What do you mean, it can’t be done? Structural engineering for unusual buildings

Since the late 1990s, civil engineer Thomas Beck and his Munich-based firm a.k.a. ingenieure has been advising architects on the realisation of their construction projects. The structural engineers at a.k.a. develop static concepts for buildings, works of art and temporary structures – from delicate wooden constructions to seemingly floating steel and stone structures. Their approximately 1,400 projects include a steamboat on a railway bridge six metres above street level, a puristic pedestrian walkway at Munich’s Marienhof, an eccentric concert hall in the Bavarian Forest, and the conversion of old World War II bunkers into residential and commercial premises. Whether new buildings, old buildings, listed villas or spectacular temporary constructions – a.k.a. stands for creative and technically sophisticated solutions. In his lecture, Thomas Beck provides insights into his work and presents a selection of innovative projects and unconventional static concepts.

Thomas Beck is a co-founder of the Munich office a.k.a. ingenieure. After graduating from the Technical University of Munich with a degree in civil engineering, he gained experience in renowned engineering firms before founding his own firm with two partners in the late 1990s. His work is characterised by creative and technically sophisticated solutions that combine architectural vision with static precision. For Thomas Beck, structural engineering is much more than just an engineering discipline – it is a creative process that not only ensures stability but also facilitates architectural lightness and elegance. Together with his team, he develops innovative solutions that push the boundaries of structural engineering and often seem to defy the laws of gravity. In addition to his practical work, he regularly shares his knowledge in lectures in which he presents extraordinary projects and the technical solutions behind them.

In 2024, a.k.a. ingenieure, together with the architecture firm Studio Peter Haimerl, were awarded the Grand DAI Prize for Building Culture. Award sponsor: DAI – German Association of Architects and Engineers.