Home Department of Architecture Chris Wise FREng FICE FIStructE HonFRIBA RDI: Visiting Professor

Chris Wise FREng FICE FIStructE HonFRIBA RDI: Visiting Professor

September 21, 2025

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Chris Wise FREng is a distinguished structural engineer and Professional Studies Advisor at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Architecture. He is co-founder of Expedition Engineering and a leader in innovative design and engineering education

Chris Wise FREng, Professional Studies Advisor at the Department of Architecture, University of Cambridge

Chris Wise is a highly distinguished structural engineer and a Professional Studies Advisor at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Architecture, bringing an unparalleled wealth of professional experience, creative vision, and educational leadership to the academic community. His career is marked by a relentless pursuit of innovation and a deep-seated belief in the power of engineering to shape a better world.

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Prior to co-founding the award-winning engineering firm Expedition in 1999, and later the Useful Simple Trust, Chris spent two decades at Ove Arup & Partners. His time at Arup was meteoric; serving in the UK, Australia, and the USA, he rose through the ranks to become the firm’s youngest Director in 1992 and was later appointed to the Board of Directors responsible for Building Engineering. This rapid ascent is a testament to his exceptional technical skill and visionary leadership, which has influenced a generation of engineers.

His reputation is built on a foundation of hands-on creativity and a talent for leading innovative engineering projects. Chris is renowned for his collaborative approach, working alongside some of the world’s leading architects to deliver groundbreaking structures that push the boundaries of design and engineering. His philosophy emphasizes that engineering is a creative discipline, not merely a technical one, and this perspective is a central tenet of the guidance he provides to students and young professionals. His influence, however, extends far beyond professional practice.

He has been a long-time innovator in the field of engineering design education, a passion that led him to establish the Constructionarium while serving as the first Professor of Creative Design at Imperial College. The Constructionarium is a transformative educational initiative that allows students to build scaled-down versions of iconic structures, providing them with invaluable hands-on experience and a deeper appreciation for the realities of construction.

Wise’s exceptional contributions to both the practice and education of engineering have been formally recognized with the highest honors in his field. In 2012, he was a rare recipient of two Gold Medals, receiving the most prestigious individual awards from both the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) and the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).

These accolades honor his profound impact on the engineering and design community and his enduring contribution to society through his creative designs and educational legacy. As a Professional Studies Advisor at Cambridge, Chris is able to share this incredible expertise directly with students, guiding them on the ethical, creative, and professional dimensions of their future careers. His presence is a powerful link between the academic rigor of the department and the practical demands of an industry that he has helped to shape and redefine.