By John Sexton

They designed Beijing's Bird's Nest, Water Cube and Airport Terminal 3, but non-specialists have probably never heard of design and engineering consultancy ARUP. On August 6, ARUP directors Rory McGowan and Dr Goman Ho talked to the press about their firm's contribution to the changing skyline of China's capital city.

Despite its apparent complexity, Beijing's National Stadium, the Bird's Nest, is based on a simple geometric pattern. [Guo Lei/Xinhua]

"The Water Cube was a bundle of fun," said Rory McGowan. "We used natural structures such as bubbles and coral to create a celebration of sport. There's also some symbolism involved. In traditional Chinese culture a square shape represents earth while the oval of the Bird's Nest represents heaven. Despite its apparent complexity the Bird's Nest is based on a simple geometric pattern."

Beijing's Olympic swimming venue, the Water Cube, incorporated structures drawn from nature such as bubbles and coral. It's designers described it as a bundle of fun. [Li Ziheng/Xinhua]

ARUP was founded in 1946 by Anglo-Danish engineer Sir Ove Arup. A co-operative wholly owned by its 10,000 staff, the firm set up a Hong Kong office in 1975 and completed its first Chinese mainland project in 1985. ARUP was put on the map in 1976 by its design of the iconic Sydney Opera House. Other striking landmarks include the London Eye and the Gherkin.

One hiccup in the firm's history was the Millennium Bridge in London, which became known as the wobbly bridge when it was closed for modification just two days after opening. Undaunted, ARUP went on to collaborate with lingerie firm Wonderbra on the design of a sports bra.