Most of the work of a structural engineer ends up concealed and inaccessible. Public buildings give us a rare opportunity to experience our efforts first hand; there is something very satisfying about being deposited into a plunge pool that you've designed!

The Wave is located on an inner city site, and is part of the local authorities’ strategy to both attract footfall to the town centre and to make physical exercise fun, engaging the community in access to water and sport.

From an engineering perspective it threw up a challenge or two, not least the need an early decision to de-cluter the main space by hanging all of the slides from the 50m free spanning roof; which had to be designed to accommodate the dynamic loads of the slides filled with water and visitors.

Engineering wave pools three storeys above the ground, pools with 2m high perspex windows and a not-very-lazy lazy river added to the fun. Underneath the high octane water hall there is on oasis of relative calm with a spa and 25m pool, as well as a gym and squash facilities.

It's fantastic when your engineering efforts can bring so much unbridled joy and laughter, especially when you get to be a very cool dad for at least a few hours(!)