Insight: Local Community

Team Perspective & Community Impact

What does it mean for a team of engineers who work and live in a community, to contribute to the everyday spaces – like parks, schools, churches, and civic buildings – that shape local life?

RJF: We don’t have to look very hard to find a local community that is reeling from a natural disaster – whether it’s a hurricane, flash flood, or tornado. In those moments, we see the local community and beyond rallying together to assist with the cleanup and repairs. But it made me wonder “Why do we need an alarming historic event to help one’s own community?”

As engineers, we have the expertise to make a difference before a disaster strikes. Championing local projects isn’t just professionally fulfilling – it’s deeply rewarding to see the tangible impact of your work in the place you call home. While our 50-state licensure allows us to purse projects nationwide and beyond, we believe in the power of starting right where we are.

Can you share a project the Frost team worked on that had a particularly meaningful impact on the local community?
What made it stand out?

RJF: A few projects come to mind that reflect both the technical challenges and creative solutions we’ve embraced. One is St. Adalbert Church where we conducted detailed analysis and designed structural repairs for the towers. This effort required extensive modeling and analysis to identify right approach. Post-repair, we plan to analyze sensor data to evaluate our solution.

Another standout project is our collaboration with the University of Notre Dame on the World Peace Plaza. With a 100-year design life requirements, we used many composite structural and rebar elements to ensure long-term durability.

Does the team approach projects differently knowing the end users are neighbors, friends, or family members?

RJF: At first my thoughts were “No”; we always strive to deliver our best work. But when a project directly impacts neighbors, friends or family members, there’s an added layer of responsibility. The stakes feel higher, and there’s a sense of personal investment. So yes, that connection brings extra energy and motivation to go above and beyond, not just to meet expectations, but to exceed them.

Historic Preservation
& Cultural Identity

What are the most important responsibilities for structural engineers when it comes to preserving or adapting historic structures in the community?

RJF: There are a few responsibilities I would suggest to today’s engineers. The first item is to make sure you have a very good understanding of the historical tools, materials, and specifications that were originally used in the structure’s design. The smallest of details can make or break the repair being offered today – including steel strength, concrete strength, brick, and proper grout. Recognizing and accounting for all of these details will play an essential role in the retrofit and strengthening effort with today’s methods and technologies.

A second important suggestion is to be careful in developing a new load path. Updated components can add higher stresses on an older system not originally designed to handle them. Although the new stress may be within strength of the material, it could cause unintended damage.

How do you balance the integration of modern structural solutions with the need to preserve cultural and architectural heritage?

RJF: Most of the time, this is an easy task because the new structural system is just hidden like the bones in a human body. For situations like a partial demolition of a building I would suggest seeing if any of the salvaged parts can be repurposed. A personal favorite example of this is our work at the local park in Mishawaka known as The RES. Two pedestrian bridges were in serious disrepair, and we saw an opportunity when nearby building was being demolished. We repurposed its large crane beams for the bridges – an excellent reuse and cost-effective design. The project was further enhanced by partnering with a local Army group for construction, bringing community and engineering together.

In what ways do you think preserving historic buildings contributes to a community’s identity and resilience?

RJF: This is a tough question – and I tend to approach it the way I think about artwork. What I might think is “amazing artwork”, someone else may say “what on earth were they thinking?”.

From a structural engineering perspective, we ask: “Are the bones to the building good”? That’s the foundation to any successful project. Then we can we use today’s material and methods to strengthen and enhance the space, while honoring its original character.

Collaboration, Innovation & Legacy

What innovative or sustainable structural solutions has your team implemented in community projects?
How have these benefited the people who use these spaces?

RJF: One very nice project was the conversion of a furniture store – originally built as a local high school – into a senior living facility. Our longtime collaborator, Greg Kil and his team at Kil Architecture & Design, led a thoughtful interior redesign while preserving much of the building’s original exterior character.

How has this benefited the people who use these spaces? The shift in use is remarkable: a building once filled with young students and educators now serves a slower-paced senior community. It’s a meaningful repurposing that honors the building’s history while adapting it for new needs. I have to wonder if some of the current residents once walked those halls as students themselves years ago.

What does it mean to you and your team to leave a lasting legacy in your own community through the built environment?
How do you hope the Frost team’s work will be experienced by future generations?

RJF: There is a deep sense of personal fulfillment in breathing new life into older or historic structures – transforming them into vibrant spaces that serve today’s community need. Often, it is not easy to bring an older building almost back to life, it takes vision, dedication, and a lot of hard work. But we believe in the old adage, Hard Work Always Pays Off!

As for the legacy we hope to leave, my wish is that future generations will look at Frost Engineering and see a team built on integrity, craftsmanship, and care. That they recognize the strength of our current crew as a reflection of the solid foundation laid years ago.