Architecture

Structure, materials and traditions

Bjrn Sandakerand Arne Eggen

The Structural Basis of Architecture

Published in Norwegian and English

A structural foundation is imperative for architectural design, however, the complete process of building cannot be defined as architecture. The practical and technological basis of the structure rests in its materials. Architecture varies with time and place yet its structural essence is universal and constant: the limestone Afaia Temple on the Greek island Aegina, dating from Doric times (5BC), has the same stress placed on the bearing pillars by its roof as in Mies van Der Rohes steel Crown Hall in Chicago (1952). The structure of a building can be seen to have at least two aims. Firstly, it must withstand exposure to a variety of stresses, so that the building remains standing and secure against breakdown or impermissible deformation: that is, it has to withstand and transfer stress down to the foundations. Secondly, the structure is a potent and meaningful visual instrument in itself, which can be refined into a convincing architectonic medium. The Structural Basis of Architecture is an alternative approach to building technology. Its point of departure is national and internationally works, connecting the form of structural elements with their place in the finished project. It is an inspiring book co-written by an architect and a structural engineer who reveal the building processes aim of totality. The authors have succeeded to account for the complete process in a way that few educational books do. Anybody who works in one of the many stages of construction will gain an elucidating perspective into the structural problems, and an insight into the synthesis that the art of building represents.

Norwegian Title: Arkitekturens konstruktive grunnlag Pages: 220 ISBN: 82-02-11787-9

Arne Eggen is an architect and a professor at the Oslo School of Architecture. Bjrn Sandaker is a professor at the Oslo School of Architecture.

Rights: Arne Eggen/Bjrn Sandaker, 1989 Address: P.O. Box 6768 St. Olavs plass NO-0130 Oslo Tel.: +47 22 99 70 00 Fax: +47 22 99 71 90 E-mail: Arne.Eggen@aho.no/Bjoern.Sandaker@aho.no URL: http://www.aho.no/