Félix Candela, an architect and engineer, revolutionized structural design through the development of thin-shell reinforced concrete structures. Known as cascarones, these forms allowed him to create expansive, curved roofs using minimal materials. His career spanned continents and political shifts, moving from his early architectural training in Spain to a productive tenure in Mexico and eventually a professorship in the United States.
Early Career and Conflict
Born in Madrid in 1910, Candela studied at the Superior Technical School of Architecture of Madrid and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando. During the Spanish Civil War, he served as a Captain of Engineers for the republic. Following the conflict, he was interned in the Perpignan Concentration camp before departing for Mexico in 1939.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Development of Thin-Shell Concrete
Candela gained international recognition for his expertise in hyperbolic paraboloid geometry. By utilizing the inherent strength of thin-shell concrete shapes, he eliminated tensile stresses while reducing construction costs. He prioritized geometric properties over complex mathematical analysis, treating structural design as a practical pursuit. Over several decades, he realized over 300 works and 900 projects, primarily in Mexico.
Major Works and Teaching
Notable projects include the Palacio de los Deportes and L'Oceanogràfic. In addition to his structural practice, Candela served as a university teacher at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Later in his career, he moved to the United States, where he taught at the University of Illinois at Chicago from 1971 to 1978, focusing his pedagogy on the integration of material logic and architectural form.
Professional Recognition
His contributions to engineering were acknowledged through multiple awards, including the 1961 Auguste Perret Prize and the Gold Medal of Architecture in Spain. He also received various honorary doctorates, including those from the University Polytechnic of Madrid and Seville University. Candela continued his work until his death in 1997 in Durham.
Fast facts
- Born: 1910, Madrid
- Died: 1997, Durham
- Nationality: Spanish, Mexican, United States
- Education: Superior Technical School of Architecture of Madrid
- Key Innovation: Thin-shell concrete (cascarones)
- Academic Posts: National Autonomous University of Mexico, University of Illinois Chicago
- Major Awards: Auguste Perret Prize (1961), Gold Medal of Architecture (1981)
- Notable Works: Palacio de los Deportes, L'Oceanogràfic
Questions readers ask
What is a cascarone?
It is a thin-shell structure made of reinforced concrete, developed by Candela to provide structural efficiency through curved geometric forms.
Where did Candela teach during his career?
He taught at the National Autonomous University of Mexico and later served as a professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago from 1971 to 1978.
Achievements
- Notable work: L'Oceanogràfic
- Notable work: Palacio de los Deportes
- Affiliated with National Autonomous University of Mexico, University of Illinois System and University of Illinois Chicago
- Educated at Technical University of Madrid, Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando and Superior Technical School of Architecture of Madrid
- Worked as architect, engineer and painter
.jpg)