Balancing building design and aesthetics with safety, longevity, and durability: the roles of architects and structural engineers in a construction project are closely aligned and equally invaluable to a successful project outcome.
As structural engineers, the majority of AWA’s work involves working closely with architects. James Hardie, Senior Structural Engineer at AWA, explains more about how AWA collaborates with architects.
As structural and civil engineers, AWA’s role is to make the architect’s vision a practical reality.
“AWA’s approach is to help architects to realise their design vision by working with them and giving them various options that best meet their intended goal,” explains James: “Architects have a way that they’d like the design to look. Firstly, we find out what the goals, visions, priorities, and restrictions are and then we work with those parameters.
“Sometimes where design elements aren’t possible, there are different options, but it’s really understanding what areas are non-negotiable and then working with that and deciding the best way forward.”
AWA’s structural engineering services can support architects at any stage of the design and build process, from giving expertise at the planning stage to coming on board once planning has been granted.
The collaboration involves both the overall design as well as the nuances of particular aspects of it.
“There’s a lot of back and forth as we’re going through the design to check each stage,” says James. “Broadly speaking, we’ll start with the concept overall, and then slowly refine the details.”
The collaborative process varies depending on the situation and what best suits the project. “In the early stages, it’s always good to go and meet onsite and have a walk around and discuss the concept of the project. Following that there are a lot of design team meetings which are either in person or online, and then as we move into the construction phase, it reverts back to onsite meetings.”
It’s not just on an individual project basis that AWA collaborates with architects, the closely aligned roles mean that wider industry factors present opportunities and challenges relevant to both parties.
Sustainability is an area where architects and structural engineers like AWA are working together on the industry-wide push to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings, both in construction and their lifetime, James highlights: “At the concept stage we are quite often asked to give more than one solution with more than one material, which can then be looked at in terms of sustainability as well as constructability cost.”
Innovation and technology have also evolved the way that AWA works with architects. “The move towards 3D modelling and BIM (Building Information Modelling) means that you can work through clash detection at an early stage and make sure there are fewer issues on site,” says James. “Computer modelling means that we can refine designs a lot more than previously with the architect.”
James highlights the benefits of AWA’s close working relationship with architects, particularly the opportunity to develop novel and unique solutions. “Every building is different, and you have a lot of constraints to work through. There’s never a standard solution that fits all scenarios. Our work is quite bespoke, each situation involves quite a bit of back and forth with architects and thinking outside the box to come up with novel solutions and unique structures.”
AWA Consulting Engineers is a structural, civil, and marine engineering consultancy established in 1987, with a hard-won but deserved reputation for delivering excellence in our profession.
Our philosophy is simple: we put people first. This has resulted in a high number of repeat clients and an impressive track record of successful award-winning projects. We are proud to be professional, and approachable; we believe this makes us the ideal partner for your project.
AWA has technical teams in our offices located in Romsey, Hampshire and Bath, Somerset. We deliver services to clients typically across the South, South East and South West.
Our team includes both chartered structural engineers and chartered civil engineers committed to continuous professional development ensuring you benefit from up to date industry expertise, whatever your project entails.
To find out more about how AWA Consulting Engineers can help with your project, get in touch today. Email mail@awaengineers.com and one of the team will be in touch. Alternatively, call 01794 524447 to speak to a member of our team.
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