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

07.10.2017 — On July 10th, our MKA summer interns toured the Second and Pike residential project currently under construction in downtown Seattle.  Representatives of Sellen Construction led the group to the uppermost residential floor that was near-ready for concrete placement.

Philip Beasley, an MKA design engineer on the project, led the tour and described some of the significant structural design features. The visit concluded with observations of the Level 8 amenity floor to see the installed curtain wall, MEP rough-in, and a steel canopy structure — with a final stop at a completed residential unit on Level 2.

Each summer MKA is proud to bring on 5-7 interns, letting them experience true hands-on engineering! Welcome to this year’s interns (from left to right), Iris Kwong, Olga Pavlenko, James Gaitan, Marissa Gelms, and Eric Fleet.

» 2017 Summer Interns Tour 2nd and Pike

06.17.2017 — The long-awaited Jimi Hendrix Park had its official unveiling on Saturday, June 17 in Seattle’s Central District. The park’s design echoes many of the themes found in Jimi’s music. The walkway to the central plaza incorporates Jimi’s life and career in a purple ribbon timeline featuring lyrics from timeless Hendrix songs, such as “Little Wing” and “Angel.”

MKA’s Cultural group assisted Murase Associates with the structural design of the central shelter, reminiscent of butterfly wings. The shelter will serve as an amphitheater for live performances. Design Engineer, Katie Reif, P.E., explained, "It was a very organic shape, which they loved, but made it potentially really expensive to build. Instead, we developed a parametric model in Rhino and Grasshopper to generate similar geometries that could be constructed entirely out of single curvature rolled plate and HSS sections. Since it was a parametric model, the architect could tweak the parameters to create a form that kept the organic feel – while maintaining the easy constructability."

Jimi Hendrix Park is located in at 2400 South Massachusetts Street, adjacent to the Northwest African American Museum. To learn more about the project, visit the Jimi Hendrix Park Foundation website, www.jimihendrixparkfoundation.org.

(Photo credits: Mike Savoia and Murase Associates.)

» Jimi Hendrix Park Grand Opening

06.08.2017 — MKA is proud to announce that River Point Tower in Chicago has been awarded Best Project Over $150 Million by the Structural Engineers Association of Illinois (SEAOI). The tower’s innovative structural system utilizes an arrangement of inward sloping columns to avoid the railroad tracks below and the response to the challenging site conditions ultimately becomes celebrated in architectural form. It’s striking convex shape creates panoramic city views with efficient, column-free floor plates, and floor-to-ceiling glass. Congratulation to the entire River Point Tower team!

» River Point Tower Wins SEAOI Best Project