Michael Cook, Chairman of Buro Happold and Vice-President of the Board of the Institution of Structural Engineers is the featured speaker for this week's Lunchtime Seminar. His talk is titled “Engineering buildings and cities for people”.
Mike will explore the advances in engineering design over recent years that have enabled engineers to create buildings and cities that are in tune with the needs of the people that live and work in them. This journey starts with the use of nature as a model of efficient use of materials and creator of sustainable environments. It then explores how digital technology has provided us with powerful tools to better define and understand the physical complexities of buildings and cities.
Finally, it considers the human response and the tools now available to engineers to conceive and deliver buildings and cities that will provide places that enhance people's lives and raise the value they bring.
One question remains - are we teaching engineers in ways that will inspire us to take full advantage of these resources and the opportunities they give us?