Isfahan Cultural Center
comprises a building complex of 150,000 m3. Several types of
building are being constructed
among which a number of special
structures exist. The architectural and structural design requirements for these special
structures are the main subject of this paper. Since the complex is located in
Isfahan, a very famous old city with several beautiful and ancient buildings,
it was necessary for the proposed design to be harmonious with the existing
situation. In general, the arch and dome-shaped forms were used in the most
important parts of the building with special attention to the application of
new material and technology. Huge steel frames are used to form a dome-shaped
Structure for covering an area of 9,600m2. Reinforced concrete
shells were also used to construct 21 ellipsoid domes each covering an area of
400m2.