Member Newsletter 

May 12, 2026

Newsletter

In This Issue

May Member Meeting:

5/13 Executive Orders on DEI (Dinner Meeting)

Events:

5/16 RGA Skate Together

5/26 YMG Trivia

6/18 Engineers at Ground Zero

Sustainability:

LEED v5

Visitation Hotel

May Member Meeting - Tomorrow!

May 13 | 6 p.m. | Member Dinner Meeting

Executive Orders on DEI:

Impacts for Engineering Firms

How are the recent executive orders restricting DEI initiatives at federal agencies and among federal contractors impacting engineering firms? What do you need to know?

Join Cate McCaffrey of Gibson Dunn at Shaw's Tavern in DC to learn more about the latest regulations and their implications for firms that work for federal clients, as well as risk management steps firms can take.  

Other Upcoming Events

May 16 | 5:30 p.m. | Partner Event

RGA Skate Together - In Honor of Bill Duvall

Join RGA on May 16th for an evening of indoor ice skating, dinner, and community, in memory of Bill Duvall. Proceeds from this event will support EveryMind's mental wellness initiatives and suicide prevention programming.

May 26 | 5:30 p.m. | YMG & AEI

Construction Industry Trivia Night

Calling all professionals in the construction industry! Test your knowledge, connect with peers, and enjoy a lively evening of competition and camaraderie at our a trivia night hosted by SEA-MW YMG & AEI at City-State Public House. Whether you're an engineer, contractor, architect, or construction enthusiast, this event is the perfect mix of learning, fun, and professional growth.

June 18 | 5:30 p.m. | Movie Screening

Engineers at Ground Zero

Join SEA-MW and NCC ACI for a special screening and discussion on Engineers at Ground Zero, a documentary highlighting the critical role that structural engineers played in 9/11 rescue and recovery missions and how the lessons learned impact building design and emergency response efforts today. 

Spotlight on Sustainability

What Structural Engineers Need to Know About LEED v5 and Embodied Carbon

LEED v5 was launched in April 2025 and will become mandatory for all new projects seeking LEED certification starting July 1, 2026. While LEED v5 introduces many changes across categories, one of the most significant shifts is the increased emphasis on embodied carbon.

The most impactful change for structural engineers is that an embodied carbon assessment is now required for all LEED certification levels. At a minimum, projects must complete a cradle‑to‑gate (A1–A3) life‑cycle assessment (LCA). Under LEED v4, performing an LCA was optional and worth a point on its own. Under LEED v5, no points are awarded simply for completing an LCA. It’s now a baseline requirement. Under LEED v5, embodied carbon reductions contribute meaningfully to LEED scoring. Points are awarded based on the percent reduction in global warming potential (GWP) relative to a baseline “reference building” defined using ASCE’s Whole‑Building Life‑Cycle Assessment methodology:

2 points – Meets baseline

3 points – 10% reduction

4 points – 20% reduction (required for LEED Platinum)

5 points – 30% reduction

6 points – 40% or greater reduction

These changes to LEED are expected to push more project teams to adopt detailed LCA’s and proactive embodied carbon strategies, with an increased focus on structural systems and material selection. Preparing now will position us to better support our clients and remain competitive as embodied carbon becomes a central driver of sustainable design under LEED v5.

For more information, please reach out to the SEA-MW Sustainable Design Committee.

Project Spotlight

This feature highlights SEA-MW's 2026 Excellence in Structural Engineering Award winners and finalists.

Awardee: Structural Renovation Under $25M

Visitation Hotel

Simpson Gumpertz & Heger

The Visitation Academy in Frederick, Maryland, was founded in 1846 as an all-girls Roman Catholic school and expanded several times before closing in 2016. The historic campus, built of mass brick masonry with timber framing, was purchased by a developer and transformed into a Marriott Tribute Portfolio Hotel. This adaptive reuse project required engineers to balance preservation of the building’s historic character with modern performance, safety, and code compliance. Structural upgrades included strengthening wood joists with laminated veneer lumber (LVL) sisters, reinforcing load-bearing masonry walls with wide-flange lintels, and creating new openings for modern circulation. To meet ADA requirements, ramps and three new elevators were introduced, requiring underpinning of existing foundations and careful masonry repairs. In April 2023, an intense fire damaged the west wing, destroying timber trusses and roof framing. Engineers conducted hands-on inspections, designed temporary bracing for tall masonry walls, and developed innovative repairs using metal plate-connected (MPC) trusses to replicate historic load paths while maintaining schedule and controlling costs. Completed in December 2024, the Visitation Hotel preserves a Frederick landmark, celebrates its nineteenth-century heritage, and delivers a modern destination featuring guest rooms, event spaces, and a restaurant by the renowned Voltaggio brothers.

View all award winning projects