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Presentation
Portentous and Predictable: Eero Saarinen, Ammann & Whitney, and the Failures of Kresge Auditorium (1950-1955)
Architecture Conference Proceedings and Presentations
  • Rob Whitehead, Iowa State University
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Conference
Proceedings of the IASS Symposium 2018, Creativity in Structural Design
Publication Version
Published Version
Publication Date
7-16-2018
Conference Title
Proceedings of the IASS Symposium 2018, Creativity in Structural Design
Conference Date
July 16-20 2018
Geolocation
(42.3736158, -71.10973349999999)
Abstract

This paper will examine how the problems of Kresge Auditorium stemmed from a structurally inappropriate building form, a set of under-designed and documented drawings/specs, and a building process that lacked oversight and engagement on-site from the design team—all deviations from established thin shell design and construction standards. This paper will argue that many problems were predictable and avoidable, but were exacerbated by contractual separation of responsibilities and lack of integration between the designers: Eero Saarinen & Associates, Ammann & Whitney, and the builder: George A. Fuller Company.

Comments

This presentation is published as 2018 R. Whitehead, “Portentous, and Predictable: Eero Saarinen, Ammann & Whitney, and the Damaging Failures of Kresge Auditorium (1950-1955)” Proceedings of the IASS Symposium 2018, Creativity in Structural Design, C. Mueller and S. Adriaenssens (eds)., July 16-20, 2018. MIT, Cambridge, MA. https://www.ingentaconnect.com/contentone/iass/piass/2018/00002018/00000012/art00023

Copyright Owner
The Author
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Citation Information
Rob Whitehead. "Portentous and Predictable: Eero Saarinen, Ammann & Whitney, and the Failures of Kresge Auditorium (1950-1955)" Cambridge, MA(2018) p. 8
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/rob_whitehead/20/