![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.mkec.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Meritrust-Headquarters-scaled.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe importance of coordination<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOften whenever architects reach out to us, they already have a schematic floor plan set up,\u201d Satrom said. \u201cMost of the walls of the building are not moving anymore. That\u2019s the stage where we get brought in. We need to lay out the structural systems. They generally have a good idea of columns and bearing walls. We provide extra support. In those early stages, we\u2019re just trying to make sure we have enough space for all of the columns, beams, and walls. We figure out gravity loads \u2013 the weight of the building and the stuff in it then we focus on the lateral forces on the building, which may require bracing and shear walls.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After the structural pieces are in place, the MEP engineers get involved, and at this stage, coordination is key.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have to pay attention to all the details,\u201d said Richard Bartlett, senior project manager and mechanical engineer for MKEC. \u201cStructural gets involved at the beginning. Mechanical and plumbing get involved as we see the bones of the building going in. We typically then are gathering information together, and it all kind of flows down to the electrical guys \u2013 all the lighting, all the plugs. If we aren\u2019t efficient it can make it challenging for them. \u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.mkec.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Oliver-Hanger_8.26.21_4-scaled-e1692631291355.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe MKEC advantage<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Coordinating everything that goes into a building can be challenging, but having an architectural engineering group under one umbrella makes that process a little easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many firms do either structural or MEP, which means coordination has to happen across companies to finish a project, which can slow down the process and increase cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re able to be a one-stop shop,\u201d Satrom said. \u201cIn general, we work well with architects, contractors, and owners specifically to find economical solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having everyone under one roof means less time spent waiting for answers when issues arise and less finger-pointing when something goes wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think it makes us much more efficient because everyone is in the same building,\u201d Satrom said. \u201cThere are fewer layers you have to get through. We have worked with each other enough that we know who can do what. Simple things like that make it more efficient. The other thing that\u2019s really nice about having us all work together on the same project is our shared goal is to do well on the project. It\u2019s MKEC\u2019s scope that we\u2019re concerned with.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.mkec.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Neil-Satrom.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n“I think it makes us much more efficient because everyone is in the same building. There are fewer layers you have to get through. We have worked with each other enough that we know who can do what. Simple things like that make it more efficient.”<\/p>Neil Satrom, Structural Engineer<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nOne example of how the MKEC team works together was a recent boiler stack replacement at the 10-story Hillcrest Apartments in Wichita. Bartlett was tasked with replacing the existing boiler stack as rust and corrosion had made it no longer structurally safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey have a unique steam system that\u2019s not common for our area,\u201d Bartlett said. \u201cIt was unique. Kind of fun. Kind of challenging.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bartlett realized the unique configuration of the boiler stack meant he was going to need some help, and he reached out to Satrom for some structural guidance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRichard brought me in to figure out how to remove the old stack and get a new one in,\u201d Satrom said. \u201cWe were able to handle all of the different engineering needs that were involved in the project.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.mkec.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Meritrust-Headquarters_HVAC-scaled.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.mkec.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/WSU-Koch-Arena_Elec.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.mkec.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/WSU-Koch-Arena_Mech.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThat kind of coordination can even happen on projects where just one engineering discipline is in the mix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere\u2019s lots of times when structural is hired and the MEP group isn\u2019t on it, but a question comes up during the project where it would be helpful to talk to an MEP person,\u201d Satrom said. \u201cJust having those knowledge resources around to bounce questions off of makes our designs better and our projects go more smoothly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that makes MKEC a favorite of architects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn the industry, a lot of firms, maybe they just do mechanical and plumbing,\u201d Bartlett said. \u201cThe great thing about MKEC is we have all those services together. We don\u2019t have to coordinate with people outside the firm. Architects like to work with us because we\u2019re all together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.mkec.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Richard-Bartlett.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n“The great thing about MKEC is we have all those services together. We don\u2019t have to coordinate with people outside the firm.<\/p>Richard Bartlett, Senior Project Manager, Mechanical Engineer<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nRespecting the client<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Many of MKEC\u2019s projects outside of the architectural engineering space focus on working with state and local governments, utility owners or industrial and energy clients. The architectural engineering group works with architects from firms of varying sizes with varying needs. Managing those distinct relationships is a big part of the job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe work with a wide variety of architects. Each one has a different style and personality. It\u2019s our job to become familiar with them and know what things they find important,\u201d said Satrom. \u201cThe challenges can come with managing all the people, expectations, deadlines, and changes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, while MKEC\u2019s architectural engineering group has yet to reach mythological status, it is helping to design structures that will stand long into the future. And that\u2019s a legacy of its own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.mkec.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Reifenhauser.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The architectural engineering group at MKEC is made up of mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and structural engineers who focus on all the engineering that goes into creating a building.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":5715,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[71],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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