Rethinking Complexity: Vladimir Shukhov's Steel Lattice Structures

This paper is a critical review on advantages and disadvantages of contemporary digital architecture, in retrospect to Vladimir Shukhov's design techniques, applied in the early 20th century. After investigating Shukhov's structural systems, this paper explores the relationship between performance and form, questioning the necessity of high-complexity structures. It will present unpublished archive material of his early work and stimulate a valuable discussion by comparing it with contemporary projects designed by renowned architects. The study on Shukhov focuses on his tessellation method of double-curved surfaces using simple standardized elements. The study of present digital approaches revolves around leading architects using computational tools (e.g. Foster and Partners, Buro Happold and Arup), who have materialized high complexity structures composed by irregular units. Our findings highlight advantages and disadvantages of contemporary computational approaches.