Ron Klemencic

President
Magnusson Klemencic Associates, Seattle, WA

OUTRAGEOUS!
click here to view video

Friday, March 19, 2010
4:10 P.M.

Sinclair Laboratory Auditorium

Overview:

“Outrageous,” “wacky,” and “wild” are words not typically associated with building design. However, today’s modern architecture many times evokes these thoughts. While the general public may be asking “why?, most structural engineers are contemplating “how.” Ron Klemencic, P.E., S.E., will guide a visual tour through the structural design of some of the most interesting and challenging structures in the world today. The advances in design and construction technology, materials, and communication capabilities which make these projects possible will be highlighted.

RON KLEMENCIC: Ron Klemencic is President of Magnusson Klemencic Associates, an award-winning structural and civil engineering firm headquartered in Seattle with projects in 46 states and 45 countries. A 1985 B.S.C.E. graduate of Purdue University, Ron received his Masters Degree in Structural Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley in 1986. He joined MKA in 1992 and became President just 6 years later.

Ron has worked on projects in 16 states and 15 countries, and his current focus is complex highrise and mixed-use designs. He recently led the development of a new high-rise design methodology known as performance-based seismic design (PBSD), which provides buildings with increased safety, reliability, and flexibility at a reduced cost. PBSD represents the future of high-rise development and, at Ron’s advocacy, is rapidly being adopted throughout the United States.

Some of Ron’s recent designs include the 112-story Doha Tower in Qatar, the 475-foot-tall Rosewood Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, and the 52-story Sanaya Amman twin towers in Jordan.

Outrageous!:

“Outrageous,” “wacky,” and “wild” are words not typically associated with building design. However, today’s modern architecture many times evokes these thoughts. While the general public may be asking “why?, most structural engineers are contemplating “how.” Ron Klemencic, P.E., S.E., will guide a visual tour through the structural design of some of the most interesting and challenging structures in the world today. The advances in design and construction technology, materials, and communication capabilities which make these projects possible will be highlighted.

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.