Prof. ir. Adriaan Beukers is a specialist for lightweight construction and composite technology in the field of aerospace engineering. The construction of airplane fuselages can be compared to that of building envelopes, although there a significant differences. Security issues are of major importance, since the failure of any part can result in a total loss. Also, airplanes are usually manufactured in larger quantities, and the financial capacities of the parties involved are bigger than in the building industry. These are some of the reasons for the aerospace industry's drive toward technology advancements.

The article was previously published in the Aeronautical Journal, Volume 107, Number 1072 in June 2003 and was specifically chosen for this book, because it explains how the philosophy of function integration can be a driving factor in the design of technical products.