William Baker (engineer)

William Baker (born 1953) is an American structural engineer best known for his work on supertall buildings, particularly the design and engineering of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the world's tallest structure.

Baker is a partner at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), where he has worked since 1981. He specializes in the design of high-rise buildings and long-span structures. His philosophy emphasizes simplicity, efficiency, and the integration of architecture and engineering. He is known for developing innovative structural systems that allow for greater architectural freedom and enhanced building performance.

Beyond the Burj Khalifa, Baker has contributed to the structural design of numerous other notable skyscrapers, including the Trump Tower Chicago, the One World Trade Center in New York City, and the Nanjing Greenland Financial Center in China. His contributions extend beyond supertall buildings to include convention centers, stadiums, and other large-scale projects.

Baker's work is characterized by its use of advanced computational analysis and innovative materials. He is credited with pioneering the "buttressed core" structural system used in the Burj Khalifa, which allowed for its unprecedented height and stability. This system uses a Y-shaped plan to distribute weight evenly and resist wind forces.

He has received numerous awards and accolades for his work, including the Fazlur Khan Medal from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Baker is a licensed professional engineer in multiple states and a member of the National Academy of Engineering. He frequently lectures and publishes on topics related to structural engineering and high-rise design.