Kier + Wright’s Post

With the #SCUPAnnualConference in full-swing in Philadelphia, we’re sharing more stories of sustainable infrastructure design and planning for #HigherEd institutions. Today we visit Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge: In collaboration with NBBJ Design, EskewDumezRipple, Reed Hilderbrand LLC Landscape Architecture, and others, we contributed to LSU’s Comprehensive and Strategic Campus Master Plan. Sherwood used a previous campus planning effort from 2003 to advance the initial considerations regarding development locations, infrastructure networks, circulation and stormwater collection, treatment and conveyance systems. Existing and future blue and greenway corridors that extend through the campus were identified by evaluating existing watersheds, topography, floodplains and utility infrastructure. These corridors became the development/ transportation spines that act as a framework for the masterplan, so that it mimics natural drainage patterns and increases the greenspace on campus. The final masterplan blends green infrastructure, circulation, water quality improvement and flood resilience into the natural systems of the campus and creates a more resilient plan for the future of LSU. https://lnkd.in/eYCcJfZR Image credit Reed Hilderbrand LLC Landscape Architecture

Frequent inspections and maintenance MATTERS! Here is some math for you. Standing water on a roof weighs 5 pounds per inch per sq ft. This roof had about 3 inches of water over 4000 sq ft of roof area. That equals 60,000 lbs!!!! This was caused by infrequent inspections and no cleaning of the roof drains which resulted a clogged strainer and significant ponding water. If left unattended this has the potential to cause: Structural damage/roof collapse. Compressed insulation resulting in further drainage issues and reduced R-Value. Damage to membrane resulting in leaks and premature failure. Unsafe walking conditions for maintenance staff of technicians. #facilitymanager #roof #construction #roofing #buildingenvelope #architect #publicschool #design #waterproofing BOMA Boston ISPE Boston Area Chapter Boston Society for Architecture IFMA Boston Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association

Just one example of why regular inspections and planned maintenance is so important when it comes to preserving the fabric of a building.

Understanding how fire and smoke travel through high-rise buildings and gaining access to hidden voids are crucial for evolving firefighting tactics. Collaboration between firefighters, architects, building designers, and engineers will facilitate this evolution.

The inclusion of green and blue roofs is imperative, especially in urban spaces. As precipitation events become more extreme, the question of what to do with massive amounts of storm water that comes so fast it overwhelms our sewer systems is increasingly at the forefront of our minds. Extreme events cause flooding and destruction of property and can even takes lives. Adding a green roof also helps with the urban heat island effect as green plants absorb heat and moisture. Adding green space anywhere in urban areas is needed. Making roofs vibrant green spaces can enhance the beauty of the city and help make it a cleaner, healthier and more environmentally friendly space. Great job American Hydrotech, Inc. and Northwestern University! #greenroof #blueroof #greenbuilding #urbanplanning #sustainability #climatechange #climatechangesolutions

**The Dynamic Duo: Why Urban Planning and Civil Engineering are Essential for the Future** As our cities face mounting challenges like climate change, population growth, and aging infrastructure, the need for integrated expertise in urban planning and civil engineering has never been greater. Over the past years, I've had the privilege of watching the intersection of these two vital disciplines. From the redevelopment of a historic downtown to the design of a multi-modal transportation hub, I've seen firsthand how blending urban planning principles with civil engineering best practices can transform communities. Urban planners bring a big-picture, human-centric vision - considering factors like land use, community needs, and environmental impacts. Civil engineers provide the technical know-how to turn that vision into reality through innovative, resilient infrastructure. Together, we can address complex challenges like housing affordability, climate adaptation, and equitable access to public spaces. By aligning our efforts, we can create cities that are not only functional, but truly livable - enhancing quality of life for all residents. As we look to the future, this collaborative approach will be crucial. With the mounting pressures of urbanization and climate change, the ability to integrate urban planning and civil engineering expertise will be essential for building smarter, more sustainable cities. I'm proud to be part of this dynamic field, and I'm excited to continue pushing the boundaries of what's possible. If you share my passion for creating vibrant, resilient urban communities, I'd love to connect and explore how we might work together. #UrbanPlanning #CivilEngineering #Sustainability #ClimateResilience #InfrastructureDesign

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟 I'm thrilled to share that I recently won the award for Best Design! 🏆 This achievement would not have been possible without the incredible support and guidance from my lecturer, Negin Yousefpour, PhD, PE, and my tutor, S. Farid Fazel Mojtahedi. Your insights and encouragement were instrumental in this success. Thank you both for everything! 🙏 This award was for our coursework project on the functional design of a Type B building at the new Fishermans Bend campus, part of the University of Melbourne’s innovative development initiative. I had the pleasure of working on this project with my talented teammate, Charlotte Moon Our focus was on the geotechnical package, where we tackled several critical components: Geotechnical Package Highlights: Site Investigation: Conducted a thorough geotechnical analysis, identifying soil and rock layers, ensuring strong structural support. Foundation Design: Designed bored piles of 800mm diameter with varying lengths to support different load requirements. Basement and Retaining Wall Design: Implemented a drained basement system with soldier piles and shotcrete-supported walls, reinforced by ground anchors. Used Frew software for stability analysis. Groundwater Management: Managed groundwater levels below the basement to prevent buildup and simplify long-term maintenance. Overall Project Overview: Structure: Combined mass timber for above-ground floors and reinforced concrete for the basement, reducing embodied carbon by 55%. Energy Efficiency: Included solar panels and a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system for an off-grid building with reduced carbon emissions. Water Infrastructure: Designed rainwater and stormwater collection systems to meet potable and non-potable water demands. Transport Connectivity: Developed an integrated transport plan to connect Fishermans Bend to the CBD and Port of Melbourne, promoting sustainable transport modes. I'm incredibly proud of the work we accomplished and grateful for the support of my team and mentors. 🎉 #Award #BestDesign #GeotechnicalEngineering #TeamWork #Innovation #Sustainability #UniversityOfMelbourne #FishermansBend #FrewSoftware #EngineeringDesign #Achievement

A reminder of the importance of compaction testing in geotechnical projects. This article highlights the importance of quality control in compaction processes.

Balfour Beatty US broke ground on Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas. It’s the company’s first theme park dedicated to young children. Universal executives wouldn’t confirm the project’s cost, but Frisco expects the company to invest at least $550 million to build it. Architecture firm Gensler, which has extensive experience with theme parks, has been tapped to help design the project. Read the full article on Construction Dive at https://lnkd.in/edzBH_zi. Structural design is the core of our business. Our experienced structural engineers are ready to give your vision life with ingenuity and know-how. No project is too complex for us, and we have experience in a wide range of structures, including bridges, bulkheads, pump stations, tunnels, and other projects above ground and below. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/ga3MwmHQ. #stivereng #structuralengineers #structuralengineering

Transformation Of The Upper Merion Area School District High School At Renew Design Group, Inc., we provided comprehensive land development and engineering/planning services for the replacement of an existing High School on a campus that now houses a fully functional Middle School and Administration Building. Let me tell you, it wasn't an easy task. The campus presented us with some notable challenges, including floodplain and environmental restrictions, limited recreational space, and a lack of stormwater management. But hey, we love a good challenge! To tackle these issues head-on, our talented team designed an extensive stormwater and utility infrastructure. And here's where it gets interesting - we even exposed a segment of an underground stream. Why? Well, not only to preserve the environment but also for educational purposes. We wanted to make learning fun and engaging! But that's not all. We also incorporated new artificial turf fields that can accommodate all high school sports. We wanted to create a space that fosters growth, teamwork, and healthy competition. And let me tell you, it turned out amazing! Through meticulous planning and innovative solutions, we successfully transformed the campus into a sustainable and efficient environment for students and staff. We're proud of the work we've done, and we're excited to see the positive impact it has on the community. #civilengineering #landdevelopment #schooldesign #stormwatermanagement