10.13.2015 — MKA is certainly familiar with engineering in Chicago. Our projects currently under construction include 150 N. Riverside, 200 N. Michigan, River Point Tower, and the McCormick Place Marriott Hotel — to name just a few. But on the horizon are a collection of supertall high-rises which will be among the 20 tallest buildings in Chicago (pictured above, l-r: Wanda Vista, 113 E. Roosevelt, and 1000 S. Michigan.

What about Chicago’s reputation as the “Windy City,” you ask? MKA brings to these projects decades of high-rise design coupled with advanced wind and damping engineering. Our analytical tools predict human perception to motion for a given wind environment. Based on this information, targeted strength and damping elements are incorporated into the structural system to control wind-induced movement and keep occupants comfortable. MKA has designed more than 225 buildings over 30 stories tall, including many in hurricane- and typhoon-prone regions substantiated by MKA field-monitored tall building results.

These supertall designs will make their mark on Chicago’s famed skyline in the coming years.

» Supertall High-Rises on Chicago’s Horizon

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

08.17.2015 — It’s the talk of the town and has been called "Chicago’s most spectacular engineering show."  Here’s your chance to see it up close as the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) hosts a FREE lunch/presentation and site tour of 150 North Riverside. The event is on Friday, August 28, beginning at 11:15 a.m., and leaders from MKA will be on hand, as well as Zalk Josephs Fabricators and Chicago Steel Construction to give insight on the innovative structural solutions for this project.

Please visit the AISC website here for more information and to RSVP.

Photo: Riverside Investment & Development Company

» AISC Tour of 150 N. Riverside

07.01.2015 — The Structural Engineers Association of Illinois (SEAOI) recently announced their selections of the Fifty Significant Projects designed by SEAOI members over the last 50 years.  MKA is proud to have engineered three of these projects.  Pictured from left to right: Aqua, 111 South Wacker and 300 East Randolph (Vertical Completion Project).

» SEAOI Fifty Significant Projects in Fifty Years

06.06.2015 — Saturday, June 6th the Structural Engineers Association of Illinois (SEAOI) held their annual Excellence in Structural Engineering awards ceremony.

MKA was pleased to be the recipient of the award for "Best Project >$150 million" for Levi’s Stadium. Judge’s comments included, "Creating a design solution which allowed the construction of 1 billion dollars of work at such a pace is truly impressive." This is the 13th time in 14 years that MKA has won a top SEAOI award.

Also during the evening, MKA Chairman and CEO, Ron Klemencic, received the John F. Parmer Award, which "honors a structural engineer whose distinguished career was acknowledged by his peers to be an example of excellence."

Celebrating the evening were MKA Chicago staff including Senior Principal and Chicago Office Leader, David Eckmann, Adam Theiss, Bethany Myelle, Lucas Cusack, Haley Gunst and their guests.

» SEAOI Awards 2015

05.14.2015 — At any given time on a city’s skyline you can look across and see a collection of construction cranes. Right now in Miami there are 11 tower cranes working together to create just ONE project — the new Brickell City Centre.

This extensive project includes 5.4 million square feet of office, residential, hotel, retail and entertainment space, all on a tight downtown 9.1 acre site.  The tower cranes are positioned for simultaneous lifting, as well as being suitable to meet hurricane wind-load ratings for safety. Read more about the cranes and their intricate lifting configurations at the ForConstructionPros.com website here.

And learn more about this MKA project on our website here.

» 11 Tower Cranes Work Simultaneously at Brickell

02.05.2015 — One of the Elliott Bay Seawall project’s defining features will be its emphasis on habitat restoration.  This includes a Seawall Promenade with a light-penetrating sidewalk (LPS), which will provide required natural light to the salmon migration corridor beneath.  Dozens of layouts were tested to determine which offered the optimal amount of light.  Other habitat restoration measures include textured seawall panels, which encourage the attachment of sea life, and a new habitat beach.  The project will replace 1,128 linear meters (3,700 linear feet) of deteriorating seawall dating back to 1916, along with an abutting city street, utilities, and public spaces.  Pedestrians will enjoy the restoration of the historic Washington Street Boat Landing pergola.  Read more about the Elliott Bay Seawall project here.

» Elliott Bay Seawall from a Salmon’s Perspective

01.26.2015 — MKA was honored with an ACEC Washington Platinum Award for its role in the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry (SYLPOE) Modernization. SYLPOE, located just south of San Diego, is the busiest land border crossing in the world. Working alongside The Miller Hull Partnership, MKA’s civil and structural teams carefully orchestrated the modernization, setting new standards for efficiency, security, aesthetics, and sustainability – all while the port continued to function on a 24/7 basis. MKA’s entry will now move on to the ACEC National Competition held in April in Washington, D.C. Read more about our project and other ACEC winners in the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce special section.

» SYLPOE Wins Platinum Award