Heinz Isler and “Natural” Forms for Shells

What and were stimulus to Isler’s creativty

Lardy’s lectures on aesthetic, model labs inspired by Torroja

Describe the pneumatic form for his shells

He obtained the form by inflating a membrame, then freezing or stabilizing it

Describe his process of construction that made his shells feasbile and affordable

Used reusuable laminated wood arches, fiberboard insulation, and prestressed ties. This allowed for repeated use of thematerials

What’s form was bread and butter?

Pnemautic shell: simple and economical

How was Candela an influence for Isler

Admired Candela’s expressive thiness, restaurant los manatiales

What were two form-finding mehtods that Isler favored

Pnemautic form and hanging membrane

Describe the process by which Isler arrives at the hanging membrane form

He suspends a membrane by its edges, lets it settle into pure tension form, then inverts it for pure compression shell

T or F: Isler used prestressed ties in BOTH pnemautic and hanging membranes form

True

What is difference in form between Kresege auditoroium and the BP station shell

Kresge: Sliced dome, construction issues

BP Station: Hanging membrane, pure compression, smoother execution

Kresge: Fraction of a sphere, BP: form found, BP is more proper

True of False: The Sicil Building was Isler’s masterpiece: It’s a seven-point supported shell with several holes in the roof to allow light to enter space

True

The Heimberg Tennis center presents a challenge because its long and buckling is a concern

True

Isler’s shells are typically (3, 1) inches and Cande'la’s shells are typicall (3, 1.5) inches. Select correct number

Isler’s shells 3 inches

Candella shells 1.5 inches

how did Isler play with nature and nature’s laws

He used natural processes such as inflation and hanging fabrics to allow gravity to dictate structure, build physical models from ice and fabric

Explain discipline and play in context of Isler

discipline: Structural logic and calculation

Play: Free exploration of natural, beautiful forms once principles were understood

Explain “Creativity takes courage” in the context of Isler

Isler dared to trust form-finding unconventional methods. Believed in structurally sound aesthetically driven designs when others doubted the,