ABSTRACT
Two forces drive the architectural development of lightweight temporary structures: the functional requirement for such a building and the availability of suitable materials and skills from which to build it. Prior to the twentieth century, the limited presence of these factors reduced the development of significant buildings of this type to a few notable examples. In ancient times, building types that required large open spaces were restricted to those that were used for substantial gatherings of the populace. Even then, the necessity for a lightweight element (usually the roof) in the building was restricted as the early centres of civilisation were in temperate climates where environmental modification was a lesser priority. With the development of industrial techniques came not only the capability for larger spans but also the necessity in new building types and functions, and with the advent of the notion of beneficial technology, the ambition to use it to the fullest led to ambitious and innovative buildings which also had the purpose of portraying the achievements and power of their creators.
