Researching new geometric systems deriving from mathematics and other sciences allows Arup to create new concepts of architectural and engineering interest.
Geometry is fundamental to many areas of design in which Arup is active, including sports architecture and building modelling.
Advanced Geometry Unit (AGU)
Arup's Advanced Geometry Unit (AGU) was founded in 2000 by Cecil Balmond, who is known for his visionary, unorthodox attitude to the merging of architecture and engineering. In AGU, Balmond assembled a team that comprises architects, mathematicians, engineers, programmers, artists and scientists, with the aim of exploring new geometrical and structural concepts.
Essentially a research-based practice, AGU explores new modes of working in emerging markets through the development of geometric and computer programming. The team brings a raised architectural sensitivity and intellectual approach to working with clients and other Arup design teams. AGU has strong abilities in form-making, achieved by the research of new geometric forms and structural systems, using computerised programming.
Authored and collaborative work
Projects authored by AGU, or jointly authored with architects, are generally engineering-led designs, such as the Pedro and Ines Footbridge, in Coimbra, Portugal. In project working, AGU can demonstrate the full potential of an Arup design team without presenting itself in competition to architects.
Many Arup teams across the world, including designers in structural engineering, lighting and acoustics, collaborate with artists. The collaboration may be in offering traditional engineering support, such as for the massive Angel of the North by Antony Gormley, sited in Gateshead, UK. For other projects, AGU's architectural sensitivity is more intrinsic to the collaboration, as in the realisation of Anish Kapoor's colossal site-specific sculpture Marsyus at Tate Modern in London (2002).
Advanced skills and tools
Advanced geometrical design is furthered at Arup by cross-fertilisation of disciplines. AGU brings specialised geometrical and programming skills to a whole range of Arup building design teams and by its reputation, helping to bring work of a bespoke nature into the firm.
Arup's specialists in advanced geometric design disseminate their skills across the firm and share knowledge to benefit the firm’s clients in all regions. AGU particularly assists other Arup groups in complex form-making, automated and parametric techniques for generating and analysing and designing and optimising structures.
Expertise in form-making and form-finding and the in-house development of optimisation programme tools allow Arup's teams to generate 'intelligent' geometric models which facilitate and expedite the design and implementation of a project (with parametric and interoperable models).
These skills and tools enable Arup designers to optimise structures, minimise weight and reduce costs for the most innovative of clients' projects.