Peter Häußermann<br/><br/>Pier Luigi Nervi – His Buildings Today<br/>Comment: This is a very brief overview of the documentation. In case you are interested in the whole report, you may contact the author. haeussermann@hochschule-bc.de<br/><br/>1st edition 2009<br/>Biberach University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Construction and Building Technology (IKB)<br/><br/>Front page: Cupola of the Banquet Hall of the Spa Aqua Santa in Chianciano Terme<br/><br/>Prof. Dipl. Ing. Peter Häußermann<br/><br/>Pier Luigi Nervi – His Buildings Today<br/>Biberach University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Construction and Building Technology<br/><br/>Table of Contents Page 3 6 8 10 13 17 21 24 29 33 37 41 45 49 53 57 61 65 69 73 77 81 85 89 93 97 101 105 109 113 117 121 125 129 133 137 141 145 149 153 157 165 Preface Pier Luigi Nervi – His Curriculum Vitae in Brief List of Buildings Documentation of the Research Hall-type Buildings Exhibition Hall B in Torino Exhibition Hall C in Torino Hall of Labor in Torino Railway Station in Savona Small Sports Center in Rome Large Sports Center in Rome Shipyard in San Michele di Pagano Salt Warehouse in Tortona Indoor Swimming Pool in Livorno Maintenance Building for Trams in Torino Factory Building in Venaria (Torino) Wool Processing Plant in Rome Depot of the Tobacco Factory in Bologna Storey-type Buildings Warehouse of the Tobacco Factory in Bologna Savings Bank in Venice High-rise Building in Milan Bus Terminal in New York Paper Mill in Mantova Administration Building in Milan UNESCO-Complex in Paris - Administration Building - Conference Building - Canopies Library in Verona Other Buildings Papal Audience Hall in the Vatican Cathedral in San Francisco Church in Bologna-Panigale Church in Trissino Spa in Chianciano Beach Restaurant in Ostia Municipal Stadium in Florence Stadium in Rome Stadium in Novara Highway Bridge Restaurant near Padova Bridge across the Adige River in Verona Viaduct in Rome Conclusion Bibliography General Maps<br/><br/>Prof. Dipl. Ing. Peter Häußermann<br/><br/>Pier Luigi Nervi – His Buildings Today<br/>Biberach University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Construction and Building Technology<br/><br/>Foreword<br/><br/>[9]<br/><br/>In 1963 when Nervi’s book “Nuove Strutture“ was edited for the first time in a German translation, I just started my studies of civil engineering. My father – an architect gave me that book as a present at the beginning of my professional training. It seems like he recognized the importance and the outstanding talent of this Italian engineer designing a new kind of structures. With this book I got a hold of something much more important: an example or rather an idol. From now on Nervi always accompanied my life as a student and later on in my professional career and during my teaching at the university. The design and esthetics of structures were the first ranking considerations in my work as a structural engineer. My favorite construction material although was timber in contrast to Nervi who favored concrete. Most of my executed designs are made of laminated wood. One of Nervi’s important theorems which I discovered while studying his publications was: “L´architettura è realtà costruttiva concepita correttamente e realizzata con amore” – Architecture is the reality of a construction created as a correct concept and executed with love (care) In his book “Costruire Correttamente” he explained this statement and demonstrated by his buildings and designs the meaning of a correct respectively carefully done construction. With these examples in mind I was aiming towards a goal which of course I would never be able to reach. Nevertheless it gave me the motivation to do my very best in order to achieve some of his ideals and realize them in my design work. One of the ideals to follow was the fact that a correctly designed structure automatically includes an esthetically convincing shape. In other words: A structure following the flow of forces already is good architecture and hence needs no more esthetic treatment. An added, decorative shaping is not necessary. But the design has to fulfill the demand of being executed with care and dedication.<br/><br/>[2]<br/><br/>Prof. Dipl. Ing. Peter Häußermann<br/><br/>Pier Luigi Nervi – His Buildings Today<br/>Biberach University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Construction and Building Technology<br/><br/>Nervi-report of 2001<br/><br/>During a vocational training in the winter semester in 2000/2001 I had the opportunity to follow the traces of my “master”. I wanted to see the buildings myself which I only knew from the pictures in the different boobs and publications. In addition I strongly desired to find out what happened to them in the meantime and on top of that how would be the appearance and the impression of them today. In fact one of his first significant designs – the stadium in Florence - originates from the year 1929. How are they used today? What is the actual state they are in? At the same time I felt like I wanted to stay in Rome for a while where Nervi had lived and worked to find out more about his personality. He also had been teaching at the university “La Sapienza”, which I attended as a guest for some time. Here in Rome he was also in charge of his world-wide known office in partnership with his 3 sons – the “Studio Nervi” - and he was leading a construction company together with his cousin Bartoli – the “Ingg. Nervi e Bartoli S.p.A.”, which realized many of his projects. During my stay in Rome I got notice of the fact that most of the original documents (plans, photos) of Nervi’s works can be found at the University of Parma. The national archive is situated there called “CSAC” (Centro Studi ed Archivio della Comunicazione). In many cases I had to experience that it was not easy to get a permit to enter the buildings and to take pictures. Also some projects (e. g. in the USA), listed in this documentation, I visited a number of years ago. For this reason I am not able to give exact information about their actual state. During the following years I tried to complete my documentation. While traveling around in Europe I always visited his buildings, took pictures and collected more information about Nervi’ works. I added the UNESCO complex in Paris and other projects in Italy like the churches in Borgo-Panigale and in Trissino, a factory building near Torino, the swimming pool at the naval academy in Livorno and other buildings which are not known that well. I finally managed even to get into the huge area of the tobacco factory in Bologna.<br/><br/>Prof. Dipl. Ing. Peter Häußermann<br/><br/>Pier Luigi Nervi – His Buildings Today<br/>Biberach University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Construction and Building Technology<br/><br/>This way I succeeded to close some of the gaps in the documentation. But nevertheless I have to admit that it is still not completed – more than 8 years after the beginning of the first steps of my research. One important reason is the fact that I discovered additional buildings not listed in the overview [4] of his works. For example a former student and a graduate of our university visiting Verona informed me about the public library which appeared to him to be a Nervi project – and he was right! So I took it to the files and present it although it is not mentioned in the list [4]. It is most probable that there exist a number of other executed buildings not mentioned in the publications. On the other hand I was not successful in finding some of the listed buildings (e.g. the production buildings of FIAT and Lancia in Torino) or getting permission to enter the Pirelli building (now the seat of the administration of the “Regione Lombardia”) in Milan to take pictures of the assembly hall and the offices for security reasons. In the meantime I went to the archives in Parma (CSAC) for the evaluation of the plans in order to complete the documentation by original drawings of the studio Nervi. All the different research efforts are compiled in this documentation and can be found now in a systemized sequence of order – a short description of the building, the most important plans (floor plan, section and structural detail) and photos. Unfortunately I was not able to close all the gaps nor could I clarify some contradictions. Nevertheless it was my sincere wish to achieve a description as complete as possible. For this reason this can be only an interim report. For the next future I am challenged to go on with the research about the fascinating work trying to find an answer to some of the unsolved problems. There still remains the vast field of analyzing the designs and I am sure that I shall be occupied for a longer period of time with the fascinating personality of Pier Luigi Nervi. Biberach, November 2009<br/><br/>CSAC (Certosa Valserena)<br/><br/>Prof. Dipl. Ing. Peter Häußermann<br/><br/>Pier Luigi Nervi – His Buildings Today<br/>Biberach University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Construction and Building Technology<br/><br/>Pier Luigi Nervi (8/21/1891 – 1/9/1979)<br/><br/>[3, p. 2]<br/><br/>Prof. Dipl. Ing. Peter Häußermann<br/><br/>Pier Luigi Nervi – His Buildings Today<br/>Biberach University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Construction and Building Technology<br/><br/>His Curriculum Vitae in Brief 1891 1913 – 1923 Born the 21st of June in Sondrio Father: Antonio, director of a post-office Mother: Luisa (maiden name Bartoli) Degree (Laurea) of the faculty of engineering (Ingeneria Civile*) of the University of Bologna. Employee of the “Società per Costruzioni Cementizie” in Bologna. After the first world war at first project manager and then director of the, “Società per Costruzioni Cementizie” in Florence. During the first world war he was an officer of the pioneer troop (ufficiale del genio). Own consulting engineering studio in Rome, in collaboration with Nebbioso (Società Ingg. Nervi e Nebbioso). Marriage with Irene Calosi, four sons Antonio, who later became an architect, Mario, who studied civil engineering – like his father, Carlo, who become a physician (oncologist), Vittorio, who also became an architect. Own construction company in Rome, together with his cousin Giovanni Bartoli (Ingg. Nervi e Bartoli S.p.A.). Teaching at the University of Rome (La Sapienza), Faculty of Architecture (Facoltà di Architettura) technology of building and materials (Tecnica delle Costruzioni e Tecnologia dei Materiali) as “professore incaricato della cattedra”**. The University of Buenos Aires awarded him the doctor of honors. He also gave lectures there (El Lenguaye Arquitectonica). Doctor of honors of the University of Edinburgh and the Technical University of Munich (Germany) Foundation of his studio (Studio Nervi) in Rome together with his sons Antonio, Mario and Vittorio. Doctor of honors of the University of Warsaw Doctor of honors of Harvard and Dartmouth College Doctor of honors of the Technical University of Prague Doctor of honors of the University of London Died 9th of January in Rome. There exist a number of contradictions in the different sources about the biography of Nervi. * Degree as mechanical engineer [33, p. 458] ** Lecturer [38, p. 59]<br/><br/>1915 – 1918 1923 – 1932 1924<br/><br/>1932 – 1978 1947 – 1962<br/><br/>1950 1960 1960 – 1978 1961 1962 1966 1969 1979 Comment<br/><br/>Prof. Dipl. Ing. Peter Häußermann<br/><br/>Pier Luigi Nervi – His Buildings Today<br/>Biberach University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Construction and Building Technology<br/><br/>List of Buildings of Nervi [according to 4, p. 211- 214] Year of Completion<br/>1927 1932 1945 1947 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1957 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1966 1967 1968 1971 1971 [58] 1973 [54] 1976 [68]<br/><br/>Name, Site<br/>Cinema Augusteo, Naples * Municipal Stadium, Florence Warehouse (experimental building) in Rome * Shipyard, San Michele di Pagano (near Geneva) * Indoor Swimming Pool of the Naval Academy, Livorno * Exhibition Hall B, Torino * Exhibition Hall C, Torino * Beach Restaurant, Ostia Lido * Salt Warehouses, Tortona * Depot of the Tobacco Factory, Bologna * Spa, Chianciano * Wool Processing Plant, Rome Lancia Production Building, Torino * Maintenance Building for Trams, Torino * Warehouse of the Tobacco Factory, Bologna Fiat Production Building, Torino * UNESCO-complex, Paris * Small Sports Center, Rome * High-rise Building, Milan * Large Sports Center, Rome * Flaminio Stadium, Rome * Viaduct, Rome * Hall of Labor, Torino * Railway Station, Savona Sports Center, Hanover (New Hampshire), USA * Bus Terminal, City of New York, USA * Savings Bank, Venice * Paper Mill, Mantova * Cromodora Factory, Venaria Reale (Turino) High-rise Building Place Victoria, Montreal Convention Center, Norfolk (Virginia) USA * Highway Bridge Restaurant, Padova High-rise Building Australia Square, Sydney * Bridge across the Adige River, Verona Printing House for Security Papers, Rome * Papal Audience Hall, Vatican * St. Mary’s Cathedral, San Francisco (Cal.), USA * Church, Bologna-Panigale * Church, Trissino * Library in Verona * Stadium in Novara * These buildings are presented in this documentation.<br/><br/>Comment:<br/><br/>Since there are contradictions in the various publications, the year of completion of the building was taken from the list in [4] if not indicated otherwise.<br/><br/>Prof. Dipl. Ing. Peter Häußermann<br/><br/>Pier Luigi Nervi – His Buildings Today<br/>Biberach University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Construction and Building Technology<br/><br/>Further Results of the Research about Nervi’s Works Exhibition An exhibition in the Palazzo Banci Buonamici in Prato (3/7/2008 – 5/11/2008) presented further, rather unknown buildings. They were erected in Prato in the years before the Second World War. The title of the exhibition was: Il Giovane Pier Luigi Nervi a Prato (The young Pier Luigi Nervi in Prato). Giuseppe Guanci was responsible for this presentation. In his catalogue [5] he showed the following buildings which still exist today: Year of Completion 1923 1927 1929 1931 1930 1934 Internet Name, Site Theater “Bruno Banchini” (today “Politeama”) in Prato Spinning Mill “Giuseppe Mazzini” in Prato Spinning Mill “Sbraci Vasco” in Prato Spinning Mill “Alimo Sbraci” in Prato Spinning Mill “Calamai Brunetto” in Prato Spinning Mill “il Fabbricone” in Prato I found a number of buildings in the internet which was described to be designed by Nervi or where the “Studio Nervi” at least was involved in. But they do not appear in the list of his works [4, p. 211 - 214]. Name, Site Overfly (Opera Köprüsü) in Ankara Good Hope Center in Cape Town Thomson Arena in Hanover (New Hampshire) USA Italian Embassy in Brasilia Australian Embassy in Paris<br/><br/>Year of Completion 1971 1974 1975 1977 1978<br/><br/>Comment: I was not able to verify the authorship of all of the buildings which I discovered in the internet. Maybe Pier Luigi Nervi was active as a consultant only.<br/><br/>Prof. Dipl. Ing. Peter Häußermann<br/><br/>Pier Luigi Nervi – His Buildings Today<br/>Biberach University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Construction and Building Technology<br/><br/>Documentation of the Research There is a map with a list at the end of the documentation, where the locations of the Nervi buildings are indicated. Comment The following list shows the buildings which I visited took pictures and put them together in this document. There exist a large number of slides and digitized photos in my collection in addition to the photos in the report. The drawings were taken from various publications or the originals of the drawings by the studio Nervi collected at the CSAC. Unfortunately many of them are of minor quality. Nevertheless they were accepted this way to accomplish the documentation in the desired manner. Exhibition Hall B in Torino Exhibition Hall C in Torino Hall of Labor in Torino Railway Station in Savona Small Sports Center in Rome Large Sports Center in Rome Shipyard in San Michele di Pagano Salt Warehouse in Tortona Indoor Swimming Pool in Livorno Maintenance Building for Trams in Torino Factory Building in Venaria (Torino) Wool Manufacturing Company in Rome Depot of the Tobacco Factory in Bologna Warehouse of the Tobacco Factory in Bologna Savings Bank in Venice High-rise Building in Milan Bus Terminal in New York Paper Mill in Mantova Administration Building in Milan UNESCO-Complex in Paris - Administration Building - Conference Building - Canopies Library in Verona<br/><br/>1. Hall-type Buildings<br/><br/>2. Storey-type Buildings<br/><br/>Prof. Dipl. Ing. Peter Häußermann<br/><br/>Pier Luigi Nervi – His Buildings Today<br/>Biberach University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Construction and Building Technology<br/><br/>3. Other Buildings<br/><br/>Papal Audience Hall in the Vatican Cathedral in San Francisco Church in Bologna-Panigale Church in Trissino Spa in Chianciano Beach Restaurant in Ostia Municipal Stadium in Florence Stadium in Rome Stadium in Novara Highway Bridge Restaurant near Padova Bridge across the Adige River in Verona Viaduct in Rome<br/><br/>Prof. Dipl. Ing. Peter Häußermann<br/><br/>Pier Luigi Nervi – His Buildings Today<br/>Biberach University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Construction and Building Technology<br/><br/>Additional Comments to the Documentation: Language The text is written in American English, which means that the spelling is sometimes different from the British English (e. g. center/centre) This means also that first floor equals ground floor, second floor corresponds to first floor in British English. In case of contradiction in the data and the description of the buildings, I preferred the Italian to the foreign source. I think that it is more probable that they are correct because of their direct origin. This excludes also errors in the translation. As far as the year of completion of the buildings is concerned there can be found different, contradicting figures depending on the various publications. A final clarification did not take place because of the lack of exact information. If not indicated differently, the year of completion was taken from the list of buildings in [4]. The drawings used in the documentation are taken from various publications. The source is indicated by [..] and can be found at the end of the report in the bibliography. Some drawings originate from new documents such as plans from architect responsible for the renovation. They also appear in the biography with the same sign [..]. In the same way the photo reproductions of the original drawings at the CSAC (Centro di Studi ed Archivio della Comunicazione) are indicated [CSAC]. Some of the technical terms introduced by Nervi are used in the original Italian language or were translated into English and put into quotes: “Ferrocemento” “liniarised” columns “Isostatic” slabs<br/><br/>Contradictions in the publications<br/><br/>Year of completion<br/><br/>Drawings/sketches<br/><br/>Terms<br/><br/>Prof. Dipl. Ing. Peter Häußermann<br/><br/>Pier Luigi Nervi – His Buildings Today<br/>Biberach University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Construction and Building Technology<br/><br/>Indoor Swimming Pool in Livorno<br/><br/>Prof. Dipl. Ing. Peter Häußermann<br/><br/>Pier Luigi Nervi – His Buildings Today<br/>Biberach University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Construction and Building Technology<br/><br/>1. Building data Name Site Address Year of completion Planners - Architect - Structural Engineer Contractor 2. Function Originally<br/><br/>Indoor Swimming Pool in Livorno Piscina dell’Accademia Navale Livorno (LI), Italia Viale Italia, 72 1949 Pier Luigi Nervi Pier Luigi Nervi Ingg. Nervi e Bartoli S.p.A.<br/><br/>Indoor swimming pool of the Italian Naval Academy, 33 m swimming track, dimensions of the building (width/length/height) approx. 16.8 by 40.0 by 8.3 m. Heating and ventilation system integrated into the undulated roof elements (Pat. No.: 445781-8/26/1948) General renovation work in the year of 2007. The 5 tracks were reduced by a steel structure to a length of 25 m because of swimming contest regulations. Used as originally designed<br/><br/>Alterations<br/><br/>Actual state (2009) 3. Construction/ structure Originally<br/><br/>Barrel vault structure made of undulated „Ferrocemento“ elements. 3 elements form a lateral section of a circle segment (radius = 6.8 m, approximate span = 15.9 m), supported by edge beams. The organically shaped beam is carried by 8 struts in a distance of about 4.5 m. None As originally constructed. No cracks or visible damages to the „Ferrocemento“ elements. Reinforced concrete, brickwork 3 prefabricated “Ferrocemento” elements (width of 90 cm, height of 35 cm) were added to form an arch and altogether a barrel vault. The edge beams and the struts were cast in situ. Brickwork was used for the gable and cheek walls.<br/><br/>Alterations Actual state (2009) 4. Building process Materials<br/>Construction method<br/><br/>Prof. Dipl. Ing. Peter Häußermann<br/><br/>Pier Luigi Nervi – His Buildings Today<br/>Biberach University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Construction and Building Technology<br/><br/>5. Documentation 5.1 Plans First floor [12, p. 259] Scale ~1/560<br/><br/>Indoor Swimming Pool in Livorno<br/><br/>Sections [8, p. 52] Scale ~1/560<br/><br/>Lateral Section A - A<br/><br/>Longitudinal Section B – B<br/><br/>Representing details [12, p. 259,260]<br/><br/>Abutment/eave moulding Scale ~1/110<br/><br/>„Ferrocemento“ roof element Scale~1/25<br/><br/>Prof. Dipl. Ing. Peter Häußermann<br/><br/>Pier Luigi Nervi – His Buildings Today<br/>Biberach University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Construction and Building Technology<br/><br/>5.2 Photos (credits Italian Navy)<br/><br/>Indoor Swimming Pool in Livorno<br/><br/>External views: Maine entrance, south side<br/><br/>Internal view<br/><br/>Edge beam, spring board<br/><br/>Prof. Dipl. Ing. Peter Häußermann<br/><br/>Pier Luigi Nervi – His Buildings Today<br/>Biberach University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Construction and Building Technology<br/><br/>Conclusion<br/><br/>Actual state of the buildings<br/><br/>As already mentioned at the beginning of the report, some of the questions concerning the works of Nervi and also concerning his personality I was not able to clarify so far. There are also a number of contradictions in the different publications. Nevertheless I would like to present a conclusion of my research work at the end of the documentation. I am very pleased to state– generally spoken – that a majority of Nervi’s buildings are in a good shape despite their age. Some of them are in an excellent shape due to recent renovation works. On the other hand it might be primarily owed to the fact of a milder climate of the sites – mainly in Italy – compared with Germany rather favorable conditions. As far as the damages of concrete construction members caused by the air pollution are concerned the situation seems to be comparable. A really fundamental renovation work done in 2001 I recognized at one of his first buildings - the stadium in Florence. Besides the treatment of the concrete members because of corrosion all the parts added later had been removed. The necessary alterations like additional staircases, extension of the main canopy and further tiers and seats were built in steel in contrast to Nervi’s concrete structure [49]. In this way a masterpiece of protection of a historical monument has been achieved. Indeed the “Stadio communale Artemio Franchi” is proudly called the most beautiful sports arena in Italy by the people of Florence. Remarkable damages I noticed at the paper mill in Mantova (Cartiera Burgo). Whereas the renovation works of the steel members of the roof and the facade had already been done the concrete treatment of the pylons were not started at the time of my last visit but might be executed today. Unfortunately one building – the “Palazzo del Lavoro” in Torino – is in a rather pitiful situation. All the exterior structural members – the steel columns of the facade and the exposed concrete elements – show severe damages by corrosion. After being used by the Politecnico di Torino for quite a time the building is now closed for renovation works. It is supposed to be reopened for the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy in the year 2011, the same purpose it had been erected 50 years ago.<br/><br/>Prof. Dipl. Ing. Peter Häußermann<br/><br/>Pier Luigi Nervi – His Buildings Today<br/>Biberach University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Construction and Building Technology<br/><br/>The “Palazzo dello Sport” in Rome (EUR) had been closed for many years because of serious safety defects (fire protection and evacuation escapes). A private investor runs the building now known as “Palalottomatica” after having fulfilled all the safety requirements by a general renovation and turned it into a multifunctional center. Another smaller object – a former beach restaurant (called “Kursaal”) – has been spoilt totally by the alteration into a discotheque. It must be mentioned that the protection of architectural inheritance is normally well taken care of in Italy but in this particular case it seems to have failed. The only structures I know of that are in a very pitiful situation so that they had to bee closed are the warehouses in Tortona. The corrosion of the steel reinforcement is in such an advanced stage that it is too dangerous to enter the buildings. But they once were used as salt deposits, which explain the actual situation. Impression today Nervi’s buildings once were in the center of adoration. But today we have a more rational way to look at them. You can even find rather critical comments [38, 39]. But there seems to be a general agreement on the fact that he is a master of the interior space. Light is one of the most important factors in his big halls. The exterior architecture sometimes appears to be ignored [38]; at least it does not leave the same strong impression. Even if there were a number of contradictions [39] in my opinion the “Palazzetto dello Sport” in Rome is above all the most convincing design. In particular it’s the lightness and harmony of the exterior view. The director of the sports center called the interior &quot;un miracolo&quot; which I can agree with totally. I developed a rather distant relationship to the paper mill of Mantova (Cartiera Burgo). It is quite doubtful if the very impressive bridge-like structure with the mighty pylons is an adequate solution for the paper factory. The reasons listed – the time limits for erection and an extension later on – are not sufficient enough to explain the decision. Not even the foundation in a swamp area is a convincing reason since all the other neighboring structures were erected on a shallow foundation.<br/><br/>Prof. Dipl. Ing. Peter Häußermann<br/><br/>Pier Luigi Nervi – His Buildings Today<br/>Biberach University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Construction and Building Technology<br/><br/>I did not feel very much impressed by the bridgerestaurant across the motorway near Padova. The Vierendeel girder with window openings arranged according to the stress is not very convincing. It is a rather doubtful design even to an expert recognizing the structural idea. In general Nervi’s buildings are estimated highly in Italy and the owners or users of the objects proudly show the certificate on their houses indicating that it is a Nervi design. On these signs almost every time Nervi is called an architect (architetto) although he himself emphasized to be an engineer [32, 20]. Overview on the works in total Nervi’s achievement and contribution in designing new structures can not be judged without the knowledge of his projects which do not exist any more or which were not executed at all. His airplane hangars built before or during World War II are breathtaking examples at that time, outrageous and very daring. The German troops destroyed them during their withdrawal from Tuscany. They blew up the abutments of the structure merely achieving that the complete roof itself fell on the ground without having any serious damages because of its rigidness. At the end of the war (1945) Nervi developed his method called “Ferrocemento” by erecting an experimental building at the site of his construction company. This method – also protected by a patent – enabled him to produce elements with a minimum of depth and weight, which he used in most of his buildings. At the beginning these elements were used as a permanent formwork, later on they served as a reusable formwork in order to reduce the costs. Of course he invented also the necessary scaffolding which could be raised and lowered, movable on tracks. Again he protected this idea with a patent. Furthermore there are a great number of projects which he handed in for competitions and expert’s reports. Just to mention an outstanding example there is among them a horse racing track covered by a roof with a span of about 300 m, constructed with aluminum for the Reynolds Company in the US.<br/><br/>[4, p. 33]<br/><br/>[4, p. 211]<br/><br/>[8, p. 90]<br/><br/>[8, p. 151]<br/><br/>Prof. Dipl. Ing. Peter Häußermann<br/><br/>Pier Luigi Nervi – His Buildings Today<br/>Biberach University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Construction and Building Technology<br/><br/>As already said there are left many questions about the personality of Nervi and about his works which I could not bring to a solution. I also did not succeed to find out how much he participated in the projects done in his advanced age. There exist a number of buildings where Nervi is called the author or at least the consulting engineer which definitely do not come from his studio. To give an example: The building permit for the church in Trissino (plans drawn in 1966, signed by the mayor of the town in 1968) is listing his son Dr. arch. Antonio Nervi as architect and Dr. Ing. Francesco Vacchini as engineer. In the list of his designs [4] this church is named as a project done by the Studio Nervi in collaboration with Vacchini. Even more complicated seems to be the involvement of Nervi in the projects for the church of Borgo-Panigale respectively the municipal library of Verona. They can not be found in the list [4] at all. Maybe I am able to find more information at the CSAC in Parma searching for the original drawings – in case they really exist. Therefore I decided to take all the projects into the documentation which originate from the “Studio Nervi” regardless whether Pier Luigi Nervi himself was engaged in them or not. Nervis legacy Ending my report I would like to cite again the title of Nervi’s most important book, called: Costruiere correttamente. As an engaged engineer Nervi dedicated himself to this goal with passion. This also could be like a legacy for us nowadays. As far as I am concerned I must confirm that Nervi fulfilled his commitment “Costruiere correttamente” with his buildings in a manner we can call perfect and entire. Nervi is everlasting – these were the appropriate words used by Stefan Polonyi – a German engineer and critic analyzing the structures of Pier Luigi Nervi [39]. Peter Häußermann Biberach, November 2009<br/><br/>Prof. Dipl. Ing. Peter Häußermann<br/><br/>Pier Luigi Nervi – His Buildings Today<br/>Biberach University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Construction and Building Technology<br/><br/>Bibliography - Books No. [1] * Author: Title Publisher, Location, Edition, Year of appearance Pier Luigi Nervi: Scienza o arte del costruiere Edizioni della Bussola, Rome, 1st edition, 1945, Citta Studi Edizioni, Milan, 2nd edition, 1997 Pier Luigi Nervi: Costruiere corettamente Ulrico Hoepli, Milan, 1st edition 1955 and 2nd edition 1965 Luigi Ramazzotti (editor): Nervi oggi Edizioni Kappa, Rome, 1983 Paolo Desideri, Pier Luigi Nervi jr., Giuseppe Positano: Pier Luigi Nervi (Serie di Architettura/5 Zanichelli Editore, Bologna, 1979 Giuseppe Guanci Costruzioni &amp; sperimentazioni L´attivita del giovanne Pier Luigi Nervi a Prato Catalogue of the exhibition © 2008 GIUSEPPE GUANCI, ISBN 978-88-95557-02-1 Ada Louise Huxtable: Pier Luigi Nervi Edition G. Braziller, New York, 1963 Ada Louise Huxtable: Pier Luigi Nervi (I Maestri dell´ Architettura contemporanea/3) Il Saggiatore, Milan, 1960 Jürgen Joedicke, Ernesto N. Rogers: Pier Luigi Nervi Bauten und Projekte Gerd Hatje, Stuttgart, 1957 Edizione Italiana Communità, Milan, 1957 Pier Luigi Nervi, Frank G. Zander (Translation): Neue Strukturen Gerd Hatje, Stuttgart, 1963<br/><br/>[2] *<br/><br/>[3] * [4] *<br/><br/>[5]<br/><br/>[6] ** [7] **<br/><br/>[8]<br/><br/>[9]<br/><br/>Prof. Dipl. Ing. Peter Häußermann<br/><br/>Pier Luigi Nervi – His Buildings Today<br/>Biberach University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Construction and Building Technology<br/><br/>Bibliography - Books No. [10] *** Author: Title Publisher, Location, Edition, Year of appearance Paolo Desideri, Pier Luigi Nervi jr., Giuseppe Positano (Studio Paperback): Pier Luigi Nervi Verlag für Architektur Artemis, Zürich, 1982 Tullia Iori, Sergio Poretti: Pier Luigi Nervi, L’Ambasciata d’Italia a Brasilia Mandadori Electa S.p.A., Milan, 2008 Claudio Greco: Pier Luigi Nervi – Von den ersten Patenten bis zur Ausstellungshalle in Turin 1917-1948 Quart Verlag, Luzern, 2008 Reserved for further book titles<br/>This publication was used in the original Italian version. In this case the original English version as well as the Italian translation was used. This book is the translation of the original Italian version into German as well as into French.<br/><br/>[11]<br/><br/>[12]<br/><br/>[13] - [19]<br/>* ** ***<br/><br/>Prof. Dipl. Ing. Peter Häußermann<br/><br/>Pier Luigi Nervi – His Buildings Today<br/>Biberach University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Construction and Building Technology<br/><br/>Sites of Nervis Buildings in Italy 1 2 3 4 5 Turino Milan Tortona Savona San Michele di Pagano 6 Mantova 7 Verona 8 Trissino 9 Padova 10 Venice 11 Bologna 12 Prato 13 Florence 14 Livorno 15 Chianciano 16 Rome 17 Ostia 18 Napels 19 Marsala 20 Novara<br/>2 . 20 1 4 3 5 11 12 13 14 15 6 7 8 9 10<br/><br/>16 17 18<br/><br/>.19<br/><br/>Sites of Nervis Buildings Outside of Italy 1 Montreal 2 Hanover (NH) 3 New York 4 Norfolk (Vir) 5 San Francisco 6 Brasilia 7 Cape Town 8 Sydney 9 Paris 10 Stockholm 11 Ankara<br/>5 1 2 3 4<br/><br/>10 9 11<br/><br/>6<br/><br/>7<br/><br/>8