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Arizona State University’s Rob and Melani Walton Center for Planetary Health has won the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of New York Diamond Award for Category C – Structural Systems.

The high-performance facility features leading-edge research, including innovative endeavors focusing on the sustainability of food, water, and energy. The facility promotes an interdisciplinary approach to knowledge generation and cutting-edge research aimed at improving life on the planet. 

Committed to a climate positive campus, a low-embodied carbon design was utilized to support ASU’s sustainability commitments. To meet these goals, our structural engineering team opted to use a voided slab design using the BubbleDeck floor system. This design choice reduced the weight, allowed for longer span dimensions, and reduced the structural load on columns and foundations as concrete was removed from within the floors that were not contributing structurally. The voided slab reduced the amount of concrete required for the overall structure by 25% since this system was implemented in approximately 50% of the facility.

However, BubbleDeck alone was not the only feature incorporated to support a low carbon design. Our team also implemented a performance specification for a 40% reduction in Portland cement that McCarthy Building Cos., elected to meet using a 40% fly ash replacement, which could be more easily sourced locally versus other SCM options. The two-pronged attack reduced the amount of required concrete by 1,300 cu yd and carbon by 40% over the initial design.   

Recognizing our innovative approach to a low-embodied carbon design, ACEC awarded our structural engineering team the prestigious Diamond Award for Category C – Structural Systems.

In addition to the ACEC Award, the Center for Planetary Health has also won the ‘New Building Excellence Award’ from the Structural Engineers Association of New York’s (SEAoNY) Annual Award as well as the ‘Project of the Year Award in the Higher Education Category’ from Engineering News Record (ENR) Southwest.

We’re so thrilled to be recognized for our structural engineering work on this stunning building.  This was a highly collaborative project, and we worked closely with the owner, architects, and contractor to develop the innovative and unique exposed structures.  This included the first use of a voided slab or BubbleDeck system in Arizona: setting an example for reduced embodied carbon emissions in concrete buildings.

Fraser Reid, Associate Principal

Our team provided integrated engineering services for this LEED Platinum certified facility; striving to optimize performance across multiple disciplines to deliver design innovation.  This is a fantastic example of showcasing low-embodied carbon solutions in our structural design.

Sarah Sachs, Partner

ACEC Awards

The American Council of Engineering Companies of New York (ACEC New York) is a proactive coalition representing nearly 300 member firms who engage in every discipline of engineering related to the built environment including civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, environmental, and geotechnical.

The team was recognized during the 2024 Engineering Excellence Awards Gala on April 13, 2024.

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