Arup has run ‘Design Schools’ regularly all over the world for over a decade. At these three-day events, younger employees of all disciplines step out of their comfort zones and tackle extraordinary creative challenges together.
This internal design education sharpens lateral thinking and collaborative instincts and connects people, strengthening Arup's unique design culture.
Broad in concept and execution, the Design Schools are experimental and fun but with serious intent. They encourage reflection on design, provide an experience of the whole design process and enable networking with peers from other disciplines. They also give early-career Arup staff the opportunity to develop skills in team working, communication, planning and group decision-making - all essentials for world-class designers and consultants.
Design in theory and practice
Design Schools encourage alternative ways of problem solving through group exercises, discussion, debate and input from senior designers and external presenters. In response to feedback indicating a wish to go deeper, many Design Schools include segments by top thinkers and researchers on theories of design and different method case studies. They also seek input from end users, whose experience is often different from that of the design engineer.
Practical design exercises are a big part of each session. They cover a broad scale range from product or building to 'environmental' and even 'planetary' scale, and are truly multidisciplinary. Sustainability is naturally a pervasive theme.
Delegates have been set such varied challenges as designing: a system to encourage city cycling (resulting in bicycle designs, secure storage and a bike loan system); a personal reading room; emergency housing for deployment in the wake of natural disasters; systems to provide clean water; and an Antarctic research base fit for extreme temperatures and human needs.
Sharing knowledge and ideas
Soft skills are an essential part of the designer’s toolkit. Good interpersonal communications and the ability to present with confidence are important for contact with clients and collaborators, but they do not always come naturally. A recent session taught delegates techniques of deep listening, vocal presentation and non-linear conceptual thinking that may shape their ways of working for years to come.
Today’s Design Schools programme has its origins in Arup’s 1999 summer design school. By 2004 it had spread across the firm with impetus from Arup’s Design and Technical Executive. There is now at least one held each year in all the five regions in which the firm has offices. The latest drew 37 people together from 13 locations across East Asia.
People come to every Design School from a diversity of cultural and skill areas. They share knowledge and make strong personal connections by exploring design challenges. These are the grassroots of Arup culture on which the firm's ethos of total design depends. Developing and supporting collaboration between specialists and allowing them to focus on finding holistic solutions remain Arup’s key strengths, and give it the edge in delivering added value for clients worldwide.