Public assembly structures: from antiquity to the present

Abstract

Five years ago, in 1988, a very successful Symposium of IASS the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures was organized in Istanbul by Mimar Sinan University. The Symposium was devoted to an examination of the significance of the Dome in civilization.

One of the important factors contributing to the success of the 1988 meeting was the fact that it brought together for an exchange of ideas experts in the field ranging from historians to builders, from archeologist to engineers, from architects to researchers, all interested in the same general topic.

Today, in 1993, we meet once again in Istanbul for an IASS Symposium on Public As-sembly Structures - their history, present and future. Once again, persons from many disciplines are in attendance, and it is expected that the Proceedings of this Symposium will become an important and indispensable addition to the library of individuals and institutions with an interest MS in the subject.

Açık Bilim Sanat Arşiv The Association is indebted to our many Turkish colleagues for leadi leading the effort toward a greater understanding of the topic. Istanbul, one of the great cities of civilization, is uniquely appropriate as the venue of this Symposium.

On behalf of IASS I wish to express our sincere appreciation to Mimar Sinan University and to Professor G. Gökçe who lent their prestige to the organization of the Symposium. Particular thanks are due Professor İ.Mungan who, as in 1988, was the heart and soul of the organizing effort.

I am confident that in the years to come these Proceedings will be recognized as an important addition to the literature of Public Assembly Structures./

Stefan J. Medwadowski, Ph.D. IASS President