The Institute for Infrastructure and Environment in the School of the Built Environment hosted a lecture by Dr William Baker on Thursday 21 June. Dr Baker is a leading structural engineer influential in shaping the future of construction of supertall buildings.
The event was very popular and Dr Baker delighted his audience with an illuminating and inspiring presentation. His simple explanations of incredibly complex ideas were well received by industry leaders and students alike. His energy, passion and unrelenting determination were obvious, along with his desire to share his knowledge and inspire others to achieve success.
William Baker is the Structural Engineering Partner for Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM). Throughout his distinguished career, he has dedicated himself to structural innovation, most notably developing the "buttressed core" structural system for the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest manmade structure.
In recognition of his work, Dr Baker has received the American Society of Civil Engineers €™ OPAL Lifetime Award for Design, the Gold Medal from the Institution of Structural Engineers and was the first American to win the Fritz Leonhardt Prize. He is a Fellow of both the ASCE and the IStructE and a member of the National Academy of Engineering.
Last week, he received an honorary doctorate from Heriot-Watt in recognition of his distinguished career and influential contribution in the field of structural engineering.