Awards

Objective:

The Structural Engineers Association of Wisconsin (SEAWI) Excellence in Structural Engineering Awards will recognize projects demonstrating exceptional innovation, creativity and constructability.  Winners will be presented at the SEAWI Spring Technical Conference. 

Eligibility:

  • Construction must have been substantially completed between January 1st, 2023 and December 31st, 2025.  New buildings, renovations (including structural upgrades), and transportation structures are eligible for entry.

  • Projects need not be located in Wisconsin. However, at least 80% of the structural design work must be completed by engineers residing in Wisconsin.

Categories of Awards:

Awards will be presented in two project categories:

  1. Project Under $10M in Construction Cost or Structural Component/System. Examples of a structural component/system include an exceptional foundation system, curtain wall, roof system, connection solution, etc.

  2. Project Over $10M in Construction Cost.  

Construction Cost:

The stated construction cost of the entry shall be the approximate construction cost of the facility being entered, exclusive of site construction costs or the cost of other portions of the project.

Judges:

The selection of award recipients will be made by a Jury of Professionals. There will be a jury made up of three SEAWI members. Judges and their firms are not eligible to submit projects.

Judging Criteria:

Projects will be judged on their overall structural engineering achievement based on the following five criteria:

  1. Creativity of structural design

  2. Technical innovations and their influence on design

  3. Ingenuity of design for efficient use of material and labor

  4. How the design solved unusual problems

  5. Quality of execution

Point values will be assigned (1 to 10) in each criterion for a total of 50 points max. Entrants should consider all phases of the project, including the plan, design, and construction.

Submission Guidelines:

Entrants must complete the short submission form (follow link under 'Entry Form').

Presentation of Awards:

Awards will be announced at the 2026 SEAWI Spring Technical Conference. The Awards Coordinator will notify winners by email prior to the conference. Award recipients will be requested to make a 15 to 30 minute presentation about their project at the 2026 Spring Technical Conference.

Ownerships and Publication of Entries:

All entries become the property of SEAWI and will not be returned. SEAWI reserves the right to use or publish some or the entire material in publications. By entering, the entrant grants a royalty-free license to SEAWI to use any copyrighted material submitted. Such right includes publication of photographs and names of award winners without compensation to entrants.

Entry Form:

Click here to complete the Entry Form.

Awards Coordinator:

Michael E. Blodgett, PE

Contact for Questions: 

[email protected] 

Past Award Recipients:

Small Project Awards:

  • 2025 - The Trade Hotel - Monumental Stair (Pierce Engineers, Inc.)

  • 2024 - Lakefront Brewery Riverwalk and Beer Garden (Spire Engineering, Inc.)

  • 2023 - Advocate Aurora Health Care - Lake Villa Clinic (raSmith)

  • 2022 - Bradley Symphony Center - Monumental Stair (Pierce Engineers, Inc.)

  • 2020 - Hudson Tower Restoration (Ambrose Engineering)

  • 2019 - West Entrance Addition and Renovations at Aspirus Wausau Hospital (raSmith)

  • 2017 - Sage on Prospect (Spire Engineering)

  • 2016 - Highland Manor Community Safety Room (R.A. Smith National and Spancrete)

  • 2015 - Eckstein Municipal Pool Facility (Delta 3 Engineering)

  • 2014 - Athletic Park (Ionic Structures and Design, LLC)

  • 2013 - St. Marcus, Phase II (Pierce Engineers, Inc.)

Large Project Awards:

  • 2025 - The Couture (Thornton Tomasetti)

  • 2024 - Veit - Office and Shop Facility (Harwood Engineering Consultants)

  • 2023 - Ascent (Thornton Tomasetti)

  • 2022 - BMO Tower (Pierce Engineers, Inc.)

  • 2020 - UW Madison Hamel Music Center (raSmith)

  • 2019 - Northwestern Mutual Commons (ZS, LLC)

  • 2017 - Acuity East Galleria (Pierce Engineers, Inc.)

  • 2016 - One Menasha Center (Performa, Inc.)

  • 2015 - UW Health at the American Center (Flad Structural Engineers)

  • 2014 - The Edgewater Hotel (Pierce Engineers, Inc.)

  • 2013 - Rolling Mill #2, "White Lightning" (Computerized Structural Design, S.C.)

Component Awards:

  • 2020 - First Unitarian Society Meeting House (Pierce Engineers, Inc.)

  • 2019 - Rutgers Chemistry and Chemical Biology Building Stair (Flad Structural Engineers)

  • 2017 - Belmark Skywalk (Performa, Inc.)