The Evolution of Shell Lace Structure

Shell Lace Structure is a tailored, single surface structural technique invented by the award-winning London-based architectural practice Tonkin Liu. The result of five years of intense practice-based research in collaboration with engineers at Arup, the technique integrates the structural principles expressed in 500 million years of variation in shells, the ancient art of tailoring, and cutting-edge technology to create ultra-strong, lightweight and visually unique architectural forms. Shell Lace Structure draws on the broad and imaginative array of disciplines of evolutionary biology, structural engineering and the art of tailoring. This book provides an informative and inspirational resource for architects, engineers, designers and students, and anyone interested in biomimicry, innovative manufacturing processes, beautiful design and the multiple challenges and successes of architectural practice.