Content of the symposium
The work of Félix Candela (1910-1997), Heinz Isler (1926-2009) and Ulrich Müther (1934-2007) coincides with the heyday of concrete shell construction in the second half of the 20th century, which was shaped as decisively by the architect Candela in Mexico and the USA as by the engineers Isler and Müther in Switzerland and the GDR respectively. Across the boundaries of political systems, they engaged in a lively professional exchange that took place via personal networks and organisations such as the International Association for Shell Structures (IASS), which was founded in 1959. Regardless of their mutual influences and their common field of activity in general, their professional work in particular is characterised by remarkable differences that need to be highlighted. While Candela in Mexico became the undisputed master of elegant shells, which were mostly used in public buildings, Isler positioned itself successfully as an entrepreneurial engineer in the Swiss midlands, particularly with its system of industrial shells, which was optimised in both planning and construction. Müther, for his part, was able to achieve a monopoly position under the conditions of the socialist planned economy, both in the design and execution of such buildings by his own construction company.
In addition to early projects and milestones in the work of the three protagonists, the two-day symposium at the ETH Zurich will embed their work in the context of contemporary history. Their experimental methods for finding forms will be the subject of the lectures, as will their work with new building materials such as plastic or aluminium. In addition, the question of how thin-walled concrete shell construction can be made fruitful for today's building practice will be explored. In the meantime, the historical shell constructions of the 20th century are being worn down by the ravages of time, which is why the symposium will also look at exemplary works from the perspective of monument conservation in order to discuss the problems and potential for their preservation.
Participation in the symposium is free of charge, no registration is required.
Cooperation partners
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Facultad Arquitectura
Wismar University of Applied Sciences, Müther Archive
Funding
Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) as part of the research project "Experimental Design in the Post-War Period - The Contribution of Heinz Isler (1926-2009) from an Engineering and Cultural History Perspective
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