MHP Structural Engineers Wins 2019 EiSE Award
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LONG BEACH, Calif. - Californer -- MHP Structural Engineers won an "Award of Excellence" in the "New Structures" category for the Orange Coast College Planetarium during the 2019 EiSE Awards Ceremony at the SEAOC Convention in Squaw Valley. The Excellence in Structural Engineering (EiSE) Awards acknowledge outstanding achievement in creative design, technical innovation, best practices, and demonstrated contributions to the public and celebrate excellence within the structural engineering profession.

"The OCC Planetarium project showcases MHP's ability to embrace opportunities through effective collaboration between designers, reviewers, and builders to create a STEM learning destination for students and the greater community," says Ken O'Dell, Principal of MHP Structural Engineers. "From a structural engineering perspective, our team continually works to improve design efficiency in support of the unique needs of our clients and we are honored to be recognized as innovators in our field."

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As Structural Engineer of Record on the $23 million Planetarium project, MHP's design approach capitalized on the structural integrity of a concrete dome as the building's anchor. By integrating this key architectural feature into the structural system, cost efficiency was enhanced by solving critical architectural and structural design needs with a single element. "Orange Coast College gave the project team creative license to think beyond our 'planetary boundaries' to create an iconic building on campus and experiment with structural systems for design efficiency," says O'Dell.

The OCC Planetarium project team included HPI Architecture (architect), Kitchell CEM (construction manager) and M.S. Construction (general contractor). "While the EiSE Awards recognize structural engineers, we have the entire team to thank for this project's success," says O'Dell.

Learn more about Orange Coast College Planetarium here.

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About MHP Structural Engineers
Established in 1973 and lead by principals with over 30 years at the firm, MHP Structural Engineers (MHP) is a leading structural design firm with licenses in 22 states and offices in Long Beach and San Diego, California. MHP's specialties include structural design and renovation, seismic evaluation and retrofit, equipment and component anchorage and structural due diligence. MHP's clients include public and private sector owners and developers with real estate holdings across North American seismic zones. Learn more at http://www.mhpse.com/.