Shaping the Force and Art in Industrial Buildings and Infrastructure: the Study of Félix Candela’s Concrete Umbrella Shell

YAO Donghui; XUAN Wenqian; WU You

doi:10.3724/j.gyjzG23022009

Volume 55 Issue 6

Jun. 2025

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YAO Donghui, XUAN Wenqian, WU You. Shaping the Force and Art in Industrial Buildings and Infrastructure: the Study of Félix Candela’s Concrete Umbrella Shell[J]. INDUSTRIAL CONSTRUCTION, 2025, 55(6): 133-142. doi: 10.3724/j.gyjzG23022009

Citation:

YAO Donghui, XUAN Wenqian, WU You. Shaping the Force and Art in Industrial Buildings and Infrastructure: the Study of Félix Candela’s Concrete Umbrella Shell[J]. INDUSTRIAL CONSTRUCTION, 2025, 55(6): 133-142. doi: 10.3724/j.gyjzG23022009

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Shaping the Force and Art in Industrial Buildings and Infrastructure: the Study of Félix Candela’s Concrete Umbrella Shell

doi: 10.3724/j.gyjzG23022009

School of Design and Architecture, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China

Received Date: 2023-02-20

Abstract

Abstract

In the structural design of industrial buildings and infrastructure， the focus is often only on their practicality， economic and other technical elements， while the shaping of aesthetic qualities under the structural form is neglected. In the Mid-20th century， Mexican designer Félix Candela， who played multiple roles as an architect， structural engineer， and engineering contractor， began with the structural principle of hyperbolic paraboloid shells， studied the typological umbrella shells， and applied them to various industrial buildings and infrastructure under the premise of ensuring practicality and economy. He shaped the aesthetic quality of structural forms through the rich and diverse formal changes of umbrella shells. The paper’s study of the design principles and practical examples of Candela’s concrete umbrella shells aim to enlighten contemporary design and seeking the unity of architectural art and structural technology.
- hyperbolic paraboloid,
- umbrella shell,
- industrial building,
- infrastructure,
- Félix Candela

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References(15)

References

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