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Ove Arup and the Philosophy of Total Design: Former exhibition at DAC

Exhibition

Oct 12, 2018 - Feb 17, 2019

  • Politiken

Ove Arup and the Philosophy of Total Design in 2018 presented Ove Arup’s “Total Design” idea—integrating engineering, form and aesthetics—through projects such as the Sydney Opera House and Centre Pompidou.

Many of us know the iconic Sydney Opera House and Centre Pompidou in Paris. But a few of us know one of the key figures behind. The Dane Ove Arup revolutionized architecture and the way that engineering is practiced today. He called his philosophy “Total Design” because he believed that great architecture is accomplished when technique, design and aesthetics unite.

  • The penguin pool at London Zoo launched Ove’s career and is a remarkable example of the sculptural potentials of concrete.

    Photo: Frederick William Bond

  • The exhibition displayed a series of doodles, showing a creative, poetic and humorous side of the person Ove.

    Photo: Ove Arup

  • From the project’s earliest phases, Ove Arup & Partners were deeply involved in developing the iconic high-tech construction of Centre Pompidou.

    Photo: Ian Dagnall / Alamy

"The architect should be part engineer and the engineer should be part architect in order to achieve a fruitful collaboration."

  • Photo: Laura Stamer
  • Photo: Laura Stamer

Feel Ove Arup’s projects with your entire body

In the exhibition you could get a unique portrait of Ove Arup and a glimpse into some of his most prestigious projects. You were introduced to Ove’s work on Centre Pompidou in Paris and his pool for penguins in London. And you’d get an exclusive close look at the Sydney Opera House and the gigantic computer which in the 1960s solved the design of the characteristic shell structure. With virtual reality you would even be able to take a seat on the opera’s rooftop.

And there’s more. The exhibition also told the story of the global engineering and design firm ARUP (today employing more than 14000 people across 14 countries) started by Ove in 1946, and how is visionary approach to “Total Design” still shapes the firm today. You would look into the future and experience the newest and wildest technologies in architecture, e.g. the world’s first algae bio-reactive façade and an immersive sound lab that tells you what a wind farm really sounds like. It was an impressive, bodily experience.

  • Experience the Opera House under construction
    Photo: Victoria and Albert Museum

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What was Ove Arup and the Philosophy of Total Design?

Ove Arup and the Philosophy of Total Design was DAC’s autumn exhibition about engineer Ove Arup and his “Total Design” idea—integrating engineering, form and aesthetics.

When did the exhibition take place?

The exhibition ran from 12 Oct 2018 to 17 Feb 2019.

Which iconic projects are mentioned as part of the exhibition story?

The exhibition mentions the Sydney Opera House, Centre Pompidou in Paris, and the London Zoo penguin pool.

What Sydney Opera House elements could visitors experience in the exhibition?

The exhibition showed the large computer used in the early 1960s to calculate the Opera House shells, and visitors could experience the roof through Virtual Reality.

What does the exhibition say about ARUP, the company Ove Arup founded?

It describes ARUP as a global engineering and design company founded in 1946, now with 14,000+ employees in 34 countries.

What should I know if I only read one thing?

Ove Arup and the Philosophy of Total Design (12 Oct 2018–17 Feb 2019) used Arup’s “Total Design” to show how engineering and architecture can become one whole—from landmark projects to immersive and hands-on experiences.

This exhibition is developed by Danish Architecture Center in association with the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, and in consultation with curator Zofia Trafas White

The exhibition has been made possible through the cooperation of ARUP.

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