SEAOI announces winners in its 2012 Excellence in Structural Engineering competition

CHICAGO – SEAOI (Structural Engineers Association of Illinois) announced the 2012 Excellence in Structural Engineering Award winners during its Annual Banquet which was held on June 9, 2012. The event was held at the Harold Washington Library in downtown Chicago.

The award winning projects and individuals are as follows:

Juror’s Favorite/Most Innovative Structure
Escala
Cary Kopczynski & Company, Inc. PS

Best Project – >$150 million – International
Zifeng Tower (>$150 million – int’l)
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, LLP

Best Project – >$150 million – US
300 E. Randolph Vertical Expansion (>$150 million)
Magnusson Klemencic Associates

Best Project – $50million to $150 million
North Carolina Museum of Art ($50-150 million)
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, LLP

Best Project – $5million up to $50 million
Mundelein Center ($5 million up to $50 million)
Klein and Hoffman, Inc.

Best Project – <$5million
Madina Community Center
Dome Structural Engineers

Best Bridge
Kendeda Canopy Walkway at Atlanta Botanical Gardens
Halvorson and Partners, P.C.

Awards of Merit
Astellas North American Headquarters – Klein and Hoffman, Inc.

Calgary Eaton Centre Glass Bridge – Halcrow Yolles

Hidden Oaks Nature Center – Larson Engineering, Inc.

World Voices Sculpture, Burj Khalifa Lobby – Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, LLP

John Parmer Award: Ian R. Chin

SEAOI Service Award: Bruce S. Kaskel

Outstanding Young Engineer: Andrew Keaschall

The John Parmer Award is presented to a structural engineer in recognition of his or her outstanding contributions in the field of structural engineering. The candidate must be an individual whose distinguished career is acknowledged by his or her peers to be an example of excellence.

The SEAOI Service Award is awarded to a person who has achieved outstanding success and distinction in his or her career and who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of structural engineering in the State of Illinois.

The Outstanding Young Engineer Award is presented to a practicing structural engineer aged 35 or younger who is recognized by colleagues for his or her outstanding achievements in structural engineering.

Judges’ comments:
300 East Randolph, Magnusson Klemencic Associates
“A great structural engineering achievement in not only value engineering and optimization, but in assisting with the construction logistics in order to save the Owner time and money.”

This addition to an existing skyscraper in a dense urban space was a logistical triumph. The team also deserves credit for adapting to the latest in materials and techniques so the client could save money.

Escala, Cary Kopczynski & Company
“Advancing the practice of structural engineering by providing technical justification to industry experts and using 100 ksi reinforcing bars for all of the column and shear wall boundary elements, reducing tonnage and labor costs along the way.”

This building is truly an innovator. It works on every level, as architecture, an engineering feat and an answer to client needs. Most important was its use of 100ksi steel and its unusually large balconies and column-free spaces.

Kendeda Canopy Walkway, Halvorson and Partners
“The form of the graceful, treetop bridge serves as structure as well as sculpture.”

A truly remarkable structure that elevates geometry to art. Sinuous and subtle, this bridge lands with a light touch on the landscape and should provide joy to the generations that will use it.

Madina Community Center, Dome Structural Engineers
“With the architect, structural engineer, and builder all resident within one human body, the design as well as the construction of this relatively inexpensive structure was efficient, and the Owner benefited from the process!”

This impressive design was executed on a tight budget. Dome Designers deserves recognition for being the architect, engineer and builder all rolled into one. Its structure promises to become a community treasure.

Mundelein Center, Klein and Hoffman
“The design challenges were solved by a veritable barrage of structural solutions, from the foundations to the facades to the floor trusses.”

This team more than met the challenge of reconfiguring a landmark structure for new purposes. Its reuse of space was at times brilliant, with a careful attention to detail and cost control.

North Carolina Museum of Art, SOM
“The simple and elegant structural solution responds to the architecture and allows the museum to stand out like a tuxedo among business suits.”

It’s nice to see a large firm take chances in such a high-profile commission. The power of the design is in its understatement. The building reserves its rewards not for the casual passer-by, but for those who venture inside.

Zifeng Tower, SOM
“The 7th tallest building in the world is slender and graceful; the building massing and structure respond to the environmental loads including significant wind and seismic effects.”

Perhaps the most remarkable thing is the design revisions needed to build this 70-story tower on a seismic fault line. The architecture smartly adapts to the needs of its hotel and office components.