Bill Baker in Conversation with Sigrid Adriaenssens and Thorsten Helbig: Structural Research in the Creation of New Architectures

The event will examine how a consistent pursuit of blue-sky research by designers can advance technologies that result in new, substantive architecture.

The program begins with a presentation by structural engineer Bill Baker. Mr. Baker’s  presentation will be followed by a conversation with Sigrid Adriaenssens and Thorsten Helbig, exploring the role of research in advancing architectural and structural innovation, and examining how engineering inquiry shapes the creation of new spatial and material possibilities.

The conversation will be moderated by Elizabeth O’Donnell.

Bill Baker is a structural engineering Consulting Partner at the architectural and engineering firm of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), where he led the structural engineering practice for over 20 years. He joined the firm in 1981, became a Partner in 1996 and transitioned to the role of a Consulting Partner in 2019.  In addition to his professional practice, he teaches at MIT and the University of Cambridge.

Bill has designed buildings of all scales from single-family homes to the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest manmade structure. While widely regarded for his work on supertall buildings, Bill’s expertise also extends to long-span roof structures and specialty structures such as the Broadgate Exchange House in London, the Entrance Pavilion for General Motors’ Headquarters in Detroit, and the Manulife Calgary Pedestrian Bridge. Baker has also collaborated with numerous artists including James Carpenter, Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle, James Turrell, Janet Echelman, and Jaume Plensa.

Throughout his career, he has been involved in research with the aim of creating new ideas and technology that will lead to both efficient structures and meaningful architecture.  He shares his discoveries through publications, lectures, and teaching.