World Class engineering design trends
- chrisbunyan8
- Sep 16, 2022
- 3 min read
The global construction sector has faced an unprecedented period of pressure and change – and not all of it has been due to negative social and economic forces like the pandemic. This is especially true of engineering design, which has enjoyed positive impetus from emerging technology. Including developments that have transformed the way buildings are conceived, delivered and maintained.
Technological tools are available (and rapidly growing in sophistication) that enable engineers, architects and project commissioners the world over to orchestrate building aesthetics and performance to an ever-more detailed degree - including remotely, from anywhere on the planet.
Also, it’s increasingly possible to accurately predict - and therefore mandate for - building efficiency, versatility and sustainability extending well into the future.
But only if you have access to a highly-ambitious engineering design team like Engex, who have the technical abilities AND creative vision needed, backed by the latest Eng. Technol.
Let’s explore some of the latest engineering design trends in more detail, and how they can support authentically world-class innovative buildings.
Digital Twin design and maintenance
The concept of digital twins is not new. However, when a company that's able to demonstrate engineering excellence becomes part of your new-build project team, it can be applied to great advantage.
This is the latest phase of recent Global project management techniques, that bring incredible levels of responsiveness to building construction and retrofit projects. Adjustments and updates can be swiftly made, following virtual site inspections from dispersed partners.
Now, a highly detailed ‘twin’ of any structure or site can be rendered digitally, using sensors placed in the physical realm.
From this, skilled engineering design teams can gain unprecedented control over every aspect of the project; especially building performance values. Including spotting potential deficits or barriers quickly. They can then work with the digital rendering to find and test feasible and cost-effective solutions before changes are made to the real structure.
In our case, we use parametric design to create highly detailed computer-generated models, enabling even the most complex changes to be made in seconds.
An example of when this capability becomes invaluable is for ironing out structural challenges such as wind and seismic loading when you have large expanses of lightweight elements in a structure. Such as the Vitosha Sports Arena we designed.
Deployment of AI-supported building features
This is another construction design trend that relies on using an engineering solutions partner fully versed in emerging tech. The more artificial intelligence-driven features you can amalgamate into a new-build or retrofit project, the more control you have over the structure’s performance (now and in the future).
This links with the well-documented drive to create energy efficiency in commercial, industrial and leisure buildings. As smart technology, AI and robotics advance so does the capacity of the engineering sector to create responsive, adaptable buildings, controlled by machine learning tech.
Sustainable engineering concepts and principles
World Class engineering design is something that must be applied throughout the whole lifecycle of a project – especially if you are an organisation constantly scrutinised for your sustainability values.
Or any company that takes eco issues seriously.
The US Green Building Council reports that 40% of all worldwide energy use lies within the construction industry. The Council has predicted that emissions from commercial buildings will grow by 1.8 % by 2030.
For many architects, building developers and owners, this means finding an engineering partner who leads (rather than follows) the agenda for sustainability in construction.
From resource efficiency and waste management during the construction process - and the use of renewable energy options - right through to buildings able to adapt to the latest thinking on green issues, such as rainwater harvesting and attenuation tanks.
Most of the global projects handled by Engex are now being driven by clients who have net zero goals. These still need to be blended with creating commercial environments that are operationally flawless, of course.
A project we completed with County Hall, London, is set to cut the building’s energy bill by as much as GBP150k per annum. We guided Boston Scientific towards substantial energy cost savings and a 1,850-ton reduction in CO2, through the installation of Combined Heat and Power Units.
Safety and outstanding engineering design
Finally, though this is a ‘trend’ that never goes out of fashion, the push to create safer buildings is now particularly acute in certain sectors, including aviation, chemical processing and manufacturing. There is also a big drive to assess and strengthen existing structures too, to protect occupants, remain compliant and underpin the owning organisation’s reputation.
A good example of this is the fire dampening system (utilising ground and ceiling suppression systems) that we installed in an airport hangar on the Ivory Coast. There are times when you have to go above and beyond 'the norm'.
Safety goals are always part of the remit when clients partner with multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy Engex. However, some special projects we are tasked with require the depth of knowledge and technical expertise that can only come from working with a world-class engineering design team, who set as well as follow trends!
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