Showcasing their first exhibition in Latin America, Zaha Hadid Architects creates a dazzling structural form honoring architect and engineer Félix Candela. The Spanish-Mexican architect made several major contributions in shaping and developing Mexican architecture. One of his most notable contributions was the creation of thin, shell like structures made out of reinforced concrete called cascarones. In true Zaha Hadid fashion, the team was inspired by these structures and developed KnitCandela. 

Constructed at the Museo Universitario Arte Contemporáneo (MUAC) in Mexico City, the process consisted of the introduction of new computational design methods and an innovative KnitCrete fabrication. Never failing to skimp on details, the structures overall form was inspired by the the colorful and fluid forms of traditional dresses of Mexico. The combination of soft and hard materials are married in this 50 sq.m. piece. 

While Candela focused on constructing his concrete forms using hyperbolic paraboloid surfaces to produce reusable frameworks, the team at Zaha Hadid Architects focused on KnitCrete's anticlastic geometry. The fabric framework and cable net system allows for application of the concrete exterior to possess flexible and freeform surface. Its double curved shell weighed more than 5 tonnes, while the KnitCrete fabric framework weighed only 55kg. 

Featured at the Museo Universitario Arte Contemporáneo until February 2019, the experiential structure demonstrates the continuous possibilities within the realm of fabrication and the use of digital design in the construction industry. KnitCandela's construction phase was designed to be built in within a tight schedule, limited space, and minimal budget. Zaha Hadid Architects and their team of contributors continue to push the boundaries of form structural design without skimping on style and intricate details.