On November 9th the book "Candela Isler Müther - Positions on Shell Construction" was published by Birkhäuser Verlag. The book co-edited by Professor Matthias Beckh brings together the latest research contributions on three of the most important protagonists of shell construction. The high phase of concrete shell construction began in the middle of the 20th century. Technically advanced constructions of sensational expressiveness emerged worldwide. With Félix Candela (1910-1997), Heinz Isler (1926-2009) and Ulrich Müther (1934-2011), this book examines three outstanding protagonists of this construction method.

Their work - mainly in Mexico, Switzerland and the GDR - took place under very different political, economic, social and cultural conditions. The authors analyze the buildings and projects against the background of developments in architecture and engineering at the time. They address mutual influences, similarities such as differences in the design processes, construction and execution. In addition, questions of reception and current use are dealt with.

Further information and purchase at: https://www.degruyter.com/view/title/570814?rskey=Pcx1oq&result=1

An impressive example of shell construction can be seen in Dresden: In 1972, the civil engineer Ulrich Müther completed the Blasewitz rowing center on the banks of the Elbe. The shell, made of four hyperbolic paraboloids, is only 6cm thick and spans an area of ​​36x36m.

© Wilfried Dechau