Structural engineers are the unsung heroes of our built environment. The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) is drawing attention to the work of its members through a public vote for the world's best building.

You can vote from a list of 16 architectural icons, which were all groundbreaking and continue to challenge our ideas of how a functional building should look.

IStructE was founded 100 years ago as the Concrete Institute, giving a clue as to the biggest building concern at the start of the 20th century. The institute supplies governments, building firms and architects with technical advice irrespective of whether or not they are members.

For this centenary vote IStructE has enlisted the architectural artist Stephen Wiltshire to draw an imaginary cityscape that combines all 16 nominated buildings. The illustration, above, reveals the modern obsession with height and curves; three maverick designs, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, La Grande Arche in Paris and the Sydney Opera House, cast more unusual outlines in the image.

Stephen Wiltshire's favourite is the Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai; Bricks & Mortar loves the Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai, the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and the Millau Viaduct in France. Go to www.istructe.org/stephenscityscape to vote.

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