Freeform Glass Roofs

With his knowledge of spatial geometry, shell theory and manufacturing process, the structural engineer is able to further develop light and transparent glass roofs. Double curved surface structures with a triangular mesh shape provide favourable prerequisites to single layer membrane shells. This paper describes personal experience with freely shaped glazed shells using triangular and quadrilateral glass panels. A geometric strategy for generating quadrilateral planar facets closely matching the architect’s design is presented.