A structural system using thin concrete or steel plates bent into angular, zigzag profiles that gain strength and spanning capability through their folded geometry. This system can create dramatic interior spaces while efficiently covering large areas.
Descriptive term referring to plates that are 'folded' like paper to create structural strength. The concept emerged in the 1950s as engineers explored how geometric folding could create strong, lightweight structures inspired by origami principles.
Folded-plate structures prove that sometimes the best engineering solution comes from paper folding! Felix Candela's concrete shells and Pier Luigi Nervi's aircraft hangars showed how a thin sheet could span enormous distances just by being folded - turning geometry into structure and creating some of the most dramatic spaces in modern architecture.
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