Ian Liddell
CBE FREng MA DEng DIC FIStructE MICE Hon FRIBA

Born 1938. Studied Mechanical Sciences at Cambridge followed by a postgraduate diploma DIC in concrete structures at Imperial College, London. A founder of Buro Happold, Ian works mainly in the fast developing field of lightweight structures. He is Royal Academy Visiting Professor of Engineering Design at Cambridge University School of Engineering, a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, a Fellow of the Institution of Structural Engineers and a Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers.

A leading world expert in lightweight structures, Ian often solves the seemingly unsolvable! He has worked on everything from bicycle design, to building products, to the Millennium Dome – the world-famous project that became a legend even before it opened to the public. Ian's innovative design for the cable net and flat fabric roof of the Dome was recognised in 1999 with the presentation of the Royal Academy of Engineering MacRobert Award, the most prestigious prize for UK engineering.

Extremely meticulous, Ian never compromises on the details, bringing both intelligence and inventiveness to every project. In addition to the Dome, other major projects in which he has played a principal role include the Globe Theatre, London; the State Mosque, Sarawak; the British Embassy, Riyadh; the Dolphin Pool Auditorium, Toronto; lightweight enclosures for the Diplomatic Club, Riyadh and the huge Timber Lattice shell, Mannheim Bundesgartenshau, Germany.

Ian's outstanding contribution to engineering was recognised in the New Year Honours List with a CBE in January 2000.

Ian retired from Buro Happold at the end of April, 2005 although continues to work for the practice as a consultant.