Conceptual design of buildings

James Norman - University of BristolJames has 12 years design experience working for Ramboll and Integral Engineering Design. He has nine years' academic experience, including a PhD at the University of Bristol. He has designed buildings out of mud, timber, steel and lots and lots of concrete, and worked for a year on the facade of the extension to the Tate Modern. James authored Structural timber elements: a pre-scheme design guide and is Associate Professor of Sustainable Design.Oliver Broadbent - Constructivist LtdOliver is Founder of Constructivist Ltd, and specialises in helping engineers develop their creativity. He is a Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor at Imperial College and hosts Eiffel Over, a podcast about engineering, creativity and practical philosophy.Jon Carr - University of Sheffield and Jon Carr Structural DesignJon is a Senior University Teacher in Structural Design at the University of Sheffield, as well as running Jon Carr Structural Design, as a sole practitioner.Jon previously worked for Anthony Hunt Associates from 1988 to 2010, specialising in education and sports and leisure sector projects. His notableprojects include the KCOM Stadium in Hull and, at the other end of the scale, the 'Hen House' in Sheffield.Rachael De'Ath - University of Bristol and ArupRachael has more than 16 years' design experience working for Arup, and has recently joined the University of Bristol to teach design, alongside her work in industry. She prefers working on re-use projects, where the existing structure is creatively re-imagined into something new. She was named as one of the Women's Engineering Society 'Top 50 female engineers' in 2018.Richard Harpin - University of SheffieldRichard is a University Teacher in Structural Design at the University of Sheffield. He was previously a Lecturer in Structural Engineering and Architecture at Nottingham Trent University and, before this, spent 16 years working for Arup. Significant projects include Citibank European Headquarters at Canary Wharf, Pallant House Gallery in Chichester and the School of Theatre, Film and Television at the University of York.Gavin Knowles - University of BathGavin studied Civil Engineering at Oxford Brookes University and graduated in 2001. Since working in practice he gained his professional chartership with the Institution of Structural Engineers. He was an Associate with Bath-based engineering firm Integral Engineering Design, and is now a full-time lecturer at the University of Bath. Gavin's previous projects include many education and office buildings, along with conservation and refurbishment projects, interweaved with diverse structures, such as rammed chalk-walled houses, recycled material stages at WOMAD Festival and the odd sculpture.Isobel Lloyd - University of BristolIsobel has 20 years' design experience with BuroHappold, Atkins and Mott MacDonald, mostly in the UK but also in Europe, the Middle East andHong Kong. She has six years' experience of working for various contractors including ground investigation companies, and has spent eight years inacademia. Significant projects include the Globe Theatre, Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds, Valentine Bridge in Bristol, Extension to British Library and many school buildings.

• NotationForewordThe authorsAcknowledgementsIntroductionHow to have ideasSketchingCommunicationDeveloping the brief - "You want me to design what?"Questions we must askGeotechnical decisionsDeveloping a conceptStability, robustness and movement jointsConcept design calculationsPractical examples of three generic building types - with two potential solutions for eachWhat to produce at the end of the conceptual design processReferences