“The art challenges the technology, and the technology inspires the art.”
- John Lasseter
Trilogy North Residences
Limassol, Cyprus
Lead Engineer | A.J. Pericleous LLC
Company | A.J. Pericleous LLC
Architect | HKA Studio
Contractor | Cybarco Ltd
Software | ADAPT-Builder
Project Description
Trilogy Seafront Limassol is a landmark mixed-use development on the beachfront of Limassol, Cyprus, comprising three striking towers—West, East, and North. The West and East Towers each rise to approximately 170 m, with the West Tower holding the dual distinction of being both the tallest building in Cyprus and the tallest seafront residential tower in Europe.
Phase II of the project introduced the North Tower, strategically positioned to complement the two taller seafront towers. Its distinctive form consists of two interlinked volumes connected at the lower three floors and roof level, with a dramatic nine-story open void between them. This configuration reduces the visual mass while enhancing the architectural articulation of the skyline.
The North Tower’s 17,000 m² of above-ground space is distributed across 13 levels, supported by a below-ground parking podium. Lateral stability is achieved through a cantilevered reinforced concrete core with a coupled wall system, while vertical loads are carried by reinforced concrete columns independent of the lateral system. Located in the highest seismic zone of Cyprus (0.25g peak ground acceleration), seismic forces governed the lateral design.
Floor systems consist of post-tensioned flat slabs, designed to support gravity loads and function as semi-rigid diaphragms for lateral load distribution. This required precision modeling to meet stringent seismic, serviceability, and architectural requirements. The PT slabs were designed and analyzed using ADAPT-Builder, ensuring performance under both strength and serviceability conditions. The entire development was designed in accordance with the Eurocodes, reflecting global best practices for high-rise construction.
How was RISA used?
The tower’s post-tensioned (PT) flat slabs were designed in ADAPT-Builder using single-level mode. Two slab types were modeled: typical floors with 3.6 m south cantilevers and uniform 225 mm thickness, and a structurally distinct Level 12 slab with 7.5 m east/west cantilevers and variable thicknesses of 225–400 mm, stepped to reduce depth at cantilevers.
Tendon layouts featured banded tendons in one direction and distributed tendons perpendicular, using bonded PT properties common in Cyprus for accurate analysis. Both uncracked and cracked conditions were evaluated, with emphasis on serviceability— deflection, load balancing, and precompression—while creep and shrinkage were modeled per ACI 209. Punching shear was checked in ADAPT and verified with proprietary shear stud rail software to meet code and ensure robustness.
Eco Materials Soil Wash Plant
Philadelphia, PA
Lead Engineer | Elton & Thompson P.C.
Company | Elton & Thompson PC
Contractor | Clearwater Concrete & Masonry
Software | RISAFoundation
Project Description
The Eco Materials Wash Plant on Passyunk Avenue in South Philadelphia is a state-of-the-art soil wash facility that provides a sustainable solution for construction and remediation companies to dispose of excavation waste. By applying proven soil washing technologies, the plant reclaims materials that would otherwise end up in landfills. Excavated soil delivered to the facility is processed, washed, and separated into usable aggregates such as gravel, sand, and fine material that can be recycled for new construction projects across the Philadelphia region.
Supporting the heavy industrial equipment provided by CDE Group (Ireland) required an extensive foundation system. The structural design included concrete walls, spread and strip footings, retaining walls, and large belowgrade tanks. Because of challenging soil conditions, multiple foundation options were explored using RISA software, including driven piles, helical piles, and pile caps. Ultimately, the final design incorporated rigid inclusions to improve soil performance and provide a uniform allowable bearing pressure for the various foundations. This approach delivered both structural efficiency and long-term stability for the wash plant, while aligning with the project’s sustainable mission.
How was RISA used?
RISAFoundation was integral throughout design, beginning with mapping equipment load points and aligning supports using RISA’s AutoCAD connectivity. Each element of the system was then designed within RISAFoundation. Tall concrete retaining walls—some reaching 30 ft and carrying significant soil pressures—were analyzed with the retaining wall module. For large below-grade tanks, a critical design feature was the 36-in-thick mat foundation, necessary to resist extreme shear and flexural demands.
RISA’s custom slab feature allowed the team to design combined spread footings that incorporated variable pier sizes and heights. Applying wind and seismic loads within RISA was straightforward, and load combinations were generated quickly. The ability to adjust soil stiffness moduli or allowable bearing pressures with just a few clicks streamlined the design iteration process. When the foundation strategy transitioned from pile-supported caps to spread footings on improved soil, the existing model made the redesign seamless.
With hundreds of individual foundations to check, RISA’s results overview simplified the review of punching shear and soil bearing capacities, helping the team identify and resolve issues efficiently while maintaining confidence in the final design.
Fritz’s Adventure Park
The Colony, TX
Lead Engineer | Manaf Refai
Company | Falkofske
Architect | HDesign Group
Contractor | MEC/Silver Lining Construction
Software | RISA-3D
Project Description
Fritz’s Adventure Park spans more than 100,000 sf, offering an indoor-outdoor environment designed for active family exploration. The facility combines architectural creativity with structural ingenuity to deliver a one-of-a-kind experience. Inside, visitors encounter suspended ziplines, multi-level climbing structures, underground tunnels, and elevated rope courses. The environment encourages both play and challenge, with every element carefully engineered for safety and durability.
One of the most distinctive features is the integration of a full-scale, decommissioned airplane suspended within the building. This attraction demanded innovative engineering to securely anchor the aircraft while allowing interactive use by visitors. In addition to the airplane, the facility incorporates multiple elevated catwalks, climbing walls, and exterior features that blur the line between indoor and outdoor activity zones.
The project stands as a landmark in experiential design, transforming traditional building systems into active, engaging structures. Every aspect of Fritz’s Adventure Park reflects the balance of safety, creativity, and technical precision required to create an immersive attraction of this scale.
How was RISA used?
RISA-3D played an essential role in delivering the structural framework for Fritz’s Adventure Park. The software enabled efficient analysis and design of the steel framing system supporting the facility’s diverse range of attractions. Engineers used RISA-3D to model the building’s multi-level platforms, catwalks, and elevated structures, ensuring safety and stability for high-traffic interactive use.
A standout application was the suspension of a 6,000-pound airplane from the primary steel framing. Through RISA-3D, the design team evaluated load paths, connections, and deflections to ensure the aircraft could be safely integrated as both a structural and interactive element. Plate modeling within the software allowed engineers to analyze floor and roof diaphragms, optimizing stiffness and performance without over-design.
RISA-3D was also employed to verify support conditions for two large roof signs and other secondary structural features. Its advanced tools provided confidence in resisting lateral and gravity forces while maintaining architectural intent.
By leveraging RISA-3D, the team delivered an efficient, innovative, and resilient structure that captures the adventurous spirit of the project while ensuring safety and performance.
Penguin Patch
Keller, TX
Lead Engineer | Manaf Refai
Company | Falkofske
Architect | MB Studio
Contractor | Fort Construction
Software | RISA-3D
Project Description
Located in Keller’s emerging tech flex district, the 50,000 sf Penguin Patch facility unites a 30,000 sf warehouse with a 20,000 sf two-story office, balancing efficiency with a modern workplace experience.
The design emphasizes brand and community, featuring a welcoming lobby, flexible office layouts, training and conference spaces, and collaborative hubs throughout. Outdoor patios and gathering areas further connect employees to their environment, promoting well-being and engagement.
As a cohesive blend of function, flexibility, and identity, Penguin Patch sets a new standard for development in Keller’s business community.
How was RISA used?
RISA-3D was central to the Penguin Patch design, enabling efficient modeling, analysis, and integration of the two-story office with the larger warehouse as a unified system. The software guided lateral load evaluation, ensuring stability under wind forces and code compliance while refining frame configurations for both safety and efficiency.
It also optimized member sizes and connections, reducing material use and costs without compromising performance, and supported roof and canopy design where structure and architecture intersected. By monitoring deflections and serviceability, RISA-3D helped deliver a structural solution that is efficient, resilient, and aligned with the project’s aesthetic goals.
Mercy Hall Dorms
New Orleans, LA
Lead Engineer | Hermann Alb
Company | Batture Engineering
Architect | Jack Sawyer
Contractor | Woodward Design+Build
Software | RISA-3D | RISAFloor |
RISAFoundation
Project Description
Loyola University’s new seven-story, 200,000 sf dormitory houses nearly 600 students and includes communal areas, study lounges, and a central courtyard that doubles as a stormwater feature with rain gardens and concrete weirs.
The structure uses post-tensioned concrete slabs supported by reinforced concrete columns on an augercast pile foundation of over 300 piles, each about 80 ft deep. The first floor rests on a two-way slab supported by 40foot timber piles, while reinforced concrete shear wall cores at stairwells and the elevator shaft provide lateral resistance.
Steel framing was added for a rooftop solar array and custom site gates, underscoring the project’s balance of durability, efficiency, and sustainability to serve the campus for decades.
How was RISA used?
RISA software was integral to the design of this complex structure. RISAFloor ES streamlined preliminary PT slab and column design, while RISA-3D modeled shear walls and gravity columns to confirm strength and drift compliance. RISAFoundation was key in designing pile caps, grade beams, and a first-floor slab on timber piles, with its foundation interaction tools proving especially valuable for the mixed system. It also handled the 20-pile tower crane cap, ensuring construction stability.
Beyond core systems, RISA-3D analyzed bent plate curtain wall supports and custom steel site gates. This cross-platform flexibility enabled seamless coordination from superstructure to specialty elements, giving the team confidence in delivering a safe, economical, and constructible higher-education project.
Pier 58 Jellyfish
Seattle, WA
Lead Engineer | Matthew van Riesen
Company | Blackwell Structural Engineers
Architect | Earthscape Play | Field Operations
Contractor | Pacific Pile and Marine
Software | RISA-3D
Project Description
The Pier 58 Jellyfish is the signature play structure of Seattle’s redeveloped Waterfront Park. Rising 25 ft, it merges sculptural form with engineered precision. Fabricated off-site by Earthscape Play and assembled on-site, the structure is primarily wood. Its most striking elements are the curved Alaska Yellow Cedar glulam columns that form the flowing tentacles. These extend upward to support the head while stainless steel HSS framing provides lateral stability. Tubular steel rings tie the columns together at intervals, resisting outward thrust and creating visual continuity. At the base, rectangular HSS standoff members anchor the glulam columns to the concrete slab while giving the impression that the tentacles float above the surfacing. The Jellyfish head consists of four prefabricated quadrants shipped for assembly. Curved marine-grade plywood ribs, screw-laminated into built-up beams, form the dome-like geometry. Secondary horizontal ribs interlock with vertical ones, producing a gridshell-like framework. Cladding boards attached to the ribs provide enclosure while preserving translucency. The result is an iconic, immersive play structure that balances durability, safety, and artistry—enhancing both the play experience and the identity of Seattle’s revitalized waterfront.
How was RISA used?
RISA-3D was central to analyzing the Jellyfish, a sculptural structure with non-orthogonal geometry. Its 3D geometry import function allowed seamless integration of the complex form into the analysis model, with focus on lateral stability and tilted geometry performance under combined wind and playground live loads.
The P-Delta analysis captured second-order effects, ensuring stresses from displacement were accurately modeled while maintaining material efficiency. Code-based design checks verified glulam columns and stainless steel HSS framing against relevant provisions.
RISA also enabled rapid iteration as the curved wood and steel framing evolved, allowing accurate validation of design changes. This flexibility gave the team speed and confidence, transforming an unconventional concept into a safe, resilient, and buildable solution that met both structural demands and creative vision.
Toyota Stadium Improvements
Frisco, TX
Lead Engineer | HKS,Inc.
Company | HKS,Inc.
Architect | HKS, Inc.
Contractor | Moss
Software | RISA-3D | RISAConnection
Project Description
Toyota Stadium, originally built in 2004 and renovated in 2016 with the National Soccer Hall of Fame, is undergoing its next major upgrade in Frisco, TX, scheduled for completion in 2027.
Seven new structures on the west, north, and east sides will add suites, clubs, amenities, and shaded areas, while new entry canopies enhance game-day arrival. A sweeping shade canopy extends from the west side across the seating bowl to the north, mirrored by a similar system on the east, improving comfort and balance.
These enhancements modernize the venue, elevating fan experience while establishing a bold architectural identity for one of MLS’s cornerstone stadiums.
How was RISA used?
RISA software supported every level of the Toyota Stadium design, from exposed connections to the stadium’s sweeping shade canopy. RISAConnection optimized numerous visible joints for strength, efficiency, and aesthetics.
RISA-3D was pivotal in analyzing the canopy’s complex geometry. Through Grasshopper, the team linked Revit, Rhino, and RISA3D to exchange geometry, material, and loading data, enabling rapid design iterations before finalizing the form. Advanced analysis then verified load paths and optimized steel tonnage.
RISA-3D outputs also informed RWDI’s wind tunnel testing, refining wind predictions and ensuring efficiency and resilience. The result is a visually striking canopy that blends structural performance with architectural impact.
Anna Jarvis Elementary School
Grafton, WV
Lead Engineer | Michael Howell
Company | Arrow Structural Engineering
Architect | Williamson Shriver Architects
Contractor | City Construction Company
Software | RISA-3D | RISAFloor,
RISAFoundation | RISAConnection | RISA-2D
Project Description
The new Anna Jarvis Elementary School in Grafton, West Virginia, represents a $26 million investment in Taylor County’s educational future. Funding comes from an $18.2 million voter-approved bond and a $7.3 million grant from the West Virginia School Building Authority. Designed by Williamson Shriver Architects in collaboration with school staff and board members, the two-story facility reflects extensive planning sessions and visits to other schools to ensure alignment with modern learning environments.
The building includes administrative offices, a cafeteria, a wood-floor gymnasium, STEM and art classrooms, and an academic wing across both levels. Classrooms emphasize natural light to enhance wellness and productivity. Four additional classroom-sized spaces were added within the original budget by leveraging contingency reserves.
Construction occurred in front of the existing school to avoid disruption, with plans to replace the old structure with a community green space. City Construction, under project manager Beau Henderson, led the build, while Capital Business Interiors coordinated furnishings. Overall, the project demonstrates a forward-thinking commitment to safe, modern, and adaptable education infrastructure—delivering long-term value for Taylor County residents.
How was RISA used?
RISA software was essential in achieving structural reliability and compliance with modern safety standards. RISAFloor was used for a full-scale gravity analysis, delivering precise framing and wall system design. RISA-3D provided lateral seismic analysis, confirming performance under seismic forces. The foundation was optimized using RISAFoundation, accommodating varied soil conditions and ensuring balanced support.
For complex or unique structural elements, case-by-case evaluations were conducted with RISA-3D and RISA-2D. This flexibility allowed engineers to address irregular geometries and special framing with accuracy. Steel connections were modeled and verified in RISAConnection, integrating forces from the structural models to ensure strength and reliability.
The combined use of RISAFloor, RISA-3D, RISAFoundation, RISA-2D, and RISAConnection delivered an efficient, fully integrated workflow. This streamlined process enabled the engineering team to design with confidence, reduce risk, and ensure the new Anna Jarvis Elementary School meets both present and future demands for safety, performance, and durability.
Connecticut Children’s Medical Center
Hartford, CT
Lead Engineer | Bassem Almuti
Company | CannonDesign
Architect | CannonDesign
Contractor | DPR
Software | RISA-3D
Project Description
The Connecticut Children’s Medical Center expansion is a major investment in pediatric healthcare, combining vertical growth with custom structural elements that connect to nearby facilities.
A standout feature is a pedestrian bridge over Washington Street, providing safe, weather-protected access from a new parking garage. Additional elements—like a front entry canopy, cooling tower platforms, and roof screen walls—were designed to align with the hospital’s architectural and functional needs.
CannonDesign, acting as both architect and engineer, collaborated closely with DPR from the outset to coordinate prefabrication, transportation, and phased construction. Using Revit and analysis tools, the team effectively navigated tight site constraints and existing structures while maintaining schedule and meeting healthcare performance standards.
How was RISA used?
RISA-3D played a key role in analyzing and refining the project’s most complex structural systems. For the pedestrian bridge, it allowed CannonDesign to quickly test column layouts, connections, and span alternatives after underground obstructions were discovered. The team explored options like double columns and inverted V supports to achieve a structurally sound, architecturally clean design.
RISA also supported construction phasing by modeling temporary bracing and partial erection conditions for prefabricated spans. Beyond the bridge, it was used for the entry canopy, roof screens, and dunnage platforms—enabling fast iteration from 2D concepts to 3D models as design needs evolved.
Built-in copy and spreadsheet tools helped adapt to changing loads, wind tunnel data, and architectural updates. Peer reviewers, familiar with RISA, could review models directly, streamlining feedback and minimizing documentation.
By enabling rapid design iteration, construction staging support, and transparent peer review, RISA helped deliver customized, code-compliant solutions that balanced design vision with real-world execution.
Hannahville Indian Community Governmental & Health Services Building
Wilson, MI
Lead Engineer | Gregory Naghtin
Company | ISG
Architect | ISG
Contractor | Miron Construction
Software | RISA-3D | RISAFloor |
RISAFoundation | RISAConnection
Project Description
The Hannahville Indian Community partnered with ISG to create a 50,000 sf Health Clinic and Government Services Building that unifies administrative, judicial, and health programs with community gathering spaces.
The facility’s health wing provides medical, dental, physical therapy, and social services, while its two-story halfcircle form, concrete foundations, steel framing, and masonry shear walls ensure clarity, strength, and resilience.
A clerestory gathering space and floating walkway form the building’s cultural and physical heart, while curved steel roofs add character and withstand heavy snow loads. The result is a durable, adaptive facility that reflects cultural identity and supports community life.
How was RISA used?
The Hannahville Indian Community facility required a robust framework to support its half-circle form, floating walkway, and curved steel roofs. Multiple RISA tools streamlined design, improved efficiency, and ensured long-term resilience.
RISAFloor and RISA-3D guided gravity and lateral design of steel framing, braced frames, and masonry shear walls, with semirigid diaphragms capturing wind effects across the curved geometry. RISAFoundation optimized the concrete foundation system, while RISAConnection addressed skewed geometries and custom bearing conditions.
RISA-3D also analyzed load paths and dynamic behavior of the roof and walkway, confirming performance under both aesthetic and environmental demands. Together, RISA’s suite delivered a cohesive, cost-effective solution that aligned cultural intent with structural integrity.
Bass Pro Shop
Loveland, CO
Lead Engineer | Jirsa Hedrick
Company | Jirsa Hedrick
Structural Engineers
Architect | Hodges Architecture
Contractor | EMJ
Software | RISA-3D
Project Description
This 125,000 sf Bass Pro Shops retail building features a central clerestory roof popup, tilt-up concrete walls, and complex steel framing systems, including moment frames, braced frames, custom trusses, perimeter towers, and porte-cocheres. Extensive interior framing was required to support signature elements such as a large aquarium, rock “mountain,” waterfall, and cabin display.
RISA-3D was used to evaluate tilt-up wall reactions, optimize steel-concrete coordination, and analyze the clerestory’s massive W14x311 columns for gravity and lateral stability. Multiple design iterations refined layouts, member sizes, and connections, ensuring safe performance under heavy architectural loads.
Through detailed modeling and analysis, the team delivered a structurally sound, efficient, and distinctive retail facility that meets both architectural intent and rigorous safety standards.
How was RISA used?
RISA-3D was used to design all steel framing components, including clerestory trusses, moment and braced frames, columns, and beams, as well as supports for interior features like the aquarium, rockwork, waterfall, and cabin display. The software also guided the design of porte-cochere framing, exterior signage, and light-gage display platforms.
By monitoring deflections and testing multiple truss and frame iterations, RISA-3D optimized member sizes, connections, and overall efficiency. Its material takeoff tools supported steel quantity planning, while integration of tilt-up wall reactions with lateral frames ensured coordination between steel and concrete systems.
The result was a safe, efficient, and resilient structure that balanced functional demands with architectural intent.
Scott
Stadium Videoboard Upgrade
Charlottesville, VA
Lead Engineer | Nic Hillman
Company | KPFF
Architect | VMDO
Contractor | Daktronics
Software | RISA-3D | RISASection
Project Description
Scott Stadium’s north end now features a new Hoovision videoboard, replacing the 2009 scoreboard and tripling its size. At 54 ft high by 125 ft wide (6,700 sf), the board supports variable content zoning for live video, replays, graphics, and messaging, delivering a dynamic fan experience.
To accommodate the upgrade, structural elements of the original trussed tower were removed, and two new trussed towers were added to redistribute loads and support the board’s significant size and weight. Additional improvements to seating and integrated structures ensure reliable performance, safety, and durability while preserving the stadium’s visual appeal.
How was RISA used?
RISA-3D was first used to model the existing videoboard structures from both the 2001 and 2009 designs, creating a baseline for the forces acting on key members. Once this baseline was defined, KPFF integrated the new design into RISA-3D and performed comparative analysis against prior iterations, with the goal of reducing the forces on the existing trussed tower. One of the most significant challenges was the geometric constraint of the tower: the vertical columns had only 3 ft center-to-center spacing. With HSS12x12 columns, there was no space for in-plane lateral bracing. To overcome this, KPFF used RISASection to create a composite section with a shear plate web. This provided the required lateral stiffness and satisfied strict deflection limits, ensuring the structure met performance and safety standards.
Gallagher Square Play Structure
San Diego, CA
Lead Engineer | Mathew Mangano
Company | MDEP Structures
Architect | Landrec Playspaces
Contractor | Clark Construction
Software | RISA-3D
Project Description
Gallagher Square at Petco Park underwent a transformative redesign to create a globally appealing destination at San Diego’s East Village Entrance. At its center is a 35-foot-tall baseball bat climbing sculpture, structurally linked with four bat-themed towers representing the bases of a diamond. By day it offers panoramic views; by night, an illuminated landmark.
The towers support a suspended net floor evoking a pitcher’s mound and anchor a play environment featuring a bat rope forest, crawl tunnel mound, slides, and oversized baseball elements.
As Engineer of Record, MDEP ensured the structures met rigorous safety and performance standards while maintaining a playful aesthetic. The result is an iconic public space that celebrates baseball and elevates the fan experience.
How was RISA used?
RISA-3D was essential in modeling the complex play structure at Gallagher Square, where interconnected towers and bridges functioned as a single system. Finite element analysis captured realistic load transfer, stresses, deflections, and torsional behavior across all components.
The software enabled testing of multiple lateral systems and connection types to balance safety, performance, and efficiency, accounting for site slopes, budget constraints, load conditions, and high live loads from active use. Deflection and torsion limits governed the design, requiring careful evaluation of fixed versus pinned bridge connections.
RISA-3D also supported vibration, tension, and foundation design, ensuring each tower safely transferred loads. This comprehensive analysis allowed MDEP to deliver a safe, efficient, and visually striking play structure that enhances the Gallagher Square experience.
EXCHANGE Pavillion at World Design Capital 2024
San Diego, CA
Lead Engineer | Mathew Mangano
Company | MDEP Structures
Architect | Heleo Architects
Contractor | Richard & Richard
Construction Company
Software | RISA-3D
Project Description
The EXCHANGE, a temporary pavilion for World Design Capital 2024, transformed an overlooked site into a vibrant hub of cultural connection. Designed by HELEO, its open, curvilinear form and responsive digital skin symbolized the flow of ideas across borders.
MDEP provided structural expertise to realize the ambitious design, analyzing the steel framework to ensure safety, resilience, and ease of transport for multiple installations. Debuting in San Diego’s Balboa Park before relocating to Tijuana’s Government Square, the pavilion embodied cross-border exchange.
Hosting performances and community events, The EXCHANGE served as both art and public space—an adaptable, symbolic structure that united design, culture, and human interaction.
How was RISA used?
RISA-3D was essential to realizing the EXCHANGE pavilion, enabling precise modeling and analysis of its complex, curvilinear geometry. The software integrated 1D and 2D elements into a continuous framework, capturing real-world behaviors under wind, live loads, and large public gatherings.
Analysis revealed critical stress points, guiding member sizing and connection detailing. Because the pavilion was temporary and relocatable, RISA optimized material use, reduced weight, and simplified disassembly without sacrificing safety. Clear reporting also streamlined collaboration among architects, engineers, fabricators, and installers.
RISA-3D further informed connection design, balancing the pavilion’s fluid aesthetic with efficient installation and relocation from San Diego to Tijuana. By uniting accurate analysis with creative vision, RISA ensured the pavilion was both structurally sound and a cultural landmark.
Oddie and Silverada Street Art Signs
Reno, NV
Lead Engineer | Nabil Taha/Caleb Sale
Company | PSE Consulting Engineers, Inc
Architect | John Fleming
Contractor | Metalistics / Anchor Concrete
Software | RISA-3D | RISAFoundation
Project Description
This project with John Fleming and the City of Reno focused on creating two artistic street signs with integrated covered seating areas for a busy intersection in Reno, NV. An eye catching set of signs was designed to incorporate canopies and benches that functioned as both practical and artistic features. The team at PSE partnered with the architect to provide the structural design needed to bring the projects vision to life. The steel components were fabricated off-site by Metalistics in Everett, WA, and transported by truck to the installation site. Once delivered, Anchor Concrete in Reno completed the site work and installation. Remarkably, the entire process of installing the signs and canopies took only nine and a half hours in a single day, showcasing the effectiveness of offsite fabrication and well-coordinated planning. This project combined structural engineering, artistic design, and efficient execution, ultimately enhancing both the function and aesthetics of the city streetscape.
How was RISA used?
RISA-3D played a central role in the structural design of the canopies, artistic sign features, and benches. Due to the unique design elements, a combination of shop-welded and site-bolted connections was required, with fixed base conditions carefully analyzed to support significant cantilevered portions, particularly on the Oddie Sign and Silverada Canopy. In addition, the Silverada letters served a dual purpose as seating, which required additional analysis. Critical letters were individually modeled in RISA-3D to evaluate anchor loads generated by cantilevered portions. These results were then used to design the supporting foundations with RISAFoundation. Together, these tools ensured the design could withstand applied loads while maintaining the artistic vision, resulting in a structurally sound and visually engaging final installation.
Wild Rye Container Home
Fairplay, CO
Lead Engineer | Nabil Taha/Caleb Sale
Company | PSE Consulting Engineers, Inc
Architect | Dakota Kerkove, Home Designer
| Creative Touch Home Design
Contractor | Allison & Claire Davis
Software | RISA-3D | RISAFoundation | RISASection
Project Description
This owner-built home is a mountain retreat that blends the comforts of home with the rustic feel of a cabin, accented by a recycled, industrial exterior aesthetic. Nestled in the hills outside of Fairplay, Colorado, the structure fits seamlessly into its natural surroundings while repurposing shipping containers to create a distinctive home that will soon be available as a vacation rental.
The homeowners, embarking on their first-ever build, collaborated with Creative Touch Home Design (a division of PSE Consulting Engineers) to refine concept drawings and the interior layout. The design incorporated all desired elements, including a large ground-level deck and a rooftop deck on the second floor.
From there, engineering analysis was performed to transform the dream into reality. Using both the inherent strength and strategically reinforced portions of the shipping containers, the design ensured a safe and durable structure. The entire home was modeled in RISA-3D to account for all applicable loading conditions and the interaction between container elements, while RISAFoundation was utilized to design the home’s foundation system.
How was RISA used?
For this project, RISA-3D was employed to create a full model of the structure. Hot-rolled members, plates, and rigid links were used to approximate construction offsets and connection details. RISASection played a critical role in generating custom properties for the existing container members as well as reinforced composite sections to strengthen modified areas.
A key design challenge was the first-floor living, kitchen, and dining area, which required removing the entire inside wall between two containers while still supporting the rooftop deck above. Special attention was given to deflection checks to ensure long-term comfort and performance for deck occupants. The RISA-3D model provided both gravity and lateral design results, along with connection forces.
Finally, RISAFoundation was used to design the stem walls and footings, creating a stable base for the home to withstand both environmental and occupancy demands.
Project Description
Portland, OR
Lead Engineer | Caleb Sale
Company | PSE Consulting Engineers, Inc
Architect | Scott Edwards Architecture
Contractor | GSI Builders, Inc
Software | RISA-3D | RISAFoundation | RISASection
Wonderlove PDX is a food cart pod in Portland’s Central Eastside, built around a repurposed steel mill structure and a two-story shipping container housing the bar, indoor seating, and a rooftop deck. The design blends the district’s industrial heritage with a modern, community-focused gathering space overlooking the Willamette River and downtown skyline.
The container structure, developed through multiple design iterations, balances constructability, efficiency, and aesthetics. With expansive glazing, a 15’ x 40’ open bar and seating area, and a rooftop deck, it offers vibrant spaces for dining and events.
Now a neighborhood hub, Wonderlove PDX strengthens Portland’s cultural fabric by merging industrial character with a fresh, modern identity.
Wonderlove PDX
How was RISA used?
RISA-3D was integral to designing the container building and external stair system, enabling evaluation of the container’s strength as large openings and clear spans required reinforcement. The software allowed engineers to balance architectural vision with structural feasibility and cost.
Using RISASection, custom member shapes were modeled to integrate the container’s inherent strength, supporting efficient testing of multiple scenarios and cost-benefit comparisons. RISAFoundation, paired with RISA-3D, guided the mat slab design in coordination with the geotechnical engineer, addressing soil conditions and performance needs.
This integrated workflow streamlined design iterations, reduced uncertainty, and ensured both the container structure and foundation met performance goals.
Project Description
Wells, ME
Lead Engineer | Jeff Fitch
Company | SFA Design Group
Architect | JWH Drafting and Design
Contractor | Shawn Hansen Construction
Software | RISA-3D
The Litchfield Pavilion is a custom-designed outdoor dining patio created to complement a restaurant by offering a covered space with its own dedicated bar. Unlike typical restaurant patios, the design focused on both aesthetics and craftsmanship, making structural wood connections a key architectural feature. The pavilion was framed entirely in wood, but instead of relying on conventional fasteners and metal hardware commonly used in modern construction, the design intent was to emphasize traditional joinery methods. Mortise-and-tenon joints, wood dowels, and other classic woodworking techniques were incorporated to achieve both a timeless appearance and structural integrity.
Because of the pavilion’s open nature, wind and lateral loads were critical considerations in the design. The structure needed to perform not only under gravity loads from the roof and framing but also withstand environmental loads without relying on hidden steel elements. This created unique design challenges that required detailed structural modeling to balance the architectural goals with safety and performance requirements. The use of advanced software helped verify that the vision for a handcrafted timber structure could also meet modern code requirements.
Litchfield Pavilion
How was RISA used?
RISA-3D was an essential tool in the design and verification of the pavilion structure. The entire pavilion was modeled within RISA-3D, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of both gravity and lateral load cases. Through this modeling, engineers were able to confirm that the chosen timber sections were sufficient to resist not only the roof and framing loads but also the wind and lateral forces acting on the open pavilion.
Each member was checked within RISA-3D to ensure proper sizing, which provided confidence that the structural performance met code-mandated safety and serviceability criteria. Once the member forces and support reactions were determined in RISA-3D, those results were used as the basis for designing the pavilion’s traditional joinery connections by hand. This hybrid approach—leveraging modern engineering software to validate old-world craftsmanship—ensured the pavilion achieved both structural reliability and the desired architectural character.
Project Description
Auburn, AL
Lead Engineer | Chris Murphy | Justin Downey | Pierre Coiron
The 86,000 sf, six-story Auburn hotel required an efficient structural system to balance architectural vision with site conditions. Post-tensioned floor and roof slabs are supported by concrete walls and columns, with a steelframed roof above the sixth-floor restaurant providing both function and distinction. Non-bearing CFS walls offered flexibility for interior layouts and façade design.
Key features included a cantilevered corner with slab-mounted brick veneer, requiring careful detailing to control deflections, and a stepped PT slab on the sixth floor to integrate a patio and restaurant seamlessly. Further engineering was required for a steel portecochere that highlighted the main entry.
Foundations combined isolated footings and mat slabs on aggregate pier–improved soils, ensuring stability, efficient load distribution, and cost-effective construction.
AC Hotel Auburn
How was RISA used?
To manage the complexity of this multi-material hotel, the team used an integrated workflow with ADAPT-Builder and RISA software. ADAPT-Builder modeled PT slabs and concrete systems, allowing quick iterations during construction administration to address slab penetrations, wall opening changes, and column adjustments while keeping the schedule on track.
RISA-3D handled steel design and secondary systems, including the sixth-floor restaurant roof, porte-cochere, and smaller features like brick support frames and canopies. Results were coordinated with ADAPT-Builder for continuity, while RISAFoundation designed foundations integrated with the aggregate pier soil strategy.
This combined approach streamlined coordination, optimized member sizes and connections, and ensured adaptability, accuracy, and efficiency throughout design and construction.
Lanier Christian Academy
Flowery Branch, GA
Lead Engineer | Chris Murphy | Justin Downey | Allen Morris
The 85,000 sf, three-story school in Flowery Branch, Georgia required a coordinated structural system balancing efficiency, durability, and flexibility. Reinforced masonry bearing walls provided both vertical and lateral load resistance, while hollowcore planks created long spans for classrooms and corridors. The roof used steel bar joists on beams and girders, to accommodate variable roof loads.
A defining element is the rear gymnasium wing, set lower than the main building. Its 32 ft masonry walls with parapets support long-span joists and girders, designed to carry suspended basketball goals, partitions, and rooftop mechanical units.
By integrating masonry, hollowcore, and steel framing, the design achieved constructability, cost efficiency, and long-term performance, meeting the district’s goals for function and durability.
How was RISA used?
The Flowery Branch school was fully modeled in RISAFloor, integrating gravity and lateral design from the outset. Hollowcore slabs were represented with proxy concrete to capture both self-weight and diaphragm action, ensuring accurate load transfer for wind and seismic design.
Using RISAFloor with RISA-3D, the team developed an efficient masonry wall system and resolved complex transfer conditions near the gymnasium. Iterative analysis refined member sizes and reinforcement patterns, balancing constructability with efficiency.
RISA also streamlined mid-design modifications, allowing rapid testing of revisions—especially critical for accommodating multiple rooftop mechanical units without overstressing joists or girders.
This integrated workflow improved accuracy, reduced design time, and delivered a safe, economical structure that met performance goals.
Large ASRS Storage Rack Structure
[confidential], IN
Lead Engineer | Arlin Keck
Company | Steel King Industries
Architect | [confidential]
Contractor | [confidential]
Software | RISA-3D
Project Description
The project involved the structural design of a 34-ft-tall, 400-ft-long Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) rack for an automotive parts manufacturer. The rack guided lateral crane movement via a rail fixed to its structure, imposing strict deflection and serviceability requirements.
To maximize storage, the design minimized tie beams while meeting tight deflection limits. A hybrid system of moment frames in one direction and braced frames in the other provided lateral resistance. With members limited to 4-in channels and only four beam levels, long unbraced lengths and significant P-Delta effects required careful analysis.
The design also incorporated 7-ft cantilevered framing at both ends for crane maintenance and seamless product transfer. The result was a system that balanced strength, efficiency, and reliability while optimizing storage density and operational performance.
How was RISA used?
RISA-3D was critical in analyzing the ASRS rack system, using Direct Analysis to capture second-order effects and evaluate connection stiffness in the moment frame direction. This ensured slender members remained stable under demanding loads.
Strict deflection checks were performed on beams, columns, and the 400 ft crane guide rail, confirming compliance with serviceability criteria to prevent interference with automated operations. Multiple load cases—including gravity, seismic, and notional loads—were modeled to assess system stability and slab reactions. In the braced frame direction, RISA confirmed the adequacy of slender angle braces spanning 7 ft.
By leveraging RISA-3D, the team optimized material use while meeting stringent stability, serviceability, and integration requirements.
Continuum
Sunnyvale, CA
Lead Engineer | Rbhu Engineering
Company | Rbhu Engineering
Architect | HOK
Contractor | Jason Kelly Johnson & Nataly Gattegno
Software | RISA-3D | RISAFoundation
Project Description
Nestled in a garden of succulents and agaves, Continuum is a site-specific sculpture activated by the environment and people walking, biking, and driving past it. From certain angles, the panels and shingles produce dynamic visual effects in response to viewer movement. Viewed from various positions and at differing speeds, the artwork animates the site in unique ways both day and night. Similar to a Möbius loop, the overall form was generated by joining two continuously interconnected double-curved surfaces around a central opening or portal.
The twisted inner golden surface is smoother with a more reflective, higher-resolution shingled appearance, while the outer silver surfaces are faceted and modular. The sculpture’s overall form and twisting central portal appear unstable, dynamically evolving depending on the sun’s position and the viewer’s perspective.
Constructed from faceted stainless steel panels and gold titanium nitride-coated shingles, the double-curved surfaces transform from convex to concave curvature. This interplay produces varied visual effects: convex surfaces capture and reflect surrounding light and color, while concave surfaces deepen into shadow as the day progresses.
How was RISA used?
The project is a steel sculpture that incorporates both shaped members and plate elements, anchored to a concrete foundation. The process began with a 3D DXF file of the shaped member centerlines, imported into RISA using its import module. Plates were then created directly in the software using its plate creation procedure; where practical, flat bar members were used instead of plates, enabling design checks on these simplified elements.
Custom load combinations were generated within RISA to capture wind, seismic, and seismic-overstrength conditions. Spreadsheet results were exported to support anchorage, connection, and weld design. RISA’s documentation proved invaluable, particularly for interpreting plate internal forces needed for splice design at precise locations.
Foundation design was completed in RISAFoundation via the Director workflow, seamlessly transferring loads from RISA-3D. Slab modeling allowed multiple point loads on a single element, while design strips provided rebar, slab design, and stability checks. The automatic load-combination generator ensured code compliance across cases.
Finally, reporting features in both RISA-3D and RISAFoundation streamlined documentation. By saving report templates, future modifications could be reprinted without rebuilding reports from scratch, adding efficiency to the design process.
Project Description
San Diego, CA
Lead Engineer | Rbhu Engineering
Company | Rbhu Engineering
Architect | IQHQ
Contractor | gt2P
Software | RISA-3D
Shhh Pavilion: The Hopekeeper is a sculptural landmark that merges art, science, and memory. Inspired by childhood experiences, natural patterns, and mathematical relationships, the pavilion takes the form of a funicular shell structure created through a three-dimensional polygonal tessellation. Its surface, reminiscent of barnacles covering a seashell, evokes playful memories of beach games where imagination felt limitless. Designed as both an artistic centerpiece and a structural experiment, the pavilion engages visitors in an exploration of how natural geometry informs human creativity. By weaving together organic inspiration and advanced structural logic, the project stands as a physical manifestation of hope—fragile yet enduring, scientific yet poetic. The pavilion embodies the intersection of disciplines, serving as an installation that both invites contemplation and demonstrates engineering ingenuity.
Shhh Pavilion: The Hopekeeper
How was RISA used?
RISA-3D was instrumental in analyzing the structural integrity of The Hopekeeper for its installation site. The pavilion’s geometry, made entirely of interconnected plate elements, began as a 3D design file converted to a DXF with 3D faces, which RISA seamlessly imported as plates for direct analysis. Design attributes were applied to account for material properties, plate thicknesses, and loading scenarios. The Saved Selections feature proved invaluable in organizing the model, enabling quick transitions between plate groups for varying loads and design checks. The complex configuration, with angled joints fastened by rivets and hexagonal plate arrays, required careful modeling of local interactions. Custom load combinations were developed to capture wind, seismic, and seismic-overstrength conditions, while spreadsheet outputs provided internal forces for anchorage, fasteners, and splice design. RISA’s online documentation guided the interpretation of plate forces, ensuring accurate connection detailing. Finally, the report export tool streamlined deliverables, allowing reusable templates to be saved and quickly regenerated after model revisions. This efficient workflow transformed a visually complex artistic form into a safely realized structure.
Ochsner’s
Debra H. and Robert J. Patrick Neuroscience Center
New Orleans, LA Lead Engineer | Woodward Engineering Group
Company | Woodward
Architect | BWBR
Contractor | Woodward Design+Build, LLC
Software | RISA-3D | RISAFloor |
RISAFoundation | RISAConnection
Project Description
Ochsner’s 132,000 sf Neuroscience Center unites neurological and psychological services in a five-story facility designed to advance early diagnosis, treatment, and research. The building integrates clinics, offices, rehabilitation, and holistic care, supporting both patients and caregivers while driving innovation in neurological health.
Founded on auger cast piles, the structure uses a steel frame with concrete on metal deck floors for efficiency and flexibility. A panelized cladding system ensures durability, while a sweeping glass curtain wall curves around a central healing garden, with tapered floor edges and a dramatic entrance canopy reinforcing themes of wellness and openness.
Part of a larger campus transformation—including a new garage, boulevard, and site upgrades—the center represents continued investment in patient-centered innovation, reshaping the north side of the main campus into a modern hub for world-class care.
How was RISA used?
Woodward Engineering Group used RISA’s integrated tools to deliver a safe, efficient design for the Ochsner Neuroscience Center. RISA-3D modeled the steel superstructure, capturing the curved façade and projecting floor plates to analyze member forces, stability, and load distribution.
RISAFloor designed gravity framing, while RISAFoundation addressed auger cast piles, soil-structure interaction, and load transfer. RISAConnection optimized steel connections, ensuring efficiency, constructability, and code compliance for both standard and exposed details.
The RISA platform streamlined coordination with architects BWBR and Woodward Design Group, integrating seamlessly with MEP systems and the glass curtain wall. The result is a structurally sound, architecturally striking facility that supports Ochsner’s mission of world-class neurological care.
Project Description
Chicago, IL
Lead Engineer | Teja Rotta
Company | KP & J Architects and Engineers
Architect | Victor Drapszo
Contractor | Greenberg
Software | RISA-3D | RISAFloor
At 750 W. North Ave in Chicago’s Old Town, a new 5-story mixed-use development rises just 400 ft from Lincoln Park’s Apple Store and sits among historic landmarks such as St. Michael’s Church and the Old Town Triangle Historic District.
Designed by Red Architects and developed by Base 3 Real Estate, the 63 ft structure brings modern design to a tight urban site framed by the curves of the CTA Brown Line. The building’s form responds directly to these transit boundaries, creating a distinctive footprint that balances functionality with architectural expression.
The project features 2,300 sq ft of ground-floor retail along W. North Ave, with residential space above and a rooftop deck offering shared outdoor views of the neighborhood. A mix of materials—including steel, wood, and CMU—shapes both the exterior character and the structural framework, allowing the development to integrate into its historic surroundings while meeting contemporary standards for durability and safety.
750 W. North
How was RISA used?
RISAFloor was used to model gravity loads on wood, steel, and CMU components, automating load transfer between elements and ensuring accurate diaphragm and wall representation.
RISA-3D handled wind and seismic effects on the curved geometry, distributing lateral forces efficiently through finite element analysis. Integrated with RISAFloor, it provided seamless coordination of gravity and lateral systems, improving accuracy and stability.
Together, these tools streamlined iterations, optimized member sizes and connections, and reduced design time. The result was a robust, fully coordinated solution that ensured the curved structure’s performance, safety, and efficiency.
Special thanks:
Name | Bruce Bates
Job Title | Founder, Former Owner
Company | RISA
Name | Matt Brown, SE
Job Title | President
Company | Newport Structural Design
Name | Caitlin Metcalfe, PE
Job Title | Engineering Product Manager
Company | Allplan
Name | Erin Conaway, PE
Job Title | Senior Director of Building
Company | American Institute of Steel Construction
Name | Sam Antos
Job Title | Director of Product Marketing
Company | Bluebeam
Name | Krista Looza, SE
Job Title | Principal and SEA California President
Company | Buehler
Name | Ryan Solnosky, Ph.D., PE
Job Title | Associate Teaching Professor, Architectural Engineering
