The built environment as a whole is responsible for about 30 to 50% of CO₂ emissions worldwide through construction activities and post-construction operations. The industry is hence a significant contributor to Global Warming; the most talked about environmental concern for the future. It is quite clear that how we, as professionals, act today will significantly impact the health of the planet.

 

To emphasize the importance of creating such a ‘Sustainable built environment’ and to promote interaction between various professionals for achieving sustainability in design, “International Colloquium on Architecture – Structure Interaction for Sustainable Built Environment” was organized in Bangalore from 22^nd April 2010 to 26^th April 2010. This event was organized by Structural Engineering World Congress - India (SEWC) in partnership with Institute for training in Construction Trades and Management (INSTRUCT) & Indian Institute of Architects (IIA), Karnataka Chapter. The primary purpose of the conference was to focus on the interactive professional effort involving Architects and Structural Engineers primarily to review the state of current practices aimed at evolving a Sustainable Built Environment.

 

The 4 day conference was inaugurated on 22^nd April and was followed by presentations from renowned keynote speakers from across the world. Conference covered a wide range of topics starting with a presentation from Prof. Roland Sharpe on “Integrated Design: a Holistic Approach” which focused on importance of communication between Architects and Structural engineers through his professional experience of more than 60 years! This was followed by a presentation from Prof. Kawaguchi on “How Structures can contribute to Architecture” showcasing some of the large span structures having an architectural value designed using ‘Pentadome System’ invented by the speaker.

 

Among other keynote speakers was Mr. William Baker from SOM (Skidmore Owings & Merrill). Mr. Baker, best known for his dominant contribution as structural engineer for the world’s tallest building Burj Khalifa, gave a presentation on “Integrated design of super tall buildings in 21^st century”. His presentation examined the symbiotic nature of the relationship between architectural design and structural engineering. It also explored the ways in which structural engineers are currently using several new tools for optimization of structural shapes and systems to create meaningful new architecture for projects ranging from small buildings to high-rise towers and long span roofs.

 

Few sessions focused on importance of integrated design for sustainable development. A session by Mr. Winston Shu on “Holistic Design Approach and a Business Model” highlighted the importance of a holistic approach to integrating architecture, engineering and environmental systems and how they can add values to the clients. A presentation on “Form as the Result of Equilibrium of Forces” by Mr. Fairbanks explored how the resisting structure can be integrated in the building project taking different roles in defining form and functionality.

 

While exploring the possible future; looking back into the history would often make sense. Presentation by Prof. Abel and Dr. Ramm did exactly that. Prof. John Abel from USA examined various aspects of the works of two eminent structural artists in the history of concrete shell roofs; Felix Candella (trained as architect) and Heinz Isler (trained as engineer)through his presentation on “Spanning the Interaction Boundary: Historic designers of concrete shell roofs”. The lecture aimed to show how both achieved the stature of eminent master builder by leading the architectural, technical and constructional aspects of many of their most notable projects. Whereas Dr. Ing Ekkehard Ramm from Germany spoke on history and development of Golden Gate bridge through his presentation “Golden Gate- and Bay-Bridge in San Francisco - From the Beginning till Today”

 

Whereas majority of the sessions focused on State-of-art practices in engineering and constructions, there were also few presentations which focused on sustainability in Indian context achieved through use of locally available resources and practices. The relevance of the same was noted in presentation on “Sourcing the Human idea - Sustainability of ideas in Ancient Indian Thought” by Mr. Vidyashankar Hoskere. An interactive session was also arranged wherein presentation by a team of professors from CEPT University; Ahmedabad was made exploring areas like Teaching methodology for Architecture and Engineering students to promote interaction, Sustainability achieved through local practices and resources etc. On similar lines, presentation by Mr. Bob Berkebilie on “Designing a New future” talked about creating eco-friendly built environment for the future emphasizing Buckminister Fuller’s words “The best way to predict the future is to design it!”

 

It was a rare and unique opportunity for professionals and students to hear the stalwarts from the field of both; Architecture and Structural Engineering under a same roof! An Exhibition was also organized in tandem for the benefit of participants which exhibited a wide range of products.