Vladimir Shukhov (1853-1939)

Shukhov was a Russian structural engineer who led to the creation of tensile structures. As an engineer, he was one of the first to develop the practical calculations of different stresses for tensile structures. Shukov created the first tensile steel shell in Nizhny Novgorod for the All Russian Exhibition in 1896. It featured eight tensile shell structures and a water tower.  This structure served as a model for various different structures built in Russia.  Shukhov was also the first to design a hyperbolic structure.

Horst Berger (1928- )

Berger is a structural engineer and designer who is known for his architectural works on the Hajj Terminal at the Jeddah International Airport in Saudi Arabia, as well as the Denver International Airport. Each of these projects faced the challenge of constructing a roofing system that would span large spaces as well as sustaining many climate issues. The designs gave the airports a more spacious and attractive look. The Denver International Airport’s tensile roof structure resembles the nearby caps of the Rocky Mountains. Although it is a successful example of tensile structures, it is known as Berger’s most challenging project.

Frei Otto (1925-)

Otto is a German architect and structural engineer. His most famous pieces of work are the roofing for the Munich Olympic Stadium and the West Germany pavilion at Montreal Expo 67. The Munich Olympic Stadium uses acrylic glass and steel cables to create a transparent canopy. The Montreal Expo of 1967 Otto was inspired by the work of Shukov and Australian architect Barry Patten.

Otto also founded the University for Lightweight Structures at the University of Stuggart in 1964.