Synopsis
Through a qualitative study of building structure, this article examines how structural systems and elements can reinforce architectural design concepts and qualities. After elaborating upon the ability of structure to be 'read by', as well as to 'speak to' its observers, a process to determine the most commonly sought-after contemporary architectural concepts and qualities is outlined, and the most common listed. Case studies illustrate how each of these concepts and qualities is reinforced by exposed structure. The potential of hidden structure to also reinforce architectural concepts and qualities is acknowledged, before concluding that architects and structural engineers should, wherever possible, seek to realise this non-load-bearing ability of structure to enrich architecture.