The exhibition “Fazlur Khan: Structural Artist of Urban Building Forms” examines a number of Khan’s major realized tall building systems in concrete and steel. Featured works include the John Hancock Centre, the Willis Tower (formerly known as Sears) and the Brunswick Building, all in Chicago, Illinois as well as One and Two Shell Plaza in Houston, Texas.The scope of the exhibition covers a vast range of tall building systems, and seeks to demystify and humanize the discipline of engineering, identifying the distinction between structural art and science or architecture.The objects on view not only reveal Khan’s understanding of structural engineering principles and how they steer urban building form, but also convey the emotional power and significance of his structures. The models presented in this exhibition were made by students in a new pioneering new class taught in Fall 2010: CEE 463, A Social and Multi-Dimensional Exploration of Structures. By focusing on Khan’s works, the student made engineering analyses of his designs and examined the social context in which he worked. Through site visits to these structures, the students gained a better sense of their scale and context as well as their influence on the environmental impacts (i.e. durability and other sustainability measures). As they made their models, the students were encouraged to consider the constructability aspects of the design, and begin to comprehend the close connection between design and construction.
The exhibition, co-curated by Prof. Adriaenssens and Prof. Garlock is currently held at the Engineering Library, Friend Centre, Princeton University, NJ 08540.
More info on the Exhibition and the works of Fazlur Khan.
Opening event: 09/09/2011, 4:30pm, Friend Center, PU
In his keynote lecture, Prof. David Billington, reflects upon his personal and professional experiences with Fazlur Khan.