Ian Firth

Change agent, Christian, Designer, Engineer, Musician, Parent, World traveler

Bridge designer and enthusiast. Civil / structural engineer passionate about achieving quality and elegance in the bridges and structures we design and build, and doing so without wrecking the planet. Over 45 years working in bridge design, often alongside some of the world's leading bridge architects. I always try to find that little extra ingredient which turns an otherwise functional, safe, durable and sustainable design into something truly elegant and delightful. This is because I believe that it matters that the environment we build around us satisfies our basic human desire for beauty and harmony as well as the other fundamental requirements. Also Trustee and passionate supporter of FIKA (previously Bridges to Prosperity) eradicating rural poverty by building bridges to provide access to essential services and opportunities for remote rural communities in Africa and around the globe. That's the Power of Connection - bridging impassable rivers to give year-round access and transforming the lives of millions of the poorest people on the planet. It is such a privilege to be able to do this.

Not putting up with mediocrity. Engineers can innovate to stretch the boundaries of technology, but we can also strive to design and build more elegant bridges, more liveable cities and more desirable societies. Why put up with anything less? I also love to teach and encourage students and young people to reach their full potential, which is huge.

We can build a better world. But we must stop wasting precious resources, building inappropriate buildings and infrastructure, and generally wrecking the planet. We have to build more responsibly, beautifully and to actually meet peoples' needs. It needs a radical change in the way we procure our buildings and infrastructure; lowest cost thinking has to change because our lives and our planet are too valuable for that.

Bridge design, Structural engineering

2018 was my first TED conference. Somehow I got invited to speak about my work in bridges, so since I never pass up the chance to share a few thoughts and ideas on this subject, I jumped at the chance. Happily it went down well and has led to all sorts of interesting situations. I’ve subsequently been to several TED events and am a big supporter of this fantastic organisation!

Singing (where would the world be without J.S.Bach?), pottery (I love a good “throw”!) and planting trees (doing my little bit for the planet).