Degenkolb Engineers is thrilled to welcome Atila Zekioglu to the firm. Atila joins us in our Los Angeles office as a Senior Principal and Design Practice Area Leader. Throughout his 40-year career, Atila has been at the forefront of advancing structural engineering and providing cutting-edge engineering solutions for technically challenging projects worldwide.

“At Degenkolb, I am now part of a team of structural engineering partners dedicated to delivering excellence in structural engineering for the betterment of our clients and community. Degenkolb continues its legacy of outstanding work, and I am joining this group to contribute the same level of excellence and beyond, building upon the successful track record I have established in my career.”

Atila’s interest in earthquakes was sparked by his father’s accounts of the aftermath of the 1953 Paphos, Cyprus earthquake. With a passion for math and physics as well as problem-solving, he pursued structural engineering, earning his master’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley.

A leader in the field, Atila pushes the bounds of structural engineering. Following the 1994 Northridge earthquake, he pioneered reduced-beam-section steel moment connections, successfully tested at UC San Diego as the first of their kind in the U.S.

His portfolio includes the Sakura City Hospital in Istanbul, recognized as the world’s largest seismically isolated contiguous structure, as well as award-winning structures around the world, including the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, The Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, and the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Additionally, Atila is a council member of the Los Angeles Tall Buildings and Structural Design Council and leads the Council’s Resiliency Committee.

Launching the Design Practice Area at Degenkolb, Atila employs cutting-edge digital technology to engage in the creative design exploration process.

“When others say it can’t be done, I’m the guy who generates ideas about how it can be done in different ways.”

This design exploration, or digital transformation, reflects his belief that the A/E/C space is abundant with ideas and their value is maximized when timely.

His passion for digital transformation stems from an ambition to minimize the time lag between ideation, testing, and presenting to stakeholders for well-informed decisions. A firm believer in the necessity of rigorous study and comparison of multiple concepts for good structural design, he incorporates strategies like automation and digital workflows, adapting to the ever-evolving landscape of technologies. Atila is also passionate about collaboration, which he views as a continuum rather than a one-time transaction.

In the design environment, his focus extends beyond the Degenkolb team, ensuring the value of everyone’s input. Recognizing design as a social interaction, he actively seeks to facilitate, contribute to, and nurture its growth, believing that this not only enhances the experience but also the outcome.

Degenkolb Engineers is excited to welcome Atila to our firm, where he brings his extensive experience in structural and seismic expertise. With his ability to inspire and lead, we are confident in his contribution to the ongoing elevation of Degenkolb and our firm’s purpose: engineering a better future for our clients, communities, and employees.