exploded axon of residence

Structural Engineering Consulting for Architects

At CRAFT Engineering Studio, our primary role is the support of architectural projects as Structural Engineering Consultants. This typology is the cornerstone of our practice and accounts for the largest proportion of our project work. Our staff’s education and experience in structural engineering is infused with backgrounds in architecture and product design. We are creative and collaborative partners in design, seeking to find a structural solution that speaks to the vision of the architect’s conception. Our architecture workflow is based in BIM that is shared collaboratively in the cloud with both the design team as well as the construction team. Our goal is to challenge traditional methods of project delivery to advance a process that is informed and effective for construction.

Structural Engineering Consulting for Artists

We provide structural engineering services to artists in a role that elevates the standard engineer into a creative partner in design. Our workflow in this typology focuses on interacting with the artist in their preferred 3D environment using computational and parametric tools to describe the structural behavior of an installation model developed by the artist. Our specialized skillset includes interpreting the results and providing an iterative feedback loop that informs the artist’s evolution of concept.

With an advanced understanding of digital and computational tools we are capable of engineering projects with complex geometries while managing vast amounts of data and seamlessly communicating the engineering requirements into the design process. We are experienced in using a variety of materials, ranging from structural glass to composites, to support unique works of art such as suspended sculptures, tension structures, and more. We take great pride in understanding the vision of a piece and crafting a supporting structural framework that assists in telling its story and representing artistic intent.

Structural Engineering Consulting for Fabricators

When working with fabricators, we rely heavily on our experience and skills as product designers to provide exemplary structural engineering services. We are constantly growing our network of collaborators who work in a broad spectrum of materials and fabrication processes. In this space, we work primarily in a parametric modeling environment, utilizing part and assembly models that inform the finite element analysis for structural design and feedback to the design process. Structural analysis in this workflow considers the exact components and methods of attachments being fabricated in the shop and assembled on site to give the most accurate representation of performance in service.

Façades Engineering

Façade engineering is a specialized discipline where structural engineering meets the design, analysis, and detailing of building enclosures. At CRAFT, façade engineering is a combination of services derived from structural engineering for architects and fabricators, infused with design and analysis techniques specific to facades. Our experts delve deep into the nuances of building materials, thermal performance, moisture control, and structural behavior to design facades that are not only visually striking but also functional and durable. We collaborate closely with architects to understand their vision, and then employ cutting-edge simulation tools and techniques to ensure the facade performs optimally under varied environmental conditions.

Bioclimatic Engineering

Bioclimatic engineering has evolved from the understanding that the climate and its impact on the built environment is changing. CRAFT uses current research combined with bioclimate simulations to understand and describe the impact of the environment on a project’s development. Coastal Resilience is a major focus of our efforts, informing projects that are susceptible to coastal effects and evolving a project’s design to withstand environmental disasters from hurricanes and flooding. Virtual Wind tunnels are employed to study the impact of extreme wind events on a variety of structures but also to provide input to the design team on occupant comfort under moderate wind conditions.