The Tower and the Bridge: The New Art of Structural Engineering - Paperback

by David P. Billington (Author)

An essential exploration of the engineering aesthetics of celebrated structures from long-span bridges to high-rise buildings

What do structures such as the Eiffel Tower, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the concrete roofs of Pier Luigi Nervi have in common? According to The Tower and the Bridge, all are striking examples of structural art, an exciting area distinct from either architecture or machine design. Aided by stunning photographs, David Billington discusses the technical concerns and artistic principles underpinning the well-known projects of leading structural engineer-artists, including Othmar Ammann, Félix Candela, Gustave Eiffel, Fazlur Khan, Robert Maillart, John Roebling, and many others. A classic work, The Tower and the Bridge introduces readers to the fundamental aesthetics of engineering.

Author Biography

David P. Billington (1927-2018) was the Gordon Y. S. Wu Professor of Engineering Emeritus at Princeton University. His many books include Robert Maillart's Bridges and Power, Speed, and Form (both Princeton).