The LPA-designed LEED Platinum, 22,000-square-foot Starr Atrium for medical technology innovator Edwards Lifesciences was recently honored by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Region 9 as its Outstanding Structural Engineering Project of the Year.
The Starr Atrium, which creates a bridge between two existing office buildings and provides a dramatic entry to the corporate headquarters, serves as a gathering point, social area and collaborative space for the company’s team. ASCE honored LPA’s engineers for the project’s complex engineering solutions, including a unique truss net structural system that controls seismic movement and maximizes the open space.
Edwards Starr Atrium Honored as California Structural Engineering Project of the Year
“The Edwards Starr Atrium is an illustration of LPA’s integrated process at work,” LPA Director of Structural Engineering Daniel Wang said. “It was a pleasure collaborating with Edwards Lifesciences to help support their life-saving work.”
The customized structure casts an artistic weave shadow across the interior, filtering the light streaming through the skylight that runs the length of the atrium. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide a connection to the outdoors, while a bi-fold vertical door can be opened to provide natural ventilation.
The atrium operates at net zero, with a photovoltaic array providing more energy than the space uses. The atrium also includes a variety of conservation measures, such as a displacement ventilation system and LED lighting with controls designed to minimize the project’s energy use.
LPA’s integrated approach recognizes that structural engineering expertise is a crucial component to providing cost-effective, sustainable design solutions. Engineers engage directly in the design process with experts from multiple design disciplines, using their broad-based technical expertise and creativity to provide sustainable and resilient structural solutions to meet clients’ and partners’ programmatic, financial and performance goals.
LPA was honored at the ASCE Region 9 (California) Awards Dinner, which took place on April 22 in San Francisco. The nation’s oldest engineering society, ASCE represents more than 150,000 members of the civil engineering profession in 177 countries. Region 9 is the only ASCE geographic region that encompasses only one state, California, with over 18,000 members.
Previously, LPA was recognized by ASCE Region 9 for the design of the Coastline Community College Newport Beach Campus for the Architectural Engineering Project of the Year Award.
