La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain
THE INTERSECTION OF SKYSCRAPERS AND TREES 18-year-old Ph.D. student Emily Alcazar’s work in structural topology optimization creates buildings that mimic natural beauty Designing a building is a prime application for optimization. Civil engineers and architects must work together in order to balance the engineer’s need for stability and efficiency with an architect’s vision for a beautiful building. But, finding a perfect compromise between form and function can seem impossible. When done correctly, this delicate balance results in a structure that is not only strong and functional but may be widely appreciated for years to come. Emily Alcazar, an 18-year-old Ph.D. student in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, wants to enable engineers and architects to create such buildings through structural topology optimization. “You might not think that these projects are that big of a deal, but they impact people’s lives on a daily basis,” said Alcazar. “Streets, parks, community centers, homes. Making these beyond just bare minimum functionality and making them aesthetically pleasing will make everyone’s lives a bit better.” Alcazar is a recipient of the prestigious National 4
“You might not think that these projects are that big of a deal, but they impact people’s lives on a daily basis. Streets, parks, community centers, homes. Making these beyond just bare minimum functionality and making them aesthetically pleasing will make everyone’s lives a bit better.” —Emily Alcazar
