Heinz Isler

Heinz Isler (July 26, 1926 – June 20, 2009) was a Swiss structural engineer. He is famous for his thin concrete shells.

Early life and education edit

Heinz Isler was born in the municipality of Zollikon.^[1] He showed talent as an artist as a student, but his father advised him to seek a career in engineering first. Isler studied thin concrete shells at the Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich.

Career edit

Upon graduating from the ETH in 1950 with a degree in civil engineering, Isler worked as a teaching assistant with Pierre Lardy, a professor at the ETH, from 1951 to 1953. He opened his own office in 1954 in Burgdorf, Switzerland. His first project as a shellbuilder was a concert hall roof for the Hotel Kreuz in Langenthal which was completed between 1954 and 1955. The form of the shell was loosely inspired by the shape of a plumped-up pillow on his bed.^[1]

Death edit

Isler died from a stroke on June 20, 2009 at the age of 82.^[1]

Bibliography edit

Isler, Heinz (1980). "Structural Beauty of Shells". IABSE Congress Report. 11. ETH Zurich: 147–152. doi:10.5169/seals-11239.
Isler, Heinz (1981). "Effective Use of Concrete". IABSE Reports of the Working Commissions. 36. ETH Zurich: 189–191. doi:10.5169/seals-28279.

References edit

^ ^a ^b ^c Chilton, John (24 August 2009). "Obituary: Engineer and shell builder noted for innovative design". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 February 2013.

External links edit

Heinz Isler information at Structurae
Heinz Isler and Structural art

[Guardian-1] Chilton, John (24 August 2009). "Obituary: Engineer and shell builder noted for innovative design". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 February 2013.

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