Portentous and Predictable: Eero Saarinen, Ammann & Whitney, and the Failures of Kresge Auditorium (1950-1955)
Date
Authors
Major Professor
Advisor
Committee Member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
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.
Series Number
Journal Issue
Is Version Of
Versions
Series
Academic or Administrative Unit
Type
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