TALES – Arun Nadig

Talking About Life’s Engineering Saga (TALES)’ is a segment that exclusively focuses on the top Structural Consultants across the globe sharing their engineering journey in their own words. We have-Arun Nadig – sharing his deep knowledge with us…

An engineer who keeps learning at every stage and keeps nature at centre ofeach design. He believes in delivering the best for his clients and has been a courteous professional over many years…

With 35 years of experience Arun Nadig, Partner, Nadig Consulting is here to share his engineering journey with us…

INSPIRATION…

I was always had analytical bent of mind with fascination for numbers and shapes. This curiosity naturally led to a career in engineering. This was also an opportunity to branch out independently at an early stage in one’s career.

LEARNING CURVE FROM STUDENT TO PRO…

Be curious always. Be prepared to learn at every stage of your career and listen to fresh ideas however radical it may seem. As my career progressed, I learnt to respect the forces of nature soil and water and the immense potential nature must cause damage. Therefore, I never underestimate such forces while designing even small structures.

I also learnt that your colleagues and peers are equally well trained and informed, and you must accept and respect this fact although in complete contrast to one’s thinking and training till date.

CHALLENGES…

Structural consultants are always the ‘back-room boys’ who take on enormous responsibility without commensurate fees. Unless structural engineers are confident and persuasive, they are most likely to be taken for granted and decisions thrust onto them which may not be the most optimal solution to the problem on hand.

Consulting engineering services in general has been so greatly commoditised, that complex outputs are reduced to metrics which are taken as industrial standards without acknowledging complexity of design, site challenges etc.

USAGE OF PARALLEL FLANGE BEAMS…

I see rapid acceptability of such members. It offers better structural behaviour, easier detailing, and connections. The clean lines are also acceptable to architects as a result the structure gets a chance to be highlighted instead of being cladded or covered.

CHANGE TO WITNESS…

Ensuring that structural engineers get their due recognition for the value they deliver to any project and are compensated for the liability they undertake as part of their design commitment.

RELATIONSHIP WITH STEEL…

Always been pioneering the use of structural steel from initial stages of my design career in Malaysia,Singapore, and Brunei. Collaborating with other international designers helped me appreciate the elegance and immense potential of structural steel in resolving many challenges faced by the industry.

BEST STEEL WORK…

I am happy with two office towers done by me in Bengaluru. One is a 120 m steel tower in the CBD area, which was the first of its kind on this scale in Bengaluru. Given its prominent location it has quickly become a landmark in the city.

The other is also an IT building in a tech park with composite columns and entrance drop off area of triple floor height. The unique V columns provided is one of the unique features of this project. The structure transforms into a conventional structure above the fourth level.

INTERNATIONAL PROJECT THAT STRIKES A CHORD…

The Seagram Building New York: This American corporate building was one of a kind and a trendsetter for all future buildings to be built. This sleek and modern construction was made with minimalism in its design and ideal geometry. It was the first building of a kind to use Steel framing and in the Reinforcements with concrete.

UPGRADING WITH CHANGING TIMES…

Actively participating in seminars, attending workshops both in India and overseas and constant interaction with industry peers. I also read both print and online magazines and bulletins to stay connected with the thought leadership in this field.

QUICK FACTS

Your College Name & Place:  University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering, Bengaluru

Total Years of Experience:35 years

Your Idol/Mentor:Dr R Jagadish

Your mantra for success: Work with sincerity and success will follow

You want to be remembered as: A true professional who strove to always deliver the best solution to the clients

Steel Projects you currently working on: Shivamogga Airport, Karnataka

Warehouse Parks, Pan India