Product Description

"In this book tensile structures are explained and illustrated by its most prolific designer. The chapters take on the form of stories, richly illustrated and presented in a language easily understandable by a general audience; at the same time the book is a valuable source for students and practitioners of architecture and engineering. Beginning with a history of domes, the book explains the origins and principles of tensile structures and then moves on to demonstrate their application in Horst Berger's own work. This includes such landmark structures as the spectacular Denver International Airport; the Haj Terminal of the Jeddah International Airport, the world's largest roof structure; the record span Riyadh Stadium; the San Diego Convention Center; Canada Place in Vancouver."

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #817564 in Books
• Published on: 2005-06-13
• Released on: 2005-06-13
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 248 pages

About the Author
Horst Berger is an internationally recognized structural engineer, whose own practices included Horst Berger Partners and Geiger Berger Associates. His work was instrumental in bringing tensile technology and design into the real world of architecture on a very large scale. His structures stand out both as technological achievements and as creative architectural art. His main objectives were: to create large span spaces with less effort and more grace, to enrich architectural spaces, make architecture more widely affordable and bring buildings more in tune with the environment. His many built structures demonstrate their realization. Since 1990 Horst Berger teaches at CCNY's School of Architecture. In 2002 the City University of New York made him a Distinguished Professor.

Customer Reviews

A Beautiful book on Roof Structures Built Like Tents
This is a book positioned at exactly the right level for someone interested in the concept of building with tent like features. While there are several such structures in the US and around the world, the best known is the new Denver airport. Here is a building concept that offers considerable advantages to conventional design, not the least of which is an entirely new concept in modern architecture that in turn goes back to the days of tents.

The author has been involved in many, if not most of the dramatic structures built using these new techniques. While this book has somewhat of a missionaries dedication to these roof structures, it rather makes sense.

This is not a book designed for engineers, it is a book designed for the concept phase. This is what an interested buyer might use to talk to an engineering firm to tell him what he wants. This is a book that an engineer might use to understand what the customer wants before he gets deeply into the software and the design.

I really liked the book. I only have one argument with the author. As a very frequent flyer for many years, the new Denver airport may have a very nice roof, but the airport itself sucks. It's the worst airport I habitually used.

understanding and appreciating tensile membrane structures
a wonderful, accessible and personal journey through an understanding of the basis and historical development of tensile membrane structures by a world renowned engineer-designer and teacher. through historic examples and his own contemporary projects, prof. berger allows the reader to grasp a scientific understanding and aesthetic appreciation for these unique structures.

a must book for all architects, engineers and anyone who desires a better comprehension of light weight structures.