February 10, 2012
Structural engineer to give lecture Monday
William F. Baker, structural engineering partner for Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP will be give a lecture titled “The Philosophy of Design: The Structural Engineer’s Role in Creating New Architecture” at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13, in Forum Hall in the K-State Student Union. The lecture is free, and the public is encouraged to attend.
Throughout his distinguished career, Baker has dedicated himself to structural innovation. His best-known contribution has been to develop the “buttressed core” structural system for the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the world’s tallest manmade structure.
While widely regarded for his work on supertall buildings, his expertise also extends to a wide variety of structures like the GM Entry Pavilion and Millennium Park’s Jay Pritzker Pavilion and BP Pedestrian Bridge. Baker is also known for his work on long-span roof structures, such as the Korean Air Lines Operations Hangar and the Virginia Beach Convention Center, as well as for his collaboration with artists like Jamie Carpenter (Raspberry Island-Schubert Club Band Shell), Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle (Gravity is a Force to be Reckoned With), and James Turrell (Roden Crater).