Urban is pleased to announce that the Rail Park and the Renovations at the Stoneleigh Main House were recognized at the annual Diamond Awards for Engineering Excellence with Diamond Award Certificates. The competition was hosted by the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC/PA) at the Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square.

“We would like to congratulate our clients on the successful completion of these projects and on this recognition from ACEC/PA,” said Matthew Marquardt, PE, Urban’s senior vice president and COO for vertical services. “These awards are evidence of the success and technical expertise of our firm’s multidiscipline practices, and that our staff is worthy of recognition.”

Philadelphia welcomed the highly-anticipated arrival of the Rail Park courtesy of Center City District in June of 2018. Urban Engineers was a catalyst for the development of the new public space, conducting the initial concept design study in 2011. Once the project was underway, Urban presented multiple design options for the park and renderings that visualized ideas and input from stakeholders and community members. Urban continued its involvement with the Rail Park through the construction phase, providing structural, civil, and environmental engineering; and construction management services.

The Main House at the Stoneleigh Estate was built in at the turn of the 20th century in Villanova, Pennsylvania. It was owned by the famous Haas family until 2016, when family heirs donated the estate and its land to the Natural Lands Trust. Today, Stoneleigh: a natural garden serves as home to the Organ Historical Society and as a programming space available to the public. Urban Engineers integrated modern systems into the historic Main House. A thoughtful and sensitive approach led to the installation of archival-level climate control. The firm designed non-invasive MEP/FP system distributions to conceal and minimize interior disturbances, bringing the building up to modern standards while preserving its historic decor and aesthetics. Urban teamed with John Milner Architects on the project.