The structures that lives inside our fanciful creations are not something many people see or think about. It is one of our major concerns from the time we first put pencil to paper as we design. We know that a sturdy and safe structure is critically important for the fabrication, transport and the final installation. A general rule we most often adhere to is that if the public is under or on the finished piece that it will require engineering. But even if we know the project is to receive engineering we still do the bulk of the design and figuring things out. Based on decades of experience, we know what is required to keep it safe but still not be over engineered. Typically, we do the first drawings, carefully rendered in scale, using computer assisted tools. Once we are happy with our effort we send these drawings to the engineers to look over and to apply their calculations. Often they will suggest some small changes and tweaks and specify the final sizes of steel. Then they applies their official stamp to the approved drawings which will keep the officials happy and allow us to sleep soundly at night, confident our features will stand for a lifetime. This is the preliminary structural drawing for the castle destined for the Secret Garden Golf at Castle Fun Park. The different colours depict different sizes of steel. This is going to be a fun challenge without a doubt!
