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Do we need architects?

15 Apr 2011

Following up on our discussion last issue with some of Britain’s top  designers we turn our attention this issue to the relationship between  engineers and architects. How do these symbiotic professions operate in  the 21st century and could one ever do without the other?

Following up on our discussion last issue with some of Britain’s top designers we turn our attention this issue to the relationship between engineers and architects. How do these symbiotic professions operate in the 21st century and could one ever do without the other?

Urban Realm sought out Rod Manson, Director, Buro Happold (North Europe) to get his thoughts on the current state of play within the industry. He said: “Like all the best relationships the interplay between architects and engineers has a long and colourful history. Traditionally we have each owned our ‘area of expertise’ working closely together across distinct skillsets. The needs of Clients coupled with technological advances have taken seismic strides forward in the last decade and we have had to embrace these challenges ‘head on’.

“I’d argue this upheaval has brought the two professions closer together. Technological and regulatory impacts of the design process; the use of new materials; higher improvements required in building thermal performance and the impact of value engineering have all had an influence. The upshot is that as engineers we have much greater interface on the building design but at the heart of the relationship is mutual respect and cooperation.”

David Narro, founder of the eponymous Edinburgh based engineering firm, said: "I consider that there is definitely a trend towards more collaborative working between the professions.  It is something that I feel strongly about and have fought for since setting up the Practice nearly 25 years ago.  Finally the days are going where a completed scheme was handed to the engineer with the request that he ‘make it stand up’.

“In my opinion it is critical that the engineer has early input to the design process – at a time when he can still influence architectural design by giving a clear steer on which parameters are feasible and which will be expensive or even impossible.  It is my – and most engineers’ – worst nightmare to have a fully detailed scheme handed over and to have no alternative but to tell the Architect that some parts of the structure cannot be built or that there would have been a much cheaper alternative form that is now impossible to incorporate due to the scheme being finalised.  The relationship that is built up between an Architect and an engineer is intimate and very powerful when it works well.  Mutual respect and an understanding of each other’s needs and aims are critical to making this partnership work.”

Does this mean there has been a blurring of the distinctions which have defined engineers as distinct from architects as technology plugs any differences? Manson agrees: “Yes, The distinctions between the two professions are less clear cut with information technology allowing specialists to add value to our work at all stages of the process. We have architects embedded within our engineering teams these days including facade engineers, fire engineers through to acoustics and design management specialists. As the boundaries have been blurred, the need for strong collaboration has been brought into sharper focus. Walk through any of our offices and there are meeting rooms full of teams from a huge array of disciplines working seamlessly together. “

Adopting a different train of thought to the same question Narro takes an alternative viewpoint: “No I do not think so. Architects have historically done their own drawings, generally – with support sometimes from Architectural Technicians – whereas traditionally most engineers have used Structural Technicians to draw up their structural designs. Older engineers who came up the apprenticeship route were often excellent draughtsmen but the role of the technician for engineers has always been important.  With more advanced computer power – including 3D CAD, structural analysis and design packages – it has increasingly become possible to see the building as a three dimensional model. This has allowed a clearer understanding of the interaction of all the elements of the building and has opened the way to adopting a common model of the building to which all professionals can input. This is still not common on smaller projects but the availability of cheaper software has meant that it is being adopted more frequently.”

If the professions are moving together could we ever witness a return to the pre-industrial revolution scenario of a full merger of the professions? Manson disagrees: “I think this is highly unlikely and not desirable. There is a creative tension between the architectural and engineering communities which is healthy and encourages the kind of scrutiny that the toughest projects rely on. We work closely together with a shared goal but are free to challenge each other during the design process. We need to pursue efficiency wherever possible but we also know to listen to the dissenting voice in the room!”

Narro adds: “There are a number of high profile people who have been members of both professions. Until there is a sea-change in education at the universities I cannot see this becoming a norm. There is a fairly high amount of structural engineering taught to Architects while at university – more than most engineers are aware of and certainly more than most Architects are willing to admit. The amount of Architectural training given to engineers however is generally low – unless they are on one of the courses offering Structural Engineering with Architecture – and more universities are offering this course. I was lucky and when studying at Edinburgh University I had a joint first year with the Department of Architecture. I found this very interesting and it has been extremely useful throughout my career. More cross education is needed. Other European countries have different ways of working and it is not as unusual there. I do not feel that there will be a return to those days here in Britain until changes are made at university level.”

With technology increasingly taking the strain is this luring architect into adopting more confident structural solutions to complex challenges? “The response is mixed in my opinion”, observes Manson. “There are some architectural practices who are really pushing the design envelope and some who are satisfied to continue with the traditional design methods. There will never be a ‘one size fits all’ solution and it’s important that each brief is tackled in a way which fits the dynamics of the inter-disciplinarily team working on it. “

So do engineers need architects at all? “This is indeed an interesting question,” Manson ponders. “There is no doubt in my mind that any building design needs a strong aesthetic consideration, from overall concept to final detail, and this is the clearly defined role of the architect. The technical elements of the architect’s role are what have been more and more devolved to the multi-discipline engineers, and as buildings become more complex in the design and analysis, it is likely that more of the technical elements will be handled by the engineer. This is where the role of the architect becomes greyer.”

Taking a slightly different take on things Narro digresses: “No.  Nor do Architects require engineers. Engineers frequently design bridges or factories without architectural input.  Architects frequently design low-rise housing without any or with very little engineering input. But – and it is a huge but – if a building is to have the best outcome with the most elegant structure and the best architectural design – then a close and intimate working relationship between the professions will be critical.  We are two halves of a whole – we need to work together to provide the best buildings – it is the most exciting and joyous part of our respective professions – working together to create something that neither could produce alone.”

With engineers now pushing the theoretical limits of materials and experimenting with alternative structural solutions might  Manson adds: “The use of new engineering materials is fascinating – the use of timber and lightweight fabrics is two areas where the engineering is definitely the form of architecture.” For example, the Loch Lomond and Trossachs Headquarters is the largest natural green timber frame in the UK and provides an excellent example of engineering architecture.” Narro adds: “With increased computer power and the development of new materials there are structural options available now that were not possible even ten years ago. On the smaller domestic scale there are huge changes in the manner in which housing is built – these include the use of I-joists to increase spans and give depth to single skin external walls, Structural Insulated Panel Systems that lead to faster construction due to semi-prefabrication and many other examples of ‘engineered’ timber products.  On the larger scale there have been huge changes in the production of specific steel sections to suit commercial requirements of lower floor-to-floor levels to limit the overall height in office developments.  New structural systems for foundations and concrete buildings are also being produced.  He vastly increased computer power allows the 3D modelling and analysis and even the production of complex structures that would have been impossible just a few years ago.”

If one thing can be said with certainty of the future of the construction industry it is that it will be radically different from that which we now know. Though the makeup of the professions future constitutions may as yet be unquantifiable it is clear that technological change is proceeding hand in hand with a re-appreciation of what it means to call oneself architect or engineer.
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford upon Avon
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford upon Avon
White House, Coll. Image taken by Andrew Lee
White House, Coll. Image taken by Andrew Lee

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