Exoskeleton

External structural frame.

Overview

Exoskeletons, using steel or concrete, are external frameworks supporting modern buildings globally.

Core Characteristics

• Visible structural frame.
• Load-bearing exterior.
• Modern aesthetic.

Notable Examples

• Centre Pompidou (France, 1977).
• Hearst Tower (USA, 2006).

Architectural Connections

• Modern: 20th–21st century.
• Commercial, Civic: Offices, museums.
• Modernism: Core movement.

Influence and Legacy

Redefines structural expression in architecture.

Related Concepts & Techniques

Steel Construction (technique), Structural Expression (theory), Framework (element), Modernism (movement)

Directory

Elements Registry, Architecture Hub, History