Gold Medal Address 2015: Mike Schlaich

Mike Schlaich, Managing Director of schlaich bergermann und partner and Professor of Structural Engineering at Technische Universität Berlin, was awarded The Institution of Structural Engineers' 2015 Gold Medal.
Mike’s award-winning career has brought him in touch with architects like Frank Gehry, the offices of Richard Rogers and Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, engineers like Ted Happold and Fazlur Khan, and even with the artist Christo on the remarkable Mastaba project - which if built will be the largest sculpture in the world- a pyramid of over 400,000 oil barrels in Dubai.
A specialist in lightweight structures, Mike is a firm believer in a holistic, conceptual design approach, and in engineers’ responsibility to contribute more to “baukultur” - that is the concept of producing quality structures to improve quality of life.
He also has an enduring interest in creating free, clean, renewable energy by developing solar thermal powerplants in the North African desert.
Examples of his remarkable designs can be seen around the world, from the Christian Garden in Berlin, to the Ting Kau cable-stayed bridge in Hong Kong and presently the new Yamuna cable-stayed bridge in New Delhi, India. All the projects reflect his belief that engineering should always strive to be elegant.
The Gold Medal is the institution's most prestigious award, presented to those individuals who have made a unique and outstanding contribution to the advancement of structural engineering.

[@cannonbolt14]

An excellent Engineer. I love the phrase "the logic of form".

[@TheLuminousOne]

I want a Gold Medal too - but can't get one designing house extensions.