Revisiting structural Lazo carpentry: geometry, mechanics, and construction

Abstract

This paper explores the potential of traditional Spanish timber roofs as a structural system that blends framework carpentry with Islamic geometric patterns for contemporary construction. By integrating historical craftsmanship with modern engineering techniques, the research investigates solutions for spherical Lazo carpentry, where Lazo, or strapwork, designs fulfill both ornamental and structural roles. A key focus is the design, analysis, and fabrication of a four-meter-span Lazo pavilion, employing polyhedral projections to form modular spherical surfaces. Structural performance is evaluated through physical tests of materials and joints leading to an exploration of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of the whole structure. The project also explores the construction and disassembly of the Lazo pavilion through defining the detailing of its different joints. The findings promise applications in spatial and shell structures, such as gridshells inspired by interlaced Lazo domes, providing a roadmap for designing structural Lazo discrete shells. Collaborating with architects, engineers, and master carpenters, this research enhances understanding across geometry, carpentry, structural mechanics, timber engineering, and architectural design while laying the groundwork for further exploration of this vernacular structural craft.