Lecture

Ney’s approach is characterized by research based design: optimization and form finding. This integration and optimization of structural elements aims to overcome the classic hierarchic assembly of constructive solutions. By consequence an integral design is the result: architecture, structure and context are addressed in one overall proposal. Each design is a consequence of these and not a matter of signature or of form, but the result of a series of questions he responds to.

Laurent Ney is CEO of Ney & Partners. Since 1995 he has been a lecturer on structural engineering in several Belgian Universities.

Laurent Ney combines a practical and theoretical knowledge. He published several books on his design approach: “Freedom of Form Finding (2005), Shaping Forces (2010), Nijmegen, Designing the Citybridge (2013), Bridging – By foot and bicycle (2019) and A new bridge for Ingelmunster. The Brigandsbrug. (2020). Bridges across the Albert Canal. A walk. Ney & Partners – Corentin Haubruge (2023). He is a regular key note speaker at international engineering conferences as IABSE, IASS, Footbridge.

In 2018 Laurent Ney was awarded twice in Japan, the prestigious Tanaka Award for Excellence in Bridge Design and Construction and the Japanese Architectural Association Award, both for the design of the footbridge in Dejima, Nagasaki.
In 2011 Laurent Ney was the winner of the Charles Lemaire Prize and winner of the Cultural Prize University of Leuven in 2013-2014. Since 2015 he is member of the Royal Academy for Science and Arts of Belgium.

Poto © Benoit Olislagers

In 1996 Laurent Ney founded the engineering firm Ney & Partners in Brussels and Luxemburg. Since 2012 satellites offices were opened in Tokyo, Hanoi, Bordeaux and Delft.

Many bridge designs of Ney & Partners were awarded in Belgium and abroad because of their typological innovation. In 2021 Ney & Partners were shortlisted for the RIBA Stirling Award with their design for the footbridge of Tintagel Castle in Cornwall, (UK). In 2020 Laurent Ney won the ‘medal Académie d’Architecture française, Research and Technique. In 2019 he received the Gustave Magnel 13th Gold Medal 2014-2018 for the bridge ‘De Lentloper’ in Nijmegen (NL).