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Dear
Students, Take
a moment to look around. Skyscrapers and large-scale infrastructure shape
Singapore’s skyline, but have you ever thought about the people who make
these iconic structures possible? Structural engineers play a crucial role in
ensuring these buildings are not only functional, but also safe and
sustainable. Meet
Joe Lam, Principal at Arup’s Singapore office, who has been at the forefront
of designing some of the city’s most remarkable projects. Working across
markets in Macau, China, Hong Kong, and Singapore for the past 20 years, Joe
has managed high-rise, large-scale, multi-disciplinary projects including CapitaSpring, Marina Bay Sands, and South Beach in
Singapore. An advocate of whole-life carbon assessment, Joe actively drives
the need to account for both operational and embodied carbon, and
considerations around reusing and repurposing existing assets and circularity
to scale low-carbon and net zero buildings. Let’s
dive into a Q&A session with Joe, where he shares insights into his role
as a Structural Engineer: Q:
What do you do as a structural engineer? A: I
collaborate closely with other project partners, such as other specialised
engineers to bring the architect's vision to life. As structural engineers,
we use digital tools to design the spine of buildings and infrastructures. We
also use digital tools to come up with multiple design options and improve
work efficiency. This gives us more time to interact with our clients and
collaborators. Q:
What is the common misconception/s of what you do? A:
People often think this job is dangerous, involves long hours, and requires
being outside in the hot weather all the time. In reality, structural engineers typically manage
projects in the office. With new tools for remote supervision and monitoring,
we can effectively manage the project’s progress without being on site all
the time. Q:
What is the key role of a structural engineer? A:
Our job is to ensure that a building is safe and stable. For example, with
iconic structures like Marina Bay Sands, the design poses unique challenges.
The Sands SkyPark, which is located on the rooftop,
requires special structural solutions to support its weight and balance. Sometimes,
the most practical structure may not align with the architect’s vision, so we
collaborate closely with them to find a solution that meets both structural
requirements and design intentions while ensuring cost effective design and
safety. Q:
What is one interesting thing about your job? A:
Our work often involves details that might not be immediately visible. For
example, to ensure that Marina Bay Sand’s SkyPark
structure was structurally sound, we performed detailed analysis and
conducted tests before it opened to the public. In fact, a group of 170
people had to stand and jump on it to excite the structure in
order for the test to be conducted properly. We used various
instruments to measure its performance, and as expected, it met all safety
and comfort requirements. Q:
What do you enjoy most about your work? A:
Seeing my projects come to life and how people engage with the spaces we’ve
created excites me the most. Having worked on Marina Bay Sands, I can't help
but be proud of the work my team and I did. It’s rewarding to know that we
are shaping a better world and bringing joy to everyone, driving me to continue on this career path. To learn about the motivation, passion and journeys of Built
Environment professionals like Joe, check out “Our Stories” at the BuildSG microsite! |
