Mark Sarkisian, Partner and Head of Structural and Seismic Engineering at SOM, was invited to speak at the Oskar von Miller Forum in Munich, Germany, on December 5, 2013. During his presentation, Sarkisian examined the collaborative relationship between buildings and cities, spoke about designing structures in the face of climate change, and explored projects that blur the line between structure, architecture, urban planning, and the environment. The Oskar von Miller Forum is an independent educational initiative of the Bavarian construction industry. The Forum supports the education of civil engineers and architects at the Technical University of Munich, as well as students from trade schools at Munich’s Municipal Technical College of Structural Engineering. The Forum aims to bridge the gap between the engineering, architecture, and artisan professions.