Pier Luigi Nervi

Italian engineer-architect whose work proves the two disciplines are one. Palazzetto dello Sport (Rome, 1957), Pirelli Tower (Milan, with Gio Ponti, 1960), Saint Mary's Cathedral (San Francisco, 1971), the Vatican Audience Hall (1971).

Reinforced concrete shells whose ribbing follows lines of force exactly — structure-as-ornament without decorative surplus. He patented *ferro-cemento* — thin-shell concrete reinforced with mesh.