CHRISTINA MCCOY FACULTY FOCUS:

In the office of AE Assistant Professor McCoy is a desktop marquee that reads “I (heart) buildings.” In her four years thus far as a faculty member of our school she has spread this enthusiasm, particularly with regard to structures in architecture. Christina McCoy has developed two new classes: a third year AE class on structural loadings which examines how the building code handles and applies loads, and also how different structural systems respond and transfer those loads; and a History and Theory of Structures in Architecture elective. This history course focuses on work completed after the Industrial Revolution, and the way changes in structural systems and material technologies influenced and continues to influence design.

McCoy’s current research delves into the collaborations between noted historical architects and their structural engineers. By examination of archival documents, she is studying the contributions of the partnering engineers, and looking to what extent structural and technical factors influenced decisions in iconic architectural design. Specifically, she is looking at the work of Carlo Scarpa and his longtime collaborator, Carlo Maschietto, and the “Tectonic Moves” found in such iconic work as that of Brion Cemetery and Castelvecchio. While Scarpa is most commonly known for his intense attention to craft and the artisan construction of details, the research reveals this intensity carries over to the details of engineering as well. Scarpa was not simply interested in form irrespective of a structural solution, rather, he worked with Maschietto to find elegant, expressive solutions within the structural design. While McCoy does not read Italian, most of the collaboration documents are calculations and sketches – languages in which she is well-versed! She hopes to publish this research with her co-author Anne-Catrin Schultz of Wentworth University later this year.

◄ (Top) Students diagram and model the load path of a suspension and membrane system