Shell structures: lessons in structural efficiency for sustainable construction

Shells are a highly efficient, lightweight structural form that have been used in construction for thousands of years. Shell structures can be formed from a wide range of materials – from compressed earth to concrete – allowing local materials to be used in their construction. However, social and economic factors mean that local materials are often perceived as inferior to steel or concrete in developing countries. In this article, stemming from his Pai Lin Li Travel Award in 2018, Isuru Nanayakkara looks at traditional technologies and modern approaches to lightweight shell construction to seek a better perspective on how shell technology can be appropriated to different local contexts.