Central Chapter Dinner Meeting: 

Award Winning Project Presentations

Lowell Observatory

Winner of the Structural Engineering Excellence (SEE) OUTSTANDING PROJECT Award for New Buildings $30M to $80M.

The Lowell Observatory Campus Expansion includes the Giovale Open Deck Observatory (GODO) and Lowell Astronomy Discovery Center (LADC). The GODO is a 5,000ft² structure built on railroad tracks making it retractable, providing a movable shelter for multiple telescopes using arched HSS trusses and braced wall trusses resting on railcar bogies (wheels). The LADC is a 3-story 40,000ft² educational facility with masonry walls, composite deck floors and wide flange roof beams with steel deck installed on a radius. The building is circular and features an IMAX-type theater with a wraparound screen, a Kid’s Zone with interactive activities, and rooftop Dark Sky planetarium for nighttime shows. 

Speaker:

Daniel Van Cuyk, P.E., S.E. 

Daniel Van Cuyk SE, PE is a Senior Project Manager at Caruso Turley Scott where he has worked for 26 years. He was born and raised in North Ridgeville, Ohio, then moved to Arizona in 1995 to attend the University of Arizona. He graduated in 1999 with a Bachelor's in Civil/Structural Engineering, then earned his structural seal in Arizona as well as a California Civil seal. Daniel has worked on a wide variety of exciting concrete, steel and masonry projects, including OdySea Aquarium, Marina Heights at Tempe Town Lake, and MCSO Sheriff's Office in downtown Phoenix.

Maricopa County Southeast Justice Center

Winner of the Structural Engineering Excellence (SEE) OUTSTANDING PROJECT Award for New Buildings $30M to $80M.

The Maricopa County Southeast Justice Center consolidates four previously independent justice courts into one unified, state-of-the-art, two-story, 109,000-square-foot facility that enhances operational efficiency and streamlines judicial services. Defined by a 28-foot light-filled atrium and a monumental steel-framed floating stair, the structure showcases creative design, long-span framing, and intricate brickwork using standard materials in inventive ways. MBJ reimagined conventional brick, steel, and concrete into structurally efficient and visually compelling systems, including porous parapets and suspended masonry walls. Overcoming site constraints, performance demands, and constructability challenges, the team delivered an innovative, cost-effective civic building that exemplifies thoughtful structural design and execution.

Speaker:

Mike Davieau, P.E., S.E. 

Mike Davieau is a structural engineer in Meyer Borgman Johnson’s Tempe office. He is a licensed professional and structural engineer with over 15 years of experience in new design and renovation projects in the municipal, healthcare, sports and recreation, high-tech, energy, and education sectors. Mike is an SEAoA member and current Central Chapter Board Director.

Please join us!