Arches, Vaults & Cupolas

Villefontaine, France, 2022

Workshop led by : CRAterre; Olivier Moles, Alexandre Douline and Luis Arleo at Les Grands Ateliers, Villefontaine, France.

Objectives: Introduction to methods of sizing and constructing arches, vaults, and domes using bricks.

Throughout history, earth roofing systems have been integral to various architectural traditions, particularly in regions where rainfall is rare and wood resources are scarce. These systems showcase remarkable ingenuity and resilience, relying on locally available materials such as stone, earth, and straw. Crossing systems, including arches, vaults, and domes, have been employed to distribute weight efficiently and create expansive interior spaces without the need for wooden supports. Arches, with their curved forms, redirect forces downwards and outwards, while vaults utilize the strength of masonry to span wide areas. Domes, resembling half-spheres, achieve stability through their geometric shape and even weight distribution. Economically, earth roofing systems offer significant advantages, as they utilize abundant materials such as earth and require minimal processing, making them accessible and sustainable solutions for shelter construction in dry climates and resource-limited environments.

In this one-week workshop, we had the opportunity to delve into the main bridging techniques in bricks dating back to ancient times. Theoratical sessions providing the rules to respect in order to design stable forms were combined with long sessions of practices in order to acquire the right bricklaying skillsunderstand the main bridging techniques in bricks dating back to ancient times. Theoratical sessions providing the rules to respect in order to design stable forms were combined with long sessions of practices in order to acquire the right bricklaying skills

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Funicular vault, France