Skeletal Space Structure Systems: Select Areas of Opportunity to Achieve Sustainability in Construction

This paper examines some of the largely neglected areas of opportunity to utilize skeletal space structure systems in support of the modular, industrialized, economical, sustainable, and digital future of the construction industry. In this context, the feasibility of the future use of skeletal space structures is studied for a few classes of engineering structures, namely, residential apartment buildings and offshore platforms, along with their suitability for the reconstruction, renovation, modernization, and retrofit of damaged buildings and urban areas of cultural heritage significance. Finally, the particular features of lean project management in space structures are discussed with emphasis on engineering and economic factors, production management, environmental aspects, quality management, reliability, maintainability, and sustainability. This article concludes that skeletal space structures can fulfil many of the essential construction requirements of modern societies, especially those facing environmental challenges, all while allowing for design flexibility and mass customization.