girderless
Lacking structural beams
Girderless means lacking girders—the heavy horizontal beams that typically support bridges, buildings, and other structures.
The term usually describes architectural or engineering designs that achieve structural integrity through alternative means: The girderless concrete shell spans the entire auditorium.
Self-supporting outer structure
- framelessHaving no enclosing edge
- post-tensionedReinforced by later tensioning
- precastShaped before placement
- hyperbolicExaggerated beyond reason
paraboloid · geodesic · exoskeleton · deflection · compression · tension · continuous · monolithic
Extending across something
- open-planLacking interior walls
- cantileverBeam supported one end
- unobstructedHaving no barriers
- vaultedCurved overhead, or leaped
seamless · minimalist · floating · suspended · membrane · tensile · cable-stayed · self-supporting
Free from disorder
- spaciousHaving ample room
- airyLight and well-ventilated
- expansiveCovering a large area
- soaringRising effortlessly upward
dramatic · contemporary · industrial · loft · warehouse · gallery · exhibition · showroom
monocoque
Self-supporting outer structure
- framelessHaving no enclosing edge
- post-tensionedReinforced by later tensioning
- precastShaped before placement
hyperbolic · paraboloid · geodesic · exoskeleton · deflection · compression · tension · continuous · monolithic · integrated
spanning
Extending across something
- open-planLacking interior walls
- cantileverBeam supported one end
- unobstructedHaving no barriers
vaulted · seamless · minimalist · floating · suspended · membrane · tensile · cable-stayed · self-supporting · load-bearing
uncluttered
Free from disorder
soaring · dramatic · contemporary · industrial · loft · warehouse · gallery · exhibition · showroom · hangar