ABOUT | Forefront Structural

ORGANIZATION

FIRM OVERVIEW

Forefront Structural Engineers (FSE) is a dynamic engineering firm focused on creativity and performance.

Established in 2007, at the beginning of a massive global recession, the firm successfully developed and maintained a diverse base of clients sustaining 20% annual growth and continuous profitability to achieve our philanthropic goals of giving back to our communities.

FSE has collaborated on projects within 8 states and 12 different countries with approximately one-half of our work as the direct result of owners and developers who see the value of early collaboration and direct referral to our architectural clients. We take great satisfaction in developing and growing our client relationships long-term with over 98% business retention rate and 25% new business relationships annually.

Our portfolio includes both modern new buildings as well as the adaptive re-use of historic buildings. We particularly excel with projects that require careful thought, creative structural engineering, and practical experience. These projects find their strengths through our team members whose passion for science, art, business, and construction logistics all mesh together in the project design process.

We believe in working closely with our clients while listening to their needs. Our approach to structural engineering is founded upon a mutual respect for the architects, owners, developers and contractors we work with. Understanding how to build, and why we build, help influence the way we design.

When there is a better way to design something — we develop it.
When a project needs objective value-engineering — we provide it.
When a problem needs resolution — we address it.
When creative solutions are needed — we engineer them.

Our unique value is the process: Collaborate | Innovate | Transform.

CULTURE

“Forefront” refers to several intrinsic qualities of our firm. Our goal is to be at the forefront of our profession by setting the modern standard of structural engineering excellence. We accomplish this with new techniques and solutions guided by the context of history and experience. Our name also reflects our corporate and personal commitment to reach the world through our profession. Our work, our people, and our vision extend globally.

Every project begins with an idea, and every idea begins with a person. The summation of talented people and servant-leadership is the source of great collaboration. Our work is not about individuals, but rather teams comprised of unique individuals seeking one goal—developing the right solution for each problem. These solutions apply to our work, our lives, and the lives of those that we interact with.

BUSINESS

FSE has a business philosophy that pursues technical excellence in structural engineering by developing and working with teams of people who recognize that the best projects are those that are refined through an organic process where each member listens and responds to the needs of the Client as well as the end user. At the end of the day, we sleep well knowing that we have contributed to the teams we join, and helped other people as well as ourselves grow professionally and personally.

Our goal is to do business well by teaming with a network of diverse clients who want to deliver the best solutions for each situation. It is through our work and personal team-mate relationships that we find opportunities to serve others. It is in our service that our business flourishes. As our business flourishes, we are enabled to help others grow personally and professionally.

MISSION

At FSE we believe God has given us both the responsibility and joy of being mercy minded. We think that our job as structural engineers is to be the best we possibly can, and to conduct business at the highest level as we work with people groups throughout the cities of our world. The city is the heart of a state or province or country. It is also the center of modern invention, construction, and innovation. But it is the hearts of people that reflect our true needs.

“Everyone to whom much was given, of [them] much will be required.”

(Luke 12:48 ESV).

“The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you,’ nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’ On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor. . .If one member suffers, all suffer together, if one member is honored, all rejoice together.”

(1 Cor. 14:6 ESV)

Every year portions of FSE profits are re-invested into sustained development of people and communities that we work in. Not merely a donation that is eventually depleted, but intentional partnerships seeking life change and growth.

OUR EXPERTISE

Diverse solutions tailored to your every need

We provide comprehensive structural design services from early concept through construction, with a focus on clarity, efficiency, and alignment with architectural intent. Our work prioritizes well coordinated gravity and lateral systems that support both performance and flexibility over the life of the building.
We have extensive experience designing mass timber buildings across a range of scales and project types. Our work is informed by real world testing, fire performance research, and close collaboration with architects, builders, and building officials.
We design efficient concrete and post tensioned systems that support long spans, open floor plates, and flexible layouts. Our approach emphasizes constructability, material efficiency, and integration with architectural and programmatic goals.
We specialize in evaluating and reimagining existing structures to support new uses and extended lifespans. Our approach balances respect for existing conditions with thoughtful integration of new structural systems, allowing buildings to evolve while maintaining safety, performance, and character.
Innovation is more than adopting new tools. It is about finding better ways to solve problems. We combine advanced modeling, computational design, and practical engineering experience to improve collaboration, optimize structural systems, and support informed decision making from concept through construction.
We believe the most impactful structural decisions happen early in the design process. By engaging during concept and schematic phases, we help teams evaluate options, understand tradeoffs, and set projects up for smoother execution and better outcomes.
We design hybrid systems that strategically combine materials to leverage the strengths of each. Whether integrating mass timber with concrete cores or coordinating steel transfer levels, our work focuses on performance, constructability, and clear system logic.
We approach sustainability through material efficiency, thoughtful system selection, and long term performance. By reducing unnecessary material use and considering embodied carbon early, we help teams make responsible structural decisions without compromising durability or constructability.