Nervi and I

Meanwhile, I’m feeling fantastic. Practicing, learning, good health.

I’m reading a hypnotic book about Pier Luigi Nervi, an Italian structural engineer who created phenomenal architecture, like this one above. Reinforced concrete, prefab. Beautiful. What’s so exciting is that his workflow validates all kinds of “universal” laws: he used real life prototypes a lot which is much better than calculations (real beats virtual most of the time), costs and constraints led him to being smarter, finding solutions that he otherwise would have not find (this happens through human history all the time). Scarcity often helps.

1957. Mesmerizing, isn’t it? 58.5-meter (190-foot) span. Those diamonds were prefab and connected together with a crane. 1,620 of them. 30 days to complete this magnificent roof!! It is still in perfect shape today. Breaking tasks in smaller tasks always works.

Pier mixed thorough engineering with intuition, melting structural demands and aesthetics all together while being cheaper than competition AND on time or early in completion of those giant projects. An inspiration.

I’m fascinated by concrete domes and structures these days with my HHH. The idea of bending concrete for my ceiling, reducing the amount of material necessary thus reducing cost, and making it more beautiful by having a gentle curve instead of a boring horizontal, is getting stronger in my mind. Thanks to Mr. Nervi, I know that this is very much possible.