It is important to explain that FLUID STRUCTURES is the name of the firm of Structural Engineers set up by David Crookes in 1999. Now I did not know this when Rob Thomas, our Institution´s Librarian, first asked me to write a review, and fluids is not one of the subjects I know much about, so I was rather surprised! Imagine how delighted I was to receive this beautiful book in the post!

This is one of the several features that strike you about this book: it is just the right size – not too big and heavy and not ‘pokey’ and easily misplaced. There are many colourful photos that have been chosen with great care. The pages are glossy and thick with clear printing tastefully arranged on the pages: altogether the sort of book you might have out on the drawing room coffee table as a conversation piece. It is the sort of book I would like to write when I get round to doing it!

The content is absolutely absorbing! Of course I started to read the book – how can one review it without reading some of it? Well, I have not finished it quite, yet, and Rob will have to wait for the return of his book to the library until I have. Bearing in mind that the purpose of the book is to promote the skills of Fluid Structures, the Firm, one might find the text a tad boastful; but I have found it otherwise. There is some name-dropping but usefully so – how else would you know where to go shopping for a glass staircase or a bent-wood framed pavilion?

There are ‘chapters’ or ‘sections’ on Aluminium, Glass, Masonry, Steel and Timber, with appendices about the Office, Consultants and Contractors, and Credits. Essentially each scheme is developed together with the Architect in a knowing and understanding manner. The Fabricator is brought into the discussions as soon as possible. Cardboard models are made and used as "three-dimensional representations of structural load paths that inspire the design dialogue". It is all part of the service, from gluing-up old paper boxes, through finite-element analysis and other computational sophistications, to detailed involvement in the fabrication.

You won’t find out about giant power-station jobs or similar constructions but you will find out about the skill, attention and patience needed to engineer bijoux projects. You may discover a most appealing sphere of structural engineering quite different from the rougher perception of regular work: one that could lure you into its lifestyle? Do read this book and keep it for further reference!

Bob Wilson