Integrated computational engineering in a building information modelling environment is facilitating a fundamental shift in engineering design from analytical check to real time evaluation and optimisation for multiple engineering parameters in the development of building design concepts. With an increasing requirement to focus on building performance and ultimately the user, analytically derived as well as actual usage and performance data forms the basis are being fed back into the design process. The lecture will explore this multidisciplinary process which requires an ever closer collaboration of architects and relies on the creativity of the engineer to be the curator and editor in the selection and evaluation of the data we use to shape our built environment.
Wolf Mangelsdorf was born and grew up in Germany. After graduation in Architecture and Civil Engineering at Karlsruhe University and a research stay at Kyoto University he moved to Britain in 1997 to work at Anthony Hunt Associates. Since 2002 he has been with BuroHappold, where he is a partner, responsible for structural engineering globally and leading the London structures team. He has been teaching at the Architectural Association since 2000, and has been a guest lecturer at universities internationally.