Unseen Hands

Unseen Hands: 100 Years of Structural Engineering

Photographs & Information: courtesy Victoria and Albert Museum & RIBA

Ever wondered whose masterpieces the Burj-Dubai, the Empire State Building or the Millau Viaduct really are? This exhibition reveals new perspectives and celebrates the importance of engineering in creating some of the most iconic buildings of the past 100 years.

Using three themes (towers, bridges and large enclosures) the exhibition brings to life the design and construction of structures including New York's Empire State Building, Switzerland's Salginatobel Bridge and Poland's People's Hall - as well as more modern projects including the Millau Viaduct, the Eden Project and the still-rising Burj Dubai. The display will showcase the significant achievements and sometimes overlooked contribution structural engineers have made to the built environment. It will feature an impressive collection of models, photographs, original drawings and videos of iconic structures from around the world. Developments in material, form and technique are also explored.

The exhibition curated by architectural writer David Littlefield is located in the V&A’s Architecture gallery and has been specifically designed to appeal to the widest audience possible including experienced engineers as well as school children. The images and models have been carefully selected to maximise the display’s visual impact, illustrating the science and ingenuity that defines structural engineering.

Titled ‘Unseen Hands – 100 years of structural engineering’, the display sets out to present structural engineering to the public in an accessible and engaging format that will allow people to really learn about buildings and how they are put together. From the world’s tallest towers to spectacular bridges and buildings enclosing large volumes of space, the display will convey information on materials and techniques such as steel framing and gridshells.