Jury Comments

We were impressed by the firm's commitment to an evolving and strategic business plan. The firm has a clear philosophy and goals and a dedication to mentoring and future growth. Through its evolution from a structural engineering firm to a comprehensive A/E/C firm, it has developed a business model that extends their influence on the built environment by integrating building technology, design, and construction management. In addition to the strong engineering foundation, an increased emphasis on design in the past several years - including strategic hires - and a diversity of project types has shaped a firm that is leading the profession in serving clients' needs. This is firm that is not afraid to think and act outside the box.

The Jury

History

Founded in Chicago as a minority-owned business in 1959, Teng has evolved substantially during the last 42 years. Dr. Wayne Teng and his wife Eleanor started the company as a structural engineering firm with expertise in foundations based on his book Foundation Design. The period from 1959 through the mid-1960s produced mainly structural specialty work and included projects such as high-power transmission antennas. As the commissions became more numerous, the firm's work expanded to include communications facilities for Illinois Bell (now SBC/Ameritech). These facilities consisted largely of buildings that housed sensitive and expensive communications equipment.

Under the leadership of Robert Skowron, AIA, who led the architectural group until 1995, and Jerry Cibulka, AIA, who joined the firm in 1984 from his tenure at Perkins & Will, the firm's architectural commissions expanded in breadth and scope to include community college projects, manufacturing facilities, and transportation-related buildings. Nick Georgiou, AIA also joined the firm in 1984 and quickly landed work for the U.S. Postal Service. At this time, the firm expanded into transportation work. This was due largely to Ivan Dvorak, P.E., who brought expertise in structural civil transportation design, specifically bridges and highways. With the advent and rapid expansion of the internet and communications technology, Timothy Neumann, AIA has taken the communications focus to a new level, creating a specialty group focusing on the "rapid deployment" of facilities to support the industry's break-neck expansion.

Today Teng offers a full range of design services, including architectural design, interior design, urban design, planning, landscape architecture, civil, structural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and environmental engineering, as well as construction administration.

The Future

Teng has opened regional offices in Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Orlando, and Richmond. Teng is also restructuring it operations into four principal lines of business: buildings, transportation, telecommunications, and technology. The firm's clients include a diverse and expanding base of Fortune 500 corporations, technology companies, federal agencies, and state and local public agencies.

Selected Projects

Current
Belmont Bay Science Center (Belmont Bay, VA)
111 West Wacker Drive
Mexicantown Welcome Center and Mercado (Detroit)
Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Offices and Visitors Center (Rock Falls, IL)

Recent
Sofitel Chicago Water Tower
American Airlines Concourse G Renovation (O'Hare) (Image 1 | Image 2)
Kline Creek Farm Visitors Center (Winfield, IL)
BP Amoco Atrium Lobby Addition (Naperville, IL)
Old Plank Road Trail Bridge (Frankfort, IL)
Lake Shore Drive Relocation and Museum Campus
Living Word Christian Center (Forest Park, IL)
CTA Subway Entrance Kiosk Prototype
Hotel Baker Restoration (St. Charles, IL)
Lake/Wells CTA Subway Station
Knickerbocker Hotel Renovation
Eighth Street Bascule Bridge (Sheboygan, WI)

Principals

Ivan Dvorak, P.E., President and CEO
Donna Floerchinger, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Nicholas Georgiou, AIA, Vice President
Thomas Hoepf, AIA, Principal Design Architect
Jerry Cibulka, AIA, Vice President
Edward Wilkas, AIA, Principal Architect
Timothy Neumann, AIA, Vice President
Richard Daspit Jr., AIA, Associate
Patricia Sticha, Principal Interior Designer
R. Shankar Nair, Ph.D., S.E., P.E., Senior Vice President