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.

Conceptual Structural Design engineers addresses a topic that lies on the intersection of architecture and structural engineering. Within a building project, conceptual structural design and how successfully it has been dealt with, impacts both building performance as well as building appearance. Whilst engineers and architects are both educated in different fields, the most rewarding projects are where their shared expertise can be utilised in full. This book illustrates how these two professions can be bridged. In the first half, it details the theory and investigates sources of inspiration for developing structural form including what we can learn from natural forms, using intuition, finding inspiration from precedents, applying understanding of structural principles, utilising physical models for design, and using new design tools, construction methods, emerging technology and materials to develop new structural forms. The second part presents real life case studies showing projects in context and examples of best practice. Reflective of the changing times in which we live, this book shows. This fully updated third edition of Conceptual Structural Design is essential reading for architects and engineers, and for anyone interested in conceptual structural design.