The principle governing our work is to comprehensively include all structural types and all materials into the design approach: we want to be generalists.
Our field is demanding structural engineering. We design, analyse, check and supervise bridges, towers, high-rise structures, long-span roofs, sports- and industrial facilities etc. Our curiosity knows no boundaries. Due to our team's size and experience we are able to be active in all of these fields. A basic pre-requisite for this is, of course, the intimate knowledge of all materials and the respective joining technologies: the "traditional" materials such as steel, concrete and wood and the "new" materials such as light alloys, composite materials, glass, membranes etc. We exploit the advantages of all these materials. "Material-congruousness" in structures means to strive for honest use and optimal combination of materials according to their individual characteristics. A client does not "order" a concrete- or steel-bridge. And, in a joint venture with an architect it is not clear from the onset that the final solution will be either a glass- or a membrane-structure. Rather, we are looking for the holistically correct solution with respect to the existing boundary conditions. This material- and structure-comprehensive philosophy releases synergetic effects: we have successfully applied our experience with suspension-, cable-stay- and stressed ribbon bridges to the design of long-span roofs, and we have "rediscovered" cast steel for building structures and then applied it to the design of bridges. Structural engineers are amongst the last generalists. This in turn provides a variety of challenges which is our source of motivation.
We do not limit ourselves to certain fields of structures: as a member in the team of consultants we want to contribute to the building culture.
There were times when painters dealt intensely with the art of building. Monet painted railroad terminals and bridges, and there even exists a painting of a tunnel by van Gogh. Of course we do not expect these times to come back. Still, even in times of financial pressure and ever shorter design phases, we want to contribute with our work to the building culture. With our structures we want to reconcile beauty and elegance with economy and durability. As a perceptive and inspiring partner of the planning team we assist the employer or the architect in the search for the best solution for the task at hand. Light-weight and filigree structures are often the result. Light-weight structures are material-efficient and thus ecological and economical. And they are beautiful. They contribute to the building culture and only this transforms engineering structures and technological infrastructure into civilisation!
Our activities in the field of solar energy utilisation and environmentally clean energy production also fit within this context. From large solar chimneys to small Dish/Stirling systems we are pursuing the development of systems with a huge potential for the production of renewable energy. Of course, it is rather difficult to get new ideas off the ground, but these investments in the future are also part of our work and we will continue until the time is ready.
We believe that structural engineering is an extraordinary, beautiful and inspiring profession when practised to benefit society, clients and the culture of building as well as for the engineer's own joy and satisfaction."