Excellence in Structural Engineering Awards The Excellence in Structural Engineering Awards Competition takes place each year to recognize creative achievement in structural engineering via innovative structural designs and individual contributions that advance the profession. PurposeTo recognize creative achievement in structural engineering via innovative structural designs and individual contributions that advance the profession. EligibilityProjects completed since January 1, 2022 are eligible. Projects must be completed or under construction as of January 1, 2025. Incomplete projects must be sufficiently complete to clearly show the basic design of the structural system. For this awards program, “design” may refer to the overall structure or an element that performs a key function within the completed structure. Any type or size of project may be entered, including new projects, renovations, preservation, rehabilitation, and adaptive reuse projects. The project need not be located in Illinois, but at least one member of the design team, or a principal of the firm responsible for the entry, shall be a member of SEAOI. Submitting an application for membership with an entry will satisfy this requirement. For entries in the Best Neighboring State category, at least one member of the design team, or a principal of the firm responsible for the entry, shall be a member of a neighboring state Structural Engineers Association. Categories of AwardsAwards will be presented for the following:
Project categories apply to total construction costs. The bridge/transportation category applies to any size of bridge; however, entries can be also submitted in individual cost categories. The winner of the Jurors’ Favorite/Most Innovative will be selected from entries in all categories. One project will be selected to receive the Juror’s Favorite/Most Innovative Structure award. A project selected in this category, however, will not simultaneously be selected in one of the Best Project categories. Similarly, projects awarded the Best Bridge/Transportation and Best Renovation/Retrofit/Preservation Projects will not simultaneously be selected in one of the categories classified by construction cost. Finalists will be selected to make presentations at the SEAOI dinner meeting in May. One finalist will be selected to win each category of award. Finalists not selected as Juror’s Favorite/Most Innovative Structure or Best Project will receive Awards of Merit. SEAOI and the Judging Panel reserve the right to withhold an award in a particular category should no entry be deemed worthy. Click here for all past years award winners. |
2025 Judges |
Structural Engineering Helen Torres, PE, SE | Academia Shelley Finnigan | Architecture Jason Golub |
Media Edward Keegan | Government ![]() Robert Fahlstrom |
2025 Project Finalists |
Hyde Park Labs - Ben Sexton, Thornton Tomasetti NOLA Memoir - Jennifer Deem, Forefront Edith & Peter O'Donnell Jr Athenaeum - Han Ding, Datum Engineers Optiver at One Prudential Plaza - Chris Freisinger, Wiss, Janney & Elstner Associates ORD Terminal 5 Expansion - Mark Hendel, HOK Shedd Aquarium - Kathleen Strnad, Klein & Hoffman Saint Clement Parish Dome Renovation - Emma Brown, Thornton Tomasetti USACE Mobile District Headquarters - Lukasz Bukowski, Wight & Company Rockford Public Library - Alyssa Fee, IMEG Corp. Ramova Theatre - Eamonn Connolly, McHugh Engineering Ironworkers Local 63 Training Facility - Shiv Agarwal, Nayyar & Nayyar | Old Joliet Prison Stabilization - Terry McDonald, Klein & Hoffman 1000M - David Fields, MKA Pin Oak Community Center - Fernando Saz, The Structural Group UIC - Harrison Street Parking Garage - Ken Nizamuddin, Rubinos & Mesia Shedd Aquarium Entry & Ticketing Pavilions - Melissa Bayer, Thornton Tomasetti Hemmes Cultural Center Addition - Viral C. Shah, SR + A Glass City Metropark - John Rushing, SmithGroup Baird Center - Jason Gross, GRAEF The Ayer - Cary Kopczynski, CKC Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals - Tim Winter, Pierce Engineers |
Congratulations to the 2025 Winners! |
Lavicka Award
Hemmens Cultural Center Addition | Best Project - up to $10 Million
Shedd Aquarium Entry and Ticketing Pavilions | Best Renovation/Retrofit/Preservation Project
Ramova Theatre | Best Special Structure
Shedd Aquarium |
Best Industrial/Utility Project Ironworkers Local 63 Training Facility – Glass House | Best Neighboring State Project
Baird Center | Best Project - $10 Million to $50 Million Edith and Peter O’Donnell Jr | Best Bridge/Transportation Project Chicago O’Hare International Airport |
Best Project - $50 Million to $150 Million
Hyde Park Labs | Best Project - over $150 Million
1000M | Jurors' Favorite/Most Innovative Structure
Old Joliet Prison Stabilization |