Schaun Valdovinos
Structural Engineer
My name is Schaun Valdovinos, and I’m a structural engineer in Hatch Mott MacDonald’s Vancouver, British Columbia office, where I work with a team of drafters and engineers to develop detailed designs for a variety of bridge projects and studies.
Typically, I design bridges ranging from small pedestrian bridges to larger, elevated light rail viaducts. One of my first projects with the company was the design of an elegant pedestrian bridge over a highway in Vancouver. This project was a catalyst for me that allowed me the opportunity to design four other efficient and aesthetically pleasing pedestrian bridges in the following years.
Problem solving is key to my work, and I find it both challenging and interesting to respond to the constraints of a site, consider fabrication and construction requirements, and refine a design concept into an attractive solution. The most gratifying element of my work, however, is to see my bridges open to the public. I enjoy being able to see and touch my work, and seeing other peoples’ positive reactions is very rewarding.
I was drawn to this career after I developed an interest in bridges following high school. This interest was further focused when I designed a column as part of a class project during my freshmen year of college. Using only two sheets of graph paper and some school glue, I constructed a 4-inch high by 2.5-inch wide column with a triangular honeycomb cross-section. Amazingly to me, this column withstood 609 pounds of force before failing. This moment illustrated how robust an efficient structural form could be and inspired me to pursue a career that would allow me to design and engineer structures.
In hopes that I can share my knowledge as a means to inspire the next generation of engineers, I make a point to give presentations on structural engineering to high school and college students each year. I’ve also authored or co-authored several industry publications, and was recently awarded first place in Hatch Mott MacDonald’s 2010 Best Paper competition.
My teammates at Hatch Mott MacDonald not only support my professional development, but they also share in my personal interests. As a part of the company’s 24-member Dragon Boating team for the past four years, I’ve had the opportunity to paddle in the second largest annual Dragon Boating Festival outside of Hong Kong. Hatch Mott MacDonald’s team recently collected a bronze medal, which now hangs proudly alongside our silver and gold medals from years past.
Typically, I design bridges ranging from small pedestrian bridges to larger, elevated light rail viaducts. One of my first projects with the company was the design of an elegant pedestrian bridge over a highway in Vancouver. This project was a catalyst for me that allowed me the opportunity to design four other efficient and aesthetically pleasing pedestrian bridges in the following years.
Problem solving is key to my work, and I find it both challenging and interesting to respond to the constraints of a site, consider fabrication and construction requirements, and refine a design concept into an attractive solution. The most gratifying element of my work, however, is to see my bridges open to the public. I enjoy being able to see and touch my work, and seeing other peoples’ positive reactions is very rewarding.
I was drawn to this career after I developed an interest in bridges following high school. This interest was further focused when I designed a column as part of a class project during my freshmen year of college. Using only two sheets of graph paper and some school glue, I constructed a 4-inch high by 2.5-inch wide column with a triangular honeycomb cross-section. Amazingly to me, this column withstood 609 pounds of force before failing. This moment illustrated how robust an efficient structural form could be and inspired me to pursue a career that would allow me to design and engineer structures.
In hopes that I can share my knowledge as a means to inspire the next generation of engineers, I make a point to give presentations on structural engineering to high school and college students each year. I’ve also authored or co-authored several industry publications, and was recently awarded first place in Hatch Mott MacDonald’s 2010 Best Paper competition.
My teammates at Hatch Mott MacDonald not only support my professional development, but they also share in my personal interests. As a part of the company’s 24-member Dragon Boating team for the past four years, I’ve had the opportunity to paddle in the second largest annual Dragon Boating Festival outside of Hong Kong. Hatch Mott MacDonald’s team recently collected a bronze medal, which now hangs proudly alongside our silver and gold medals from years past.