A renaissance of geometry in architectural and structural design
My research explores how contemporary digital tools and mathematics can reconnect architecture with its historic geometric roots. Through the study of shells, vaults, and bridges—past and present—I aim to revive geometry as a core knowledge and tool among architects and engineers. I seek to unite form, structure, and fabrication in designs that are beautiful, material-efficient and simple to build, rooted in the constraints and resources of the local context.
Differential geometry and structural action of vaults and shells
Masonry vaults and bridges, concrete shells, and steel and timber grid shells are all examples of shell structures. Their beauty, spatial qualities, structural efficiency and manufacturing are closely tied to their geometry. Geometry is central since it not only describes the shape of the shell but also the building blocks, which together form a pattern or grid dictating its construction and structural behaviour.
History has shown how architects and builders successfully utilised curved shapes to combine architectural qualities with structural efficiency through the use of simple building blocks of local materials. Differential geometry—the modern mathematics of curves and surfaces—offers a mathematical framework for the investigation of such architectural qualities in both historic and new structures. The overall focus of my research is investigating how differential geometry can contribute to the design and production of shell structures in the digital age.
Shell structures - Material efficiency through geometry
Shells—such as masonry vaults, concrete shells, and timber grids—are characterised by their curved geometry and
thinness relative to their surface extension. Through their curvature, shells can redirect external loads perpendicular
to the surface and create internal forces in the tangent plane of the surface. The dominating and shaping load is usually related to gravity. The structural action of shells means that they work mainly in pure compression or tension rather than bending, which is why they are superior for large spans. It is no coincidence that we see these forms in historic structures and bridges and in nature.
L'Oceanogràfic designed by Felix Candela
Soap-film
Curved structures constructed using simple means
The curved geometry of arches and vaults makes them structurally efficient but also more complicated to build and manufacture. Historically, master builders and architects have addressed this issue by building masonry vaults from standardised elements such as brick and tile using empirically derived patterns for a familiar set of vault shapes.
Brick tile vaults by Guastatvino Company.
Today, differential geometry offers a mathematical framework for using existing and developing new geometric concepts to design new structures. If used early in the design process, these concepts can enable the design of structures made from standardised or easy-to-manufacture elements.
During my PhD, we developed and applied various geometric concepts—such as using geodesic coordinates to describe brick patterns on shells, and surfaces of constant solid angle for surface grids with planar panels when having planar boundaries. We also tested these concepts in hands-on student workshops, where pavilions were built over just two days using simple building elements.
The Asymptotic timber gridshell built using straight planar laths during a two-day workshop.
Lessons from the past for the future
Throughout history, architects, engineers, and craftsmen have successfully combined spatial and structural qualities using simple tools and often local materials. Their knowledge was often embedded in geometric rules, building traditions, and hands-on experience. This research revisits historical structures—not merely as heritage—but as sources of knowledge. By studying the geometry and structural behaviour of vaults and bridges from the past, and interpreting them through the lens of differential geometry and contemporary structural theories, we aim to extract principles that remain relevant today. These insights inform how we might design and build structures that are efficient, expressive, and grounded in the material—responding to its inherent properties and behaviour. Learning from the past is not about recreating old forms, but about recovering a way of thinking—where geometry connects design intent and potential with construction logic.
Maidenhead Railway Bridge by Brunel from 1838. Photo by Nancy
Hydrostatic masonry bridge model
One example is masonry arch bridges, which rank among the most sustainable structures ever built. Many have stood for over a century, now carrying heavier trains and trucks than originally intended, while requiring far less maintenance than modern bridges. Traditional masonry bridges often rely on a significant amount of fill material, which stabilises the arch and helps distribute concentrated loads. During my PhD, we developed a new concept for a modern masonry bridge—transforming the traditional arch into a hydrostatic shell, where the dominant load from the fill informs the geometry, resulting in materially efficient structure in compression with regard to the fill.
We are currently advancing this work through physical model testing and computational analysis techniques, including discrete element modelling, to better understand the structural behaviour, collapse mechanisms, and design potential of hydrostatic masonry shells.
Comparing the load test of the physical model with the analysis using Discrete Element Method in Abaqus.
Load tests of physical models.
Digital tools and physical models and prototypes
My research bridges computational design with hands-on experimentation. I use digital workflows such as Grasshopper and Rhino in parallel with physical prototyping and load testing, aiming to understand not only how structures behave but also how they can be built and effectively with available tools and materials.
Parametric models and fabrication pictures from workshop "Construction of a hypar concrete shell using fabric and cable net formwork"
Small physical model to understand the kinematics for the erection of the asymptotic timber gridshell.
A sustainable building culture
My research and teaching support a sustainable building culture by linking geometry, digital tools, craftsmanship, and context-adapted design. Drawing on the Davos Declaration’s concept of Baukultur, I approach sustainability as both environmental and cultural—valuing not just outcomes, but also the processes of making.The aim has been to integrate design, differential geometry, digital tools, fabrication, and structural reasoning through hands-on workshops and collaborative student builds. These projects explore how simple, locally adaptable elements can form efficient and expressive structures. In doing so, I aim to reconnect architectural and engineering education with material knowledge, geometry, place-specific constraints, and the craft of building.
Workshop together with students at Chalmers University of Technology
