The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the 2025 Excellence In Structural Engineering Awards winners. Awards were presented in three categories; Buildings, Building Renovations, and Bridges and Transportation Structures. Winners were announced at the Annual Meeting on May 21st, 2025.
Building Structures
Project Name:
Rockingham County Municipal Complex
Project Location:
Brentwood, New Hampshire
Structural Design Firm:
TFMoran, Inc.
Project Highlight:
TFMoran partnered with Warrenstreet Architects and Harvey Construction to provide structural engineering services for a new 105,000 sq. ft. building with a 9,800 sq. ft. enclosed courtyard.
The new facility consists of a three-story office/support building in front of a single-story Y-shaped corrections wing with attached sallyport and enclosed courtyard. The three-story building houses the Registry of Deeds on the third floor, Attorney's Office on the second floor, and Sheriff's Office on the first floor.
The project features a pitched gable style roof and brick facade. The building was constructed of a hybrid of steel, masonry, and cold formed metal framing with intermediate reinforced masonry shear walls and special moment frames for the lateral load resisting system.
Building Renovations
Project Name:
IOOF Building Conversion & Addition
Project Location:
Manchester, New Hampshire
Structural Design Firm:
Team Engineering
Project Highlight:
Team Engineering is proud to present this project for an Excellence Award, showcasing our work as the structural engineer of record for the comprehensive renovation of a historic 5-story building originally constructed in 1871. The building, featuring mass brick shear and bearing walls along with wood and steel framing, was previously used for retail, offices, and a two-story IOOF meeting hall. The renovation transforms the structure into a mixed-use facility with retail and restaurant space on the ground floor, apartments on the upper floors, and auxiliary basement areas. Through a thorough code review and structural analysis, we confirmed that the existing structure could largely support modern loads, though significant architectural modifications necessitated targeted structural interventions.
Key structural solutions included installing rigid steel frames within newly introduced west wall openings to preserve lateral strength, reinforcing floor framing to complete the fifth floor, and strengthening the original steel elevator hoist beams for modern use. We also modified roof framing to accommodate new rooftop HVAC units and screening, designed load-sharing enhancements for various structural elements, and provided roof and foundation design for a one-story restaurant addition. This addition leveraged the existing brick wall and included moment frames for expansive windows, carefully considering the impact of snow drift loads. Our team’s work not only preserved the building’s historical integrity but also brought it up to modern standards for safety and usability.
Bridges and transportation Structures
Project Name:
Tamworth 41434 - NH Route 113A Over Swift River
Project Location:
Tamworth, New Hampshire
Structural Design Firm:
McFarland Johnson
Project Highlight:
Project Highlight:
In a tightly scheduled two-month roadway closure, the NH 113A bridge over the Swift River in Tamworth, NH underwent a superstructure replacement and foundation rehabilitation. Serving approximately 400 vehicles daily, the route is crucial for New Hampshire's logging industry. Due to the bridge's poor condition and geometry, phased construction wasn’t feasible, necessitating a full closure. The 25-mile detour justified an accelerated construction timeline, but low traffic volumes did not support the full cost of a traditional Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) approach. Instead, a cost-effective “ABC lite” method was adopted, blending Prefabricated Bridge Elements (PBEs) with conventional construction. The 152-ft, three-span bridge had its original superstructure—comprised of steel girders and a concrete deck - replaced in kind, this time using a bare concrete deck reinforced with Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP).
The urgency of the project stemmed from rapidly worsening deck conditions, with large holes requiring over 20 temporary steel plates to maintain service while rehabilitation plans were developed. The entire superstructure was replaced due to fatigue-prone details and substandard field welds. PBEs significantly expedited construction: partial-depth precast deck panels served dual roles as reinforcement and stay-in-place forms, and precast concrete abutment sections were installed atop the existing foundations with reinforcement pockets and closure pours. The bridge piers remained structurally sound and only needed new elastomeric bearings, reducing the amount of field-cast concrete. This hybrid construction method allowed the bridge to reopen quickly and cost-effectively while ensuring long-term durability and safety.
The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the 2024 Excellence In Structural Engineering Awards winners. Awards were presented in two categories; Building Structures and Special Structures. Winners were announced at the Annual Meeting on May 16th, 2024.
BUILDING STRUCTURES
2024 SENH Excellence in Structural Engineering Award – Building Structures
Project Name: Highrock Church
Project Location: Arlington, MA
Structural Design Firm: TFMoran, Inc.
Project Highlights: TFMoran Structural Engineers provided structural design to repurpose a former industrial building into a worship and community center for Highrock Church. Located in Arlington, MA, the existing building (c. 1900) originally built for manufacturing purposes, was most recently used for auto repair and parts warehousing. The project includes 19,700sf of worship and support spaces. Historic facades at the Great of the building were preserved, while replacing the roof structure and retrofitting foundations for a more functional, open worship space. Repairs were also made to the existing concrete structure. A new lobby addition provides accessibility and connection to an adjacent church property.
SPECIAL STRUCTURES
2024 SENH Excellence in Structural Engineering Award – special Structures
Project Name: Great Lawn Pavillion
Project Location: Cary, NC
Structural Design Firm: SGH
Project Highlights: The Great Lawn Pavillion is located at the center of a six-acre park in downtown Cary, North Carolina. Completed in 2023, the pavilion now serves as the park's focal point and functions as a shaded gathering space and performance venue with a multi-purpose stage, concealed green room, and ceiling-suspended audio-visual equipment for concerts, shows and movies.
The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the 2023 Excellence in Structural Engineering Awards winners. The award was presented in one category: Bridge and Transportation Structures. The winner was announced at the Annual Meeting on May 24, 2023.
BRidge and transportation Structures
2023 SENH Excellence in Structural Engineering Award – Bridge and Transportation Structures
Project Name: Main Street Bridge Replacement & US 202 Rehabilitation
Project Location: Peterborough, NH
Structural Design Firm: Hoyle, Tanner & Associates, Inc.
Project Highlights: Hoyle Tanner partnered with the Town of Peterborough and NHDOT on this federally funded Local Public Agency (LPA) project from the Engineering Study through final design, bidding and construction phases, including the environmental permitting and NEPA processes. Replacement of the historic, but structurally deficient, Main Street Bridge over the Contoocook River in downtown Peterborough was the catalyst for this comprehensive and complex transportation project with a total construction cost of nearly $15 million. The project also included realignment, widening, and reconstruction of approximately 850' of US Route 202 including both sidewalks; construction of a new stone-faced steel King-pile and sheeting retailing wall; in-situ stabilization of an historic boulder retaining wall; reconstruction of a portion of the Transcript Dam; lining of an historic granite canal; and extensive utility coordination and relocation work. As the prime consultant, Hoyle Tanner assembled and managed an extensive team of specialized subconsultants to complete the project. Close coordination with stakeholders, including the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources and the Peterborough Heritage Commission, was required throughout the project development process.
The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the 2022 Excellence In Structural Engineering Awards winners. Awards were presented in two categories; Building Structures and Bridge & Transportation Structures. Winners were announced at the Annual Meeting on May 18th.
Building Structures
2022 SENH Excellence in Structural Engineering Award – Building Structures
Project Name: Nashawtuc Country Club
Project Location: Concord, MA
Structural Design Firm: TFMoran, Inc., Bedford, NH
Project Highlights: Nashawtuc Country Club located in Concord, MA is the site of complete renovation and addition to an existing country club community building totaling 40,000 square feet. The addition included a new restaurant, recreation, and function spaces, including a grand ballroom with architectural exposed steel trusses. Renovations included repairs, reconfigurations of column locations, support of new mechanical equipment and a complete lateral load resisting system upgrade. The existing building was comprised of a variety of framing systems and materials while the new additions were comprised of hybrid framing system of wood and steel members.
Bridge and Transportation Structures
2022 SENH Excellence in Structural Engineering Award – Bridge and Transportation Structures
Project Name: Bement Covered Bridge Rehabilitation
Project Location: Bradford, NH
Structural Design Firm: Hoyle, Tanner & Associates, Inc., Manchester, NH
Project Highlights: The Bement Covered Bridge is one of the four surviving Long Trusses in New Hampshire and one of 25 remaining in the United States. It was built in 1854 based on the design patented in 1830 by the US Army Colonel Stephen H. Long of Hopkinton, New Hampshire. The rehabilitation work designed by Hoyle Tanner involved replacement of non-original members, the replacement "in-kind" of other members, and the addition of reversible structural reinforcing members. All work was conducted in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties by not altering any aspects of the property's historical integrity or character-defining features that make it eligible for the National Register.
The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the 2021 Excellence In Structural Engineering Awards winners. Awards were presented in two categories; Building Structures and Bridge & Transportation Structures. Winners were announced at the Annual Meeting on May 19th.
Building Structures
2021 SENH Excellence in Structural Engineering Award – Building Structures
Project Name: School Street Parking Garage New Addition & Redevelopment
Project Location: Concord, NH
Structural Design Firm: The H.L. Turner Group, Concord, NH
Project Highlights: The H.L. Turner Group Inc. was selected by the City of Concord as architects and engineers for design and construction administration of the renovation and restoration of a 459 space parking garage. The five‐story structure is framed with structural steel with cast‐in‐place concrete, post‐tensional slabs. The designs included two new stair towers; elevator; restoration of concrete, steel and brick; new traffic membrane; expansion joints; new drain piping system; signage; maintenance room; and many other renovations, restorations, and upgrades to this 1984 vintage parking garage.
Bridge and Transportation Structures
2021 SENH Excellence in Structural Engineering Award – Bridge and Transportation Structures
Project Name: Lilac Bridge
Project Location: Hooksett, NH
Structural Design Firm: Dubois & King, Inc., Bedford, NH
Project Highlights: This project used modern practices to design an economical prefabricated structure with the appearance of a historic structure. Dubois & King collected input from all 8 groups to develop alternatives for parties to review. Explosive demolition was used to remove the former bridge. The contractor installed an innovative and cost-effective temporary sewer bypass and also built a causeway in the river to provide safe construction access.
The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the 2020 Excellence In Structural Engineering Awards winners. Awards were presented in three categories; Building Structures, Bridge & Transportation Structures and Special Structures. Winners were announced at the Annual Meeting on May 13th.
Building Structures
2020 SENH Excellence in Structural Engineering Award – Building Structures
Project Name: Hampton Academy Renovation & Addition
Project Location: Hampton, NH
Structural Design Firm: The H.L. Turner Group, Concord, NH
Project Highlights: The Turner Group was selected to perform a site analysis in order to identify potential locations for building additions for Hampton Academy, a public middle school located in Hampton, NH. The building committee selected a design that included a 70,000 square foot renovation of the preserved structure and a 50,000 square foot addition. The largest engineering challenge on the project included the removal of the gable end of the building while the roof framing remained in place.
Bridge and Transportation Structures
2020 SENH Excellence in Structural Engineering Award – Bridge and Transportation Structures
Project Name: Route 107A Accelerated Bridge Construction
Project Location: East Kingston, NH
Structural Design Firm: McFarland Johnson, Inc., Concord, NH
Project Highlights: This Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) project consisted of the superstructure replacement of a three-span steel girder bridge carrying NH Route 107A over PanAm Railways and a private residential drive. The project utilized innovative materials and structural systems including Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) and modular Prefabricated Bridge Units (PBU’s), both being the first use of these technologies by the NHDOT. The bridge superstructure was replaced during a 25-day bridge closure, minimizing impacts to the traveling public.
Special Structures
2020 SENH Excellence in Structural Engineering Award – Special Structures
Project Name: Durgin & Crowell Dust Collection Cyclones Structure
Project Location: Springfield, NH
Structural Design Firm: Team Engineering, Bedford, NH
Project Highlights: Durgin & Crowell Lumber Co. required a structure to house three new cyclones, vacuums that remove sawdust from the indoor processing facility and transports it to a bagging machine. The sawdust is sold for many uses including horse barns and composting toilets. The cyclones rise 62-feet above the concrete piers. While the result of the design is a simple steel brace frame, the multitude of loads and combinations for the top-heavy structure made the design challenging and fun.
The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the 2019 Excellence In Structural Engineering Awards winners. Awards were presented in three categories; Building Structures, Bridge & Transportation Structures and Special Structures. Winners were presented awards at the Annual Meeting on May 16th.
Building Structures
2019 SENH Excellence in Structural Engineering Award – Building Structures
Project Name: Medicus Office Buildings
Project Location: Windham, NH
Structural Design Firm: TFMoran, Inc., Bedford, NH
Project Highlights: Medicus Healthcare Solutions office building complex, located in Windham, NH, is a newly constructed three building complex. The buildings contain approximately 100,000 square feet of office space and are all connected by enclosed pedestrian bridges at the second floor. Each building is framed of a hybrid system of insulated concrete formed (ICF) walls and steel open web floor joists, beams and columns. The building is founded on concrete spread footings.
Bridge and Transportation Structures
2019 SENH Excellence in Structural Engineering Award – Bridge and Transportation Structures
Project Name: Old Blenheim Bridge Replacement
Project Location: North Blenheim, NY
Structural Design Firm: Hoyle, Tanner & Associates, Inc., Manchester, NH
Project Highlights: The Old Blenheim Bridge was a single-span, double-barrel Long Truss covered bridge built in 1855 located in North Blenheim, NY and destroyed by flooding of Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. The replacement bridge, constructed in 2018, is one of the longest single-span covered bridges in the world and one of only six double-barrel covered bridges in the country. The bridge utilizes Long Trusses which is considered to be the first intentionally prestressed truss bridge type.
Special Structures
2019 SENH Excellence in Structural Engineering Award – Special Structures
Project Name: Harbor Way Ship Sculpture
Project Location: Boston, MA
Structural Design Firm: Summit Engineering, PLLC, Portsmouth, NH
Project Highlights: Summit Engineering was contracted by the fabricator to provide the structural steel design for this sculpture, with particular focus on maintaining the slender appearance of the curved weathering steel plate members and connections while providing sufficient strength under gravity and multi-directional wind loads. The sculpture, fabricated by DeAngelis Iron Works of Eaton, MA, was inspired by the discovery of a portion of the two-masted schooner’s hull during the excavation of a new building in 2016.
The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the 2018 Excellence In Structural Engineering Awards winners. Awards were presented in three categories; Building Structures, Bridge & Transportation Structures and Special Structures. Winners were presented awards at the May 25th meeting.
Building Structures
2018 SENH Excellence in Structural Engineering Award – Building Structures
Project Name: FW Webb Central Distribution Center
Project Location: Londonderry, NH
Structural Design Firm: Summit Engineering, Portsmouth, NH
Project Highlights: Summit Engineering was part of a multi-disciplinary design build team for the construction of the new $56.6 million FW Webb Central Distribution Facility in Londonderry NH. The building consists of a 724,000 sf warehouse and 48,000 sf office space with additional freestanding exterior canopies. A type K shrinkage compensating concrete mix was selected to eliminate interior contraction joints and limit construction joints.
Bridge and Transportation Structures
2018 SENH Excellence in Structural Engineering Award – Bridge and Transportation Structures
Project Name: Village Common Covered Bridge
Project Location: Wentworth, New Hampshire
Structural Design Firm: DuBois & King, Inc., Laconia, New Hampshire
Project Highlights: Wentworth, NH, and the NHDOT faced a complex situation: an irreparable 96-foot-long steel truss bridge over the Baker River was to be removed, rerouting all pedestrians along an unprotected shoulder on NH 25. Concurrently, the client found a freely available, but longer, 106-foot covered bridge at an active demolition site. Rapidly, under a small, uncertain budget, DuBois & King designed shoring and historic rehabilitation for transport of the bridge to be placed on modified abutments.
Special Structures
2018 SENH Excellence in Structural Engineering Award – Special Structures
Project Name: Nansen Ski Jump Restoration
Project Location: Milan, NH
Structural Design Firm: HEB Engineers, Inc., North Conway, NH
Project Highlights: HEB undertook a structural assessment of the Nansen Ski Jump to determine what repairs were needed for a safe jump. After creating a 3D finite-element model using the original as-built drawings, HEB performed a visual assessment and made recommendations for immediate and long-term repairs including replacing steel members, defective welded connections, and all wood deck and railing members. The ceremonial jump was successfully completed by Team USA ski jumper Sarah Hendrickson on March 4, 2017.
The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the 2017 Excellence In Structural Engineering Awards winners. Awards were presented in three categories; Building Structures, Bridge & Transportation Structures and Special Structures. Winners were presented awards at the May 17th meeting.
Building Structures
2017 SENH Excellence in Structural Engineering Award – Building Structures
Project Name: RiverWalk Resort at Loon Mountain Phase I
Project Location: Lincoln, New Hampshire
Structural Design Firm: Hoyle, Tanner & Associates, Inc., Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Project Highlights: RiverWalk Phase I is a 153,000-square foot, seven-story building, with 79 luxury suites, 118 unit decks, common areas, a porte cochere, covered porches, restaurants, a winery, an exposed deck at the first floor and an indoor/outdoor swimming pool that converts to an ice skating rink in the winter. It is a Type 1B building and is currently the tallest building north of Concord, New Hampshire at 138 feet tall.
Bridge and Transportation Structures
2017 SENH Excellence in Structural Engineering Award – Bridge and Transportation Structures
Project Name: Replacement of Bridge 10 over New Haven River
Project Location: New Haven, VT
Structural Design Firm: WSP|Parsons Brinckerhoff, Manchester, NH
Project Highlights: This ABC project, which consisted of a 164’ – 2 span curved steel girder superstructure with integral abutments, was constructed in 72 days. The integral pier cap was prefabricated with portions of the superstructure and was supported on a single column utilizing an innovative grouted connection, which was supported on a monoshaft. Due to the complex nature of the structural system, a 3D Hybrid Stiffness/Finite Element Model was required for design.
Special Structures
2017 SENH Excellence in Structural Engineering Award – Special Structures
Project Name: Northeastern University – Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex Spiral Stair
Project Location: Boston, MA
Structural Design Firm: Summit Engineering, Portsmouth, NH
Project Highlights: Summit Engineering was contracted by the steel fabricator, DeAngelis Iron Works of Easton, MA on the structural design of this $1.5M multi-level spiral stair. Summit Engineering was responsible for the modeling, design, and calculations submittal packages for approval by the building architect and engineer of record. Additional design elements include finite element analysis (FEA) of radial glass guards, steel railings, A-frame support structure at each floor level, connections for all elements of the stair, and rigging support structures.
