The SEAoNY Structural Engineering Excellence (SEE) Awards Program, formerly EiSE, recognizes the innovative and complex projects completed by structural engineering firms located in the New York City area.  The SEAoNY SEE Awards Program is modeled after the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations (NCSEA) SEE Awards.  The winning projects themselves can be located anywhere in the world but must demonstrate:

• Creativity of complex design
• Innovative use of materials and techniques
• Sustainability of design in social, economic, or environmental considerations 

SEAoNY SEE Award winners are selected from four major categories: 

New Buildings

New building projects will be submitted under a single category. Three awards will be given in this category. Projects may include any type of building that is occupied or used by people including parking garages, airport control towers, industrial buildings, and other similar structures.

Forensic Analysis / Renovation / Retrofit / Rehabilitation of Structures

This category includes forensic analysis, structural renovations, seismic retrofits, adaptive reuse, rehabilitation of existing buildings or bridges, and similar projects. One award will be given in this category.

Other Structures

This category includes all non-building structures, such as towers, monuments, sculptures, art installations, pavilions, and similar projects. Bridges and other transportation structures may also be submitted such as vehicle and pedestrian bridges, highway structures, pipe or utility support spans, and similar structures. Projects may be of any span length or overall size. One award will be given in this category.

Engineer’s Choice Award

All finalists considered for awards will be entered for the Engineers’ Choice Award. An electronic poll open to the international structural engineering community is conducted to select the winner will be opened to the public.

For full entry details, download the 2023 Call for Entries here.

Young Engineer of the Year Award 

This award highlights an engineer under the age of 36 who represents top rising engineer in the structural engineering industry that gives back to their industry and communities. The emphasis of this award is to recognize a Young Engineer that is providing a benefit to the industry, firms, and communities. (For more information and Entry form download this file 2023 SEAoNY Young Engineer of the Year Award)

Enter the SEE Awards Here

New Buildings

David Rubenstein Forum at the University of Chicago - LERA

The David Rubenstein Forum at the University of Chicago is a new center for intellectual exchange, scholarly collaboration and special events. The 97,000-sf facility consists of a 2-story podium and a 10-story tower of stacked “neighborhoods” with a zinc-and-glass exterior. A 285-seat auditorium sits above the podium, and a large multipurpose space on the 2nd Floor, called the University Room, can accommodate groups of up to 600 people. The top of the tower features a flat-floor multipurpose space that can accommodate over 100 people, and offers stunning views of the campus, the Midway Plaisance, the city skyline and Lake Michigan.

Franklin & Marshall College, Winter Visual Arts Center - Silman

The concave inflections of this new building take cues from the site’s old growth trees, all of which this project made sure to preserve. A glass-enclosed central forum provides views of a nearby park and a new reflecting pool that doubles as storm water overflow. The building is LEED Silver certified.

Silman designed the upper-level superstructure using light braced frame and moment frame hybrid elements that are concealed within interior partition walls. The hybrid frames are supported on interior cast-in-place concrete cores and cantilever from recessed perimeter walls, producing a canopy effect at the upper levels reminiscent of the surrounding foliage.

The Spiral - 66 Hudson Blvd - WSP

Construction technology and logistical issues within urban environments, coupled with evolving usage requirements led by sophisticated clients and tenants, has resulted in greater complexity within today’s super-tall commercial office towers. Engineers must utilize their years of experience in order to adjust to new demands and client needs.

This project exemplifies the multiple complexities and the evolving state-of-the-art. As a leader in super-tall building structures, wSP is in the forefront, working with developers, fabricators and contractors in order help define the new state of the art thereby meeting the needs of the industry for today and for the future.

Forensic Analysis/ Renovation/ Retrofit & Rehabilitation of Structures

New York Public Library, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library - Silman

The former Mid-Manhattan Library, originally built in 1914-15 as a department store, is the New York Public Library’s largest circulating branch. Until recently, the structure’s interior still had constraints related to the space’s original functions. Work at the site fell into two main categories: a vertical expansion and renovations within the existing six-story structure. The new vertical addition, which required structural reinforcements, has a conference center and rooftop terrace. A new “Long Room” with the library stacks and meeting areas features a triple-height atrium. Now renamed the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library, the building has a LEED Silver certification goal.

Other Structures

Park Union Bridge - Arup

Arup is the Engineer of Record for the Park Union Bridge, opened to pedestrians in July 2021, connecting the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum to America the Beautiful Park and Downtown Colorado Springs. Called the rip curl for its cresting design, the footbridge spans 250ft over active rail lines. The 300 ton steel superstructure is designed to both integrate with the aesthetic vision for the museum and to minimize impact on rail operations during construction.

Young Engineers of the Year Award

Leah Peker - MSG Entertainment Group

Mark Nelson - Arup