| Project Name | Location | Year | Arup’s Role | |--------------|----------|------|--------------| | Sydney Opera House | Sydney, Australia | 1973 | Structural engineering (iconic shell design) | | The Shard | London, UK | 2012 | Structural & geotechnical engineering | | Beijing National Stadium (Bird’s Nest) | Beijing, China | 2008 | Structural engineering | | Centre Pompidou | Paris, France | 1977 | MEP & structural engineering | | The Gherkin (30 St Mary Axe) | London, UK | 2004 | Structural & building services | | Singapore Sports Hub | Singapore | 2014 | Engineering design & sustainability | | Apple Park | Cupertino, USA | 2017 | Structural & environmental engineering |
A massive engineering feat detailing complex deep bored pile foundations penetrating up to 52 meters to stabilize giant structures against reclaimed land fill and marine clay soft soils.
Beyond the Blueprint: The Philosophy and Impact of Arup in Modern Architecture
(PDF) Material quantities and embodied carbon dioxide in structures
A prime example is . Designed by WOHA with engineering by Arup, this building challenges the glass-and-steel typology of the modern skyscraper. It features a porous, open structure covered in creeping greenery. Arup’s wind engineers conducted extensive studies to ensure natural ventilation could flow through the tower, reducing the reliance on air conditioning. The building serves as a vertical ecosystem, integrating biodiversity into the high-density urban core.
Furthermore, Arup is a leader in Digital Twin technology. They now "engineer" buildings virtually before a single foundation is laid. By simulating wind, sunlight, foot traffic, and energy usage in a digital environment, they optimize building performance long before construction begins.
This philosophy led to a unique business model: a global trust-owned firm. Unlike firms driven by shareholder profit, Arup’s ownership structure allows it to prioritize long-term quality and innovation over short-term gains. This has fostered a culture where engineers are encouraged to challenge the status quo, resulting in buildings that often defy conventional physics.
