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Born in 1895, philosopher and engineer Ove Arup was the son of the Danish Consul in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He was educated in Germany and later Denmark, and took his first degree in philosophy and mathematics at the University of Copenhagen. Drawn to architecture but doubting his own artistic talents, Arup then studied engineering at the Royal Technical College in Copenhagen, taking the view that he would rather be a good engineer than a second-rate architect. Despite this, the thick, dark pencil sketches he famously created when brainstorming reveal an intuitive draughtsman, and remain widely recognised by Arupians worldwide. In 1938, he and his cousin Arne set up Arup & Arup Ltd, a firm of engineers and contractors. Eight years later, in 1946, he established the firm now known as Arup. Throughout his career, Arup’s attitude - grounded, yet flexible and future-facing - enhanced our approach to designing the built environment, joining architects, engineers and designers with the common cause of shaping a better world. Arup’s own methodology merged design innovation and instinct with mathematical proof, and it is this cross-disciplinary practice of his that the Ove Arup Foundation continues to sustain. © Ove Arup Foundation 2021 13 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 4BQ UK Privacy Policy Contact Credits

Ove Arup Foundation Ove Arup Foundation is an independent charity honouring the memory of philosopher and engineer Sir Ove Arup who believed in the benefit of collaborative and multi-disciplinary approaches in the design of the built environment. Vision A sustainable, resilient, uplifting and inclusive built environment for everyone – whether living in cities, towns or villages – shaped by diverse perspectives and skills across multiple branches of knowledge. Mission Ove Arup Foundation promotes the advancement and communication of knowledge about the built environment through holistic and multi-disciplinary approaches to its shaping. The Foundation’s work is a catalyst in the development of new initiatives and research: collaborating with various organisations and communities around the world, supporting students, academics, professionals and society as a whole, we promote learning and the dissemination of knowledge about an improving and sustainable built environment. © Ove Arup Foundation 2021 13 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 4BQ UK Privacy Policy Contact Credits