JAMES PAWLIKOWSKI

James (Jim) Pawlikowski is the Principal/Director of Engineering at REX Engineering Group, based in Naperville. He oversees all structural, MEP, and engineering services. Prior to joining REX in 2020, Jim was an Associate Director / Senior Structural Engineer at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill in Chicago, having spent 24 years there. Jim co-managed the SOM Chicago structural group for 10 years, in addition to having had lead roles on many significant projects throughout the world. He is a licensed structural engineer, and holds a Master’s Degree in Architecture (with concentration) from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Jim also has a Bachelors in Architecture from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

IN THE DESIGN OF A They are all important elements of a project – not only for SUPERSTRUCTURE, superstructures, but for any project. Any project which favors one HOW DO YOU BALANCE discipline or goal at the expense of others is not a truly successful THE ARCHITECTURE, project. This is especially true for superstructures – there is so much STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING, demand put on the structure, but yet the also needs to SUSTAINABILITY AND function and meet target performances such as energy usage and FUNCTION? efficient material quantities. The key to incorporating and balancing all project requirements and goals is to have effective collaboration and almost constant communication amongst the design team, and also with the client. All parties need to be at the table from the beginning, discussing design ideals and directions, needs, and potential solutions. The project needs to be developed as a whole, and not as a collection of independent systems.

I help in teaching classes on both sides of campus at UIUC ( and Architecture). Something I stress is that a successful structural system is the one that compliments and enhances every system. A structural system can be the most efficient in terms of materials and construction, but if it gets in the way of the building function or the aesthetic values, then it is a failure. Structural systems need to balance the requirements of other disciplines while still meeting structural performance and efficiency targets. The most successful structural systems are those that accomplish this, but at the same time enhance all other disciplines and the entire project. WHEN DESIGNING A From the beginning, you must understand what aspects of your NOVEL STRUCTURE LIKE proposal are beyond the realm of current convention. Whether it is THE BURJ KHALIFA, HOW the height, the span, or the materials, don’t assume that what you’ve DO YOU MANAGE THE previously done is completely applicable. Go back to basic principles, UNCERTAIN BEHAVIOR and be sure you know the engineering behind it. Every project is an OF THE MATERIALS AND opportunity to advance the field and look at new ideas. STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS? New types of systems or structures that push the envelope come with some amount of uncertainty, and require some research and verification. The Burj Khalifa was always meant to be the tallest building in the world. Taipei 101 was the highest at the time, at 511 meters. When we started, we had conceived Burj to be 533 meters tall, but we ultimately got to 828 meters at the end of design. There is an enormous difference between 533 and 828. As a result, we went back to basic principles and we re-examined our design approaches. One example is with respect to the wind engineering. The current data that was available was only that reported from the local airports – we did not truly understand the wind climate acting at the heights we were pursuing, and we did not feel comfortable merely extrapolating the existing data. Our wind consultant RWDI undertook a comprehensive study to better understand the conditions, including even launching weather balloons to gather data at these extreme heights. The result was a much more complete understanding of this critical design parameter. Another example is with respect to designing one of the more critical elements in the structure – the link beams within the shear walls. We worked with Prof. Dan Kuchma in the department of Civil Engineering at UIUC, who is an expert in strut-and-tie design for concrete, which was a relatively new approach at this time. He helped us to research and better apply this design approach to our thousands of link beams, resulting in a more efficient and also fully vetted design.

Sometimes managing the uncertainty on projects goes beyond research and results in building certain “reserves” into these projects. In Burj, for instance, we allocated space for a damper near the top of the building, in the event the wind climate and/or behavior was not as we anticipated. This provision allowed us the flexibility to install a damper to lessen the wind response if needed. However, before the construction was finished it became evident that we had gotten it right and that there was not going to be the need for it – so now this space is the world’s highest mosque.

“A SUCCESSFUL STRUCTURAL SYSTEM IS ONE THAT COMPLIMENTS AND ENHANCES EVERY SYSTEM.”

THE ROLE OF THE STRUCTURAL ENGINEER 55 “EVERY PROJECT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADVANCE THE FIELD.” Burj Khalifa Image Courtesy of Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill NATO Headquarters Under Construction Image Courtesy of Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill

NATO Headquarters Image Courtesy of Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill

58 THE ROLE OF THE STRUCTURAL ENGINEER WHAT ARE THE LESSONS One of the great things about working at SOM was that I got the YOU HAVE LEARNED chance to be involved in many projects that pushed the boundaries of WHEN CONFRONTED the field. These projects required much investigation, and even some WITH UNCONVENTIONAL second-guessing of ourselves. But when you start working out these PROPOSALS? ideas to make them possible, we learn a lot. Even if we did not bring these ideas to fruition, the lessons learned can be applied to other projects. That is why it is so important to investigate new concepts, and develop new ideas.

One example of this process is the buttressed core structural system we used at Burj Khalifa. This system was an idea we developed for another project, a 300m+ tower in Seoul. As we developed this system, we realized the potential this idea had - and we knew that we wanted to further pursue the capabilities of this system when the opportunity for the next tallest building came.

“ENGINEERS SHOULD STRIVE TO DESIGN STRUCTURES THAT COMPLEMENT AND ENHANCE THE ARCHITECTURE.”

IN YOUR EXPERIENCE, Structure is an integral part of building and infrastructure projects. HOW DOES STRUCTURAL Engineers should never design in a vacuum, but instead be an active ENGINEERING INFORM participant in the design process, and even a driver of solutions. ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN Engineers are uniquely situated to accumulate and understand PLANNING? everyone else’s requirements, and propose solutions which not only accommodate these requirements, but also enhance the project.

Engineers should strive to design structures that complement and enhance the architecture. The structural system should be expressive of how it performs, which can lead to a meaningful and informed design aesthetic. A goal every structural engineer should have is to design a system so beautiful that you make the feel guilty for covering it up. Of course, the beauty of showcasing a structure does not have to result in an overt expression of the structure. One example of this type of structure would be the Hancock in Chicago, where the trussed façade creates the architecture. However, there are many examples where the structure informs the architecture, but it is not directly expressed. Perhaps the best example is the Burj Khalifa. When you see Burj, you do not see the structure – but you understand it. You can see how the structural system works because it helped inform the architecture. This is a more subtle expression, but it is just as meaningful.

THE ROLE OF THE STRUCTURAL ENGINEER 59 WHAT DO YOU SEE IN THE I think that the future of structural engineering has the structural FUTURE OF STRUCTURAL engineer being a proactive participant and driver of projects, ENGINEERING? ARE THERE especially in the projects in which we push the boundaries of what is ANY SYSTEMS OR CONCEPTS possible. I think there is a real opportunity for engineers to inform the THAT YOU ARE INTERESTED whole process. IN? There are several advancements that are going to change the profession. In terms of analysis capabilities, there is so much more that we understand about the behavior of compared to 20 years ago; we can design more efficient and appropriate buildings. This will only continue to improve, and will also see its way more into how we construct buildings as well. Additionally, material technologies are not going to be limited to just concrete and steel; there have been several applications for timber for high rises and other projects. New composites are showing a lot of potential as well. The future is going to see these other materials becoming more mainstream, and the challenge for structural engineers is to understand and embrace them when appropriate.

Furthermore, I think that engineers need to understand energy usage and sustainability strategies for their structures. It is not outside of our discipline. There is a lot of embedded carbon in a structural system. As drivers of the projects, we need to lead in that aspect too. We are going to see sustainability being more important in structural engineering as we move forward.

University of Illinois Campus Instructional Facility Image Courtesy of Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill

60 THE ROLE OF THE STRUCTURAL ENGINEER HOW TRANSCENDENTAL My architectural background has been fundamental to my structural HAS YOUR EDUCATION engineering career. My first passion was architecture. I went to AS AN AND the University of Illinois thinking I wanted to be an architect. I grew AS A STRUCTURAL up just outside Chicago and always went downtown to experience ENGINEER BEEN IN YOUR the buildings – I fell in love with architecture and wanted to be part PROFESSIONAL CAREER? of it. While at Illinois, I became exposed to the technical side of architecture, and also the structure of buildings – which I decided I wanted to pursue further. Fortunately, Illinois has the program whereby I could study structural engineering while still being part of the School of Architecture. This was ideal, because I knew I wanted to be an engineer, but I also knew I didn’t want to be too far from the architectural side of the profession.

My architectural education has given me knowledge and perspective – I not only understand what all the components of a building are, but I understand and appreciate the drivers behind providing good design. I want to design good buildings that also represent good architecture. My education allows me to provide structural solutions that are sensitive to the architecture, and hopefully also help influence its design. My education has also facilitated my collaboration with architects – it’s so important to speak the same language and understand the aesthetic ideals of a project. I’ve built many great relationships with architects over my career, and it’s in part because I share a lot of the same understandings, desires, and passions.

WHAT IS THE ROLE THAT Structural engineers play a key role in our society. We’re seen as THE STRUCTURAL ENGINEER technical experts who are trusted with the safety and interests of the PLAYS IN CONTEMPORARY public. Much like in the building profession, I think structural engineers SOCIETY? have a unique ability and obligation to be drivers in advancing ideas and progress.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE One of the things that has always driven me is an interest in everything TO TELL ANY ASPIRING that goes into designing and constructing buildings. I would encourage ARCHITECTS OR everybody, regardless of your passion, to take the time to understand STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS? and be aware of what the other building disciplines pursue – not only their requirements, but also what are their design ideals. This will help you to better understand the profession, to be a better communicator and collaborator, and to become a more complete professional.

“I FELL IN LOVE WITH ARCHITECTURE”

THE ROLE OF THE STRUCTURAL ENGINEER 61