Speaking From Experience – Part two Craig Carr
Continuing our ‘Speaking from Experience’ blog series, which shines a light on the senior leadership team at Superstructures, we’re pleased to introduce Associate and Chartered Structural Engineer, Craig Carr. Craig shares his journey into structural engineering, the projects that have inspired him, and the structures he most admires.
Q&A with Craig Carr
How and why did you become a structural engineer? I actually fell into structural engineering as I didn’t have a clear idea of what I wanted to do when I was younger. I was working in insurance, and my mum happened to work for a local engineering practice, and it seemed like a good opportunity, so I enrolled in a part-time Civil Engineering course at college. After my first year, I was fortunate enough to secure a full-time role with a local consultancy engineering firm, which supported my studies by allowing me to attend college on day release. I later completed my degree part-time at Anglia Ruskin University and became a Chartered Engineer in 2018.
What’s exciting about your career? For me, the most exciting part is seeing the designs we create on screen come to life—whether it’s a bespoke home or a large commercial warehouse. There’s a huge amount of work that goes into drawings and calculations, so seeing the finished structure standing tall is incredibly rewarding.
What’s the most interesting or satisfying project you’ve worked on, and why? It’s hard to choose just one, as I’ve worked on a wide variety of projects, each with its own challenges and successes. However, one that stands out is the Newmarket Academy library building. The architectural design allowed the main structural steel frame to be fully exposed on the exterior, which is a rare and exciting opportunity for a structural engineer. Usually, our work is hidden once construction is complete, so seeing the structure proudly on display was a real highlight.
Do you have a favourite structure that you admire, and why? I’m not drawn to the biggest or most iconic structures like skyscrapers or suspension bridges. I prefer smaller, bespoke buildings that are within my local area. A great example is the Balancing Barn in Thorington, Suffolk. It’s a stunning piece of engineering and architecture that showcases what can be achieved when a design team pushes boundaries and embraces adventurous structural engineering.
Stay tuned for more insights from the Superstructures leadership team as we continue our Speaking from Experience series.
