The Post-Tensioned Stereotomic Arch explores how natural stone can be reintroduced into contemporary construction through a combination of historical stereotomic principles and digital design workflows. At a time when reinforced concrete and steel remain major contributors to global carbon emissions, the project investigates compression-based structural systems that rely on low-impact materials with minimal transformation. Stone, with its high compressive strength and low embodied energy, emerges as a viable alternative for more sustainable forms of construction.
Developed within a broader research project on BIM and stereotomy, the arch was designed using custom computational tools capable of modelling stereotomic assemblies and translating them into BIM-compatible representations. The system combines stone voussoirs with an internal post-tensioning element embedded within the thickness of the arch. This approach allows horizontal thrust forces to be controlled without external buttresses or visible ties, making stone arches more adaptable to contemporary architectural applications. The curved geometry of the arch also reduces the magnitude of tensile forces required for stabilisation when compared to linear post-tensioned systems.
The project culminated in the fabrication and assembly of a full-scale marble prototype during an international workshop. Beyond validating the structural concept, the construction process provided practical insights into stone fabrication tolerances, centering systems, assembly sequencing, and decentering procedures, aspects often overlooked in purely digital workflows. More than a structural experiment, the project also highlights the spatial, material, and environmental qualities of compression-based stone architecture, demonstrating how historical construction knowledge and contemporary digital tools can be combined within a coherent design-to-construction process.
The authors would like to thank Solubema for supplying the Vigaria marble, ETMA for the stone cutting and fabrication, and Pretensa for supporting the assembly and post-tensioning process.
