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Much of Eckmann鈥檚 problem-solving has involved the use of steel. 鈥淥ne reason I鈥檓 drawn to structural steel as a building material is that it has the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any building material out there,鈥� says Eckmann.

That structural power brings creative flexibility, too. 鈥淚鈥檓 very interested in light and transparency,鈥� he adds, 鈥渁nd steel is the material that allows me to achieve that. It鈥檚 incredibly efficient when spanning long distances, and that鈥檚 an objective in many of our projects: Fewer columns and larger spaces ... steel allows us to do that.鈥�

As an engineer, Eckmann is enthusiastic about using steel as a building material. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just going to continue to get better,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 always going to be there. As we鈥檙e seeing now, higher-strength steels are available, and that鈥檚 wonderful in the sense that we are able to use less of the material鈥攚hich is great from an environmental perspective鈥攖o support the same types of loads.鈥�

Important steel innovations are often achieved when fabricators and architects collaborate, bringing their unique knowledge and backgrounds to the table. For instance, Eckmann discovered that welded connections using 础别辞蝉鈩� (A913) steel require less preheat. That kind of insight can help a team find solutions to a variety of projects.

Because of his deep, versatile knowledge of steel, Eckmann sees the partnership between design and construction as incredibly important, and innovating with teamwork as essential.

鈥淲e like to engage as many bright minds as possible,鈥� he says. 鈥淲e鈥檙e involved in Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) projects where the trade partners or contractors and subcontractors are sitting at the same table with us from the beginning. Obviously, we know how to design and detail, but they know how to procure and construct. So, when we put all those bright minds together, we can do amazing things.鈥�