method to build expressive forms.
Where construction technique has a major role determining the form of the structure, architectural design processes deduce what characteristics and qualities can be extracted from the form. This paper presents findings on research into spaces and forms that have evolved using this construction technique and the architectural design process. The paper considers the ‘Integration’ between the Catalan Vaulting technique and the evolution of architectural design process.

KEYWORDS: Catalan Vaulting, Architectural Design Process, Construction technique: