Structural engineering innovation from Illinois

by Carly Midgley | July 24, 2017 8:31 am

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At its annual Awards Banquet[2] in Chicago last month, the Structural Engineers Association of Illinois[3] (SEAOI) celebrated the winners of its Excellence in Structural Engineering Awards[4]. 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[5] 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[6] 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[7] 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[8] 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[9] 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[10] (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[11], 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.

Source URL: https://www.constructionspecifier.com/structural-engineering-innovation-from-illinois/

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