A Retrospective and Prospective View on Teaching Conceptual Design of Structures

Abstract

The paper begins with personal reflections on the, often underestimated, role and responsibilities of structural designers in the context of sustainability. The integration of the sustainability framework within the construction industry must begin at the Conceptual Design stage, as early decisions profoundly impact the sustainability of the entire project. The paper then introduces criteria to develop a sound structural concept, emphasizing the need to integrate diverse disciplines. While past concerns focused primarily on safety and economy, today's emphasis on sustainability demands a more holistic and multidisciplinary approach. Structural designers must balance and prioritize inherently contradictory criteria to devise an optimal structural concept. Next, the paper moves on to the essential ingredients of a sound Conceptual Design: creativity, experience and knowledge. Education plays a vital role in fostering these qualities. The paper traces the origin and evolution of the course “Tipología Estructural”, which was originally introduced by Eduardo Torroja in the 1953-54 academic year. Torroja was a pioneer in teaching Conceptual Design at academic level, integrating diverse knowledge areas and hands-on design experience. His visionary course, which continues today with updated contents and methodology, uses a project-based learning to foster creativity and practical problem-solving skills. This approach prepares students to effectively tackle structural design challenges in the framework of sustainability.