Hooke, Wren and the Dome : a seventeenth century crossing space between architecture and engineering

Includes bibliographical references (pages 65-72).

In the second half of the 17th century, new engineering science slowly began to contribute to architecture and to the structural analysis of vaults, arches and domes. Christopher Wren (1632-1723) and Robert Hooke (1635-1703) were both engaged in architecture and structural mechanics and Hooke's ideas played a crucial role in the design of the dome of St Paul's Cathedral in London. It was the first large dome built in England and became Wren's greatest architectural achievement.

In this book Professor Jacques Heyman, recipient of the Sir Frank Whittle Medal of the Royal Academy of Engineering (2022) and a leading figure in structural mechanics and history of engineering, describes the connections between the scientific contributions of Wren and Hooke in England and those of Giovanni Poleni (1683-1761) in Italy during the emergence of the modern professional architect and engineer. [Publisher's text]

Robert Hooke (1635-1703); Christopher Wren (1632-1723).