Main author
Michael BrooksEngineering the World - VandA Museum
On 27 July 2016, Designing Buildings Wiki went along to the Victoria & Albert Museum in South Kensington, London, to have a look round the headline exhibition of their current Engineering Season, ‘Engineering the World: Ove Arup and the Philosophy of Total Design’.
The exhibition is dedicated to the work of the Ove Arup (1895-1988), one of the most influential engineers and designers of the 20th century.
Near the entrance to the exhibition, there is a framed coffee-stained doodle by Arup (see below) of a cartoon figure with labels such as ‘Delight’, ‘Purpose’, ‘Organisation’, and ‘Site Conditions’, that capture the essence of his pioneering ideas about what the modern engineer should encapsulate.
This became formulated as the concept of Total Design, which meant to ‘join all the professions right from the start’; redefining the way architects, designers and engineers collaborated on projects.
The exhibition includes Arup’s radical designs for improving inadequate air raid shelters during the Second World War, as well as his work on the Mulberry temporary harbours, built to facilitate the rapid offloading of soldiers and cargo, and deployed during the 1944 D-Day landings.
There are also detailed calculation sheets used for the construction of the iconic gravity-defying spiraling concrete ramps for the Penguin Pool at London Zoo; a project which established Arup as a leading consulting engineer.
As interesting as this early insight into Arup’s work is, it is overshadowed by the centrepiece of the exhibition - Arup’s most famous project, the Sydney Opera House.
The exhibition presents models and original sketches that document the journey from concept to structural design to built reality. Also of interest is the grainy 16 mm film footage of a scale model of the Opera House undergoing wind tunnel testing at Teddington’s National Physical Laboratory in 1961.
Of particular note, is the original Pegasus Mark 1 (see below), the first computer to be used for calculations on a building project. This emphasises the epoch-changing time of the mid-20th century of which Arup was a leading figure, the increasing computerisation of industries that appeared to offer a brave new world of technological innovation where anything was achievable.
In the case of the Sydney Opera House, it was the realisation of a structure that had previously been considered ‘impossible to build’.
The exhibition also examines how Arup’s Total Design concept inspired other landmarks buildings of the new high-tech form, most notably the Centre Pompidou by Richard Rogers, and the HSBC Hong Kong Building by Norman Foster (see 1:100 scale model below).
Interestingly, the entire exhibition space itself is contained within a 1:1 scale model of the Centre Pompidou’s garberette beam which made possible the building’s most distinctive design feature – external utilities and services.
Engineering students and professionals should take the opportunity to visit this unique and engaging exhibition, providing as it does a fascinating retrospective of one of the built environment’s most influential and philosophical figures.
‘Engineering the World’ runs at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London until 6 November 2016.
For more information, see V&A.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- 7 Engineering Wonders of the world.
- Bridge Engineering exhibition.
- Burj al Arab, Dubai.
- Centre Pompidou.
- Concept architectural design.
- Dunelm House, Durham.
- Imagine Moscow exhibition.
- RSHP.
- Shell roof.
- Structural engineer.
- Sydney Opera House.
- The history of fabric structures.
- The Japanese House: Architecture and Life after 1945.
Featured articles and news
The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy: A 10 year plan
Previous consultation criticism, current key elements and general support with some persisting reservations.
Building Safety Regulator reforms
New roles, new staff and a new fast track service pave the way for a single construction regulator.
Architectural Technologist CPDs and Communications
CIAT CPD… and how you can do it!
Cooling centres and cool spaces
Managing extreme heat in cities by directing the public to places for heat stress relief and water sources.
Winter gardens: A brief history and warm variations
Extending the season with glass in different forms and terms.
Restoring Great Yarmouth's Winter Gardens
Transforming one of the least sustainable constructions imaginable.
Construction Skills Mission Board launch sector drive
Newly formed government and industry collaboration set strategy for recruiting an additional 100,000 construction workers a year.
New Architects Code comes into effect in September 2025
ARB Architects Code of Conduct and Practice available with ongoing consultation regarding guidance.
Welsh Skills Body (Medr) launches ambitious plan
The new skills body brings together funding and regulation of tertiary education and research for the devolved nation.
Paul Gandy FCIOB announced as next CIOB President
Former Tilbury Douglas CEO takes helm.
UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy. In brief with reactions
With the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA).
Ebenezer Howard: inventor of the garden city. Book review.
The Grenfell Tower fire, eight years on
A time to pause and reflect as Dubai tower block fire reported just before anniversary.
Airtightness Topic Guide BSRIA TG 27/2025
Explaining the basics of airtightness, what it is, why it's important, when it's required and how it's carried out.
Construction contract awards hit lowest point of 2025
Plummeting for second consecutive month, intensifying concerns for housing and infrastructure goals.
Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025
Examining the state of mental health in construction, shedding light on levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
The benefits of engaging with insulation manufacturers
When considering ground floor constructions.
Lighting Industry endorses Blueprint for Electrification
The Lighting Industry Association fully supports the ECA Blueprint as a timely, urgent call to action.