Tower and the Bridge: The New Art of Structural Engineering (Hardcover)

by David P. Billington (Author) "This book is devoted to the idea that structures, the forgotten half of modern technology, provide a key to the revival of public life..." (more)
Key Phrases: structural artists, industrialized iron, vertical suspenders, Brooklyn Bridge, New York, Eiffel Tower (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
David P. Billington is clearly moved by great structures--he means it when he says that major works of structural engineering are like the art of poetry, while architecture is the art of prose. . . . This is a book on structural engineering that sees its subject as part of the larger drama of history and culture, and for the breadth of this stance alone, it is impressive. -- Review --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Review
David P. Billington is clearly moved by great structures--he means it when he says that major works of structural engineering are like the art of poetry, while architecture is the art of prose. . . . This is a book on structural engineering that sees its subject as part of the larger drama of history and culture, and for the breadth of this stance alone, it is impressive.
(The New York Times Book Review ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 306 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books; 1st ptg edition (September 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0465086772
• ISBN-13: 978-0465086771
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,310,810 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing and still a classic, December 30, 2006

By	R. M. Kmack (Atlanta, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Tower and the Bridge (Paperback)

From my own experience, I've always been frustrated with the tendency of the architecture community to either completely overlook the aesthetic works of the great structural engineers or shamelessly claim them as their own. This book is beyond a simple consensus of great engineering works; it is Billington's clear and rational case for the distinction of the discipline of Structural Art - the engineer's means of expression - from that of Architecture.

This book is just the thing any student or young professional in structural engineering should have along with their library of technical books. Instead of explaining the aesthetics and beauty of structures in vague architectural terms, Billington looks at them in terms of the technical (formwork, stress diagrams, material economy, etc.). When has an architectural critic discussed the elegance behind a moment diagram?

I think anyone who loves architecture and great works of engineering will appreciate this book. If you like this, I would also recommend Billington's 'Robert Maillart and the Art of Reinforced Concrete' and Salvadori's 'Why Buildings Stand Up'.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Detailed exploration of Structural Art, January 22, 2003

By	"schaunaki" (Fort Collins, CO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Tower and the Bridge (Paperback)

Billington goes through the evolution of structural art/expressionism in great detail. It is helpful to have a preexisting knowledge about the various engineers/artist discussed in this text, however, it is not necessary. This book is very interesting and encourages the engineer to consider the aesthetic consequences of structures.

It is an inspiring book to read (and re-read) and is packed full of historical bridges and other structures (like thin concrete shells). I highly recommend it to engineering students with an interest in structures.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dynamic expansion of contemporary thought about Structures., December 14, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Tower and the Bridge (Paperback)

This book has engaged my artistic mind in the search for opportunities to become such a designer as the individuals biographed so explicitly by Billington. The unseeming artist, architect, or engineer is left believing that even he/she has the potential to add to the realm of amazing structures. An inspiring read.