Structural Form in History and the Construction of Complex Forms

Form is one of the inherent common interests of architects and engineers. A study of form in the design and construction of buildings has shown that there is furthermore a link between theory and practice where the built architectural form, especially the complex form is concerned. This link relates primarily to the communication and the execution of a design into the final built form.

A brief summary first shows the impact of scientific discoveries in the field of structural engineering on the design of shapes in architectural history. The use of complex forms is not only influenced by the scientific and technical knowledge but also by social circumstances. Although first designs breaking out of the simple geometrical pattern can be found since 1700, the complex designs only managed to establish themselves around 1900. Different methods of translating complex shapes from the sketch to the finished building are demonstrated with three significant examples from the era before the application of computer technology.