Aesthetics of Architectural Structural Detailing

This paper examines one aspect of the art of structural engineering, namely how structural detailing can contribute aesthetically to architecture. After a brief historical overview, a study of structural detailing in contemporary buildings with exposed structure is described. Structural details are analysed from the perspective of their architectural aesthetic contribution and brief case studies are presented. Although a very diverse approach to detailing is observed, ten commonly occurring structural detailing characteristics are identified. It is suggested that structural engineers use this list of characteristics to evaluate the aesthetic qualities of their own structural detailing. This process may lead to a greater appreciation of architect's attitudes to detailing, and deepen the level of design collaboration between architects and engineers.