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Last edited 18 Jul 2025

Timbrel vault

There are a number of terms relating to this type of shallow arch thin tiled vault which include Timbrel vault, Catalan vault, thin tile vault, Catalan turn or arch, and boveda or vault ceiling. It is a traditional construction technique that uses thin bricks or tiles to create lightweight, curved structures such as domes, arches, and vaults and originates from the Mediterranean region;, particularly Catalonia, Spain.

The key feature of timbrel construction is its ability to form strong, self-supporting shapes without the need for heavy formwork. It relies on laying tiles in overlapping layers, often 3 layers gradually and with a fast-set mortar, which allows the vault to support itself piece by piece as it is being constructed. The curvature of the arch and pattern of the tiles help distribute forces efficiently to the sides, creating a structure that is both thin and strong, making it a commonplace feature of both monumental and everyday vernacular buildings for centuries.

Historical records show that these were first used in the 1600s by Italian master builders, slowly becoming a staple construction method of Eastern Spain over time, known as volta Catalana (Catalonian vaulting). Such vaults can be found in many buildings in area and also as part of the world famous masterpiece by Antonio Gaudi, the Sagrada Familia, where they are used in the main body of the basilica, including the naves and transepts. In many cases , especially here these vaults, thin layers of tiles, are not only a key structural element but also contribute to the unique aesthetic beauty of the basilica. This is further accentuated through the use of decorative green and gold glass elements integrated into the tile work to represent leaves and other natural forms.

Indication is that the method was introduced to the US in the late 1800s by the Valencian architect Rafael Guastavino, who then patented the Guastavino System. The first building using this system seems to have been the a series of row houses designed by Rafael Guastavino for Bernard Levy in Manhattan, New York, in 1885 and 1886. The better known example is the Boston Public Library, which was completed in 1895, now known as the McKim Building,which still stands with its Guastavino tile arches intact as a prominent example of the method that and helped solidify Guastavino's reputation.