Mark P. Sarkisian

Lehigh Class of '85 (MS, Structural Engineering)
PE, SE, Partner at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP

Khan's Vision
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Friday, February 9th, 2007
4:10 P.M.

Sinclair Laboratory Auditorium

Overview:

This first presentation for Lehigh University’s Dr. Fazlur Khan Lecture Series will explore Khan’s creative vision of structural engineering through his work at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) and the lasting impact that it has had on the profession.

Khan’s innovation, especially related to tall building design, will be presented through his theories and project examples including Sears Tower, John Hancock Center, Chestnut Dewitt Tower, Onterie Center all located in Chicago as well as other projects in the United States and overseas. The current work of SOM that incorporates the fundamental concepts of Khan will be presented. The presentation will also draw upon current SOM architectural engineering projects that reflect Khan’s vision and legacy by interpreing and expanding on his ideas.

Mark P. Sarkisian: Mark Sarkisian, PE, SE, is a structural engineering partner with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, one of the world's leading architectural/engineering design firms. He received his BS Degree in Civil Engineering from University of Connecticut (1983) and his MS Degree in Structural Engineering from Lehigh University (1985). His career has focused on developing innovative structural engineering solutions for building projects. He has designed over 50 major building projects around the world including the United States Embassy - Beijing, the NBC Tower - Chicago, The Cathedral of Christ the Light - Oakland, the Jin Mao Tower - Shanghai, currently the fourth tallest building in the world, and the 415 meter-tall Al-Hamra Tower - Kuwait. He also holds a U.S. Patent for The Pin-Fuse JointTM, a structural seismic device for building frames. He is licensed to practice civil/structural engineering in 15 states.

Khan's Vision:

This first presentation for Lehigh University's Dr. Fazlur Khan Lecture Series will explore Khan's creative vision of structural engineering through his work at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) and the lasting impact that it has had on the profession. Mark P. Sarkisian, PE, SE, Partner at SOM and a graduate of Lehigh University's Master of Science Program in Structural Engineering (1985) will be the presenter.

Khan's engineering innovation, especially related to tall building design, will be presented through his theories and project examples including Sears Tower, John Hancock Center, Chestnut Dewitt Tower, Onterie Center all located in Chicago as well as other projects in the United States and overseas. His advancements in developing structural solutions, innovative uses of materials, and prefabricated systems for construction as well as his collaborative, integrated approach to design will be discussed. Twenty five years after his death, Khan's influence on the current work at SOM, as well as other firms, persists. The current work of SOM that incorporates the fundamental concepts of Khan will be presented. These initiatives interpret and expand on his ideas and will be shown through project examples located worldwide. The work includes tall building structures, structures in regions of high-seismic risk, and those located in areas with difficult site conditions.

The Fazlur R. Khan Distinguished Lecture Series has been initiated and organized by Dan M. Frangopol, the first holder of Lehigh's Fazlur Rahman Khan Endowed Chair of Structural Engineering and Architecture.