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The work carried out by engineering consultants underpins the infrastructure that surrounds us on a daily basis. The bridges we cross, the tunnels we drive through and the roads we use to traverse miles of seemingly never ending countryside have all gone through a long process of planning, design, evaluation and construction. Surprisingly, the work of engineering consultants is rarely recognised outside of the profession except in the form of iconic symbols of technological advancement in sepia toned imagery. Gallery walls are adorned with photographs from the industrial era when construction made a giant leap towards the skies, especially in the United States. In fact, the photographers responsible for the images are often better known than the engineers behind the structures. A fine example is the picture of Grand Central Terminal, which is more commonly called Grand Central Station in New York City. The image is of the interior of the terminal, with sunlight streaming through the high arched windows. The photograph was taken in 1934 by Hal Morey and it depicts the stunning design that was engineered to cover 75 railway tracks over an impressive 48 acres. The terminal was completed in 1903 and was the result of a combination of designers and engineers. Reed and Stern were responsible for the architecture, with Reed being responsible for the overall project; and Warren and Wetmore added Beaux-Art style details. The interesting aspect behind photographers that specialise in capturing architectural images is that they have the power and potential to draw attention to the beauty of structures that are taken for granted. Engineering is about creating a structure that fulfils a function safely and efficiently and at the same time is not considered a blot on the landscape. Even if a structure is for entirely practical purposes, the design behind the construction has to adhere to a certain aesthetic. Engineering consultants rarely receive recognition for facilitating the erection of buildings and bridges that end up becoming iconic works of art. It seems that many people cannot see the beauty of a well engineered structure because of the practicality of structure itself. Works of art gain attention and the artists receive acclaim; people look at works of art and expect to find beauty. It is the artists themselves however who see the aesthetic attraction behind some of the most highly regarded feats of engineering; without people like Hal Morey, the wonders of structural engineering and the skill of engineering consultants behind the projects would remain out of the public domain.
Article Source: http://www.society-culture.freearticledirectories.com
Dom Donaldson is an engineering expert. Find out more about Engineering Consultants and the major projects that are being carried out today at URS Corp.
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