The role of design professionals is deep and wide

Current Structural Engineering and MEP Engineering uses science and technology to clarify the appropriateness of the design content. Therefore, knowledge of science and technology is a necessary condition for being an expert, but simply having knowledge may enable analysis and criticism, but it cannot be said that it can be linked to the creative act of design. In order to apply science and technology, there must be a "desire" to create.

So what is the ambition of Structural Engineering and MEP Engineering professionals? While the expression may vary, it is to create good architecture, or to combine utility, strength, and beauty with resource and energy conservation. Because achieving utility, strength, and beauty in architecture is a comprehensive process, it can only be achieved through the involvement of all the design, structural, and mechanical design functions, in the current context of professional division. Furthermore, the functions of construction and Construction Supervision are involved, and from the perspectives of safety, resource conservation, and energy conservation, the economy and society also come into play. Therefore, each professional must understand the aims of fields outside their own. In other words, realizing their ambitions requires a broad "common sense" related to construction. This is the same as what is said about the ideal professional in various fields: a T-shaped individual who combines specialization and generality.

If we consider experts in this way, it follows that design experts also need to have common sense about structures and facilities. On the other hand, it will be an important role of structural and facility experts to explain and guide design experts so that they will have common sense about structures and facilities.

As an extension of this, when actually moving forward with a project, it may be necessary to involve experts with special abilities that go beyond the limits of one's own expertise, or people from different fields, in order to solve problems. There are many examples of innovations in design, structure, and facilities that began with ideas from other fields or from amateurs. It is necessary to be aware of the limits of one's own expertise and maintain a humble and calm attitude. In this way, by bringing together experts with depth and breadth of expertise that goes beyond their own field, as well as people from outside the field, it is possible to create "good architecture."

As a basis for this, it is first necessary to accurately grasp the client's intentions, and then to communicate the design intent to the client and have them understand. To do this, communication and presentation skills are essential. In the process of demonstrating these skills, you will gain trust as an expert. This type of coordination work occupies an important position in the design process, and in organizational design firms, this role is emphasized, and is nurtured and evaluated. Even if it is not an organizational design firm, the type of expert that a leader who presides over a design team is looking for is likely to be the same.

With the launch of the professional qualification system for Structural Engineering and MEP Engineering, we hope that by obtaining the qualifications, each design professional will gain confidence and awareness, further deepen and broaden their professional skills, and contribute to the development of the comprehensive culture of architecture.