They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. That’s definitely true of engineering work. After all, the product that we deliver at the end of the day is typically a set of drawings. It’s equally important to use images throughout the project timeline to communicate with colleagues and clients.

Lately, I’ve been working out the details of a very complex entrance to a commercial building. My assignment is made more difficult because much of the floor structure was constructed while the architectural details of the entrance area were still being worked out. The challenge now is to provide support for the curtain wall, a hoist system for window washers to hook into, and support for a fancy 4-story tall piece of artwork in very tight quarters.

After being assigned the job, I was bombarded with emails describing the conditions. Honestly, none of it made any sense. I tried looking through old sketches drawn up by my colleagues, but I could tell that many of the specifics had changed. The only way to make progress was to meet with the architects and flesh out some concepts in person.

What was supposed to be a half-hour meeting lasted more than two. I brought the existing structural drawings with me, and the architects printed out large sheets with their initial ideas. Side by side, we were able to recognize the conflicts. Some of my suggestions were quickly discarded because of geometric limitations. But it’s better to find that out right away, versus spending hours on a bad hunch.

On the way back from my meeting, I actually walked past the job site. From the street, I could see the area that we had just discussed. I hadn’t planned to stop by, but this gave me an opportunity to snap a photo with my camera phone.

The next day my team started fleshing out our structural sketches. It was a bit comical to see my phone being passed around, so people could see the actual as-built condition we had to work around. Working as a team, we came up with some ideas that greatly improved on the architect’s initial concept. So, of course, we sent over some more sketches.

Even though the project was fairly small, it was rewarding to come up with a good solution to a complicated problem. It feels great when effective communication, face-to-face and with pictures, leads to project success.

Welcome to 330 N. Wabash, formerly known as the IBM building. It was designed by legendary architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Mies emigrated to the United States in 1937 fleeing Nazi Germany. His characteristic style was modern and minimalistic, dubbed the International Style. In Chicago, he led the architecture program at the Illinois Institute of Technology and designed several prominent buildings, including the Federal Plaza buildings and 860-880 Lake Shore Drive.

He also designed his own line of furniture for the lobbies of his buildings. 330 N. Wabash currently feature replicas of his originals. However, as I discovered very uncomfortably, the cushions are actually cast in bronze.

One downside to having a full time job, is finding the time to take vacation.  Most engineering companies offer 10 days of vacation to starting employees, and depending on how rigidly sick time is enforced you might be able to count on another 5 days.  I’ve now worked at my current company long enough to qualify for one additional week of vacation.  While those numbers might seem paltry, I find it most difficult to find a time that doesn’t negatively impact my projects.  But sometimes you just have to get away.

This “spring break” I traveled to Lake Tahoe, Nevada to meet with 10 college friends and go skiing.  We’re trying to make it a tradition; last year we went to Salt Lake City, Utah.  On both trips, we were able to rent an entire house.  This saves money, but it also reminds me of life in the dorms – only the good times.  We cooked large family style meals and gathered around the table to share old and new stories.

This year we skied at the Squaw Valley and Norstar resorts.  I actually prefer to snowboard, but the rest of the gang seeks out the skiers’ paradise.  Squaw offered some very technical runs; it was the site of the 1960 Winter Olympic Games.  I’m just good enough to allow myself to get into trouble, and those black diamonds were all I could handle.

The views at both resorts were absolutely incredible.  On some runs, it felt like we would ski right down into Lake Tahoe.  From an engineer’s perspective the lifts taking us up to the top of the mountain were similarly impressive.  For gondolas carrying up to 12 people, sturdy posts topped with steel trusses were necessary to carry the loading.  And at each end, concrete lift houses anchored the ends of the cable system and provided for an easy exchange of passengers.

Getting to the resorts may not have been so easy if it wasn’t for the efforts of local civil engineers.  Just days prior to our arrival, several feet of fresh snow were dropped on the Lake Tahoe area.  Driving up the winding mountain roads from Reno felt like navigating a narrow cavern.  Given the considerable about of snow removal required to keep the roads serviceable, I was surprised by the lack of potholes and icy patches.   What are they doing differently out there?

It was a great trip!  I’ve been back to work long enough now to be counting my vacation days again.  Come to think of it, I feel a cold coming on…