On Saturday, March 29th, 700 consulting engineers and clients attended the American Council of Engineering Companies of New York's (ACEC New York) 47th annual Engineering Excellence Awards Gala at the Waldorf Astoria. Awards were presented to ACEC New York member projects that encompassed both the public and private sector in the following categories: studies, research, and consulting services; building/technology systems; structural systems; surveying and mapping technology; environmental; waste and storm water; water resources; transportation; energy; industrial and manufacturing processes and facilities; and special projects. Diamond Awards were presented to 26 projects, both within NYS and worldwide. Thomas Madison, executive director for the NYS Thruway Authority, acted as the master of ceremonies for the Diamond Award presentations. The judging was based on complexity, future value to the engineering profession, original or innovative application of new or existing technologies, and meeting or exceeding client needs. A number of guests attended the event, including the Prime Minister of Aruba, Mike Eman, and minister of infrastructure, spatial development and integration Oslin Sevinger, who accepted a Diamond Award alongside Sam Schwartz Engineering, D.P.C. for the project, Aruba Tram and Transit Consulting Services in the category of Special Projects. The Empire Award, the top-rated project designed and built completely within NYS, was announced that night and presented to Weidlinger Associates, Inc. for the Brooklyn Botanic Garden Visitor Center, a LEED Gold certified building featuring a living roof garden, which has 40,000 seasonal plants. The 20,000 s/f steel, glass, and concrete structure encompasses a single-story retail pavilion and a double-height events pavilion, connected by a trellis-like glazed canopy. Twenty-eight geothermal wells reduce energy consumption, and three bioinfiltration basins filter stormwater to the Japanese Garden. "I want to thank ACEC New York for this prestigious award," said Ray Daddazio upon accepting the award. "All the Diamond projects are unbelievable projects, and to be selected for the Empire Award is truly an honor." Since 1949, Weidlinger Associates, Inc. has provided services to clients worldwide, both as prime designers and as key participants on A/E teams. The firm has received numerous awards and recognition for technical excellence, creative design and scientific achievements over the years and continues to excel in its areas of professional practice around the globe. ACEC New York also honored two New York private and public-sector entities through named Awards of Merit. The Award of Merit honorees for 2014 are Related Companies for the Hudson Yards development project and the NYS Thruway Authority and NYS Department of Transportation for the Tappan Zee Bridge replacement project, as well as their launch of design-build in New York. Proceeds from the event benefitted the ACEC New York Scholarship Fund, formally the New York Consulting Engineering Scholarship & Educational Fund. "ACEC New York honors excellence in the field of engineering, from the dedication of engineering students across NYS, to the hard work and imagination of the men and women who are gathered here tonight," said Linda Shumaker, ACEC New York chair. "Engineers embody the spirit of ingenuity and invention, providing safe and reliable transportation, environmentally sound structures and easy access to daily necessities. On behalf of our organization, we are proud to recognize the contribution engineering makes to creating an efficient and remarkable modern world."