Structure and Shape: From the Middle Ages to the Present

Catalog description

In any trip to historical locations, it is impossible not to wonder how the magnificent and monumental buildings of the middle age were constructed without the availability of the omnipresent cranes and construction elevators of nowadays. More perplexing yet, is how the architects of yesteryear managed to design them without the understanding of structural mechanics we have today. The course will explore some of the considerations behind these designs, and how they affected the shape of the buildings, moving through locations, from Europe to Asia, as well as through the ages, up to today's structures. In the process, we will introduce basic ideas on strength of materials and structural mechanics. We will also touch upon similar observations on the relation between shape and function in some biological structures. Classes will consist of lectures, hands-on designs, discussions, and visits to some landmark structures.