The Association of Consulting Engineering Companies British Columbia (ACEC-BC) honoured engineering innovation at its 29th Annual Awards for Engineering Excellence Gala.
Awards were given in the following categories: Buildings, Municipal & Civil Infrastructure, Transportation & Bridges, Energy & Industry, Natural Resource & Habitat, Soft Engineering and Projects Under $2.5 Million. ACEC-BC also recognized the outstanding contributions of two individuals.
“The Awards for Engineering Excellence winners represent the best and brightest in our industry,” said Keith Sashaw, president and CEO, ACEC-BC. “The winning projects are some of the most impressive work we have seen from B.C.’s consulting engineers, who have been showcased on this stage for nearly three decades.”
This year’s Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Engineering Excellence winner was Fast + Epp for the Tallwood House at Brock Commons project (photo). The TallWood House at Brock Commons is an 18-storey, 400-bed student residence on the campus of the University of British Columbia (UBC). Reaching 53 metres, it has been recognized as the tallest mass timber hybrid building in the world.
From the outset, the question was not, “Is it possible to go 18-storeys with timber,” but rather, “Can this be built at a price competitive with concrete construction?” A “no” answer would have meant the building would be constructed with concrete – and there was just 10 months to design it.
The Meritorious Achievement Award, presented annually to an individual for significant lifetime contributions to engineering, the industry and the community, was awarded to Ahmet (Met) Ulker, P.Eng., FEC., AES Engineering Ltd.
The Young Professional Award was handed out to Graham Lovely, P.Eng, LEED AP BD+C of MCW Consultants Ltd. recognizing his achievements in the first 10 years of his career, demonstrating excellence in consulting business practices, outstanding achievements in his field, and leadership in the community.
The 2018 Client of the Year Award was provided to the City of Coquitlam. This award serves to promote and encourage best practices by clients, and nominations were based on criteria that included communication and relationship management, appropriate risk assessment management and allocation, use of fair and balanced contracts and appropriate procurement and delivery methodology that leads to clear scope.
In an industry where price is often the determinant factor rather than qualifications, and where engineering services are often viewed as a commodity, the City of Coquitlam is setting an excellent example of valuing the professional services that consulting engineers provide via qualification based selection.
For full list of winners, visit ACEC-BC
