WASHINGTON, DC– Boston-based Arup has earned a National Recognition Award for exemplary engineering achievement in the American Council of Engineering Companies’ (ACEC) 51st annual Engineering Excellence Awards (EEA) for designing building systems for the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex (ISEC) at Northeastern University in Boston.
Built on a former brownfield site, the 234,000-square-foot ISEC houses four research disciplines—engineering, health sciences, basic sciences, and computer science—creating a dynamic, collaborative research culture for the university.
Northeastern sought a building that would surpass current standards for energy efficiency—a goal that can be difficult to achieve in laboratories that typically require large amounts of energy to ensure precise, consistent conditions for research. Arup applied advanced building analysis software to help the university and architect make better, more informed decisions about the design, and surpass the project’s stringent energy-efficiency goals.
The project also includes a new pedestrian bridge that allows residents, workers, and students to safely cross adjacent commuter rail tracks.
The project is among 146 engineering achievements from throughout the nation and the world being recognized by ACEC as the year’s finest examples of engineering excellence, and eligible for additional top national honors. Judging for final awards—known industry-wide as the “Academy Awards of the engineering industry”– took place in February, conducted by a national 36-member panel of built environment leaders, along with experts from government, the media and academia. Award criteria focuses on uniqueness and originality, technical innovation, social and economic value, and generating excitement for the engineering profession.
Recognition of all award winners including top commendations—20 Honor Awards, 16 Grand Awards and the prestigious “Grand Conceptor Award” for the year’s most outstanding overall engineering achievement—will take place at the annual EEA Dinner and Gala, a black-tie event to be held Tuesday, April 17, 2018, at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.
The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) is the business association of America’s engineering industry, representing more than 5,000 independent engineering firms and more than 600,000 professionals throughout the United States engaged in the development of America’s transportation, water and energy infrastructure, along with environmental, industrial and other public and private facilities. Founded in 1906 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., ACEC is a national federation of 52 state and regional organizations.
