Hyperboloid structures are constructions designed with hyperbolic geometry. These are often tall structures such as towers, in which the structural strength of hyperbolic geometry is used to support an object, such as water tanks, but it is also used for decorative purposes, as well as for its structural economy. The first hyperboloid structures were built by the Russian engineer Vladimir Shukhov (1853-1939).

The first hyperboloid structure erected in the world was a steel lattice tower, located in the town of Polibino, in the Russian region of Lipetsk. The hyperboloid tower was built and patented in 1896 by the Russian engineer and scientist Vladimir Shukhov.

However, Antoni Gaudí had already used integrated hyperboloid structures in the construction of some of his buildings, such as in the majestic vault of the Palau Güell, in 1888. Hyperboloid structures were later built by other famous architects, such as Le Corbusier or Oscar Niemeyer.

The Spanish engineer Eduardo Torroja later designed the thin-shell water tower at Fedala[1] and the hyperboloid-shaped roof of the Hipódromo de la Zarzuela.

Hyperboloid structures have a negative Gaussian curvature, meaning that their shape is usually curved inward rather than straight or outward. Being a doubly ruled surface, they can be made with a framework of straight beams, therefore, they are usually easy to build and stronger than curved structures, which are not ruled and must instead be built with curved beams.

Hyperboloid structures are typically more stable against external forces than "straight" buildings, but their shapes often generate large amounts of unusable volume (low efficiency). Therefore they are most frequently used in single-purpose structures such as water towers, cooling towers, and structures with an aesthetic purpose.[2]​.

These structures are preferred in cooling towers. At the bottom, the widening of the tower provides a large area where the circulated water will evaporate. As it evaporates and rises, the narrowing in the middle of the tower accelerates the laminar flow and then, as it widens, the contact between the hot and atmospheric air will allow mixing by turbulence.