Buro Happold is a major independent engineering and strategic advisory consultancy, with an international network of offices. The company’s core design and strategic advisory activities span construction and the built environment, including buildings and their linking infrastructure and transportation.

From Bruno Happold: “Our multidisciplinary approach is well suited for our modern, complex world, where powerful, environmental, social and economic forces are at play. Our ability to see the broader issues and link across technical and scientific disciplines allows us to develop and achieve truly sustainable solutions. Using sophisticated modeling, analysis and simulation tools, we research, test and actively critique our proposals to seek optimal performance, best value and appropriate resource use. We believe that only through holistic thinking, fostered by a multidisciplinary approach and hosted within a collaborative environment, can a successful balance be achieved, resulting in projects of lasting significance, optimal performance and significant economic value.”

Our speakers, David Herd and Greg Otto, are both principals at Buro Happold. Herd’s specific responsibility is leading the environmental, sustainability and MEP design group in Los Angeles. Currently he is leading the engineering design team for the iconic San Francisco Transbay Transit center and a new art gallery in Los Angeles. Having been educated as an architect and an engineer and engaged in the practice of both, Greg Otto has been focused on collaborative work between architect and engineer and the potential for innovation that such work brings. Otto’s current research is directed toward computer modeling and analysis, and manufacturing methods that bring the architect, engineer and fabricator into a more collaborative and innovative environment. Presently, he is co-leading Superstudio, an invigorated M.Arch. II degree offered by the UCLA Department of Architecture and Urban Design.

The lecture is free and open to the public. No reservations are required. It takes place in the Gin D. Wong, FAIA Conference Center, Harris Hall, on the University Park Campus. Parking is available on campus at Gate 1, off of Exposition Boulevard.

This lecture is made possible by the Nabih Youssef Lecture on Structural Design Innovation Endowment. This endowment, funded by USC Architectural Guild Life Member Nabih Youssef, provides suport in perpetuity for a lecture to be given by a distinguished structural designer.