An Engineer Imagines

by Peter Rice

The long-awaited reissue of the autobiography of Peter Rice, one of the main structural engineers behind the Sydney Opera House, the Pompidou Centre, the Menil Collection and Lloyd's of London.


'I am an engineer. Often people will call me an 'architect engineer' as a compliment. It is meant to signify a quality of engineer who is more imaginative and design-orientated than a normal engineer... To call an engineer an 'architect engineer' because he comes up with unusual or original solutions is essentially to misunderstand the role of the engineer in society.'

An Engineer Imagines is a rare look into the professional creativity and philosophy of Peter Rice, who was widely acclaimed as the greatest structural engineer of his generation. He was a man who, in Renzo Piano's words, could design structures 'like a pianist who can play with his eyes shut'. Working with many of the world's greatest architects on buildings that became icons of contemporary architecture, he brought a uniquely poetic feeling to his work.

Joining Ove Arup & Partners in 1956, Rice had heard that 'it was a place where an oddball could fit in.' Taking on Arup's theory of Total Design to heart, Rice writes about the role of the engineer in society, and how he himself applied his creativity to various projects. He admits he became an engineer by accident, tentatively feeling his way through a career without a natural instinct. But as he takes you through each of his projects, one-by-one, you can trace his development from graduate to veteran.

Written in clear and poetic language, Rice's autobiography is perfect for those who want to better understand postwar buildings, our concrete environment, or are budding students of engineering and architecture.

Genres: Engineering, Architecture, Design, Civil Engineering, Nonfiction

469 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Fatherofgeorge · Rating 5 out of 5]

A 'must read' for any aspiring or practising engineer or architect, or indeed anyone involved in the design of buildings. Peter Rice was an engineer on some of the worlds most innovative buildings including the Sydney Opera House and the Pompidou Centre. Part technical, part philosophical, this book gives a great insight into the successful and influential person that he was. Unfortunately i believe this book is out of print, but is well worth tracking it down second hand.

[Kaden Beilman · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books about architecture, written by an engineer. Mr. Rice's role in some of the most seminal works of the last 50 years of architecture gives him an atypical perspective on the matter of designed space. The High-Tech *cough cough, looking at you Richard, Renzo, Norman* movement owes quite the debt to Peter Rice.

[Demi · Rating 5 out of 5]

we are lucky to have this record of an extraordinary engineer’s thinking. from the writing alone he has demonstrated that inventiveness of the engineer that he always sought to advocate for in his professional life.

[Patrick Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Architects are creative, Engineers are inventive.”

Peter Rice’s vision and understanding of the multidisciplinary nature of construction is informative and inspiring. From the explanatory sketches to the thoughtful critiques to the career advice to his own personal career reflections this book translates the Architect’s language for the engineer and the Engineer’s language for the Architect.

Yes, expect to pay $$ for it. Only reason my review is only 4 stars.

[Vinicius Mizobuti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter Rice wasn’t just a structural engineering genius but also an artist of the built environment. Once you understand the principles and detailed innovations behind the structural system of the Centre Pompidou, it’s impossible not to fall in love with his work. This book is hard to find these days, but it’s definitely worth a reading.

[Tshering · Rating 5 out of 5]

👍👍👍👍

[Bazz Patel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The reason I'm still in the same job (civil engineer)

[Peter B Waddell · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an unexpected pleasure to read the autobiography of one of the Twentieth Century's greatest contributors to world buildings - not an architect but a structural engineer. Let's hear it for the people who give safety and stability to the visions of architects! Peter Rice worked on Sydney Opera House, The Pompidou Centre, The Lloyds Building, etc, etc, etc. His easy writing style and almost casual listing of achievements convey the fastidious, meticulous and creative working of a modest, personable, generous and fiercely intelligent man who changed our world.