In order to optimize grids of timber rib shells with regard to the bending stress of the boards due to initial curvature, the software GEOS has been developed at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) between 2002 and 2004. The construction of a prototype in the summer of 2005 proved the reliability of the assumptions, the program is based upon. The following article describes the steps which were undertaken starting from the generation of the form and the design of the optimized grid to the final construction of the prototype. Loading tests have been carried out to evaluate the structural calculation model. Finally, the comparison between calculated and measured deformations is briefly discussed.
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