His teaching and research are closely linked to sustainable construction, and improving construction sector productivity. He works in concrete structures, creating new methods for analysis, optimisation, and automation in construction.

His work takes a holistic approach to the unique optimization, design and construction requirements of these innovative concrete structures. Their optimized geometries mean that new analysis tools are required, and therefore recent work has focused on developing techniques for the computational modelling of concrete using peridynamics. This offers many advantages and will allow us to model all of the complex behavior of reinforced concrete structures of any geometry, ensuring that material efficiency can be at the center of the design process.

John Orr graduated with a first-class MEng(hons) degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Bath (2009), winning three University Awards. He completed a PhD in fabric formwork, Flexible Formwork for Concrete Structures, at the University of Bath (2012). Throughout his PhD, he worked in industry with Atkins, who sponsored his research through an EPSRC Collaborative Award in Science and Engineering.