ABSTRACT
The paper overviews single column roof structures (SCRSs), consisting of three main elements: cantilever roof, column, and foundation. It provides a historical overview of the development of the most attractive SCRSs in architecture. It starts with the world's oldest mushroom and umbrella structures, designed during the 1930s in reinforced concrete. Some of the inverted umbrella-type hyperbolic paraboloid reinforced concrete shell structures, designed between 1953–68 by F. Candela, are briefly mentioned. His structures were widely copied and upgraded throughout the Western world; some of architecturally or structurally unique hyperbolic paraboloid, mushroom, and umbrella reinforced concrete structures, constructed from 1955 to 1975 are mentioned. During the same time, SCRSs made of steel were devised by some architects or engineers. From the year 1955, F. Otto invented many different shapes of lightweight SCRSs, made of several materials; he named them either lightweight mushrooms, convertible umbrellas, or tree like structures. After the end of the 20th century, timber is used as a structural material for SCRSs. The results of this paper are presented in three figures where SCRSs are analyzed according to structure materials, number of structural forms, and roof shapes. In the discussion chapter the similarities and differences between analyzed SCRSs are compared. The chronological evolution referring to some important historical examples as well as advancements and disadvantages of SCRSs are briefly exposed. One of the benefits of SCRSs is that open space under the roof is without supporting walls. Therefore, the decision for using the structural system of SCRSs is based almost on the same requirement in most described structures, as they require as much open floor space as possible. In the conclusion, the rebirth of the SCRSs is predict.
