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ELEVATE / CELEBRATE JQ RECOGNIZED FOR ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE ON TEXAS A&M’S AWARD-WINNING PROJECT: THE ZACHRY ENGINEERING EDUCATION COMPLEX RENOVATION AND EXPANSION The American Council of Engineering Companies of Texas has awarded JQ the Eminent Conceptor Award, the highest statewide engineering excellence award, for the firm’s structural engineering work on the Zachry Engineering Education Complex renovation and expansion project at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, according to JQ’s CEO Stephen Lucy, P.E. The Zachry EEC project also earned JQ an ACEC Texas Gold Medal in the Structural Systems category and an ACEC National Recognition Award. “We are honored to have received these awards and the national recognition for our structural engineering expertise on this project,” says Lucy. As the structural engineer of record and a consultant to the prime firm TreanorHL, JQ was involved in the reimagining and expansion of the Zachry EEC which is the cornerstone of the College of Engineering on the campus of Texas A&M University. In 2013, the Texas A&M College of Engineering launched the 25 By 25 initiative to enhance the quality of engineering education, to shape the engineer of the future and respond to the workforce needs of industry. The College of Engineering aimed to increase enrollment from 14,000 students in 2013 to 25,000 students by 2025 by transforming the engineering classroom into a 21st century model with a focus on technology enabled learning, hands- on projects, and collaborative, multidisciplinary learning spaces. The first major step towards this goal occurred with the completion of the Zachry EEC which now stands at 525,000 square feet and was achieved by renovating the original 300,0000-square-foot building, vertical expansion of the original building and two five- story building additions. Michael Young, president of Texas A&M University, stated at the dedication ceremony, the Zachry Engineering Education Complex is a “stunning feat of engineering.” The
facility contains technology-enhanced active- learning studios, interdisciplinary laboratories, 60,000 square feet of makerspace (design center containing machining and fabrication equipment), a student career center, study and gathering spaces, engineering-inspired art, and a 13,000-square-foot green roof terrace. Much of the building structure is concealed by architectural finishes; however, the building contains an abundance of structure on display: architecturally exposed structural steel canopies and trellises with spans in excess of 70 feet, a 3,800-square-foot steel- framed skylight structure over a central atrium, exposed cast- in-place concrete structure, active-learning (seating) stair to promote collaboration, and an engineering quadrangle with a rain garden, shade structures and engineering-focused artwork. Interior floor-to-ceiling storefront provides visual access into the fabrication center and engineering laboratories to put engineering education and experiments on full display. According to JQ’s principal Carlo Taddei, PE, “The most complex requirement was to make all of the exterior load-bearing precast concrete on the original building disappear.” In addition to the existing precast elements that were 10 foot wide columns, there was a void space in the middle of each element which served as a mechanical chase. All loadbearing precast concrete wall elements were replaced by a new steel exoskeleton while retaining all of the existing four floors supported by the original precast. The Zachry EEC is now the largest academic building on campus with 525,000 square feet of space, accessible to engineering students 24/7 which has increased the utilization and efficiency of the building. To many, the Zachry EEC is so unrecognizable since its transformation that many believe the original 300,000-square-foot building was demolished. In reusing 80 percent of the original building, significant economic and sustainable benefits were achieved. Says Lucy, “The work of the entire project
team involved a tireless effort to innovate and create a significant academic building on the Texas A&M campus that would address the university’s enrollment and programmatic goals and resonate with young engineers as a forward-thinking, forward-looking place of learning.” Project team: ❚ ❚ Treanor (architect/prime firm) ❚ ❚ Ayers Saint Gross (associate architect) ❚ ❚ Harrison Kornberg Architects (associate architect) ❚ ❚ JQ Engineering (civil and structural engineers) ❚ ❚ Shah Smith & Associates (MEP engineering) ❚ ❚ Coleman & Associates (landscape architect) ❚ ❚ 4b Technology Group (IT/data technology) ❚ ❚ Vaughn Construction (general contractor) ACEC Texas is the business association of Texas engineering firms. The ACEC Texas Engineering Excellence Awards honors and recognizes outstanding achievements within the engineering field. The distinguished panel of judges selected nine gold medal and six silver medal winners based on uniqueness, originality, technical, value to the engineering profession, complexity and how successfully the project met the needs of the client. The national ACEC EEA recognizes preeminent engineering achievements from throughout the world. Founded in 1984, JQ provides structural and civil engineering, geospatial and facility performance services throughout the United States. The firm is considered a leader in engineering design innovation and technology to support its complex, multi-state and multi- market projects. Nationally, JQ has been recognized as a “Best Place to Work” and as a “Hot Firm” by Zweig Group. JQ has offices in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Lubbock and San Antonio.
places. Then take a big gulp of patience to see you through to the fruits of your labor. LINDSAY YOUNG is the founder of nu marketing and is celebrating five years in business! She can be reached at lindsay@numarketingllc.com. “If you have strategized with your team and assembled a great plan, then implement it, keep everyone accountable, and measure your success. Plan the work and work the plan!”
LINDSAY YOUNG, from page 12
ones mentioned. You might put marketing and business development at the bottom of your priority list when it should be toward the top. Work on your plan, be patient, and be consistent. If you have strategized with your team and assembled a great plan, then implement it, keep everyone accountable, and measure your success. Plan the work and work the plan! Measure your results and make sure you’re continually evaluating what you are doing. Make sure you are investing time, money, and resources in the right
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THE ZWEIG LETTER June 3, 2019, ISSUE 1299
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