July 1, 2022

Beauty, Versatility, Practicality: The Rise of Hyperbolic Paraboloids in Post-War America (1950-1962)

Sprague, Tyler S. (2013). Beauty, Versatility, Practicality: The Rise of Hyperbolic Paraboloids in Post-War America (1950-1962). Construction History-international Journal Of The Construction History Society, 28(1), 165 – 184.

Abstract

The hyperbolic paraboloid was relatively unknown in the United States prior to 1950 but, by 1962, it had gained widespread recognition and acceptance among practising and academic architects, structural engineers and builders. Aligning with the architectural trends and structural capabilities of the post-war era, hyperbolic paraboloids were used to construct everything from churches to warehouses and residences to gas stations. They could be constructed in many different ways and built with different materials including reinforced concrete, plywood and aluminium. The hyperbolic paraboloid became synonymous with innovation and experimentation in construction technology. This paper reviews the people and buildings that influenced the rise in popularity of the hyperbolic paraboloid forms, traces different construction practices used to build them in the post-war Americas, and tracks their emergence as a built form that characterised the American post-war era.

Keywords

Hyperbolic Paraboloid; Construction Innovation; Aluminium; Plywood; Concrete Construction; Formwork; Usa; 1950s