In this episode, we talk with Erin K. Rosenthal, P.E., president of PMA Engineering, about how adaptive reuse in structural engineering and engineering mentorship are driving sustainable change, transforming historic spaces into modern communities without starting from scratch.
***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.***
Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions We Asked Erin:
- Why is Kansas City such an important center for the AEC industry, and how does that impact the work you do?
- How does PMA mentor early-career engineers, and what skills or mindsets do you focus on to help them succeed?
- What do you think the future looks like for adaptive reuse in structural engineering and urban development?
- What are the biggest engineering challenges you typically face when working on older, historic buildings?
- What made The Kansas City Star Building, Penway Point, and Thomas Corrigan Building unique projects, and how did your team tackle those challenges?
- What final piece of advice would you give to structural engineers who want to grow their careers in adaptive reuse in structural engineering and sustainable design?
Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Driving Sustainable Design Through Adaptive Reuse in Structural Engineering:
- Kansas City hosts over 1,200 AEC firms and ranks first globally in sports architecture and infrastructure, creating powerful momentum for innovation. Its strong sense of community encourages knowledge-sharing and collaboration across firms of all sizes.
- PMA supports growth by exposing early-career engineers to all project types, materials, and real-world interactions like meetings and site visits. Engineers are matched with mentors, encouraged to ask questions, and given the space to discover their own engineering style.
- Adaptive reuse in structural engineering continues to grow as cities look to revitalize neighborhoods, reduce carbon footprints, and preserve architectural history. It allows communities to meet modern needs while maintaining the identity and integrity of long-standing structures.
- Working with older buildings involves navigating unknown conditions, undocumented changes, and outdated materials that require creative problem-solving. Engineers must stay flexible, collaborate closely, and rely on fundamentals like statics and material science.
- Each project presented distinct conditions such as multi-directional reinforcement, significant elevation shifts, and rare materials like terracotta and marble. The team combined research, testing, and technology to analyze the structures and deliver effective solutions.
- In adaptive reuse in structural engineering, engineers should take time to understand the existing structure and avoid defaulting to the easiest solution. Success comes from asking questions, working across disciplines, and staying committed to problem-solving with integrity and curiosity.
More Details in This Episode…
About Erin K. Rosenthal, P.E.
Erin Rosenthal, P.E., is the president and co-owner of PMA Engineering, a leading structural engineering firm based in the Kansas City metropolitan area. A licensed professional engineer in both Kansas and Missouri, Erin brings nearly two decades of experience in structural design, project management, and leadership.
Since joining PMA in 2006, she has led the design and coordination of a wide range of projects, from multifamily residential and healthcare buildings to commercial retail centers and historical renovations. Erin is known for her ability to manage complex teams and deliver high-quality results while fostering a collaborative and positive work environment.
She holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architectural engineering from Kansas State University and is highly proficient in tools like RISA, Revit, and AutoCAD. In her current role as president, Erin focuses on strategic growth, client development, and maintaining PMA’s standard of engineering excellence across every project.
About the Hosts
Mathew Picardal, P.E., SE
Mathew is a licensed engineer, practicing on structural projects in California, with an undergraduate degree from Cal Poly Pomona and an M.S. in Structural Engineering from UC San Diego. He has designed and managed various types of building structures, including residential wood apartment buildings, commercial steel buildings, concrete parking structures and towers. He also hosts the new YouTube channel “Structural Engineering Life,” through which he promotes the structural engineering profession to engineering students who are not familiar with the industry perspective.
Alexander Daddow, PE, CDT
Alex Daddow is a registered professional engineer in California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and Wyoming. He graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a degree in architectural engineering. Before joining Simpson Strong-Tie in 2019, Alex was a consulting engineer working on podium structures, custom housing, bridges, historic retrofits, schools, and advanced foundation systems. He is now a senior strengthening solutions engineer and educates the industry on composite systems throughout the Pacific and Western regions. Alex also works directly with specifiers, installers, contractors, and plan reviewers, assisting them with the technical aspects of designing and building composite strengthening systems.
Sources/References:
PMA Engineering
KC Global Design
Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
Simpson Strong-Tie
Connect with Erin K. Rosenthal, P.E., on LinkedIn
AEC PM Certification
AEC PM Connect
Project Management Accelerator™
Engineering Leadership Accelerator™
Keynote Speaking
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