KANSAS CITY, Mo. – As the global urban population is projected to reach 2.6 billion by 2050, the demand for cutting-edge building design and construction methods has never been more pressing. In the 22nd Annual Paul D. Bartlett, Sr. Lecture on Sept. 26 at the Linda Hall Library, Princeton University’s Sigrid Adriaenssens presents “Building the Future for People and Planet,” exploring the most inventive construction techniques that the world uses to meet that demand.
It is estimated that an additional 65,000 square meters of new floor space must be built every hour over the next 30 years to overcome the urban infrastructure challenge. Yet, many economies are seeing stagnation in the construction industry. Dr. Adriaenssens will present her research on methods in construction that combine analog, digital and AI technologies with craft-based, robotic and augmented reality techniques. Her insights offer new perspectives to inspire and challenge conventional approaches within the construction industry.
“As humans around the world continue to innovate, urban population growth will become untenable with today’s construction technology, leading to global public health and infrastructure crises,” said Eric Ward, vice president for public programs at the Linda Hall Library. “We are honored to provide a platform for one of the world’s leaders in civil engineering in our annual Bartlett Lecture series.”
Dr. Sigrid Adriaenssens is a leading researcher in the field of structural mechanics, focusing on large-span surfaces under extreme load and during construction. At Princeton University, she is professor of civil and environmental engineering and director of the Form Finding Lab, where she develops innovative frameworks combining advanced analytical methods, numerical optimization and machine learning.
“Dr. Adriaenssens’s work is at the cutting edge of modern construction technology, addressing some of the most pressing challenges in urban development and sustainability,” said Ward. “This free public lecture is a unique opportunity to learn about the future of building from a global leader in the field.”
Science Library Celebrates Research
The annual Paul D. Bartlett, Sr. lecture series invites the finest university professors to speak on subjects related to the Linda Hall Library’s collections. The Paul D. Bartlett Lecture is presented in association with the Harvard-Radcliffe Club of Kansas City, the Yale Club of Kansas City and the Princeton Alumni Association of Greater Kansas City.
“Building the Future for People and Planet” is free and open to the public, though preregistration is required Registration opens Sept. 5 for a limited number of seats. A virtual live stream is also free and available for registration.
The program takes place from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sept. 26 at Linda Hall Library, located at 5109 Cherry Street in Kansas City, Missouri. Parking is free in Library parking lots and along the west side of Holmes Street between 51st and 52nd Streets.
About Linda Hall Library
Since 1946, the Linda Hall Library has been amassing collections that have powered investigation, innovation, exploration and inspiration. Today, the Library is a leading independent research library widely known for the breadth and depth of its collections across 82 languages, its role as an international destination for scholarship and research, its support of teachers of the STEM curricula, and the vast resources it provides to learners of all ages interested in scientific exploration and discovery. Learn more at lindahall.org.
