GUSCI SOTTILI IN CALCESTRUZZO: COSTRUIRE CON IL LEGNO O CON L’ARIA? ISLER E BINI ALLA PROVA DEL TEMPO

During Fifties and Sixties the structural research, particularly into thin concrete shells achieved results that are still unsurpassed. New materials, techniques and methods of calculation supported this typological and expressive innovation characterized by a synthesis between structure and architectural expression. Some engineers used mathematical formulas to describe the forms of the structures and their behaviour; others revelled in physical modelling to determine the form and subsequently investigate its stability; others focused their attention solely on rationalising and industrialising the construction process and optimising the use of materials, given the high costs of formwork and falsework for conventionally constructed shells. All these researches adopted a highly pragmatic approach to the industrialization of construction systems, optimal use of materials and calculation of the structure. A comparison between two different approaches like the “form finding” by Heinz Isler and the research of optimization of the construction process by Dante Bini could help to focus on some topics about relations between structural research and architecture. Despite the importance and authority of the leading figures who conducted research and built thin concrete shell structures, their destinies have been very different. Some have been demolished or considerably altered; others have been given careful maintenance and protection.