Adaptable structural surfaces

Abstract

The framework for this thesis are the lightweight constructions that have been developed during the 20th century. As part of this thesis, a prototype for a column has been developed, that is a hybrid construction out of a lattice and surface structure. It follows the principle of adaptability instead of rigidity through taking advantage of the distributive qualities of weaker materials. Tlu·ough this development as well as through the study of the history of lightweight structures, a set of principles has been developed that can serve as the basis to a different approach to structures. This approach deals with questions of how structures can support architectural ideas without becoming the center of focus themselves, how structures can be applied in a topical way in today's postindustrial situation, and how architects can deal with a special field within architecture and how their way of working can be complimentary to engineers' and scientists' way of working.