Rob May, Structural Engineer

10/08/2011 Written by: Rachel Davies

Rob May is a Senior Structural Engineer who works in both our Hong Kong and Beijing Offices.

So Rob, tell me a little bit about what you are doing currently?

I’m a senior structural engineer and currently split my time between  our Beijing and Hong Kong offices Originally I was travelling to Beijing just once or twice a month but there is a lot of work in China at the moment.  There is a real community growing in Beijing, lot’s of large international architects are setting up base here. It seems   my network of colleagues is forever growing as more people move over from Western design hubs like London and Los Angeles.

So what projects are you working on currently?

In Hong Kong I’m part of a team working on the Manilla Arena in the Philippines and a high end residential development in Shanghai which includes a LEED platinum rated Clubhouse with an elegant vaulted steel lattice roof.

You’re big in digital modelling right?

Yes, I have picked up quite a bit of experience through working with talented Architects, Engineers and Technicians in various parts of the world. Basically we take ideas and sketches and turn them into computer models.  We can then analyse the models to optimise and refine our engineering solutions and communicate ideas more readily (and across timezones!).

Sounds good but give me some real examples

I have literally hundreds of images generated from models from around the practice which communicate the designs and ideas of dozens of projects. A couple of examples that stand out are the Harvard Labs project by our LA office which was my first experience of several Engineers and Technicians working on a building model simultaneously, and the Everton Stadium project by our Leeds office, which we shared a model across 3 offices which we used for drawings, analysis, coordination, sketches, diagrams, renderings and even VR walkthroughs. More recently we have been working on a complex geometry model for the XRL rail terminus roof in HK which Liam Taylor has written some fantastic software links for, and we have been developing digital processes to speed up tall building analysis and design and facilitate optimisation.

When did you start working for Buro Happold?

I joined the practice in 2004 as a graduate engineer in the Leeds office….not far from the University of Sheffield where I graduated.  One year later I had the opportunity to go on a secondment to our New York office.  The secondment turned to permanent employment, I spent almost a year in New York before making a road trip across the country with two of my colleagues to help start the Los Angeles office where I worked for a further two years.

Blimey you get around a bit?

Yes I’ve been very fortunate to travel, but I’m really focused on China now, there are so many opportunities for work.  I’ve got so much more to learn here, not just technically but culturally too. 

So what’s it like for an Englishman in Hong Kong?

To be honest moving to Hong Kong was seamless, I left Leeds on Friday and started work in Hong Kong on Monday morning with my Visa stamped, my blackberry in hand and a laptop! Unbelievably efficient!

What about the language…?

Well I’ve been trying to learn some Mandarin.  Buro Happold arranged for a group of us to have lessons in the office…I’m still attending! For business most people communicate in English but it is really appreciated when you attempt the language! 

My Chinese name is Wu Zhi Bo (Mr Wu, as the surname is written first in Chinese), which is 伍志博. The 'Wu' is the same word as 5 in Chinese - as my name is May = fifth month.

So do you have some killer phrases to be dropped into conversation at dinner parties! 

I think the tricky thing to grasp is that there any many phrases or words that mean the same thing, but it’s the way you say them – the tone that you use that changes the meaning.  For example Shui Jiao can be “go to bed” or “dumpling”. So there can be some humorous misunderstandings. 

Don’t be backward in coming forward…no you have to really keep practising and not be shy about it.  The other day David Littler and I were practicing our mandarin on our taxi driver asking him whether he was married and what time he went to bed! All good practice.

What other tips to do have? 

The exchanging of business cards is a ritual.  You must give your card and receive cards using both hands.  You must also spend time to study the card as a sign of respect. If you were to simply take a card and stuff it in your back pocket it would be seen as incredibly disrespectful.

It’s all work and no play then? 

Not quite, another ritual after a business meetings is to get drunk together! I think the idea is to loosen up and get to know your clients a little better. A drink called Mao Tai is passed around in shot glasses. Usually the most junior person then goes around each person saying Gambei – which means down your drink.

That’s your excuse and you’re sticking to it?

No really it’s true! There is a great social scene out here and there are lots of activities to get involved with.

Tell me more? 

In Hong Kong there’s loads going on.  I’ve been hiking and sailing many times and in Beijing there is a large expat community and I play 5-aside soccer and squash.

So a home from home?

Well not quite but it’s a really fun and vibrant place to be. You can lead a normal life. 

What about a visit back to blighty?

I have nothing planned at the moment but I hope to get home at Christmas to spend some time with the family.