02.01.2023 — Join MKA in honoring Senior Principal Sean Clifton, who has been named an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 25 Newsmaker for 2022! ENR editors selected this group of change-makers for their leadership in making their industry and communities better places to live and work.

Sean’s nomination from ENR comes in recognition of pioneering work in advancing Performance-Based Wind Design (PBWD), a methodology that aims to increase safety and reliability while reducing materials, costs, and embodied carbon in high-rise structures. As the Principal-in-Charge for the structural design of 321 West 6th Street—a 671-foot-tall mixed-use tower in Austin, Texas—he spearheaded the use of PBWD in the tower’s design, making it the first American skyscraper built using this standard.

Sean joined MKA in 2008. He currently oversees the firm’s efforts in Southeast Asia and leads the design of many of the MKA’s Performance-Based Design towers.

Sean and the other ENR Newsmakers will be honored during the organization’s Award of Excellence Gala on April 13 at Pier 60 in New York City. Read more about the honor online here.

Congratulations, Sean!

» Sean Clifton Named an ENR Top 25 Newsmaker

09.24.2022 — MKA’s Community Service Project returned in September following a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nearly 60 MKA employees, friends, and family gathered at Seattle’s Graham Hill Elementary School to breathe new life into an otherwise drab, concrete play area by creating a fun and inspiring space for children of all ages to learn and enjoy. The project list included two large shade structures, four sets of nestingbenches, four raised planter beds, tricycle and pedestrian paths, a wall with sensory and tactile panels, a compost bin, storage for tricycles and tools—and even a vibrant, water-themed mural measuring 72 feet long and 11 feet high, and featuring whales, salmon, a canoe, an octopus, and other Pacific Northwest emblems!

“This was probably one of the most ambitious community service projects we’ve undertaken in terms of scope and trying our hand at something new by painting a mural,” said project co-leader Saya Kajiwara. “There was some day-of problem-solving. But all-in-all, it went very smoothly!”

Saya and project co-leader Dave Steele offered special “shout-outs” to design team leaders Michael Kearns, Anand Mourougassamy, Jeff Pope, Logan Stewart, Marissa Stone, and Ray Yu, as well as Jeremy Hasselbauer and Russell Larsen for cutting all that lumber! In addition, Phil Leithner with DeWALT donated the project’s anchors—and even demonstrated how to install anchors in concrete and asphalt properly.

Thank you to everyone who came out!! This project turned out #MKAwesome!

» MKA Community Service Project 2022

05.06.2022 — As part of the firm’s ongoing effort to take meaningful steps toward significantly reducing embodied carbon in the built environment, MKA has released its SE 2050 Embodied Carbon Action Plan (ECAP) for 2022.

SE 2050 is a coalition of structural engineering firms committed to reducing the emissions associated with material production and building construction, also known as embodied carbon, by 2050.  The Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry is responsible for at least 39 percent of carbon emissions worldwide, according to the Carbon Leadership Forum, and embodied carbon will be responsible for almost half of total new construction emissions between now and 2050.

As a signatory firm of SE 2050, MKA’s 2022 ECAP outlines the firm’s strategy for more sustainable design and construction practices.  The plan contains two-dozen pledged action items centered on the pillars of Education; Measuring and Reporting; Communication, Innovation, and Reduction; and Advocacy and Investment.

MKA’s complete SE 2050 ECAP for 2022 is available for download at https://www.mka.com/leadership/sustainability and https://se2050.org/signatory-firms/.

» MKA Releases SE 2050 Embodied Carbon Action Plan for 2022

04.22.2022 — With the built environment accounting for almost 40 percent of all energy-related carbon emissions worldwide, the AEC industry must take meaningful steps toward significant carbon reduction.

To that end, Hines engaged MKA to create the Hines Embodied Carbon Reduction Guide. This effort spans two years and relies on MKA’s industry-leading knowledge of carbon accounting and involvement in programs such as the Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator (EC3) Tool. Released on April 22, a date internationally recognized as Earth Day, this free, comprehensive, 108-page program aims to create more sustainable development practices at Hines while establishing an industry standard for quantifying, tracking, and reducing embodied carbon in the commercial real estate development process.

“MKA is honored to be a part of Hines’ strategy to reduce embodied carbon in the built environment,” said MKA President Don Davies. “I am excited to see how Hines’ focused engagement leverages environmentally sustainable change throughout the industry.”

By sharing the Embodied Carbon Reduction Guide with developers, engineers, contractors, material suppliers, investors, and other industry partners, Hines and MKA aim to affect lasting, responsible, and sustainable progress toward reducing the built environment’s carbon footprint.

Click here to visit Hines’ website to see the firm’s launch video, download your copy of the Embodied Carbon Reduction Guide, and learn more about the program.

» MKA+Hines Collaboration Released: The Hines Embodied Carbon Reduction Guide

04.13.2022 — MKA is thrilled to announce that MKA Senior Principal Shelley Clark, PE, SE, CDP, was named 2022 Engineer of the Year by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Washington (ACEC-WA)!  The award recognizes engineers of outstanding character who have made significant contributions to the profession in the areas of technical and service excellence.  It was presented during the organization’s annual Engineering Excellence Awards banquet and celebration on March 25 at the Westin in downtown Bellevue.

Shelley joined Skilling Ward Rogers Barkshire—now known as MKA—as an entry-level engineer in 1984, became an Owner and a Senior Principal at MKA in 2001, and led the firm’s Retail/Mixed-Use Specialist Group until her retirement in December 2021.

Her impressive portfolio of engineering design work in Washington state includes Pacific Place, University Village, and the renovation and expansion of Northgate Mall in Seattle; The Landing in Renton; and Alderwood Village and the renovation of Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood.  Nationwide, Shelley has led the structural design for hundreds of projects, providing innovative engineering solutions that transformed communities and the retail AEC industry alike, with projects such as City Creek Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Brickell City Centre in Miami, Florida—two of the nation’s largest mixed-use developments.

In addition to her project work, Shelley was President of the Seattle Chapter of the Structural Engineers Association of Washington and an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers.  She is also a committed mentor inspiring the next generation of engineering professionals by promoting STEM education at local elementary and middle schools, and teaching graduate-level classes at the University of Washington.

Shelley is the third MKA employee in the past 21 years to receive ACEC-WA’s Engineer of the Year Award.  She is MKA’s 10th engineer to be named ACEC-WA Engineer of the Year.  Congratulations, Shelley, on this distinguished and well-deserved honor and an outstanding career!

» Shelley Clark Named ACEC-WA Engineer of the Year

02.24.2022 — MKA is proud to announce John D. Hooper, PE, SE, has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering! An MKA Senior Principal and Director of Earthquake Engineering, John was recognized for the advancement of building code seismic design provisions and earthquake-resistant structural design of major buildings around the world. With more than 35 years of engineering experience, John is a nationally recognized specialist in advanced seismic design.

The impact of his work can be found throughout the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction industry. He has made significant contributions to seismic-related research, particularly in developing the next generation of Performance-Based Seismic Design methodologies and the advancement of code-prescriptive seismic design approaches.

Since joining MKA in 1997, he has played an important role in almost every major project that the firm has designed in seismically active zones.

Election to the NAE is deemed one of the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer. Congrats, John!

» John Hooper Elected to the National Academy of Engineering

01.05.2022 — MKA’s Juliette Peyroux, PE, SE, was recently named one of Building Design+Construction (BD+C) magazine’s 2021 40 Under 40 honorees.

A Senior Associate at MKA, Juliette, 32, focuses on promoting structural solutions for seismically safe and resilient airport terminals, concourses, and inspection stations in areas known for high seismic activity, such as San Diego, San Francisco, and Seattle. She also is a WAsafe Program Certified Instructor and State Coordinator, allowing her to teach building safety evaluation classes to her colleagues. In addition, Juliette leads MKA’s in-house Earthquake Technical Specialist Team in its efforts to research the latest developments and trends in earthquake engineering. 

“I am deeply honored to be part of this year’s class of 40 under 40,” said Juliette. “Since major earthquakes do not happen frequently, it is easy to forget about the impact a large earthquake can have on an unprepared community. I am passionate about advancing the earthquake engineering field with respect to building designs and preparing Washington to respond quickly and effectively in the case of ‘The Big One.’  This recognition motivates me to continue to challenge myself and the AEC industry to do better when it comes to earthquake design and preparedness.”

Read more about Juliette’s honor online here.

» Juliette Peyroux Named BD+C 40 Under 40 Honoree

12.02.2021 — MKA’s Travis Corigliano, PE, SE, was named an ICSC+CenterBuild 2021 Leader Under 40 during the organization’s conference this week in Phoenix, Arizona.

An Associate at MKA, Travis, 32, is a leader of MKA’s Retail Specialist Group and a go-to resource for clients such as Brookfield, Simon Properties, Macerich, and others looking to successfully retrofit, reposition, and transform big-box anchor stores at malls and shopping centers into modern and lively entertainment and mixed-use destinations.

“For me, success is about creating community spaces and experiences that feel personal,” said Travis, whose portfolio of more than 60 projects includes City Center Bishop Ranch in San Ramon, California, and Tysons Galleria in McLean, Virginia. “The challenge has never been greater for retail developers to create spaces that draw people away from their screens. I plan to be a key leader every step of the way as we ensure our retail centers are vibrant, experienced-filled places that bring people back together.”

The ICSC+CenterBuild Leader Under 40 Awards honor professionals under the age of 40 for their accomplishments and contributions toward advancing the retail marketplace industry. More information about this year’s honorees is available online here.

» Travis Corigliano Named ICSC+CenterBuild Leader Under 40

02.19.2021 — The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) has selected John D. Hooper, PE, SE, a Senior Principal and the Director of Earthquake Engineering at MKA, as one of only five people to receive the organization’s 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award.

With more than 35 years of engineering experience, John is a nationally recognized specialist in advanced seismic design. The impact of his work can be found throughout the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction industry. He has made great contributions to seismic-related research and advancements, particularly in the development of the next generation of Performance-Based Seismic Design methodologies and advancement of code-prescriptive seismic design approaches. In addition, John has traveled to major earthquake sites throughout the world to research and analyze the performance of structures and aid in the advancement of seismic risk mitigation. 

Since joining MKA in 1997, he has played an important role in almost every high-rise building the firm has designed in seismically active zones. John is a member of AISC’s Task Committee 3 (Loads, Analysis, and Stability), Task Committee 5 (Composite Design), and the Committee on Specifications. He is the Chair of the ad hoc Task Group on Seismic Analysis. He also is an American Society of Civil Engineers Fellow and Structural Engineering Institute Fellow.

The prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award honors individuals whose continued outstanding service has made a difference in the success of AISC; the structural steel industry; and the structural steel design, construction, and academic communities. Read more about the honor online here.

» John D. Hooper Earns AISC Lifetime Achievement Award

02.02.2021 — MKA is thrilled to announce Kelsey Rose Price, PE, has been named one of Building Design + Construction (BD+C) magazine’s 40 Under 40 honorees for 2020.

An Associate at MKA, Kelsey, 30, was recognized with this honor for her focus on promoting structural solutions that encourage sustainability, carbon-consciousness, and environmentally friendly approaches. She played an important role in the development and launch of the Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator (EC3), a free and open-access tool that helps identify lower embodied carbon building materials in an effort to reduce overall emissions during the design and construction of a project. Kelsey was one of the first beta testers for EC3 and its case study modeling, and she was instrumental in challenging initial EC3 approaches and establishing how the tool works within the typical design process.

“The 40 Under 40 recognition is truly an honor,” said Kelsey, who is the first and youngest female at MKA to receive BD+C’s 40 Under 40 Award. “More than a personal accolade, I believe it is indicative of the built environment’s commitment to greener building practices, which I am humbled to be a part of.”

In addition to her EC3 efforts, Kelsey is an active member of the Carbon Leadership Forum (CLF), a collaborative group of academic, design, and construction professionals committed to lowering the construction industry’s embodied carbon footprint. She also leads MKA’s in-house Sustainability Technical Specialist Team and serves as an internal reference for MKA project managers seeking guidance around the latest technologies, standards, and issues related to sustainability.

» MKA Associate Kelsey Rose Price Earns BD+C 40 Under 40 Award

06.25.2020 — Last night, the ACE Mentor Program of Washington celebrated the conclusion of this year’s program with a virtual reception and scholarship event. The event was hosted by Jon Magnusson, who dubbed himself, jokingly, the "low-key MC" for the night.

Congratulations to all the ACE participants and mentors this year for their perseverance and to the 14 scholarship recipients awarded last night. It certainly was an unusual year where mentors and participants were challenged to complete their final projects and presentations virtually.

Handrae Henthorn was the recipient of a $7,000 scholarship sponsored by MKA and ACE and will attend Seattle Pacific University in the fall to study structural engineering. MKA is a proud Platinum sponsor and has been part of the ACE Mentor Program in Seattle since its inception in 2001. Congratulations to all and best wishes for your bright futures!

» ACE Mentor Program of WA 2020

01.30.2020 — Congratulations to MKA’s Sonya Gabrielson, P.E., an inaugural WEDG® Associate credentialed professional. WEDG, which stands for Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines, is a sustainability rating system similar to LEED, but specifically for waterfront resilience. Sonya is the leader of MKA’s Water Resources Technical Specialist Team and brings an enhanced understanding of state-of-the-art approaches to all of her projects. Sonya has worked on many landmark designs across the country including the phased modernization of a 39-acre, “net-zero” Port in San Ysidro, and an iconic 119-acre island park in New York Harbor. Learn more about WEDG in the article from the Waterfront Alliance here.

» Sonya Gabrielson Earns Inaugural WEDG Credential

09.28.2018 — We are is pleased to announce that Principal, L. Leif Johnson, P.E., S.E., LEED AP, will be inducted into Building Design + Constructions “40 Under 40” Class of 2018 on November 14! Since 2006, editors have honored 40 individuals each year who are the next generation of rising stars, and to date, 520 AEC professionals form this select group.

Leif is sought out by owners and architects as a design collaborator for his creativity and leadership. While there is a lot of industry conversation about mass timber, less is actually getting built than the buzz would suggest—but Leif, through his ingenuity and focus, is making it happen! A recent notable project of Leif’s is T3 Minneapolis, a 7-story, 268,280-ft² mass timber office building—the first new construction mass timber office building in the United States of this scale. By paying attention to the wood grain orientation and optimizing the design around stresses always being parallel to the grains, Leif coined the term “Fiber Optimized Design” as a fundamental of the project. Building upon the idea of Fiber Optimized Design, Leif is now steering a MKA research effort around dimensional lumber created from laminated bamboo fibers. Leif is an active leader in the Carbon Leadership Forum (CLF), a collaborative effort between academic, design, and construction professionals committed to a lower future embodied carbon footprint of construction.

Leif has led the engineering structural design for the World Trade Center Perelman Performing Arts Center in New York City, NY; T3 Minneapolis in Minneapolis, MN; San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Expansion in San Francisco, CA; and the Nordic Heritage Museum and Seattle Aquarium Ocean Pavilion in Seattle, WA.

» Leif Johnson, PE, SE, LEED AP Honored As

10.19.2017 — MKA is proud to be partnering with AISC, The Charles Pankow Foundation, Purdue University and others on development and research of a new Concrete-Filled Composite Plate Shear Wall system.

The system is being developed for use in high-rise towers and consists of two steel plates connected by steel spacing ties and filled with high-strength concrete. You can read more about the project in this AISC Press Release.

More exciting is that we will be putting this system into practice constructing the new Rainier Square high-rise tower in Seattle, WA. The project is anticipated to be delivered up to four-and-a-half months faster than a traditional concrete core, saving construction time and resources.

Our Chairman and CEO, Ron Klemencic P.E., S.E., Hon. AIA and Professor Amit H. Varma at Purdue University are scheduled to present their research on this system at the 2018 NASCC: The Steel Conference, April 11-13 in Baltimore.

» MKA Research on CF-CPSW Systems

06.13.2017 — The ACE Mentor Program of Washington held its Industry Leaders Reception last week and awarded $85,000 in scholarships to ACE seniors! 160 students completed this year’s ACE program which mentors high school students in the Architecture, Construction and Engineering fields.

Senior Principal, David Fields, P.E., S.E., LEED AP, was on hand along with ACE President Rob Widmeyer of LMN Architects, to present a $5,000 Magnusson Klemencic Associates Award to Kevin Garcia of Bothell High School.  Kevin also received a $5,000 ACE Award, for a total scholarship award of $10,000. Kevin will study civil engineering at the University of Washington next year.

MKA is proud to be a Platinum Sponsor of ACE and our dedicated Design Engineers proudly volunteer their time to mentor the students.  For additional photos of the event, visit the ACE Seattle Facebook page here. Congratulations to all!

(Photo Credit: LMN Architects)

» ACE Industry Leaders Reception 2017

05.04.2017 — MKA engineers Meagan Hedlund, James Mahoney, Jeremy Hasselbauer, and Joey Piotrowski spent a Friday afternoon touring the SR-99 Replacement Tunnel and its tunneling machine, nicknamed Bertha.

The SR-99 Tunnel is a massive engineering effort happening right under Seattle’s feet and is part of a larger program that includes improvements like the Elliott Bay Seawall Project — a recent ACEC Grand Award winner project that MKA’s Civil group provided coordination for public-realm and habitat restoration elements, as well as the seawall’s interface with the long-term plan for a viaduct-free waterfront.

What was the coolest part of the tour? Learning that the end of the tunnel is pressurized to hold back soil when workers make repairs to Bertha’s cutting heads. Because of the pressurization, there is also a decompression chamber for the workers — similar to what deep-sea divers use.

Bertha has reached the end of her journey beneath Seattle as crews continue to construct the tunnel’s double-deck roadway inside.  The project is anticipated to be completed in 2019.

» MKA Engineers Tour SR-99 Tunnel and Bertha

04.18.2017 — A new guide for design professionals is set to be released in mid-2017 with a focus on water use and reuse. Water being a finite resource, new building projects benefit from considering some level of water self-sufficiency that is good not only for the bottom line of the building but also for the impact on the environment.

The guide entitled, the Non-Potable Water Reuse Practice Guide, is written in language that can be easily understood and easily shared with clients, building owners and operators, and the public.

MKA was happy to provide sponsorship for developing the practice guide and MKA Principal, Matt Jones, P.E., LEED AP BD+C, is serving as a member of the Water Reuse Practice Guide Working Group.

For more information and to read an excerpt of the upcoming guide, visit the AIA California Council’s website here.

» MKA Sponsors Water Re-Use Guide

02.13.2017 — We are proud to announce Senior Principal, David Eckmann, SE, PE, FAIA has been elevated to the prestigious College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Out of a total AIA membership of over 90,000, approximately three percent of members are recognized as fellows.

Dave’s training as both an architect and a structural engineer gives him a unique perspective and understanding of both aesthetic and technical requirements. Many of Dave’s projects feature structure as architecture. Both aesthetically compelling and structurally innovative, these projects also feature systems that push material limits. Most recently on River Point Tower in Chicago, his design of sloped columns at the base allowed the tower to fit on a constrained site with a solution that is celebrated in the architectural form.

The 2017 Fellows will be honored at an investiture ceremony at the AIA Conference on Architecture 2017 in Orlando. Congratulations, Dave!

» Dave Eckmann Elevated to AIA Fellow

11.21.2016 — Ian McFarlane, Senior Associate at MKA, was named one of Building Design + Construction’s "40 Under 40" class of 2016.  The youngest of 13 engineers with a Senior Associate title, Ian stands out as an exceptional leader whose contributions to the engineering profession during his 9-year career with MKA exemplify both design leadership and professional excellence.  Ian is sought out for and remains an active contributor and participant in the development of codes and practices for the national structural engineering profession.  Congratulations Ian!

» Ian McFarlane Named Top 40 Under 40 By BD+C

08.30.2016 — A new CTBUH research group is rethinking the traditional notion of the elevator in tall building design. The group’s discussions center around MULTI, an innovative rope-less, non-vertical elevator system being developed by thyssenkrupp AG.

Surprisingly, in its over 150-year history, the basic concept of the elevator has not changed, but the new technology being developed by thyssenkrupp allows mobility in both vertical and horizontal directions within a building by replacing ropes with linear motors.

Identified for his expertise in tall building structural design, MKA’s Principal, Rob Chmielowski, P.E., S.E., participated in the kick-off meeting of this special CTBUH research group in Chicago on August 30th. Research on the topic will continue for the next two years and investigate how this new technology could impact future designs of our tall buildings and our cities.

For more information on this research project, visit the CTUBH website here.

» Rob Chmielowski Joins CTBUH Research Group

06.01.2016 — Another successful year of the ACE Mentor Program of Washington is complete! On May 24th our own CFO, Bill Christopher, emceed the Eastside presentation night as two teams made their final presentations, and the following evening six Seattle teams made their presentations at the University of Washington. There were 165 students and 130 mentors who participated this year, meeting bi-monthly at mentor firm offices.

The ACE Mentor Program of Washington is free to high school students who want to explore the architecture, engineering, and construction professions. Special thanks to the 19 MKA staff who volunteered their time and talents to mentor the students this year, including Emily Carlip and Brad Strandquist who co-lead Team 2. This is now the 16th year that MKA has been a participant in this great program!

» ACE Mentor Program 2016

02.08.2016 — The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) has elected Jon D. Magnusson, P.E., S.E., Hon. AIA, to its prestigious membership. The election is among the highest professional distinctions an engineer can be honored with. Jon’s nomination was for “building designs that enable high-rise buildings in seismic sensitive regions and for innovations in modern structural engineering practice worldwide.”

Jon’s career spans over 40 years in engineering. He joined MKA in 1976 and rapidly advanced to Principal, Senior Principal, CEO, and ultimately Chairman of the Board — a role he held for 18 years. Now a Senior Principal, Jon has worked on projects in 47 states and 49 countries and continues to show leadership inside and outside MKA.

In announcing Jon’s election to the MKA staff, current CEO, Ron Klemencic shared his thoughts — “Jon has truly redefined the profession and perception of structural engineering, and it is amazing that we, as a firm and individuals, can share his knowledge, talent, and leadership every day.”

The newly elected class to will be formally inducted during a ceremony at the NAE’s Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. on October 9, 2016. Read more about the newly elected members here.

Congratulations Jon!

» JDM Elected to the National Academy of Engineering

01.27.2016 — MKA’s Chicago office was pleased to recently host a group of engineering students from MIT. The group led by Senior Principal and Chicago Office Leader, Dave Eckmann, P.E., S.E., AIA and Associate, Adam Theiss, P.E., toured two of MKA’s projects going up simultaneously along the Chicago River’s edge — River Point Tower and 150 N. Riverside. The next day the students were inspired to visit another MKA project, the pavilion at Lincoln Park Zoo. You can view the progress of the two towers by visiting the construction webcam, here.

Photos courtesy: Professor John A. Ochsendorf, MIT.

» MKA Chicago Hosts MIT Students

01.19.2016 — MKA President, Don Davies, P.E., S.E., and Senior Associate, Farshad Berahman, Ph.D., are contributors to the current CTBUH research effort studying damping technologies in tall buildings. Don and Farshad are providing their professional knowledge and real-world experience with damping — an advancement that MKA has been putting into practice for decades as we design structural systems for high-rise projects, buildings in seismic zones, and projects that require minimizing vibrations such as performance halls and long-span convention centers. Damping systems specific to tall buildings complement the structural system, providing increased resistance to structural vibrations that can cause discomfort to the building occupants and possible structural damage.

This research will produce a comprehensive study of the damping technologies available for tall buildings, describing their function and relationship to other building components. The project is anticipated to conclude in November 2016, and the group involved is pictured above at a recent New York City meeting. For more detailed information about CTBUH and this study, visit here.

» MKA Contributes to CTBUH’s Damping Research

09.22.2015 — MKA’s Panama Museum of Biodiversity, a project we partnered on with Frank Gehry, is this month’s featured cover story for the September 2015 issue of ASCE’s Civil Engineering magazine. The article offers an interesting and colorful review of the structural elements of the museum, described by Robert Reid as having an “eclectic aesthetic” design approach. Jay Taylor, Senior Principal at MKA and leader of the Cultural, Civic, and Education Specialist Groups, provides insight as the structural engineering Principal-in-Charge on the project, and relates how MKA worked to bring the vision of the architect alive and overcome the structural design complexities. This project, a prime example of MKA’s continued leadership in engineering, was designed entirely in 3D to achieve the intricate interior configuration and the 16 separate geometric roofs. The Museum opened to the public last fall and is considered the first museum focused on biodiversity. Click the link below to read the full article and learn more about this unique project.

More Information...

» Panama Museum of Biodiversity is Featured on the Cover of ASCE

09.02.2015 — MKA’s Matt Jones, a civil engineering Principal, will be presenting on decentralized sewage treatment at the 30th Annual WateReuse Symposium in Seattle. Along with Eric Lohan of Sustainable Water, Matt will discuss the economic and environmental issues surrounding such technology, as well as why it might be the perfect fit for urban projects around the world.

With water scarcity being at the forefront of many discussions right now, the WateReuse Symposium is the perfect opportunity to find out more about water reuse, something MKA has been developing for years on projects like the San Ysidro U.S. Land Port of Entry.

» MKA’s Matt Jones Presenting at WateReuse Symposium

07.23.2015 — With Seattle in the midst of a building boom, KIRO Radio’s Jillian Rafterty was interested to know how safe cranes are in the event of an earthquake.  She spoke to MKA’s Director of Earthquake Engineering, John Hooper, P.E., S.E., to find our more.

Listen to the interview here.

John, a who was named a fellow to the American Society of Civil Engineers, applies his specialized seismic knowledge and advanced understanding of structural vibrations to design efficient and economical facilities to extremely high performance standards.

» MKA’s Director of Earthquake Engineering Speaks to KIRO Radio

06.22.2015 — Congratulations to Peter Somers, P.E., S.E. who was recognized by the Structural Engineers Association of Washington (SEAW) as the 2015 Seattle Chapter Engineer of the Year. Peter was honored at the Chapter’s Annual Awards event held Monday, June 22nd. 

Peter is a Principal at MKA working on a variety of project types including office, residential and retail. He also specializes in seismic evaluations, renovations, and expansion of existing structures, including historic and landmark buildings. Peter has contributed to SEAW by serving on several committees as well as being a member of the Board of Directors and current Past President.  We congratulate Peter on such a great honor!

Photo Credit: J Mark D’Amato

» Peter Somers SEAW Structural Engineer of the Year

06.03.2015 — On June 3rd, MKA’s Jon Magnusson, Derek Beaman, Bill Christopher, and the MKA ACE Mentors were on hand at the Industry Leaders Reception, where nine local high school students were awarded more than $60,000 in scholarships.  The students, who are graduating from the ACE Program, will study architecture, engineering, or construction management next year at college.

MKA, along with LMN Architects, was pleased to present Haley Baquian from Inglemoor High School with a scholarship for her studies next year at California Polytechnic State University.

MKA is a Platinum Sponsor of the ACE Program with Jon Magnusson serving as President and Bill Christopher as Treasurer.  MKA engineering staff also served as mentors for two of the four Seattle ACE teams this year.  Congratulations to all of this year’s participants and scholarship winners!

To read more about the ACE program, please visit their website here.

» MKA ACE Platinum Sponsor and Scholarship Winner

05.27.2015 — Wednesday, May 27th was the Final Presentation Night for the ACE Mentor Program of Seattle, the culmination of eight months of hard work between high school students and their design industry mentors.

This year, the students were tasked with designing a museum for the Seattle Waterfront. The students worked with their mentors from the architecture, engineering, and construction disciplines to take their design from concept to final design considerations. As teams, they presented their work to a panel of judges comprised of professionals from the City of Seattle Office of the Waterfront, the Puget Sound Maritime, and UW Capital Projects.

MKA provided mentors for two of the four Seattle teams this year. The Tuesday Team was led by Brad Strandquist and Emily Carlip and included mentors Juliette Peyroux, Audrey Bentz, Andrew Huang, and Justin Grasse. The Thursday team included mentors Zack Stutts, Lindsay Hull, Taylor LaForge, Michael Makris, Kathryn DeBenedetto, and Noa Yates.

MKA is a Platinum sponsor of the Industry Leaders Reception Scholarship Event to be held on June 3rd.

» MKA Mentors ACE Students

05.19.2015 — MKA’s Director of Earthquake Engineering, John Hooper, was in Washington, D.C. on May 19 to testify in front of the House Transportation and Infrastructure’s Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management. The hearing focused on the impacts of a major earthquake anticipated in the Pacific Northwest and how the region is preparing for those impacts. 

“We are continually improving the knowledge and the design of how we deal with earthquakes and other natural hazards, the key thing is to implement that correctly”, John said. In addition, John spoke about the how buildings codes (many of which he has helped to develop) address the region’s seismic activity. John is currently the Chair of the American Society of Civil Engineer’s ASEC 7 Seismic Subcommittee.

The hearing can be streamed here.   And read John’s written testimony here. 

» John Hooper Testimony in Washington D.C.

03.25.2015 — MKA had quite a presence at the American Institute of Steel Construction’s 2015 NASCC Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.  Dave Eckmann, Senior Principal, moderated two sessions at the conference, entitled “Casting Your Future” (providing updates on the use of steel castings) and “Common Business Development Challenges” (exploring what it takes to produce revenue results).  Tom Meyer, Principal, moderated a session on “BRBF Procedures for Multi-Tier Braced Frames” (educating engineers about a new preliminary procedure for member design, and how to use it in future projects).  

Matt Streid, Associate, participated in a panel discussion on “Lessons I Wish I Had Known Starting Out.”  The session featured top young designers sharing lessons they learned the hard way.  Streid is active in the Young Professionals Committee of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.  John Hooper, Director of Earthquake Engineering, also attended the conference.

» MKA active at AISC’s 2015 NASCC Conference

03.13.2015 — The United States Geological Survey (USGS) recently announced new estimates for the probability of a magnitude 8.0 or greater earthquake hitting California in the next 30 years, with an increase from 4.7% to 7.0%.  The key change is increased recognition of “fault jumping,” which occurs when a rupture on a fault triggers a simultaneous rupture on a nearby fault, resulting in a “combined” event and a potential substantial increase in magnitude. According to John Hooper, MKA’s Director of Earthquake Engineering, this research result is also being recognized in the development of USGS seismic design maps that will be used in the forthcoming seismic provisions of ASCE 7-16, “Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures.”  The resulting seismic design values in portions of Southern California will increase by 10-20%. You may be wondering if the same is true for earthquakes in the Pacific Northwest, a similarly active seismic region.  John says that “fault jumping” does not apply to the Pacific Northwest, as the faults in the region are not as likely to “jump.” Seismic design values for the Pacific Northwest will change in the new maps, but the changes are the result of refinements in the estimated size and location of potential earthquakes and the resulting estimation of ground shaking, rather than “fault jumping” considerations.

For more information on MKA’s Seismic Engineering Services, click here.

Image Credit: U.S. Geological Survey

» “Fault Jumping” Increases Earthquake Probability in Select Regions

03.11.2015 — The Chicago Architecture Foundation maintains a very elaborate (and famous) model of Chicago buildings, a permanent exhibit that is updated annually and grows along with the city!  A team constantly watches the Loop for new construction, then each year adds new projects and takes out demolished buildings.  Once a project begins, the team contacts the architecture firm for an exterior file of the building that can be used as a guide to 3D print the building’s model. This year, 4 of the 16 new buildings were MKA designs:  151 North Franklin Street, 200 North Michigan, 150 North Riverside, and River Point at 444 West Lake Street (MKA also did a peer review of OneEleven at 111 West Wacker).  With a Chicago office and over 50 projects in the area, MKA has made quite an impression on the city’s skyline. Check out the link to read more and see pictures of the impressive model. Can you spy any MKA projects?

http://chicago.curbed.com/archives/2015/02/24/caf-chicago-model.php

Photo Credit: Kate Gardiner

» MKA Projects added to Chicago City Model

03.10.2015 — Don Davies, Senior Principal, presented “Life Cycle Analysis:  Opportunities for Structural Leadership" at the 4th Annual Vertical Cities Conference in Singapore.   Life cycle analysis is a way to capture the overall carbon footprint of a building, from material choices and origins to construction to demolition.  Don leads MKA’s Sustainability Specialist Group, and is a Lifetime Member of the Cascadia Region Green Building Council.

» Don Davies presents at Vertical Cities Conference

12.10.2014 — Years in the making, contractors have finally broken ground on the long-awaited 150 North Riverside development in the heart of Chicago. Located on an incredibly challenging site – bounded on one side by the Chicago River and bisected by active Amtrak rail lines – the Goettsch-designed office building features a striking tapered profile that enables the 53-story building’s footprint to only occupy 25% of the site. Engineering News-Record’s recent article provides more details on the engineering challenges overcome by MKA and the rest of the design team.

» 150 North Riverside Groundbreaking

11.19.2014 — MKA will be at the following career fairs in January and February 2015:

January 21, 2015 – University of Washington

February 7, 2015 – California Polytechnic State University

February 10, 2015 – University of California, Berkeley

February 12, 2015 – Stanford University

February 16, 2015 – Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

February 26, 2015 – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Please stop by and say hello!

» Upcoming Career Fairs in 2015

10.30.2014 — Last week employees from MKA attended ACE Seattle’s Kickoff Night where students and mentors met for the first time to launch the 2014-2015 Ace Mentor Program. Each year, ACE Seattle pairs high school students with mentor teams from across all disciplines to visit major construction sites, learn from industry leaders, and complete projects. This year, MKA is participating with two teams of students and meeting with them regularly from October until May designing a museum on the waterfront. Starting from an RFP, the students will walk through concepts and design with their mentor teams, concluding with a showcase presentation at the University of Washington in May. The Washington chapter of Architecture, Construction and Engineering (ACE) was founded by MKA’s own Jon Magnusson.

» ACE Seattle Mentor Program Kickoff

10.28.2014 — The Charles Pankow Foundation announced the release of the 95% Draft of the ATC 115 Project Report, “Roadmap for the Use of High-Strength Reinforcement in Reinforced Concrete Design.”  Both Ron Klemencic, MKA Chairman and CEO, and Dave Fields, MKA Principal, contributed to the development of this report, which is part of an unprecedented five-year research endeavor to simplify and speed reinforced concrete construction by easing rebar congestion.  This is the first targeted research to support a building code change since the 1960s.

» 95% Draft of theATC 115 Report

10.23.2014 — Gregg Briggs, Senior Principal, co-presented with the Director and Owner’s Representative of the Philadelphia Art Museum on “Open or Closed:  A Key Decision When Planning Your Transition,” at the Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums 2014 Conference in Washington, D.C.  Greg is a key member of MKA’s Cultural Specialist Group and has managed several museum expansions in addition to the Philadelphia Art Museum, including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

» Greg Briggs presents at Mid-Atlantic Assoc. of Museums

10.23.2014 — John Hooper, Director of Earthquake Engineering, and Ron Klemencic, Chairman and CEO, presented on "Performance-Based Design - State of the Practice for Tall Buildings" and "Case Study 1:  Concrete Building Design" at the 2014 Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) technical seminar series in San Francisco.  EERI, a leading technical group with international reach, exists to promote the science of earthquake engineering and the understanding of the effects of earthquakes.  Both Ron and John have extensive experience with EERI, particularly through their development of performance-based seismic design.

» John Hooper and Ron Klemencic present Concrete Building Design at EERI

10.03.2014 — Ron Klemencic, MKA’s Chairman and C.E.O., wrote an article titled “Why are tall buildings considered safer than many low-rise buildings during earthquakes?” for the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat’s “Ask a CTBUH Expert” series.  

In his article, Ron, who continues to lead the advancement of performance-based seismic design of tall buildings, outlines physical, code-prescribed, and practical reasons for why tall buildings tend to be safer than low-rise buildings.  

Read "Why are tall buildings considered safer than many low-rise buildings during earthquakes?"  

» Why are tall buildings considered safer than many low-rise buildings during earthquakes?

09.29.2014 — Don Davies, MKA Senior Principal, was a panel member for the Design Futures Council Leadership Summit on Sustainable Design’s "Sustainability of Tall Buildings" in Deer Valley, Utah. Don is a recognized leader in embodied carbon and sustainable structural design practices and mentors MKA’s Sustainability Specialist Group.  Find out more about how MKA is leading the industry in Sustainability

» Don Davies Sustainability of Tall Buildings panel member

09.18.2014 — Peter Somers, MKA Principal, served as the Master of Ceremonies at the opening luncheon for the 2014 SEAW Northwest Conference, "Connecting Cities :: Structures :: People" in Seattle.

» Peter Somers SEAW Northwest Conference

09.16.2014 — Don Davies, MKA Senior Principal, presented "Life Cycle Analysis - Are We There Yet?" and Ron Klemencic, MKA Chairman and C.E.O., chaired a workshop on "Considering the Whole Life Cycle" at the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat’s 2014 World Congress.

» Don Davies Life Cycle Analysis 2014 CTBUH

08.29.2014 — In the wake of the recent Napa Earthquake, many wonder about the safety of the many new high-rise towers in earthquake-prone regions. In a recent article exploring these concerns, Ron Klemencic, MKA’s Chairman and C.E.O., speaks on how the firm’s innovative performance-based seismic design approach produces safe buildings that perform reliably during earthquake events.

To date, MKA has designed 55 performance-based seismic design structures (multiples more than any other engineer in the world), including  One Rincon Hill  and Transbay Tower in San Francisco.  Learn about MKA’s Leadership In Engineering: Performance-Based Seismic Design.

» MKA’s Leadership in Performance-Based Seismic Design

08.18.2014 — On July 28, 2014, The Seattle Chapter of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) held its second public event at the Seattle offices of NBBJ.  The event drew more than 50 guests to a lecture by Bill Browning of Terrapin Bright Green, focusing on “The Sustainability of Going Tall.”  Don Davies, Senior Principal at MKA, noted that it was both a great mixer of the Seattle design, construction, and development community, as well as a focus on a significant issue effecting our work today.  This was the first event in a series of Seattle events that will focus on Seattle neighborhoods. The next event will be held on September 10th at the Foster/White Gallery and will focus on Pioneer Square.

» CTBUH Seattle on The Sustainability of Going Tall

07.22.2014 — Earlier this year, MKA served as structural reviewers for Build Forward, a Philippines design competition for climate-adaptive houses and school buildings.  The competition, a partnership of Ortigas & Co., the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and Habitat for Humanity Philippines, challenged architecture students from different Philippines universities to design structures that can adapt to the changing weather conditions in the country.  Each submission was required to address the strong earthquake and typhoon risks associated with the Philippines.  Find out more about the top 10 student finalists and the winning design for Build Forward. 

» MKA reviews for Build Forward

06.23.2014 — On June 19, 2014, MKA engineers Jordan Jarrett and Kevin Aswegan shook things up at the Museum of Flight’s STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Camp: Wonderous Waves.  Speaking to 6th and 7th graders, they discussed the waves of motion associated with earthquakes and tools for understanding the effects of earthquake motion,  including plate tectonics, seismic waves, measurement of earthquakes, and the faults affecting Seattle. The campers engaged in several hands-on actives, including making seismic waves out of slinkies, creating their own “earthquakes” by jumping around an accelerometer, and building candy structures that were tested on a shake table.

» MKA at the Museum of Flight STEM Camp, Wonderous Waves

05.29.2014 — Last night, the ACE Mentor Program of Seattle held its Inaugural Industry Leaders Reception to recognize contributing mentors and award scholarships to 10 students.  The ACE program, which mentors high school students and inspires them to pursue careers in design and construction, awarded the scholarships to high school seniors from the Puget Sound region.  More than 150 students from 40 high schools participated in the 2013/2014 program, mentored by 140 local industry professionals who volunteered their time.

Starting with the architectural design and working through to final construction considerations, this year’s nine student teams focused on the remodel of a school to meet the standards of the Living Building Challenge, a green building certification program requiring the highest level of sustainable features. 

Twelve MKA engineers volunteered their time for this program, including team leaders Mat Johnson and Brad Strandquist.  Over 50 local corporations supported this year’s activities and scholarships with their generous donations. MKA’s Jon Magnusson and CFO Bill Christopher both serve on the Board for ACE Washington, and this year MKA contributed $10,000 as a Platinum sponsor.

The ACE Mentor Program, with chapters in 38 states, is the construction industry’s fastest-growing high school mentoring program, reaching over 8,000 students annually.  Jon Magnusson founded the Washington chapter in 2001 and has since awarded more than $305,000 in scholarships.

Pictured above are the 10 scholarship recipients with Jon Magnusson, President, and Ardel Jala, Vice President. 

» ACE Mentor Program Industry Leaders Reception 2014

05.16.2014 — This week, May 14 and 15, 2014, MKA had the privilege of hosting the International Organization for Standardization’s (ISO’s) Seismic Working Group (WG9) – a collective of 20 earthquake specialists charged with evolving the framework for global seismic design.

WG9 is tasked with creating the newest version of ISO 3010: “Bases for design of structures – Seismic actions on structures,” an international standard that outlines earthquake provisions to elevate global seismic design and positively influence each participating country’s seismic codes.  (Engineers may appreciate the comparison that WG9 is essentially writing the ASCE 7 seismic provisions for the world). 

The group, comprising recognized authorities on seismic standards, includes representatives from Japan, Australia, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Spain, Taiwan, Chile, Canada, South Africa, and the United States.  In support of their 3-year effort to create ISO 3010, they meet every 6 months in locations around the world.  The group last met November 2013 in Tokyo before convening their 2-day summit Seattle last week.  John Hooper, MKA’s Director of Earthquake Engineering and one of four WG9 delegates from the United States, served as host for last week’s meeting.  John is a recognized leader in seismic design and contributes greatly to the development of earthquake codes and standards, including the seismic requirements of ASCE 7. 

The next meeting of WG9 is scheduled for December 1-2, 2014, in Copenhagen, where the work on enhancing the international seismic framework will continue.

» MKA Hosts the International Organization for Standardization’s (ISO’s) Seismic Working Group (WG9)

05.14.2014 — Drew Gangnes and Brook Jacksha both presented at the inaugural AIA Seattle Water Forum.  Along with MKA Principal Jay Taylor and several other local industry leaders, both Drew and Brook were members of the steering committee for this first-of-its kind event, where conversations went beyond “What are the issues we’re facing?” to “What can we actually do about this in our next project meeting?”  Drew’s presentation, “Making the Business Case for Water Self-Sufficiency,” explored approaches for evaluating project water strategies and their financial impact, and Brook presented the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry, a LEED Platinum, net-zero non-potable water project, as an example of successful water resource implementation.  Other presenters included Paula Kehoe of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, which incorporated a Living Machine into their new headquarters, reducing their potable water consumption by 65%.

» AIA Seattle Water forum

04.22.2014 — Paul Spitznas presents “Seismic Design, Analysis, and Selection of Drilled Shafts Supporting Bridge Structures” at the Deep Foundations Institute Seminar: Practical Deep Foundation Design and Construction for Seismic & Lateral Loads, in Seattle, Washington

» Paul Spitznas presents “Seismic Design, Analysis, and Selection of Drilled Shafts Supporting Bridge Structures”

04.17.2014 — Dave Eckmann, MKA Senior Principal, presents "River Point Tower - Chicago’s First Post-Recession Office Tower" at the University of Illinois 15th Annual Structural Engineering Conference. River Point Tower, a 47-story, 88,258-m² (950,000-ft²) office tower with a 6,070-m² (1.5-acre) public plaza along the Chicago River,  is one of over 20 MKA office towers in Chicago, along with 111 South Wacker and 300 East Randolph. 

» Dave Eckmann Presents River Point Tower

04.16.2014 — Matt Streid, MKA Engineer,  presents "455 North Park Drive:  Chicago’s Latest Mixed-Use Development" with Joe Fox of Solomon Cordwell Buenz and Robbie Chung of Environmental Systems Design as a CTBUH Student Workshop (hosted by the CTBUH Yong Professionals Committee) at Crown Hall in Chicago, Illinois, on April 16, 2014

» Matt Streid presents 455 North Park Drive

04.11.2014 — MKA Principal Brook Jacksha presents "Parks: Their Role in the 21st Century City," with Debra Guenther of Mithun and Scott Miles of Western Washington University Resilience Institute to the American Society of Landscape Architects and Washington Recreation and Parks Association

» Parks: Their Role in the 21st Century City

04.09.2014 — MKA Engineer Taylor Bowen presents a "University of Washington Husky Stadium Renovation" tour with Kevin Hallstrom and Dave Johnson of Turner Construction for the Washington ACI Chapter Dinner Meeting in Seattle, Washington.

» Univ of WA Husky Stadium Tour ACI

04.03.2014 — John Hooper, MKA Senior Principal, presents "Development of Simplified Seismic Design Requirements for Seismic Design Category B Buildings in the ASCE7 Standard,"  "Recent Advancements in Performance-Based Seismic Design: Transbay Tower, San Francisco,"  and "Changes to Seismic Loading in ASCE 7" at the 2014 Structures Congress in Boston, Massachusetts.

» John Hooper Structures Congress

03.27.2014 — The Seattle chapter of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) held their inaugural event last night at Gensler’s office, kicking off with a discussion about the city’s growth and "Densifying the Neighborhood."  The invite-only event brought together about 50 individuals very active in Seattle’s A/E/C and development communities, particularly downtown.  A panel moderated by former Mayor and current developer Paul Schell included Sharon Coleman of Vulcan, Greg Smith of Urban Visions, Dennis Rehill of Gensler, Tom Hauger of the City of Seattle, and MKA’s Don Davies, who is also a member of CTBUH’s Advisory Board.  The discussion covered the future of Seattle’s development, with a focus on densification, design culture, sustainability, and Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan.  A priority of the Seattle chapter will be shaping the future of the city. 

CTBUH is the world’s leading resource for professionals focused on the design, construction, and operation of tall buildings and future cities.

More Information...

» CTBUH Seattle Holds Inaugural Event

03.21.2014 — As we announced back in September, Jon Magnusson received ASCE’s “Outstanding Projects and Leaders (OPAL) Lifetime Achievement Award in Design”.  Today, Jon officially accepted this honor—one of the highest in the engineering profession—at a black-tie gala in Washington D.C.  As part of the presentation, ASCE put together this profile of Jon’s tremendous accomplishments during his 38-year career.  Congratulations, Jon!

» Jon Magnusson Receives ASCE Opal Award

03.12.2014 — Ron Klemencic, Chairman and C.E.O, is awarded with an American Institute of Architects Honorary Membership, one of the highest honors the AIA grants to people outside the architecture profession.  Congratulations!

» Ron Klemencic receives Honorary AIA

02.12.2014 — MKA’s engineers aren’t the only ones at the firm leading their field!  A big congratulations to CFO Bill Christopher, who has just been named one of Puget Sound Business Journal’s CFOs of the Year!  Bill has been with MKA for nearly 14 years and, in that time, has made huge contributions to the firm and the industry.  Way to go, Bill!

» Bill Christopher wins CFO of the Year

01.17.2014 — This year marks the twentieth anniversary of the 1994 Northridge earthquake, a devastating event that spurred important changes to the practice of earthquake engineering worldwide.  The Northridge 20 Symposium brought together earthquake experts to reflect on the life-saving accomplishments of the last two decades and to identify further steps to improve the built environment across the state.  John Hooper, MKA’s Director of Earthquake Engineering, presented on one of the most transformative earthquake engineering concepts to emerge during the past two decades – Performance-Based Design (PBD).  He examined actual cases where new buildings where designed using PBD/ASCE 41 methods by demonstrating that the structures would achieve performance comparable to or better than stipulated by building codes.   Find out more about how MKA is leading the industry in Performance-Based Seismic Design.

» John Hooper Northridge 20 Symposium

11.25.2013 — Kris Dane, Building Information Modeler, presented "Building Information Modeling:  Moving Ahead by Going in Circles" at Seattle University.

» Building Information Modeling: Moving Ahead by Going in Circles

11.25.2013 — MKA will be at several career fairs in January and February, hoping to meet potential employees.  Stop by to talk with COO Andy Fry about working at MKA.

January 29, 2014 – University of Washington
January 30, 2014 – UCLA
February 6, 2014 – Stanford
February 11, 2014 – University of California, Berkeley
February 27, 2014 – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

» MKA Spring Career Fairs

11.14.2013 — Don Davies presented "Engineering New Paradigms in Sustainable Construction" at the Washington Aggregates Concrete Association Winter Workshop at LeMay – America’s Car Museum in Tacoma.

» Don Davies Presents Washington Aggregates Concrete Association

11.14.2013 — Drew Gangnes and Rita Greene attended the Trust for Governors Island completion celebration for the first 30 acres of new park on Governors Island.

» Drew Gangnes and Rita Greene Governors Island

11.13.2013 — Ron  Klemencic presented a webinar on Technical Brief 7 Report:  "Seismic Design of Reinforced Concrete Mat Foundations: A Guide for Practicing Engineers", sponsored by ATC

» Seismic Design of Reinforced Concrete Mat Foundations: A Guide for Practicing Engineers

11.05.2013 — Dave Fields presented "High-Strength Reinforcement: Optimum Grade for Member Design" at the CRSI Fall Business & Technical Meeting in Chicago, Illinois

» High-Strength Reinforcement: Optimum Grade for Member Design

11.01.2013 — Derek Beaman co-presented "Design Professionals Roundtable:  The Structural Engineer’s Perspective; Career Lessons Learned and Best Practices for Risk Mitigation" with Blaine Weber (Weber Thompson) at the Design Professional Liability Seminar put on by "The Seminar Group" in Seattle, Washington

» Design Professionals Roundtable: The Structural Engineer’s Perspective; Career Lessons Learned and Best Practices for Risk Mitigation

10.31.2013 — Design and construction magazines are filled with articles about wood recently.  Why has one of the oldest building materials suddenly become news again?  The answer is twofold: wood’s sustainability benefits and new technology.

Two recent ways MKA has embraced and pushed forward the possibilities of wood are with long-span earthquake-resisting portals for LeMay – America’s Car Museum in Tacoma and laminated structural members curving in three directions for the Lincoln Park Zoo South Pond Addition in Chicago.

Some of the most intriguing research is in the use of wood in the structural frame of high-rise buildings…even up to 40 stories!

The Structural Engineers Foundation of Washington is presenting a forum on November 21, 2013 at Benaroya Hall on this very topic.  There will be dozens of owners, developers, design and technical architects, and builders (from both the office and the field) attending.  Wood might be the answer for the sustainability, economy, and aesthetics for future projects.  Admission is free, but advance registration is required at www.seaw.org under “Events.”  We hope to see you there! 

» What’s All the Buzz About Wood?

10.09.2013 — The new LEGO Architecture Studio set features the MKA-engineered Seattle Central Library on the side of the box!  Inside are 1,210 white and clear pieces and a 272-page guidebook endorsed by leading architects and highlighting a few MKA projects.

» LEGO Architecture Studio

10.02.2013 — MKA Senior Principal Don Davies’ research on the embodied carbon content of structures is featured in the American Society of Civil Engineering’s  "Civil Engineering" magazine.   

» Don Davies Embodied Carbon Research Footprint ASCE

09.05.2013 — MKA’s leadership continues to evolve, as announced in our recent mailer: Ron Klemencic, P.E., S.E., is now Chairman & CEO, and Derek Beaman, P.E., S.E., is President. Former Chairman & CEO Jon Magnusson, P.E., S.E., Hon. AIA, remains actively involved in project execution. Special thanks to the Seattle Art Museum for sharing their lobby for our photo shoot!

» MKA Leadership Evolution

08.28.2013 — MKA Chairman and C.E.O. Ron Klemencic speaks at the Congreso Estructuras 2013 conference. Ron is giving the Plenary Lecture on “Performance-Based Design of Tall Buildings: Guidelines, State of Practice and Case Study.”

» Congreso Estructuras 2013

05.31.2013 — The University of Washington hosted the the ASCE/AISC National Student Steel Bridge Competition.  Jon Magnusson, MKA Senior Principal, presented the keynote address at the awards dinner on to an audience of 800+ people, who enjoyed his talk about "Engineering Secrets Behind Seattle’s Latest Generation of Steel Landmarks."  The overall winning team, for the second consecutive year, was from University of California Berkeley!  A record 49 student teams competed in this year’s national event.

» Jon Magnuson presents keynote address at the ASCE/AISC National Student Steel Bridge Competition

04.18.2013 — Chris Lubke, MKA Associate, presents "Construction of the Cleveland Medical Mart and Convention Center" with Taurean Spratt (Turner Construction), Jack Krebs (Osborn), Richard Christ (Barber Hoffman), and Mike Pastir (Schuff Steel) for the Structural Engineers Association of Ohio in Cleveland, Ohio.

» Chris Lubke Presents in Ohio

04.17.2013 — Dave Eckmann, MKA Senior Principal, was a member of the Planning Committee for the 2013 NASCC Steel Conference held in St. Louis, Missouri.  Two MKAers gave presentations at the conference:  John Hooper presented "Tips for Starting your Career," and Tom Meyer co-presented "How to Design a Cable or Cable-Net Wall Structure" with Craig Huntington of Huntington Design Associates.

» MKA Presents at the 2013 NASCC Steel Conference

04.04.2013 — Rob Chmielowski, MKA Principal, presents "San Ysidro U.S. Land Port of Entry" at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign CEE Structural Engineering Conference.

» Rob Chmielowski Presents at UIUC

03.27.2013 — Jon Magnusson, MKA Senior Principal, presents "Tower and City" with Derek Pirozzi at the AIA Millennium Talk series in Seattle, Washington.

» Jon Magnusson presents

03.06.2013 — Don Davies, MKA Senior Principal, presents "Topology Optimization: Designing with Effective Work and Iterative Shape Analysis" and also serves as a Session Chair at the Second Annual Vertical Cities Conference in Seoul, Korea.

» Don Davies at the Second Annual Vertical Cities Conference in Seoul, Korea

03.01.2013 — Chris Motter, University of California Los Angeles, presents "Large-Scale Testing and Analysis of Concrete-Encased Steel Coupling Beams Under High Ductility Demand," (co-authored by MKA’s Dave Fields, John Hooper and Ron Klemencic) at the 10th International Conference on Urban Earthquake Engineering at the Tokyo Institute of Technology.

» "Large-Scale Testing and Analysis of Concrete-Encased Steel Coupling Beams Under High Ductility Demand

02.21.2013 — Ron Klemencic, MKA Chairman and CEO, presents "Standing on the Shoulders of Giants - How Far Can You See?" at Purdue University while at the university to receive a "Distinguished Engineering Alumnus" award from the College of Engineering.  This award has only been bestowed to 490 individuals in the history of the University.

» Standing on the Shoulders of Giants - How Far Can You See?

02.09.2013 — Emily Carlip, MKA engineer, gives a presentation as part of the 2013 ASCE Young Members Forum Popsicle Stick Bridge Competition, which MKA sponsored.

» 2013 ASCE Young Members Forum Popsicle Stick Bridge Competition

02.04.2013 — Matt Streid, MKA engineer, co-presents (with Joe Dietz of VOA and Pete Huey of Power Construction) "From Conception to Completion: Chicago’s Roosevelt Tower," at the CTBUH Student Workshop (hosted by the CTBUH Young Professional Committee) at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, Illinois.

» From Conception to Completion: Chicago’s Roosevelt Tower

12.15.2012 — Jay Taylor finishes his fall quarter design studio at the University of Washington Department of Architecture, where he serves as Affiliate Instructor as part of his Onouye Chair appointment.  Architects who participated with him include Ed Weinstein (Weinstein A|U), Rick Sundberg (Sundberg Kennedy Ly-Au Young), Chris Butler (Mithun), Kristen Murray (Olson Kundig Architects), Brian Court (Miller Hull Partnership), and Mike Jobes (Miller Hull Partnership).

» Jay Taylor at the University of Washington Department of Architecture

12.12.2012 — Ron Klemencic attends the Charles Pankow Foundation Advisory Council Meeting in San Diego, where he spent 12 hours with 12 industry leaders directing the Foundation’s research agenda.

» Ron Klemencic attends the Charles Pankow Foundation Advisory Council Meeting

12.07.2012 — Jay Taylor, MKA Principal, serves as structural consultant for a design critique at the Georgia Institute of Technology College of Architecture in Atlanta, Georgia.

» Jay Taylor at the Georgia Institute of Technology College of Architecture

12.03.2012 — Terry Palmer serves as a panelist at the Airports Consultant Council’s 2012 Global Business Summit in Washington, D.C.

» Terry Palmerat the Airports Consultant Council’s 2012 Global Business Summit

11.14.2012 — Brook Jacksha, MKA Principal, attends GreenBuild in San Francisco, California, and co-presents "Iron Chef Meets Integrated Water" with Deb Guenther from Mithun.

» Iron Chef Meets Integrated Water

11.08.2012 — Joe Diesko, of HNTB, and Jon Magnusson, MKA President and CEO, present at the Engineering News-Record Conference "Sports Facilities of the 21st Century" on November 8, in New York City

» Sports Facilities of the 21st Century

11.05.2012 — Terry Palmer, MKA Principal, moderates a session on current issues facing airport design and construction at the Airport Consultants Council Annual Conference in Bonita Springs, Florida.

» Terry Palmer at the Airport Consultants Council Annual Conference

10.11.2012 — Derek Beaman, MKA Principal, participates in the "Imagine That" design workshop hosted by Populous in Kansas City.  Derek has participated in this invitation-only event, which brings together select individuals from a variety of disciplines, for the last few years.

» Derek Beamanparticipates in the "Imagine That" design workshop hosted by Populous

10.11.2012 — Rob Chmielowski, MKA Principal, co-presents the Roosevelt University Wabash Building (MKA project) with Jeff Hrubec of VOA and Julie Allman Power Construction at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign School of Architecture

» Rob Chmielowski presents at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign School of Architecture

10.10.2012 — Greg Briggs co-presents Lincoln Park Zoo South Pond Addition (MKA project) with Todd Zima of Studio Gang Architects at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign School of Architecture.

» Greg Briggs at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign School of Architecture

06.22.2012 — Greg Briggs and Drew Gangnes, MKA Principals, present "Systems Sustainability: New Directions in Ecological Networks" as part of the Executive Education and Professional Development Program (XED) at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles.

» Systems Sustainability: New Directions in Ecological Networks

05.09.2012 — Don Davies, MKA Principal, presents on "Embodied Carbon and the Case for Longevity" at the 2012 International Concrete Sustainability Conference in Seattle

» Embodied Carbon and the Case for Longevity

05.07.2012 — Derek Beaman, MKA Principal, makes a presentation on "Performance-Based Seismic Design: Past, Present, and Future" at Rider Levett Bucknall’s Global Shareholder Meeting at the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle (with John Hooper, MKA’s Director of Earthquake Engineering, present for Q&A)

» Performance-Based Seismic Design: Past, Present, and Future

05.01.2012 — Peter Somers, MKA Principal, is elected Vice President of the Seattle Chapter of Structural Engineers Association of Washington; he will serve as Vice President for 2012-2013 and as President for 2013-2014

» Peter Somers elected Vice President of the Seattle Chapter of Structural Engineers Association of Washington

05.01.2012 — Ron Klemencic, MKA President, receives notification that he has been recognized with Purdue University’s "2012 Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award," presented to select alumni who have made outstanding contributions within their field; Ron already received Purdue University’s "2003 Civil Engineering Alumni Achievement Award," and this latest award expands recognition of his contribution across all engineering disciplines

» Ron Klemencic Recognized With Purdue University’s "2012 Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award"

04.24.2012 — Structural Engineer Magazine features MKA Chairman/CEO Jon Magnusson on the cover of the April 2012 issue, calling him "The complete collaborator"

» Structural Engineer Magazine features Jon Magnusson

04.19.2012 — MKA engineers make multiple presentations at the 2012 NASCC Steel Conference in Grapevine, Texas:  Rob Chmielowski, MKA Principal, co-presents on "Engineering Work Flow" (with John Beier of Shelley Metz Baumann Hawk and David Odeh of Odeh Engineering); John Hooper, MKA Principal, presents the Providence Everett Medical Center Acute Care Tower (MKA project), focusing on optional performance-based seismic design at "Master’s Class: Top Designers and their Top Projects;" and Jon Magnusson, MKA Chairman and CEO, presents "Structural Steel Becoming Architecture:  Case Studies of Aesthetics, Form, and Efficiency

» MKA presents at the 2012 NASCC Steel Conference

04.18.2012 — Jay Taylor, MKA Principal, makes a presentation on "Diagrids, Cantilevers, and Folded Plates: Structure as Architecture," as part of the University of Washington Architecture 2012 Spring Lecture Series; the event kicks off Jay’s appointment to the newly-created Onouye Endowed Chair in the University of Washington’s College of Built Environments.  Jay has been named an "Affiliate Professor" in the University of Washington Department of Architecture and will teach a Design Studio in Fall Quarter of 2012

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» Diagrids, Cantilevers, and Folded Plates: Structure as Architecture

04.04.2012 — Matthew Streid, MKA engineer, co-presents "The Creation of Aqua" (with Mauricio Sanchez of Studio Gang and Ryan Keane of McHugh Construction) at a CTBUH Student Workshop (hosted by the CTBUH Young Professional Committee) held at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, Illinois

» "The Creation of Aqua" at a CTBUH Student Workshop

03.28.2012 — Jay Taylor, MKA Principal, serves as a Professional Consultant for "Degree Project Technical Pinup Graduate Student Worksessions" at Washington University’s School of Architecture in St. Louis, Missouri

» Jay Taylor serves as a Professional Consultant for "Degree Project Technical Pinup Graduate Student Worksessions"

03.05.2012 — Don Davies, Principal at MKA, gives a presentation on "Sustaining Structural Innovation: Creativity, Lower Carbon, and the Financial Case," at the Vertical Cities Congress in Hong Kong

» Sustaining Structural Innovation: Creativity, Lower Carbon, and the Financial Case

02.29.2012 — Terry Palmer, MKA Senior Vice President, serves as Chairman of the 2012 Airport Planning, Design, and Construction Symposium put on by the Airport Consultants Council/American Association of Airport Executives held in Denver, Colorado, on February 29, 2012.

» Terry Palmer serves as Chairman of the 2012 Airport Planning, Design, and Construction Symposium

11.29.2011 — Shelley Clark, MKA Principal, attends the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) CenterBuild Conference in Phoenix, Arizona

» Shelley Clark attends the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) CenterBuild Conference

11.28.2011 — The White House honors the ACE Mentor Program of America with one of eight 2010 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring; MKA started the Washington chapter of the ACE program ten years ago

» The White House honors the ACE Mentor Program of America

11.10.2011 — Robert Baxter, Senior Associate at MKA, attends the American Institute of Steel Construction and Pacific Northwest Steel Fabricators Association’s T.R. Higgins Lecture, "Special Concentrically Braced Frames Gusset Plate Connection Design," in Seattle

» Special Concentrically Braced Frames Gusset Plate Connection Design

10.20.2011 — At the Green Building Congress 2011 in New Delhi, India, Don Davies, MKA Principal, presented "Climate-Conscious Building Design:  New Approaches to Embodied-Carbon Optimization

» At the Green Building Congress 2011 in New Delhi, India

10.13.2011 — Ron Klemencic, MKA President, presented "Performance Based Seismic Design -- Lessons Learned" at the International Workshop held by the Complex-Shaped Super Tall Buildings Integrated Design Research Team

» Ron Klemencic, MKA President, presented

10.10.2011 — Ron Klemencic, MKA President, presents "Architecture & Engineering as One" and "Seismic Design Guidelines for Tall Buildings" at the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat 2011 World Conference, "Why Tall: Green, Safety & Humanity," in Seoul, Korea   

» Ron Klemencic, MKA President, presents

10.06.2011 — MKA Chairman and CEO Jon Magnusson presents the inaugural public lecture for the newly created Structural Engineers Foundation of Washington (SEFW), entitled "Behind-the-Scenes Stories of Seattle’s Latest Generation of Landmarks

» MKA Chairman and CEO Jon Magnusson presents the inaugural public lecture fo

09.12.2011 — MKA Principal Don Davies participates in a Life Cycle Assessment for Washington workshop, hosted by the University of Washington Carbon Leadership Forum

» MKA Principal Don Davies participates in a Life Cycle Assessment for Washin

08.11.2011 — MKA Principal Greg Briggs presents Tacoma’s LeMay Car Museum (MKA project) to an in-house group of architects at SRG Partnership in Seattle

» MKA Principal Greg Briggs presents Tacoma’s LeMay Car Museum

07.27.2011 — MKA design engineer Ian McFarlane and civil design engineer Carly McArdle guest lecture at a University of Washington School of Architecture course, with Ian discussing "A Candid Conversation about the Future of BIM" and Carly "Civil Engineering and BIM"

» MKA design engineer Ian McFarlane and civil design engineer Carly McArdle g

07.21.2011 — MKA Director of Civil Engineering Drew Gangnes presents "Green Roof Hydrology" to several architects at a Columbia Green Roof seminar in Seattle

» MKA Director of Civil Engineering Drew Gangnes presents

06.24.2011 — MKA Principal Don Davies presents "Climate-Conscious Building Design:  New Approaches to Embodied-Carbon Optimization," at the 3rd Annual Sustainable Building Materials and Construction Technologies Conference in Shanghai; Don also chairs the "Innovative Construction Technologies" session at the conference

» MKA Principal Don Davies presents

06.23.2011 — MKA Principal Brook Jacksha presents an overview of site sustainability features for the U.S. Land Port of Entry project in San Ysidro, California, at the Carbon Leadership Forum in San Francisco

» MKA Principal Brook Jacksha presents an overview of site sustainability fea

06.23.2011 — MKA Senior Associate Mike Jewsbury presents an overview of the Lurie Children’s Memorial Hospital project (alongside colleagues from AEI and Power Construction) at the Healthcare Engineering Society of Northern Illinois meeting in Chicago

» MKA Senior Associate Mike Jewsbury presents an overview of the Lurie C

05.14.2011 — MKA CEO/Chairman Jon Magnusson is one of four people awarded a Designer Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Institute of Steel Construction, recognizing "outstanding service over a sustained period of years to AISC and the structural steel design/construction/academic community

» MKA CEO/Chairman Jon Magnusson is one of four people awarded a Designer Lif

04.29.2011 — MKA hosts a booth at the International Association of Venue Managers Region 4 Conference, held in Seattle; MKA is also a sponsor of the event

» MKA hosts a booth at the International Association of Venue Managers Region

04.27.2011 — MKA Principals Dave Eckmann, Drew Gangnes, and Jay Taylor all present various MKA projects in a University of Washington Center for the Built Environments lecture

» MKA Principals Dave Eckmann, Drew Gangnes, and Jay Taylor all present vario

04.15.2011 — MKA is well represented at the American Society of Civil Engineers’ Structural Congress in Henderson, Nevada:  MKA CEO/Chairman Jon Magnusson gives a presentation on construction collapses, and MKA Director of Earthquake Engineering John Hooper gives a presentation on ASCE 7-10 seismic loads

» MKA is well represented at the American Society of Civil Engineers’ S

04.01.2011 — Modern Steel Construction publishes, "Performance-Based Seismic Design," co-written by MKA Director of Earthquake Engineering John Hooper and Ronald O. Hamburger of Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, Inc.; John Hooper’s headshot also makes it on the cover of the edition!

» Modern Steel Construction publishes,

03.21.2011 — Reuters TV News of Los Angeles interviews MKA Director of Earthquake Engineering John Hooper for an upcoming special on earthquake safety, seismic standards, and building codes

» Reuters TV News of Los Angeles interviews MKA Director of Earthquake Engine

03.01.2011 — MKA joins the University of Washington’s Carbon Leadership Forum, helping to devise standards to limit building carbon footprints

» MKA joins the University of Washington’s Carbon Leadership Forum

02.01.2011 — Attention College Students!! MKA representatives will be at several career fairs this winter at colleges around the country. Be sure to stop by and say hello!

» Attention College Students!! MKA representatives will be at several career