I See the World Differently Now
Roma Agrawal opened my eyes through “Built: The Hidden Stories Behind our Structures”
I’ve never been so fascinated by sewers and how they work! No, really. The way that Roma Agrawal describes them in Built: The Hidden Stories Behind our Structures is an art form.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Chapter by chapter, Agrawal lays the foundation for us to see the world through different eyes: those of an engineer. She’s thorough, witty, and easy to understand even though she could derive circles around us.
Wherever I go, wherever I look, I hear her voice in my head, pointing out a foundation here, an exoskeleton there. She’s an inspiration and her work reflects that.
Some Shocking Revelations
Agrawal writes in a way that makes me fall in love with architecture. She strikes a fine balance between technical terminology and accessible writing.
Through her eyes, I revisit the strong “cores" of office buildings I’d worked at. They ingeniously hide stairwells and elevator shafts by using the space to its greatest potential.
I lament at the fine balance (pun intended) that skyscrapers and bridges have to strike to provide to absorb the power of storms. If the structure is too rigid, it will collapse. If it’s too flexible, the excess movement will destabilize us.
The developments in above-ground construction have been phenomenal. Skyscrapers are only getting taller. Workers can build the foundation with the building itself, speeding up the construction process. Engineers design structures in such a way that a fire or blast on a lower level does not cause the entire thing to collapse.
And yet, as soon as we look under the surface, we find the primitive sewer system that has been around for decades. We have upgraded and expanded it, and waste has been diverted from drinking water. But the fact remains that the things we see above the surface are the focus of advancements. Waste recycling plants are still a rarity rather than the norm.
It’s human nature to address things we can see with the naked eye first before diving under the surface. Take mental health as an example. How many decades did it take for us to consider it a part of physical health? And for those discussions to become socially acceptable? We are not there yet, but mental health is gaining attention. And it is that visibility that will drive progress.
Let’s Get Personal
I love how Agrawal effortlessly weaves personal experiences into the book to make her relatable to us. She talks about meeting her future husband and being hesitant at first. She talks about how he won her over with talks of bridges and architecture.
She provides examples of her favorite bridges, one of which is made by a spider, and actually inspired me to write another article.
She’s not afraid to delve into her father and uncle’s brush with death in a building explosion and her family’s relief at the role the structure played in keeping him safe.
Some criticize that the book uses too much “I.” Since the book was written about Agrawal’s personal experience, writing from the first person is justified. Despite some critics, the author emphasizes that building structures is a group effort and gives credit where credit is due. Women are often more harshly criticized for taking credit for their own work.
Structures Personified
Agrawal comments on how she loves to stroke concrete as if it could tell a story. That might sound weird and nerdy to you at the onset but having read the book, you’ll understand.
The author describes each structure so reverently and with such detail that she almost gives them life. With that in mind, it’s easy to understand why touching concrete would be so important. It’s almost as it if tells the story of the structure itself.
Although Agrawal’s writing impressed me, I wish her pictures and diagrams were in color. I liked the handwritten labels on the exhibits; personal touch is important. However, the writing was too small to read.
Conclusion
If you love non-fiction and especially if you don’t, I highly recommend this read. You will never see the world around you in the same way. You’ll be mindful of your surroundings and appreciative of what humanity has accomplished. For every structure that exists, there is a past filled with blood, sweat, tears, and triumph!
For another article inspired by this book, see the link below.
