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John Chilton
Michael Balz
Shells and Visions
Michael Balz
John Chilton
Michael Balz
Shells and Visions
123
John Chilton
Emeritus Professor of Architecture & Tectonics
Department of Architecture and Built
Environment
University of Nottingham
Nottingham, UK
Cover image: © The Balz House, Stetten (Reproduced from photograph by Michael Balz with permission from
Michael Balz)
This Springer imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Switzerland AG
The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland
This book is dedicated to the memory of my mother Dorothy ‘Dorrie’ Lilian
Chilton, née Lewis.
She was an avid reader, mainly of detective and murder mysteries.
Nevertheless, she had read all of my previous books, although they were
focused on architecture and structural engineering. She declared them easy to
read and understandable even for the non-technical reader.
Sadly, she succumbed to COVID-19, in December 2020, at the age of 100,
before she could read this volume.
Preface
I did not know it at the time, but the seed for this book was planted in a hotel corridor in
Copenhagen thirty years ago while I was attending the annual symposium of the International
Association for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS). This was the instant when my connection
to and friendship with Michael Balz and his family began. Our initial encounter was fortuitous
—purely by chance we had adjacent rooms in the same hotel. One morning he and his wife
Eva happened to come out of their room at the same time as I did. Realizing that we were both
attending the IASS symposium, we introduced ourselves and sat together for breakfast, as we
then did on following days. It was during our conversations over breakfast that I first learnt
that Michael and Eva Balz lived (and still live) in an ‘UFO-like’ house in Stetten, near
Stuttgart.
Our second meeting was not until about 18 months later, in May 1993, when I attended a
technical meeting in Stuttgart. Recalling that the Balz House was located near to Stuttgart
Airport, I looked out for it as my flight from Birmingham was landing. Although the weather
was dull and cloudy, I managed to identify the house and neighbouring shells through a small
break in the low clouds. On landing I called Michael, and he very kindly invited me to dinner
that evening. That visit introduced me to the wonderful interior of the Balz House and the
free-form shells of the Theater unter den Kuppeln.
During the symposium in Copenhagen, we had both participated in the inaugural meeting
of the IASS Working Group 15: Structural Morphology, known as the Structural Morphology
Group (SMG). This led to our third meeting, which occurred at the second SMG seminar, held
in Stuttgart in 1994. Activities were split between two sites, with the first day’s events—
relaxed ‘performances’ rather than formal presentations—taking place in Stetten, in and
around the shells designed by Michael Balz with Heinz Isler as engineer. At this event, I first
met Michael and Eva’s son Markus, who was operating the video camera recording the
proceedings. My friendship with Markus flourished later, when we worked closely together as
members of TensiNet, an international research network on tensile structures.
Since 1994, Michael and I have met at many symposia and IASS meetings. We liaised
about his collaboration with Heinz Isler when I wrote my book about the engineer—Heinz
Isler: The Engineer’s Contribution to Contemporary Architecture—in 1999–2000. In 2010, I
had the opportunity to visit the spectacular outdoor theatre shell in Grötzingen with him.
Hence, when, in 2018, the idea was floated for a book about Michael’s thin concrete shells and
visions for urban spatial structures, I jumped at the chance to show this from the architect’s
point of view.
In June 2018, I spent three days at the Balz House talking to Michael and collecting
information about his work. I produced a draft outline and a sample chapter and submitted my
proposal to Springer. This received positive feedback from the reviewers, and the contract was
signed in the summer of 2019. We then arranged for me to stay at the Balz House again for
three days in late August 2019. However, unfortunately, Michael was taken seriously ill while
on holiday, just a few days before my visit, and our meeting was cancelled. He had recovered
by early October, and we met at the IASS symposium in Barcelona. There we made plans to
meet in Stetten in early 2020, to select and scan images for inclusion in the book, but my
personal circumstances—a minor operation that made travel problematic—prevented this.
vii
viii Preface
Then the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and travel was out of the question. Progress slowed as
image selection and scanning had to be negotiated remotely. Further illness and the impacts of
COVID-19 restrictions and infection caused additional delays, but the manuscript finally
emerged in October 2021 with a revised version in July 2022.
First and foremost, I give my special thanks to my wife Gloria Llanos for her support and
continued patience during the creation of this book, the writing of which has diverted me from
other important projects.
I would also like to express my gratitude to Michael and Eva Balz for their friendship,
which extends over 30 years, and their warm and generous hospitality when welcoming me to
stay in their home, in June 2018. I spent three very enjoyable days in and around the Stetten
shells, perusing a small exhibition of Michael’s projects that he had prepared in advance,
discussing the projects with him in detail and looking at drawings and photographs that were
potentially available for inclusion in the book.
My thanks also goes to Michael’s children: to Markus for our COVID-restricted online
video meetings—usually on Friday evenings accompanied by a cold beer or glass of wine—
where he guided me through his father’s responses to my more detailed questions and requests
for more information on projects; to Angelika for helping her father to find and scan numerous
drawings and photographs from his archive, which I had identified for inclusion in the book;
and to Johannes for participating in the group online video discussion I had with all three on 1
May 2020.
I would also like to thank Michael’s brother Prof. Dr. phil. Dr. theol. Heinrich Balz, who
contributed to the discussion during my interview with Michael on 5 June 2018 and also read
and commented on the draft manuscript.
Although the majority of illustrations are from Michael Balz’s own archive or my own
photographs, I would like to thank all who have granted permissions for their inclusion as
noted in the captions—Angelika Balz, Eva Balz, Johannes Balz, Markus Balz, Michael Balz,
Europa-Park, Naturtheater Grötzingen e.V., Theater unter den Kuppeln, Walter and Werner
Steck. In particular I would like to mention Peter Kofel, for granting permission for content
related to Heinz Isler and Prof. Johannes Fritz for granting permission for the inclusion of his
rendered drawing of the competition entry for the Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik
Deutschland (German National Museum of Contemporary History), Bonn (1985). Also, to
Theresa Nettekoven for allowing me to reproduce figures from her Masters thesis, which
examined the structural feasibility of Michael Balz’s visionary architectural urban design
concepts and Henning Dürr for permission to include his computer renderings of the same.
Last but not least, I would like to thank Springer Nature for commissioning the book and
the editorial team for their assistance in its production:
ix
Contents
xi
xii Contents
5.6 Hegau Auto Rast: Motorway Service Area, Near Engen (1997) . . . . . . . . . 127
5.6.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
5.6.2 Competition Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
5.7 Epilogue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
List of Figures
Fig. 1.1 Michael Balz and his wife Eva who he met when she was visiting his
mother’s studio for a pottery class. Reproduced from photograph by
Michael Balz with permission from Michael and Eva Balz . . . . . . . . . ... 2
Fig. 1.2 Sculpture of the infant Michael by his father sculptor Ernst Balz.
Reproduced from photograph by Michael Balz with permission from
Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 3
Fig. 1.3 External and internal views of the refurbished glazing of the tear-drop-
shaped skylight, Institute for Lightweight Structures and Conceptual
Design (ILEK) at the University of Stuttgart. Photograph (left) John
Chilton; (right) reproduced from photograph by Michael Balz with
permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 5
Fig. 1.4 Competition winning design for a retirement home village in Wangen/
Allgäu. Reproduced from photograph by Michael Balz with permission
from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 6
Fig. 1.5 Planetarium Stuttgart (1974) with supporting external trussed-grid
frame of stainless steel tubes. Reproduced from photograph by Michael
Balz with permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 7
Fig. 1.6 Entry for an architectural competition “Stuttgart 2000” high-density
urban residences in “dwelling trees”, based on bridge building
principles. Reproduced from photograph by Michael Balz with
permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 8
Fig. 1.7 Single and multiple family units in Zell am Neckar. Reproduced from
photograph by Michael Balz with permission from Michael Balz . . . . ... 9
Fig. 1.8 Section (top) and elevation (bottom) of design for villa in Birkenfeld.
Reproduced from drawings by Michael Balz with permission from
Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 10
Fig. 1.9 IASS Tsuboi Award received by Michael Balz in 1991. Reproduced
from photograph by Michael Balz with permission
from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 12
Fig. 2.1 Natural forms used by Michael Balz to inform his design of free-form
shells: a precious wentletrap, Epitonium scalare. Photograph John
Chilton. b Exterior and interior structure of chambered nautilus,
Nautilus pompilius. Photograph John Chilton. c Lady’s-slipper orchid,
Cypripedium calceolus. Reproduced from photograph by Michael Balz
with permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 14
Fig. 2.2 Urschalen: development of two alternative prototype shells for living
showing—from left to right: the initial cast form; proposed widow and
door openings; shell with cut-outs; proposed internal planning.
Reproduced from photographs by Michael Balz with permission from
Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 15
xv
xvi List of Figures
Fig. 2.3 Alternative proposals for foundation systems for the pneumatic-formed
shells. Reproduced from drawings by Michael Balz with permission
from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 17
Fig. 2.4 Examples of model Urschalen pneumatically formed shell houses
photographed by Michael Balz while visiting Heinz Isler in summer
1967 on the bank of the River Emme, close to Isler’s office.
Reproduced from photographs by Michael Balz with permission from
Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 18
Fig. 2.5 Front cover of the leaflet Geborgenes Wohnen heute und morgen: neue
Wohnformen—neue Baumethoden (Secure Living Today and
Tomorrow: New Forms of Housing—New Construction Methods).
Photograph John Chilton with permission from Michael Balz and the
Isler family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 19
Fig. 2.6 Michael Balz’s sketches showing that the human anatomy favours
movement along curves. The layout shown is that of the Balz House
described in detail in Chap. 4. Reproduced from drawing by Michael
Balz with permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 21
Fig. 2.7 Michael Balz’s sketches showing how rounded forms enhance feelings
of security and social interaction. Reproduced from drawing by Michael
Balz with permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 22
Fig. 2.8 One of the model, curved-form, habitable shells illustrated in the leaflet
Geborgenes Wohnen heute und morgen: neue Wohnformen—neue
Baumethoden. Reproduced from photograph by Michael Balz with
permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 23
Fig. 2.9 Two- to four-person shell house, of 95 m2 in plan from the leaflet
Geborgenes Wohnen heute und morgen: neue Wohnformen—neue
Baumethoden. Reproduced from drawing by Michael Balz with
permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 25
Fig. 2.10 Larger five- or six-person shell house, of 125 m2 in plan from the leaflet
Geborgenes Wohnen heute und morgen: neue Wohnformen—neue
Baumethoden. Reproduced from drawing by Michael Balz with
permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 26
Fig. 2.11 Sketch section through proposed living shell dwelling for a private
client, in 1968. Reproduced from drawing by Michael Balz with
permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 28
Fig. 2.12 Ground floor plan of one of the alternative house proposals for Heinz
and Maria Isler at Lyssachschachen, near Burgdorf, Switzerland, 1972.
Reproduced from drawing by Michael Balz with permission from
Michael Balz and the Isler family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 29
Fig. 2.13 Upper floor plan of the same house proposal for Heinz and Maria Isler
at Lyssachschachen, near Burgdorf, Switzerland, 1972. Reproduced
from drawing by Michael Balz with permission from Michael Balz and
the Isler family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 30
Fig. 2.14 Michael Balz’s model of the preferred scheme for Heinz and Maria
Isler’s house at Lyssachschachen, near Burgdorf. Reproduced from
photograph by Michael Balz with permission from Michael Balz and
the Isler family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 31
Fig. 2.15 ‘Bio-segment’ system of dwelling or living cells proposed by Michael
Balz in January 1971. Reproduced from drawing by Michael Balz with
permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 32
List of Figures xvii
Fig. 3.14 Lightweight adjustable scaffolding supports the shell falsework and
formwork. Michael Balz (facing camera) and Heinz Isler are in
discussion in the foreground in February 1978. Reproduced from
photograph by Michael Balz with permission from Michael Balz,
the Isler family and Naturtheater, Grötzingen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Fig. 3.15 Curved primary beams assembled from discrete sawn profiled sections
follow the geometry measured along grid lines on the hanging
membrane models for the Naturtheater, Grötzingen shell. Reproduced
from photograph by Michael Balz with permission from Michael Balz
and Naturtheater, Grötzingen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Fig. 3.16 Heinz Isler is the central figure carrying out a site inspection of the
Naturtheater, Grötzingen shell falsework. Reproduced from photograph
by Michael Balz with permission from Michael Balz, the Isler family
and Naturtheater, Grötzingen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Fig. 3.17 Flexible timber laths at approximately 250 mm centres laid across the
primary grid beams to generate the double-curved surface derived from
the hanging membrane models for the Naturtheater, Grötzingen shell.
Note the continuous boarding near the support in the foreground where
a fair-faced finish is required. Reproduced from photograph by Michael
Balz with permission from Michael Balz and Naturtheater, Grötzingen . . . 54
Fig. 3.18 Formwork and reinforcement at the north-west shell base. Note the
areas at the shell edge and the inclined leg where no insulation slabs
have been placed, thus forming a wide but shallow edge stiffening
element. Reproduced from photograph by Michael Balz with
permission from Michael Balz and Naturtheater, Grötzingen . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Fig. 3.19 Placing of the shell concrete. Note the heavy steel reinforcement in the
slightly thickened shell edge. Reproduced from photograph by Michael
Balz with permission from Michael Balz and Naturtheater, Grötzingen . . . 56
Fig. 3.20 Elegant slender form of the Naturtheater, Grötzingen shell shortly after
completion. The shell is actually thinner than it appears because there is
a small non-structural lip or upstand at the edges to direct rainwater off
the shell. The maximum span to minimum thickness ratio is 467:1.
Reproduced from photograph by Michael Balz with permission from
Michael Balz and Naturtheater, Grötzingen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Fig. 3.21 Architect Michael Balz at the thin edge of the Naturtheater, Grötzingen
shell indicating the small raised lip provided to channel rainwater to the
drainage system at the supports. Note the natural surface patina of moss
and lichens. Photograph John Chilton with permission of Michael Balz
and Naturtheater, Grötzingen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Fig. 3.22 Unobtrusive rings of auditorium lighting contrast with the array of
spotlights, which tend to intrude and slightly detract from the clean
curve of the 42-m span arch of the front shell edge. Photograph John
Chilton with permission of Michael Balz and Naturtheater, Grötzingen . . . 59
Fig. 3.23 Interior of the Ballettsaal (Ballet Salon) shell, Stetten auf den Fildern.
Reproduced from photograph by Michael Balz with permission from
Michael Balz and Theater unter den Kuppeln . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Fig. 3.24 Model used to precisely determine the Ballettsaal shell geometry
showing the grid lines along which Heinz Isler measured the
coordinates of points on the plaster cast and the perimeter of the
proposed shell that has been drawn on its surface. Photograph John
Chilton with permission of the Isler family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
List of Figures xix
Fig. 3.25 1:50 scale plan showing the setting out geometry for the edge profiles
of the Ballettsaal shell—Heinz Isler’s drawing SB321/22 dated
22 March 1979. The relationship of the insulation used as sacrificial
shuttering and the shell can be seen in the sections. Reproduced from
drawing by Heinz Isler in the possession of Michael Balz, with
permission of Michael Balz and the Isler family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 62
Fig. 3.26 Heights for shell support (Höhe für Schalenschalung) on Heinz Isler’s
drawing SB452/28 dated 21 March 1989. These are for the main body
of the mirrored version of the same geometry, as used for the Musical-
Saal, constructed in 1988–1989. Note the contours at 0.5 m intervals
sketched approximately in pencil. Reproduced from drawing by Heinz
Isler in the possession of Michael Balz, with permission of Michael
Balz and the Isler family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 63
Fig. 3.27 Profiled binder beams and draped flexible laths define the Ballettsaal
shell geometry. Reproduced from photograph by Michael Balz with
permission from Michael Balz and Theater unter den Kuppeln . . . . . . ... 64
Fig. 3.28 Shell preparation for concreting with insulation slabs used as permanent
shuttering in place and the bottom layer of steel reinforcement in the
edge sections. Reproduced from photograph by Michael Balz with
permission from Michael Balz and Theater unter den Kuppeln . . . . . . ... 65
Fig. 3.29 General placement of steel reinforcement in two layers over the
insulation slabs. Reproduced from photograph by Michael Balz with
permission from Michael Balz and Theater unter den Kuppeln . . . . . . ... 65
Fig. 3.30 Different coloured zones reveal the progress as concrete is gradually
placed across the shell from the individual bases towards the long base
edge. Reproduced from photograph by Michael Balz with permission
from Michael Balz and Theater unter den Kuppeln . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 66
Fig. 3.31 Hand tool finishing of the sprayed concrete on the long base steepest
face of the Ballettsaal shell. Reproduced from photograph by Michael
Balz with permission from Michael Balz and Theater unter den
Kuppeln . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 67
Fig. 3.32 Extreme thinness, typically just 80 mm, and sculptural qualities of the
shell can be fully appreciated before the façades are installed.
Reproduced from photograph by Michael Balz with permission from
Michael Balz and Theater unter den Kuppeln . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 68
Fig. 3.33 Sympathetic north façade glazing of the Ballettsaal shell, set back from
the free edge as seen from the Balz House. Reproduced from
photograph by Michael Balz with permission from Michael Balz and
Theater unter den Kuppeln . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 68
Fig. 3.34 Over the last 40 years the surface has acquired a patina of lichens and
blends effortlessly into the surrounding vegetation. Photograph John
Chilton with permission of Michael Balz and Theater unter den
Kuppeln . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 69
Fig. 3.35 Final plan of the Stetten cultural centre. Reproduced from drawing by
Michael Balz with permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 70
Fig. 3.36 Musical-Saal shell, viewed from the rear of the Theater unter den
Kuppeln, with the linking cafeteria to the right. Photograph John
Chilton with permission from Michael Balz and Theater unter den
Kuppeln . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 71
xx List of Figures
Fig. 3.37 Interior view of the Musical-Saal shell shows the organic sweep of the
insulated surface which conceals the upper frame of the metal-framed
glazing. Photograph John Chilton with permission from Michael Balz
and Theater unter den Kuppeln . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 72
Fig. 3.38 Cafeteria/foyer building with organic tree-like columns linking the
three shells. The Musical-Saal shell is just visible (left) and theatre shell
(right). Photograph John Chilton with permission from Michael Balz
and Theater unter den Kuppeln . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 72
Fig. 3.39 Internal view of the foyer with the theatre shell behind. Reproduced
from photograph by Michael Balz with permission from Michael Balz
and Theater unter den Kuppeln . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 73
Fig. 3.40 Scale model of entrance canopy for Europa-Park developed by Michael
Balz’s son Markus Balz. Photograph John Chilton with permission
from Markus Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 74
Fig. 3.41 Reusable timber formwork with “…reinforcement […] woven over the
wooden formwork using a four-edge system which enables an optimal
adaption to the organic shape.” (Balz 2011) for one of the entrance
canopy shells for the Eisstadion (ice stadium) in the Greek themed area
at Europa-Park. Reproduced from photograph by Michael Balz with
permission from Michael Balz and Europa-Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 75
Fig. 3.42 Completed entrance canopy shell for Europa-Park. Reproduced from
photograph by Michael Balz with permission from Michael Balz and
Europa-Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 76
Fig. 3.43 Shell design for an exhibition space to enclose a replica of the Soviet/
Russian space station Mir, at Europa-Park. Reproduced from drawing
by Michael Balz with permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 77
Fig. 3.44 Alternative proposal for an exhibition space to enclose a replica of the
Soviet/Russian space station Mir, at Europa-Park. Reproduced from
drawing by Michael Balz with permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . ... 78
Fig. 3.45 Partially prefabricated prototype carport, 6 m 6 m, in collaboration
with Willi Bösiger SA: (top) development model; (middle and bottom)
outside the company’s offices in Langenthal, Switzerland. Photographs
top and middle Reproduced from photographs by Michael Balz with
permission from Michael Balz; bottom photograph: John Chilton . . . . ... 79
Fig. 3.46 Precast base element of the partially prefabricated prototype carport.
Photograph John Chilton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 80
Fig. 3.47 Proposals for modular low-cost housing using thermoformed insulated
shells. Reproduced from drawing by Michael Balz with permission
from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 81
Fig. 4.1 The Balz House viewed from the north-west. The shell appears to hover
above the ground. Reproduced from photograph by Michael Balz with
permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 84
Fig. 4.2 Template following the proposed Balz House floor plan at 1:20 scale
used to produce an inflated PVC membrane form by air pressure from
below and heat applied from above to increase its elasticity.
Reproduced from photograph by Michael Balz with permission from
Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 86
Fig. 4.3 Concept model of the Balz House derived from modelling with an
inflated PVC membrane at 1:20 scale. Reproduced from photograph by
Michael Balz with permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 87
List of Figures xxi
Fig. 4.4 Plan of the Balz House, Stetten, showing: A: main living/relaxation
area; B: dining area; C: kitchen and breakfast bar; D: master bedroom;
E: bathing grotto; F: fireplace/chimney; G: external terrace. Reproduced
from drawing by Michael Balz with permission from Michael Balz . . . . . 88
Fig. 4.5 Long section through the Balz House, Stetten, showing the additional
storage/viewing platform above the kitchen (centre), accessed by a
ladder, and more conventional accommodation below. Reproduced
from drawing by Michael Balz with permission from Michael Balz . . . . . 89
Fig. 4.6 Sketches showing proposed layout of individual steel bar (rather than
welded mesh) reinforcement following the curvature of the shell.
Reproduced from drawings by Michael Balz with permission from
Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Fig. 4.7 Steel reinforcement formed over curved timber beams and the steel
window frame to the left. Reproduced from photograph by Michael
Balz with permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Fig. 4.8 (left) Lightweight mesh is attached to the main steel reinforcement and
seen in close up in the background (right). Reproduced from
photographs by Michael Balz with permission from Michael, Eva,
Johannes and Angelika Balz, Walter and Werner Steck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Fig. 4.9 Compaction and hand-finishing of the low-slump concrete placed on
the lower shell, in 1979. Reproduced from photograph by Michael Balz
with permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Fig. 4.10 Placing by skip suspended from a tower crane and compaction of the
upper shell. Reproduced from photograph by Michael Balz with
permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Fig. 4.11 Organic form of kitchen, breakfast bar, upper platform and fireplace
(to right) all moulded from concrete. Reproduced from photograph by
Michael Balz with permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Fig. 4.12 View of interior of the upper shell from the upper platform with original
bespoke furnishing covered with purple fabric. Reproduced from
photograph by Michael Balz with permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . 95
Fig. 4.13 Custom-built shelving and pendant lamp support arm by Michael Balz
to the left. Late afternoon sun fills the seating area. Reproduced from
photograph by Michael Balz with permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . 96
Fig. 4.14 Schematic post-construction drawing showing details of the solar
thermal energy capture and low-temperature heating systems inserted in
the concrete elements of the shell, deck, floors, walls and other
thermally massive interior features. Reproduced from drawing by
Michael Balz with permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Fig. 4.15 Twenty-mm-diameter polyethylene pipes are looped through the shell to
capture heat from the concrete warmed by the sun. Shown here during
construction before adding the outer concrete layer. Reproduced from
photograph by Michael Balz with permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . 98
Fig. 4.16 Through heating pipes embedded in the walls and base the bathing
grotto is effectively warmed by the sun! Reproduced from photograph
by Michael Balz with permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Fig. 4.17 Metal-framed glazing is fully concealed externally by the shell at their
junction and by insulation internally. Photograph John Chilton with
permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Fig. 4.18 External surface of the shell in June 2018 is still well preserved after
almost 40 years. Photograph John Chilton with permission from
Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
xxii List of Figures
Fig. 4.19 Upper platform used as a space for quiet relaxation has a panoramic
view of the open living room below, to the right. Reproduced from
photograph by Michael Balz with permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . 102
Fig. 4.20 Michael Balz on the west-facing roof terrace adjacent to the sheltered
external dining space in June 2018. Photograph John Chilton with
permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Fig. 4.21 The extensive external terrace on the south side of the shell—ideal for
parties. Photograph John Chilton with permission from Michael Balz . . . . 104
Fig. 4.22 Distinctive organic architecture of the Balz House viewed from the
south-west. Reproduced from photograph by Michael Balz with
permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Fig. 4.23 South elevation of the Balz House showing kitchen and platform over.
Reproduced from photograph by Michael Balz with permission from
Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Fig. 4.24 Snow clinging to the shell surface of the Balz House reveals the high
quality of the insulated building envelope. Reproduced from
photograph by Michael Balz with permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . 106
Fig. 5.1 Preliminary sketch of church with side rooms, dated 8th October 1967,
for the competition entry for an Evangelical Lutheran church, in
Heilbronn. Reproduced from drawing by Michael Balz with permission
from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Fig. 5.2 Preliminary sketch of sacred building in shell construction, dated 8th
October 1967, for the competition entry for an Evangelical Lutheran
church, in Heilbronn. Reproduced from drawing by Michael Balz with
permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Fig. 5.3 Plan of final competition entry. Reproduced from drawing by Michael
Balz with permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Fig. 5.4 Plan view of presentation model for final competition entry. Note the
piercing of the roof shell that allows the altar to be illuminated by light
reflected downward from the curving tower shell. Reproduced from
photograph by Michael Balz with permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . 112
Fig. 5.5 Model of the final competition entry showing the relationship of the
tower to the main shell and linking of ancillary shells with the flat-
roofed terrace. Reproduced from photograph by Michael Balz with
permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Fig. 5.6 Orchid flower inspiration for the tower form. Reproduced from
photograph by Michael Balz with permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . 114
Fig. 5.7 Model of the final competition entry against a background of wooded
landscape. Reproduced from photograph by Michael Balz with
permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Fig. 5.8 Model of proposed shell roofs for the German National Museum of
Contemporary History, Bonn, arranged like petals of a flower around a
central courtyard. The shadows reveal the curvature of the forms.
Reproduced from photograph by Michael Balz with permission from
Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Fig. 5.9 Plan of competition entry for proposed German National Museum of
Contemporary History, Bonn showing relationship of shell roofs
(boundaries shaded yellow) to mezzanine and intermediate floors (red
and green, respectively). The roof glazing and inclined façade glazing
are shaded blue. Reproduced from drawing by Michael Balz with
permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
List of Figures xxiii
Fig. 5.10 North-east elevation (top) and sections B–B (middle) and A–A
(bottom) as shown in Fig. 5.9 of the competition entry for proposed
German National Museum of Contemporary History, Bonn, show the
relationship between the thin shells and the stepped floor plans.
Reproduced from rendered drawing by Johannes Fritz with permission
from Johannes Fritz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Fig. 5.11 Cut-away view of model of the proposed German National Museum of
Contemporary History, Bonn, with the shell over the main entrance
removed. Reproduced from photograph by Michael Balz with
permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Fig. 5.12 View from the north-east of the physical model of the proposed German
National Museum of Contemporary History, Bonn, showing the largest
(entrance) shell within the landscape. Reproduced from photograph by
Michael Balz with permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Fig. 5.13 View from the south-west of the physical model of the proposed
German National Museum of Contemporary History, Bonn, showing
how the shells group round the courtyard and within the landscape.
Reproduced from photograph by Michael Balz with permission from
Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Fig. 5.14 Site plan for the proposed thermal baths at Sindelfingen, Böblingen.
Reproduced from drawing by Michael Balz with permission from
Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Fig. 5.15 View of model with the roof shell form-found by hanging membrane.
Reproduced from photograph by Michael Balz with permission from
Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Fig. 5.16 View of model with the roof shell form-found by hanging membrane.
The lenticular glazed opening can be seen between the larger shell
surface and the triangular shell over the main entrance. Reproduced from
photograph by Michael Balz with permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . . 124
Fig. 5.17 View of model from east showing the surrounding terraced roof, the
merged shell base and lenticular rooflight to the right. Reproduced from
photograph by Michael Balz with permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . 125
Fig. 5.18 Location plan showing Michael Balz’s proposal for the German
Pavilion, at Expo’2000, in Hanover, overlooking the Expo-Plaza.
Reproduced from drawing by Michael Balz with permission from
Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Fig. 5.19 Model of the proposal for the German Pavilion, at Expo’2000,
in Hanover, with shell forms derived using hanging membranes.
Reproduced from photograph by Michael Balz with permission from
Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Fig. 5.20 Cross-section north/south (top) and long-section west/east (bottom)
of the proposal for the German Pavilion, at Expo’2000, in Hanover.
Reproduced from drawing by Michael Balz with permission from
Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Fig. 5.21 Model showing the organically formed floors of the proposal for the
German Pavilion, at Expo’2000, in Hanover. Reproduced from
photograph by Michael Balz with permission from Michael Balz . . . . . . . 129
Fig. 5.22 a Basement (top); b ground/entrance (middle); c first (bottom);
d second (top); e third (middle); and f mezzanine (bottom) floor plans
for the proposal for the German Pavilion, at Expo’2000, in Hanover.
Reproduced from drawings by Michael Balz with permission from
Michael Balz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
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la sua forma; e, per chi volesse accettare l'ingegnosa interpretazione
fatta da un autore [206] di un noto passo di Livio [207], quell'assetto
rimase poi immutato sino a' tempi di Verre e di Cicerone. Tuttavia noi
dell'ordinamento di Levino abbiamo così poche notizie e tanto
generiche, che non ce ne consentono una conoscenza ampia e
sicura; e poichè, per giunta, qui si parla dell'amministrazione della
Sicilia solo in via d'introduzione al processo di Verre e per quel tanto
che giovi a meglio intendere e chiarire quel fatto storico, non è
possibile, e non importa neanche molto, trattar qui alcune quistioni
d'ordine assai speciale, che esigono una trattazione indipendente.
Tra il governo di Levino e quello di Verre nuovamente fu sconvolta la
Sicilia, non più da guerre esterne, ma da un moto intestino, dalle due
guerre servili di Euno e di Atenione; e, chiusa che fu la prima di
esse, secondo la saggia politica romana che non si preoccupava
soltanto di vincere, ma ancor più di assicurare i frutti della vittoria,
non s'affidava soltanto all'opera breve e violenta delle armi, ma
ancora a quella più lenta e durevole di proficui ordinamenti; dieci
legati furon dal senato mandati in Sicilia perchè insieme al Console
Rupilio, vincitore della ribellione, componessero le cose di Sicilia; ed
è la Sicilia, quale uscì riordinata dalle mani di questi suoi legislatori,
che noi conosciamo relativamente un po' meglio, grazie a Cicerone;
ed è quello che anche a noi importa meglio sapere per il nostro
argomento.
A che cosa precisamente si limitasse o si estendesse l'opera di
Rupilio e de' dieci commissari, non possiamo in maniera certa trarre
dalle fonti che ce ne danno notizia [208]. Per quanto è possibile
dedurne, l'opera loro dovette principalmente rivolgersi a regolare la
vita giuridica ed economica, sopratutto nell'intento di allontanare
quelle cause, che aveano prodotta la prima guerra servile e, non
molti anni di poi, benchè per periodo più breve, fecero riardere la
seconda.
Secondo un'ipotesi già accennata, potè ben darsi che ne' privilegî
delle varie città, nella loro condizione rispetto a Roma non venissero
introdotte mutazioni, od almeno mutazioni notevoli.
Non si dovea trattare, infatti, per la natura della guerra, di punire o
premiare città, che avessero parteggiato a favore o contro di Roma,
ma piuttosto di riordinare i rapporti interni, ed eliminare sopratutto
ogni forte ragione di malcontento, e temperare i danni dell'economia
servile e scongiurare o frenare i moti minacciosi che ne derivavano.
Ma, che che sia di ciò, come ultime venute nel tempo, sotto il
periodo della Repubblica, per quel che poterono innovare e per
quello che confermarono, per quello che largirono e per quel che
riconobbero, le leges Rupiliae (Lex Rupilia, leges Rupiliae,
decretum) valsero come la carta fondamentale della vita pubblica
siciliana.
Le città di Sicilia.