Cecil Balmond's structural thinking differs from that of others in his field in its completely innovative conception of the development of form and its impact on architecture. The plasticity of architectural plans is enhanced through a decisive promotion of their structural designs. The borderline between structure and architecture thus becomes increasingly blurred. This process is explained in detail in Informal by reference to eight seminal projects.

Balmond elucidates the theoretical basis of his engineering and architectural solutions, and his sketches transcend purely technical illustration-they are key to his approach. Informal invites readers to rethink their understanding of the relationships between architecture, design, and engineering.

Cecil Balmond's structural thinking differs from that of others in his field in its completely innovative conception of the development of form and its impact on architecture. The plasticity of architectural plans is enhanced through a decisive promotion of their structural designs. The borderline between structure and architecture thus becomes increasingly blurred. This process is explained in detail in Informal by reference to eight seminal projects.

Balmond elucidates the theoretical basis of his engineering and architectural solutions, and his sketches transcend purely technical illustration-they are key to his approach. Informal invites readers to rethink their understanding of the relationships between architecture, design, and engineering.

Cecil Balmond is one of the most revolutionary structural designers working in architecture today. The Sri Lankan–born designer and engineer was deputy chairman of Ove Arup and Partners Ltd. He is the head of Balmond Studio, a design and research practice based in London. Balmond is the author of informal, Element, and Number 9 (all Prestel). He has received many awards, including the Banister Fletcher Prize, the Gengo Matsui Prize, and the RIBA Charles Jencks Award for Theory in Practice.