Typological and constructive transformations of spatial structures in Mexico. The Sports Palace for the XIX Olympics

Abstract

Spatial structures have shown a great development, mainly since the post-war years from the middle of the twentieth century. They have become a
constructive solution which provides lightness and stiffness, while achieving longer spans and reducing energy and used material. In Mexico City, the
Sports Palace was completed in 1968 to become a landmark of Mexican architecture and an example of a low-cost, lightweight, dome. This essay shows
the geometric influences and foundation behind its design, as well as the development and typological transformation of its structural elements and
materials in the finally adopted constructive solution ─the crossed arch. Such solution transformed material and its geometry into a structural typological
solution of its own. Here, Félix Candela used constructive and structural elements, previously experienced in other typologies, into solutions to form new
types. This way, Candela developed the hyperbolic paraboloid, employing new materials and applying geometry for the structural typological
development of the shape of the Sports Palace, achieving a dome which would become a typological model of international architecture.