The March issue of Structure Magazine features an article by GMS Principal Forensic Engineer Dan Eschenasy entitled “Underlying Causes of Exterior Sign Accidents.”

On June 21, 2022, Ramon Gilsanz presented the differences between the seismic portions of the 2014 New York City Building Code and the latest released Code as part of SEAoNY’s Code Update Training Series. The course showcases the different design factors, calculations, classifications, systems, and inspections required depending on the structural makeup of the building.

This study, authored by Ramon Gilsanz, Daniel Gleave, Andrew Dolan, and Sarah Ropert of GMS and Erica C. Fischer of Oregon State University, examines the feasibility of a new concealed connection for steel gravity framing that has been shown to protect connection components from the increasing temperatures and subsequent thermal degradation that occur during a fire.

The February 2022 Architectural Design features Casa Loro, a large Panama Estate for which the GMS team – including Phil Murray, Jessica Mandrick, and Ana Gallego – provided structural engineering services. The completed estate includes a three-bedroom main house, four guest cabins, a pool house, and a separate spa building totaling approximately 16,000 sf.

This article discusses the technologies used to allow flat-plate concrete floor systems to achieve longer spans in the 45-50 foot range. The combination of higher-strength materials, voided slab formers, and post-tensioned systems provide an economic and environmentally friendly solution for Class A office building construction.

The competing factors governing structural design and dimensioning of reinforced concrete slabs create opportunities for optimizing the cost and performance of reinforced concrete flat-plate slabs. Using a slab prototype from an existing building, this study compares designs using different strengths of reinforcing bars and concrete.

At the Woolworth Building, the 1913 skyscraper designed by architect Cass Gilbert, which was the tallest in the world until 1930, Alchemy Properties is in the process of converting the top 30 floors into 33 condos priced from $3.875 million.

What to do with a building and a city block with no designated historic significance but, for lack of a better term, landmark adjacency? This was the challenge for Morris Adjmi and his team when they set out to design a boutique luxury condominium building for Toll Brothers at 55 West 17th Street.

The twisting, torquing towers of the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG)-designed The Eleventh (The XI) have begun sprouting along the High Line, and developer HFZ Capital has released a new batch of renderings.

Renderings for the new Studio Gang-designed 11 Hoyt condo development in downtown Brooklyn have been released. Topping out at 51 stories at 664 feet, 11 Hoyt will be among the tallest buildings in Brooklyn—taller than any existing structure.

Making a 15-story tower feel intimate is no small feat. That’s exactly what the New York–based firm CookFox Architects set out to do when it took on the task of transforming the former Whitehall Storage Facility into a 91-unit luxury residential building on 150 Charles Street in New York City’s West Village.

A forthcoming rental building on the Upper West Side has undeniably luxurious extras, including a library lounge, a hair salon and a movie theater. 305 West End Residences, near 74th Street, will be a sleek and shiny assisted-living facility with a memory-care wing that’s specially designed for individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s.

In autumn 2015, Porcelanosa, a Spanish manufacturer of tiles and kitchen/bath finishes, opened a new 18,000-squarefoot New York showroom at 202 Fifth Ave. Occupying the former Commodore Criterion building, the store required a full gut renovation to create seven levels within a building envelope that previously had only six levels.

In view of the High Line park and the Hudson River, Google has a new home. With space split between two Chelsea landmarks, and revamped by Interior Architects, the search engine’s sales team enjoys impressive digs that are nevertheless decidedly understated. The goal here was to play against type by celebrating the low-tech and the local.

When the dust settled from the Sept. 19, 2017, Puebla-Morelos quake—the most damaging seismic event in Mexico since the 1985 quake—44 buildings had partially or fully collapsed in Mexico City.

529 Broadway is a joy to look at and its decoration runs more than skin deep. In its fine, thoughtful and varied detail, the building speaks to passing New Yorkers at a scale that seems to respect them as individual, embodied citizens.

Fotografiska International, the world’s largest photography museum, will establish its first U.S. location at 281 Park Ave. South building, formerly known as the Church Mission House in Midtown South.

The bridge that used to connect Trinity Church, one of the earliest sites to receive landmark designation, and now demolished 25-story parish building will be getting additional structural supports designed by Harold I. Shapiro and Gilsanz Murray Steficek until it is ready to be tied to the emerging 26-story parish hall in the spring of 2018.

Reconnaissance trips following natural or manmade disasters can provide valuable education because observing success is equally valuable to observing failure, as we can learn what to promote in our designs.

Trinity Church used to be connected to a 25 story parish building. A new 26 story Trinity Church Parish Center will take its place to engage with community through mixed use of space, including commercial space and nine floors dedicated to a parish center at the base.

Known as the Cubes, the project flanks the western edge of a through-block plaza at 120 West 42^nd Street between Avenue of the Americas and Broadways.

The former flagship Toys ‘R’ Us store in Times Square is now being converted into locations for clothing retailers Gap and Old Navy. The 65 feet tall Ferris wheel had been dismantled, and its towering T-Rex shredded and burnt.

Porcelanosa, a Spanish manufacturer of tiles and kitchen/bath finishes opened a new showroom at 202 Fifth Avenue, across the street from the Flatiron Building. Gilsanz Murray Steficek served as a prime consultant to the renovation of the former “Commodore Criterion” building.

The American Physical Society (APS) newly renovated its headquarters in Ridge, NY. Gilsanz Murray Steficek participated as a structural engineer, collaborating with Marvel Architects in a state of the art, high performance and cost effective facility.

330 Madison went under a renovation to stay competitive in the market. MdeAS Architects and Gilsanz Murray Steficek came up with direct attachment of new curtain walls to existing mullions as an “over-cladding”, an effective solution that reduced the overall cost, and minimized disruption to the tenants.

The old-fashioned department stores are booming, only in Manhattan, NY. Five new stores are to open, which defies the notion that these stores are being outrun by online shopping and other varieties of retail options.

Numerous studies show that a diverse workforce is stronger. Nationwide, 17% of civil engineers are women.  Engineers must encourage more women and minorities into our profession, because we need all the talents available to work towards more resilient structures.

Downtown Manhattan’s iconic 1913 Woolworth building has gone through many redesigns over 17 years, and is under renovation and conversion to luxury condominium.  This article presents a case study of structural and logistical issues involved in the adaptive reuse of an early 20^th century skyscraper and outlines the case for achieving sustainability through such re-purposing.

The fundamental principle that drives the need for speed in construction is economic. However, not all projects rely on speeds to maintain profitability. Those that do, achieve efficiencies through uniformity of design, systematized construction methods, and the engineer’s engagement during constructions.

While structural engineers are often lauded for achieving wild architectural forms, the engineering and inspection team on Avalon West Chelsea project instead presented value through thoughtful structural design, by simplifying the construction processes, and by bringing a straightforward production process to a potentially overwhelmingly unwieldy project.

The Applied Technology Council (ATC) was founded by practicing professionals with the intent to serve the evolving needs of engineering practice. Since then they have funded engineers and researchers to develop improved hazard mitigation strategies and seismic design standards.

The New World Center in Miami, FL may appear to be a straightforward glass and concrete box on the outside, but the interior holds the dynamic sculptural elements that are the signature of Gehry Partners.

As current leaders in structural engineering approach the end of their careers, it is increasingly important that young professionals take active measures to step into leadership roles. Leadership transition plays a vital role in the profession, but always brings with it challenges that differ from those of past generations.

A new torquing tower that rises out of an existing two-story Art Moderne style brick warehouse built in 1938, which was once part of the Gansevoort Market. It now stands as a case study of melding old with new via a steel framing approach that serves as both an innovative aesthetic and a standard erection process—while at the same time respecting neighborhood context.

Framed with glue-laminated timber and a glazed façade applied to the structural posts, the expansion of the Stapleton Library seamlessly blends the brick and stone 1907 Carnegie Library. Gilsanz Murray Steficek served as the structural engineer of the project.

Surrounded by view of jet ways, aircraft, and the iconic TWA Terminal, the new Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at JFK boasts the glamour of 1960s air travel with an uptown vibe. Gilsanz Murray Steficek served as the structural engineer of the project.

Our firm is honored to receive this year’s Outstanding Public Service Award, which recognizes an outstanding company who has contributed significantly to New York and its communities.

When Marriott Marquis was going up on Times Square in the 1980s, critics were calling Marriot crazy. Today, the hotel is among Marriot’s most profitable. Now, Marriot is betting on similar miracle near Penn Station. This time, they are not the only one doing so.

An expansion project in the Meatpacking District, an exoskeletal 5-story addition has each floor that is slightly smaller in area to the one below and rotated in plan. Gilsanz Murray Steficek developed an efficient and cost-effective scheme by working closely with Morris Adjmi Archtects.

David Rockwell, the Interior Design hall of Fame member, also a Tony Award-nominated set designer, believes that interiors should be theatrical. NeueHouse is the epitome of his philosophy.

One Jackson Square, a new residential building located on the north edge of Jackson Square Park, stands as a counterpart to the masonry architecture prevalent in the Greenwich Village Historic District. Gilsanz Murray Steficek served as the structural engineer of the project.

Jane’s Carousel dates back to 1922 when it was initially installed in Idora Park in Youngstown, Ohio. In the early 1980s, it was purchased for installation in Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park (now Brooklyn Bridge Park) in the Dumbo neighborhood of Brooklyn. After more than two decades of restoration, it now resides in a pavilion in the park.

Sierra Bonita is a 5 story mixed use affordable housing structure located in West Hollywood, CA. Unlike most affordable housings, Sierra Bonita successfully integrates affordability, sustainability, and style. Gilsanz Murray Steficek served as a structural engineer of the project.

510 Madison Avenue is a 30 story boutique office building in the Plaza District. Gilsanz Murray Steficek served as the structural engineer of the project, designing all the steel connections and providing special inspections, and as the façade consultants.

Frank Stella is an artist who will always be best remembered for his radical Black Painting (1958-60), which consists of symmetrical bands of black paint separated by narrow interstices of unpainted canvas. The style of his work has changed over times, but he always insists that his three-dimensional works are paintings, not sculptures.

510 Madison Avenue is a 30 story boutique office building in the Plaza District. Gilsanz Murray Steficek served as the structural engineer of the project, designing all the steel connections and providing special inspections, and as the façade consultants.

Image by Pavel Bendov / ArchExplorer

One Jackson Square is a new residential building in the Greenwich Village Historic District. It might not follow the prevalent masonry architectures in the West Village, but pays homage to its neighbors by reflecting them in an intriguing kaleidoscopic pattern. Gilsanz Murray Steficek served as the structural engineer and curtain wall consultant.

The new YMCA Patchogue Family Center is about four times bigger than its old building in Holtsville. This new center consists of multiple spaces that could appeal to each and every member of a family: a teen center that has PS3 of Nintendo Wii, a day care center for young children, and customary gym and the variety of sports center for adults.

In a 405,000 sqft industrial complex that got its name local nickname “Penny Factory” for producing foreign currency, postage stamps, war bonds, and half the certificates used at the New York Stock Exchange, a charter school had just renewed its 28,800 sqft space until 2022.

As baby boomers reach their “mature years”, their interest in medical cares is expected to rise, and there is a continuing demand for medical space. In this sense, investing in healthcare centers is a good idea, and many hospitals and property owners are doing so. However, not all medical specialties fit well with corporate environments.

The new school chapel in St. Anthony’s High School, with a bell tower, is meant to bring back an older tradition of worship. The new building will rise from behind a glass corridor that connects the two wing of the school and is stressed vertically, unlike many modernist churches which are laid out horizontally.

The reception for the new hedge-fund office, 20,000 sqft split between two levels of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill’s Lever House, also functions as a showroom for the CEO’s art collection. Gilsanz Murray Steficek served as the structural engineer.

The Park Synagogue congregation settled in Cleveland Heights in 1950 with a landmark synagogue. Now, the expanding congregation is also served by the new Park East Synagogue in Pepper Pike, designed by Centerbrook Architects and Planner, which incorporates a sanctuary, school, library, and a community center. Gilsanz Murray Steficek served as the structural engineer.

A new synagogue that incorporates sanctuary, school, library, and a community center like its older siblings, serves as the East Campus for the Park Synagogue in Cleveland Heights. Gilsanz Murray Steficek served as the structural engineer.

Quinnipiac University aims to become a national contender in ice hockey. The new $52 million TD Banknorth Sports Center is a great proof of the level of Quinnipiac University’s interest in its varsity hockey teams.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is replacing their Highway Divisions’ building located in Ozone Park with a new facility that incorporates the latest in high performance design principles.

Northwell Health’s 147 year old Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital (MEETH), long known for its specialty cares, recently opened: the New York Hand and Wrist Center, the Glaucoma Center, and the Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma (NISMAT).

This is a detailed forensic investigation report on the Windsor Building fire that took place in Madrid, Spain in 2005. This paper was co-authored by Ramon Gilsanz alongside Arturo Montalva of Hinman Consulting Engineers and Vincent Pons i Frigola, Vincent Pons i Grau, and Oscar Herrera of the Technical Office of Forensic Engineering in Spain.

In Ossining, NY, the Green Library is under construction in the parking area of the old library, which will be demolished once the new structure is complete. The new library incorporates several green elements, which is expected to save a significant amount of energy cost.

Gilsanz Murray Steficek, a structural engineering company based in NYC, has formed a Quality Assurance Group that offers inspection and testing services for clients with new construction or restoration projects.

St. Francis Hospital in Roslyn, NY will have a $190 million expansion and renovation to solve space and program deficiencies. This includes building approximately 157,000 sqft of new space, renovating about 57,000 sqft, and adding a 4 story underground parking garage. Gilsanz Murray Steficek served as a structural engineer.

According to Engineering Business Institute (EBI), 88 percent of the firms Best Structural Engineering Firm to Work have a formal mentoring program for new engineers. Gilsanz Murray Steficek is one of those firms, and GMS offers a unique program that aims to promote personal growth of its members.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s new Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center is a structure that houses both the performing arts and experimental media, with traditional and well-lit space for performing arts and slick curtain wall exterior and sheer white polished walls on the interior for experimental media. Gilsanz Murray Steficek served as a structural engineer.

Keep Off the Grass!, a work of art on exhibit at Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles, features a 1,000 sqft undulating “carpet” of sod hanging from the ceiling. Gilsanz Murray Steficek worked on the unique structural schematic to make it look as if it is floating, but also stable at the same time.

The new Time Warner Center houses the new world headquarters for Time Warner, the 1,970 seat Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Shops at Columbus Circle, 199 condominiums, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 200,000 sqft office spaces, and a 504 stall valet parking garage. To quote a jury panel member, “[It] was a mind-boggling effort. The size, the complexity, the coordination required was incredible.” Gilsanz Murray Steficek served as a structural engineer.

Gilsanz Murray Steficek opened new offices in Essex County, NJ and Los Angeles, CA in 2003. Prior to that, the New York office established a building envelope design consulting in 1999 as Joseph Blanchfield, an architect with over 25 years of experience, joined the firm. Ramon Gilsanz, one of the founding partners, foresees a growth in construction market, and plans to grow with the market through expansion, for exposure to new people means new ways of doing things.

Amster Yard’s 19^th century buildings were deteriorating thus were demolished and replaced with look-alike structures that infuriated the preservationists and neighbors. However, the restoration successfully recaptured the character of the courtyard in the past, and will be more accessible to public.

Gilsanz Murray Steficek promoted five of its employees.

Toys ‘R’ Us opened in the heart of Times Square, NY with a new structural butt-glazed curtain wall system and aluminum panels that openly displays a 60 ft high Ferris wheel and a 34 ft long T-Rex. Gilsanz Murray Steficek served as a structural engineer.

430 Park Avenue was built as an apartment and was converted to office building in 1950. Now, it is being renovated into Class A office building. Gilsanz Murray Steficek served as a structural engineer and curtain wall consultant. GMS designed the new curtain walls and steel substructure that were located behind the existing masonry façade to support the new curtain wall.

The New York Stock Exchange Trading floor expansion project was on tight schedule due to shortage of qualified workers and complex design. There were other complications such as owner requests and long fabrication times for some materials, but the team succeeded in delivering on time with extra integrity. Gilsanz Murray Steficek served as a structural engineer.

430 Park Avenue is under a huge scale renovation, which is uncommon for buildings on Park Avenue. Gilsanz Murray Steficek served as a structural engineer and curtain wall consultant. GMS designed the new curtain walls and steel substructure that were located behind the existing masonry façade to support the new curtain wall.

Halfway through the design phase of the future home to New York City’s Department of Information, Technology, and Telecommunications (DoITT) and New York City Police Department (NYPD), an increased awareness of terrorism required basic modifications to the structural system.