Reciprocal Frame Architecture [Hardcover]

In structural terms reciprocal frame structures are 'three dimensional assemblies of mutually supporting beams'. But behind this definition lie some breathtakingly beautiful and complex structures at the heart of buildings both ancient and modern. This new book explores the principles of these apparently simple structures and demonstrates how they can be used in the context of a modern building.

Starting with historic designs by de Honnecourt, Da Vinci and Serlio, the book presents the wealth of possible RF morphologies, and investigates the geometrical, structural and practical design issues of reciprocal frames.

The case studies look at stunning examples of reciprocal frame architecture that range from low environmental impact buildings and self built examples in the UK and USA, to the fascinating and elegant structures of the Puppet Theatre in Seiwa, Tokyo's Spinning House, Sukiya Yu house, The Toyoson Stonemason museum and the Life Sciences Laboratory  Torikabuto in Japan.

The book is designed to inform and inspire architects and structural engineers alike, and brings to life a structural system whose principles have been used for thousands of years.Introduction; Background  the reciprocal frame historically; Morphology; Geometry; Structural behaviour; Japan  a home of RF structures; The reciprocal frame architecture of Kazuhiro Ishii; Torikabuto  the Life Science Laboratory designed by Yoichi Kan; The Stonemason Museum by Yasufumi Kijima; The reciprocal frame as a spiritual structure  the work of Graham Brown; Built examples; PostscriptIn structural terms reciprocal frame structures are 'three dimensional assemblies of mutually supporting beams'. But behind this definition lie some breathtakingly beautiful and complex structures at the heart of buildings both ancient and modern. This new book explores the principles of these apparently simlã²