Diego Padilla Philipps, WSP

“Co-Design: The Future of Building Design is Here“

Diego is the Director of Decarbonisation and Innovation for Building Structures at WSP, and is currently working towards creating zero carbon buildings through harnessing the power of AI to create tools and processes that help engineers, designers and clients create better buildings. His informative talk will be based on the transformative power of automation and AI in the design of better buildings. As we navigate the increasing complexity of modern projects incorporating ambitious sustainability targets, the need for interdisciplinary collaboration is paramount. Automation is allowing us to integrate multiple objectives from different stakeholders throughout a project’s lifecycle and generate thousands of design options during the concept stage. This enables clients to choose an optimal design early in the project, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness.

Anthea Schneider, Knight Architects

“Designing an Innovative, User-Orientated FRP Modular Footbridge“

Anthea studied architecture in Germany and has since been with Knight Architects for six years, gathering experience in the design of bridges and infrastructure. She is driven by the way the structural system and aesthetic properties of bridges are inevitably linked to create a beautiful and honest design. Anthea is passionate about developing designs that result in a harmonious addition to the surroundings as well as create an enjoyable and user-friendly environment.

Anthea will be speaking about the Network Rail Flow Bridge and the unique approach to its design and fabrication process. The Flow Bridge is a modular FRP (Fiber Reinforced Polymer) Footbridge system that was developed as part of Network Rail’s nationwide drive to improve safety at level crossings. The interdisciplinary team set out to design a lightweight, cost-effective, and aesthetically pleasing modular system as an alternative to existing solutions within the industry. Early contractor involvement, continuous cat-3 checks, and a centralised parametric CAD model allowed for a highly collaborative process and real-time design evolution, which resulted in the delivery of a working full-size prototype in record time.

The design was conceived around the user experience, aesthetics, functionality, materiality, cost, and structural performance. This holistic design approach resulted in an innovative and eye-catching solution that blends route-wide repeatability and off-site manufacture, with adaptability to local context.

Graham Thomas, Arup

“The future of design is in past experience… The value of good design”

Graham is an Associate Director with Arup in Leeds and has 38 years’ experience at the company having started as a graduate from Leeds University. He has worked on a huge range of bridge and other civil infrastructure projects all over the UK, and overseas in Hong Kong, New York, and Scandinavia. Graham specialises in project creation and concept design and his current role involves leading the technical design of a significant rail project as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade between Leeds and Manchester.

Mercedes Ascaso Til, DLT Engineering

“The value of intelligent engineering in bridge construction“

Mercedes is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers with over 20 years’ experience in the construction and engineering of bridges and complex structures. Notable projects have included her involvement as the Chief Engineer in the design of deck lifting gantries during the construction of the longest suspension bridge in the world, the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge in Turkey. The gantries won the Innovation Product of the Year Award at the British Construction Industry Awards 2022.

Mercedes was selected as one of the Top 50 Women in Engineering (WE50) 2022: Inventors and Innovators and was also the Technical Excellence Winner of the NCE 2019 Recognising Women in Engineering Awards.

James Rawlin, Arcadis

“An Introduction to the Practical Application of Sustainability Principles“

James is an award-winning Civil & Structural Engineer, recognised for his leadership in areas including sustainability and STEM. He has 6 years of experience across consulting and contracting, and is best known within the industry for his approach to embed sustainability as business-as-usual. In addition to his typical role, including delivery of major railway infrastructure enhancements including stations, depots and bridges, he currently also acts as a Sustainability Coordinator on two station renewal schemes on the TransPennine Route Upgrade, integrating sustainability themes including BREEAM, carbon, biodiversity, social value and more into project delivery.

James’ talk will provide a summary of the five themes of sustainability that Engineers must consider in the built environment, and what methodologies we can implement today to deliver on these principles.