Structural Design and Lessons to Learn from Architecture

Based on a research project on Norwegian bridges, this paper points out some limitations of structural engineers’ design skills and describes how these relate to the basic characteristics of engineers’ education and practice. We argue that engineering has much to learn from architecture, the discipline that more than any other is about design of buildings. One issue where engineers have much to learn from architects is knowledge and interest in the profession’s “canon”, in the sense of acknowledging a number of buildings as being particularly important. Other issues are awareness of design options that are not structural and understanding of how good design often comes out of synthesis guided by context specific concepts. Learning from architects’ knowledge and methods is likely to improve not only the aesthetical quality of engineer designed structures but also structural engineering’s relevance to and influence on architecture.