Today’s engineers are working across disciplines and driving innovation. MAKE IT WORK. Engineering Possibilities looks at how engineers are envisioning and realizing the future of our built environment by transforming structures, improving environments, enhancing materials, re-inventing building technologies, and advancing forms. This exhibition highlights how inventive strategies for building are born from multidisciplinary research and integrated practice. Small engineering firms, large engineering firms, engineering schools, university labs, materials labs, artists, inventors, and architects are all part of the exchange of ideas – plotting trajectories of innovation.

Building on observations, analysis, and mathematical principles, engineers have developed the profession from empirical analysis into a field of expertise based on predictability and synthesis. With digital simulation and processing capabilities, engineers are utilizing comprehensive models to explore different options for optimizing structures and systems.

Twenty-first century engineers are tackling some of the most challenging concerns of our day. Exceeding LEED standards for sustainable building, engineers are conceiving of new ways for buildings to harvest and manage energy – floors that create electricity and facade systems that respond to the sun. Anticipating dwindling global resources, engineers are designing structures to new standards of efficiency and economy – stadiums that use 50% less steel and towers formed for optimal wind-loading.

These solutions are the product of creative and collaborative pursuit. This exhibition highlights how inventive strategies for building are born from multidisciplinary research and integrated practice. Small engineering firms, large engineering firms, engineering schools, university labs, materials labs, artists, inventors, and architects are all part of the exchange of ideas – plotting trajectories of innovation.

Today’s engineers are working across disciplines and driving innovation. MAKE IT WORK. Engineering Possibilities looks at how engineers are envisioning and realizing the future of our built environment by transforming structures, improving environments, enhancing materials, re-inventing building technologies, and advancing forms. This exhibition highlights how inventive strategies for building are born from multidisciplinary research and integrated practice. Small engineering firms, large engineering firms, engineering schools, university labs, materials labs, artists, inventors, and architects are all part of the exchange of ideas – plotting trajectories of innovation.

On view from January 22 through April 25, 2009.

Organized by: AIA New York Chapter and Center for Architecture Foundation in partnership with the American Council of Engineering Companies of New York (ACEC New York) and the Structural Engineers Association of New York (SEAoNY).

Sponsored by: Underwriter: The Center for Architecture Foundation; Patron: Con Edison; Lead Sponsors: Arup, Buro Happold, Material ConneXion, and Thornton Tomasetti;

Supporters: The American Council of Engineering Companies and Weidlinger Associates; and Friend: Grimshaw.

Location: Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place, New York, NY (view on map)
Price: Free
More Info: www.aiany.org/centerforarchitecture