Photo courtesy Hufton + Crow
At its annual Awards Banquet in Chicago last month, the Structural Engineers Association of Illinois (SEAOI) celebrated the winners of its Excellence in Structural Engineering Awards. Accolades were granted to projects in various categories, while individuals were recognized with special awards.
Jurors’ Favorite/Most Innovative
JTI Headquarters by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP was named the Jurors’ Favorite/Most Innovative winner, thanks to features such as nested trusses and double cantilevering that lend to its dramatic, expressive aesthetic.
Best Renovation/Retrofit
Hard Rock Stadium by Ruby+Associates was recognized as the best renovation, not only for its engineering innovation, but also because its project team worked effectively within a tight timeline.
Best Bridge/Transportation Project
Michael Baker International’s Kentucky Lake Bridge was recognized for excellence due to creative methodology, sophisticated design, and seismic flexibility, along with other factors.
Best Project Over $150 million
For effectively overcoming site constraints without sacrificing design, River Point Tower earned an award of excellence in its cost category. The jury applauded Magnusson Klemencic Associates for “creating a new downtown landmark on a site that had scared off developers for decades.”
Best Project $50 million to $150 million
Wrightwood Art Gallery Renovation by Thornton Tomasetti was awarded for impressive work on a limited site, employing steel bracing to preserve exposed concrete in what the jury termed an “innovative brute-force structural engineering solution.”
William and Alys Lavicka Award
Duke University Chapel by Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates (WJE) was awarded for balancing historic and computer-focused structural analysis while maintaining the site’s historic character and the project budget.
Additionally, special awards were earned by:
- William F. Baker, PE, SE, structural and civil engineering partner at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, earning the John F. Parmer Award for structural engineering excellence recognized by peers;
- Robert G. Lukas, PE, principal at Ground Engineering Consultants, earning the SEAOI Service Award for outstanding contributions to the organization and profession; and
- Patrick Regan, SE, associate with WSP, earning the Outstanding Young Engineer Award for structural engineering excellence in an individual younger than 35 as recognized by peers.
