Heinz Isler Characteristics

THE CONCRETE SHELLS OF HEINZ ISLER

By Bismah Nini

Contents

Introduction: 2

Early life and Educational Training: 2

Isler Form Findings: 3

His Influences: 5

Work of other Designers: 6

Conclusion: 6

Introduction:

The Swiss Engineer Heinz Isler is considered a pioneer in the concept of reinforced concrete shell. His use of physical models to analyze and investigate the behavior of the form sets him apart from other shell designers.

Early life and Educational Training:

Heinz Isler was born on the 26th July 1926 in a suburb of Zurich. His father Jakob Isler was a land surveyor but worked as a municipal engineer. At a very young age, he had a keen interest in water painting and sketching. His early paintings portray his love for simplicity and beauty of nature. He studied civil engineering at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), following his father’s footsteps. His dissertation study was concrete thin shells which became the work of his lifetime. After his graduation, he worked for Professor Lardy who was a mathematician and an engineer. He gained experience by assisting Lardy with behaviour and investigation of failed structures. Then Isler started working with Christian Menn, a well-known bridge designer where Isler was introduced to the use of model testing for analysing of structure. Later, he worked on a project to build a roof of a concert hall in Hotel Kruez. This project was the beginning of his new innovative exploration of thin concrete shells. After finishing this project, Isler was not fully convinced by his work and continued searching for his form finding shape.

Isler’s greatest success occurred in 1956 when he designed his building consisting of series of bubble shells. When the building was compl...

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...entury, Congress of IASS with Felix Candela and presented his work under the name ‘’New shapes of shells-Twenty years after.

Work of other Designers:

Twentieth century famous concrete shell builders Eduardo Torroja, Félix Candela and Pier Luigi Nervi based their forms on geometries which used more mathematical approach. Torroja’s Algeciras market hall in 1933 and Félix Candela Manantiales restaurant in Mexico City in 1957 were produced from the intersecting hyperbolic parabolas roof of thickness 40 mm.

Conclusion:

Heinz Isler design process was conceptual and had a practical approach to it. His inspiration was based on laws of nature, simplicity and beauty. His methodology was different from others as he focused on physical model not just mathematics or geometry. He earned his reputation as a structural artist because of his consistent work toward concrete shells.