The Institute For Theoretical Physics was a two-story wood frame structure designed by Michael Graves Architect of Princeton, New Jersey for the University of California at Santa Barbara. The University intended the building to be used as a research facility for Doctors and Fellows in theoretical physics. For example, the building was designed to accommodate the needs of Stephen Hawking, who had agreed to provide his presence as a means to attract research Fellows with similar credentials. Our structural design was intended to provide the vertical and lateral support for the Michael Graves architecture. This requires that the structural members are hidden within the architectural envelope except for the few members used for trellises and architectural appurtenances.

As you can see from the photographs, Lawson Burke Structural Engineers was able to achieve that criteria very successfully. The project received a national award from the American Institute of Architects.