Last week, the Shape My City cohort met at the Architecture Centre to learn about structural engineering with Kat Hill from Ramboll, a multinational engineering, design and consultancy company. The session highlighted the importance of underpinning artistic visions with technical precision, making the dreams of architects a reality.
Part one: spaghetti
To start, Amy introduced a fun design activity to introduce the group to the challenges facing structural engineers. In pairs, the participants were tasked with designing a bridge out of spaghetti and small marshmallows that would hold the weight of one glue stick. The bridge had to span 10 cm. The groups came up with a number of interesting structural design solution - some more successful than others!
Kat gave feedback on the designs, noting the tensile strength of spaghetti, which she demonstrated was a useful quality for bridge building. She was less convinced by the usefulness of marshmallows as joints, showing that they weren't very secure; though she did point out that licking the marshmallows might help to improve their binding qualities!
Part two: inspirer
Kat then gave a roundup of her experience so far as a structural engineer at Ramboll, where she has now been working for one year after graduating from a four-year MEng Civil Engineering at the University of Bristol. At school, she explained, she had thought she would like to study architecture, and so chose A Levels in Art, Physics, Maths and Further Maths. However, after doing more research, she decided to become an engineer instead, put off by the many years of study (and corresponding debt!) required to be an architect and motivated by a desire to make conceptual projects a reality. She also said that she wanted to challenge stereotypes, as women are typically under-represented in the industry.
After the mathematical grounding of university, working in an office has been a different kind of education, involving organisation, co-ordination, project management, and communicating with clients and collaborators effectively. With new materials and processes constantly developing, Kat said, the learning never stops.
Kat advised the participants to try out the profession through work experience, online research, and speaking to engineers before making decisions to study to "make sure that the £36,000 of debt is worth it!" She also spoke about the opportunity to be sponsored by an engineering firm during your degree. Typically, firms will contribute up to £2,500 toward your university fees, expecting you to carry out paid internships in the summer holidays and with a likely job offer at the end. Even without sponsorship, employment rates are high, with every person in Kat's university year group who wanted to, able to find a job in engineering before graduation. In the past few years, a new vocational way to enter the profession has emerged through higher and degree apprenticeships.
Structural engineering, said Kat, is all about making things happen; to her, the best part about the job is playing such a crucial part in the success of structures. Kat's dream project is to work on the structure of an architecturally stunning building that inspires awe and disbelief.
Kat advised the participants to try out the profession through work experience, online research, and speaking to engineers before making decisions to study to "make sure that the £36,000 of debt is worth it!" She also spoke about the opportunity to be sponsored by an engineering firm during your degree. Typically, firms will contribute up to £2,500 toward your university fees, expecting you to carry out paid internships in the summer holidays and with a likely job offer at the end. Even without sponsorship, employment rates are high, with every person in Kat's university year group who wanted to, able to find a job in engineering before graduation. In the past few years, a new vocational way to enter the profession has emerged through higher and degree apprenticeships.
Structural engineering, said Kat, is all about making things happen; to her, the best part about the job is playing such a crucial part in the success of structures. Kat's dream project is to work on the structure of an architecturally stunning building that inspires awe and disbelief.
Part three: design challenge
Next, the participants were given a challenge to plan a pedestrian and cyclist bridge connecting the new University of Bristol Temple Quarter Campus (leading to Temple Meads Station) to the Dings/St Phillips area close to Motion Nightclub. The focus of the project was to present a structurally sound design that would encourage movement between both areas also act as a landmark gateway to the new development.
The first group came up with a Y-shaped single-column suspension bridge supported by cabling and uplit using LED lighting. They considered people flows, separating walkers and cyclists and channelling them to appropriate sides of the University of Bristol public realm.
Group three created a hexagonal structure inspired by honeycombs. Although they were advised that the structure may need some refining, they were praised for responding to the wildlife and natural landscaping in the new University site and creating a totally unique bridge design for Bristol.
The next pair presented a bridge inspired by the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge. Responding to Isambard Kingdom Brunel's role in designing Bristol Temple Meads station, they proposed a simple beam bridge with ornamental designs to mimic the famed suspension structure of the city's iconic bridge.
The final group proposed re-purposing an old train carriage for their bridge, bisecting it to create a unique, landmark bridge that responds to the site's proximity to Bristol Temple Meads station. Kat said that, with a bit more work, there was the possibility of turning the old carriages into beams, and using the shell to conceal trusses.
Part four: thank yous
Amy then wrapped up the session, thanking Kat for joining the group. With many participants in the process of submitting UCAS applications, Amy wished them well and highlighted the opportunity to request guidance and support from the Architecture Centre. The November session will be a visit to Kat's favourite building, the newly renovated Bristol Old Vic - not one to be missed!Useful links
Institute of Structural Engineers careers advice
Institute of Civil Engineers careers page
Structural Engineering job profile
Apprenticeship guidance
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