Built by Roma Agrawal

Built by Roma Agrawal

Winner of the AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books

The wonders of engineering revealed--by the inspirational female engineer behind the Shard, Western Europe's tallest building.

While our cities are full of incredible engineering feats, most of us live with little idea of what goes into creating the built environment, let alone how a new building goes up, what it is constructed upon, or how it remains standing.

In Built, star structural engineer Roma Agrawal explains how construction has evolved from the mud huts of our ancestors to skyscrapers of steel that reach into the sky. She unearths how humans have tunneled through solid mountains; how we've walked across the widest of rivers, and tamed nature's precious water resources. She tells vivid tales of the visionaries who created the groundbreaking materials used to build the Pantheon and the Eiffel Tower; and explains how careful engineering can minimize tragedies like the collapse of the Quebec Bridge. Interweaving science, history, illustrations, and personal stories, Built offers a fascinating window into a subject that makes up the foundation of our everyday lives.

Roma Agrawal is a structural engineer who designs and constructs large structures like as bridges, sculptures, train stations, and skyscrapers, including the Shard, Western Europe's highest building. She has advised policymakers and governments on science education and has given presentations to thousands around the globe at universities, schools, and organizations, including two for TEDx. She is a passionate supporter of engineering, scientific, and technical jobs to young people, particularly underrepresented groups such as women. She has advised policymakers and governments on science education and has given talks to thousands around the world at universities, schools, and organizations, including two for TEDx. She is a television host and an author who specializes in engineering, education, and leadership. Her honors for technical proficiency and accomplishment in promoting the profession include the Young Structural Engineer of the Year Award from the Institute of Structural Engineers and the coveted Rooke Award from the Royal Academy of Engineering. Her debut novel is titled Built.

She was born in Ohio and raised in Ohio, New York, and Mumbai before settling in London. @RomaTheEngineer / www.romatheengineer.com