Walker Structural Engineering

Last month, Phase 1 of the Bend High School project reached completion, and we're excited to share a behind-the-scenes look at one of the structural solutions used on this project.

This view is made possible, in part, through the collaboration between the glazing mullion system and an interior structural wind girt. The placement of the wind girt requires close coordination with the architect to ensure sightlines remain unobstructed while positioning the member where it can most effectively reduce mullion spans.

By reducing the span requirements, we can minimize the size of the mullions, creating a wider open view and better showcasing the beautiful natural landscape that surrounds us here in Central Oregon.

This photo was taken during a site visit hosted by BBT Architects for Central Oregon Women in Construction earlier this year. Sierra Coalson and Lexi Heitzman appreciated the opportunity to connect with and celebrate the many talented women making an impact across the construction industry.

Happy Independence Day!

We hope you all enjoy a fun and safe weekend.

We will be closing at 12PM today, July 2nd, and remain closed through the weekend in observance of the holiday.

Today, we get to celebrate the brilliant women shaping the world of engineering.

To the talented women on our team and across the engineering community: thank you for all that you do. Your ideas, hard work, and impact are paving the way for future generations - and your contributions don't go unnoticed. We're proud to be part of this community with you.

Happy International Women in Engineering Day!

☀️ Happy Summer Solstice from Walker Structural! 🏗️🌿

This weekend marked the longest day of the year—and we’re soaking up every extra minute of sunshine!

From sunny site visits to after-hours hikes in the Cascades, we’re feeling inspired by the season and the natural beauty that surrounds our work.

Here’s to summer skies, strong structures, and building a bright future. 😎

Emerging in Bend, Oregon 🏗️

This steel-framed facility is designed to support a highly controlled and performance-driven environment, where precision and reliability are critical. Buckling Restrained Braced Frames (BRBFs) serve as the primary lateral system, providing robust seismic resilience and consistent behavior under load.

By integrating a high-performance structural strategy, the building is positioned to support demanding operational requirements while maintaining efficiency and long-term durability.

We’re proud to contribute to a project where structural performance plays a key role in the success of the built environment.

Another awesome project to be part of!

Grand opening at CORA’s expansion and remodel project. We were excited to see the final phases of construction come together, bringing our design vision to life and elevating the patient and staff experience at Central Oregon Radiology. The expanded facility will support CORA’s mission with thoughtfully planned spaces, improved functionality, and a welcoming environment that promotes healing and connection. Thanks to our trade and design partners. @walkerstructural @coffmanengineers @stantec @szabolandscapearch @dowlengineers @sunwestbuilders

Always happy to support our local Little League! Thanks for the shout‑out — let’s go team! ⚾

⚾️ ✨Thank you Walker Structural Engineering for supporting Little League in our community by sponsoring a team. On behalf of the Dodgers Majors team, thank you! You help make Bend North Little League possible. 🙏⚾️

Project Spotlight: Trinity Lutheran Church & School – The Trinity Center

We’re proud to have partnered on the new Trinity Lutheran Center in Bend, a long-awaited worship and performing arts venue that officially opened its doors this week. More than two decades in the making, this project represents a powerful vision brought to life—creating a space designed to serve both the church and the broader community.

The new 450+ seat facility was thoughtfully designed as a flexible, multi-use environment, supporting everything from weekly worship services to concerts, theater productions, and community events. It stands as a key milestone in the full buildout of the Trinity campus, providing a permanent home for gathering, creativity, and connection.

From a structural standpoint, projects like this require careful coordination to support large open spaces, acoustical performance needs, and long-term durability—all while maintaining a welcoming and inspiring atmosphere. We’re honored to contribute to a space that will bring people together for years to come.

Congratulations to Trinity Lutheran Church & School on this exciting achievement—and a special thank you to for selecting us as a partner - we’re grateful to have been part of this project.

https://ktvz.com/news/2026/04/20/bends-trinity-lutheran-church-celebrates-opening-of-its-long-awaited-worship-performing-arts-venue/

Structural stability of fire walls under fire conditions can be a tricky - but essential - aspect of fire wall design.

When a fire wall is load-bearing, it has to be designed to withstand the loads imposed by fire-compromised framing. This can make it tricky to design and detail. One alternative to this is to design a cantilevered, non-bearing, free-standing fire wall, where the primary roof framing on each side runs parallel to the wall.

This approach allows for two crucial provisions:

1. If the primary framing on either side of the wall is compromised by fire, it will not adversely load the fire wall and compromise its stability.
2. Allows for the primary framing to fall freely on either side of the wall and for the fire wall to remain to protect the framing on the non-fire compromised space on the other side.

On a recent project, our team used a non-bearing, free-standing CMU Cantilevered fire wall with self-supporting steel framing on both sides of the wall. Since this project is phased, the CMU fire wall will temporarily be an exterior wall and therefore must be braced to the structure until the adjacent building is constructed.

Our solution: temporary steel brackets that stabilize the wall until the adjacent structure is complete - allowing it to then stand freely and comply with two crucial provisions of this type of fire wall design.

“The home is a cohesive composition that explores the homeowners’ lifestyle and love of simple lines and neutral tones in a dwelling that settles quietly into its wooded setting rather than competing with it. As one homeowner put it, the design ‘doesn’t disrupt the natural environment, but fits into what’s already there. Feldman did a fantastic job. This house really fits our profile and what we were looking for,’” writes Lee Lewis Husk for Bend Home + Design. ⁠ ⁠ Thrilled to see Bend Hideaway on the cover of this spring’s issue of @bendhomemagazine, the home and design arm of @bendmagazine. The full story is available on newsstands now, as well as in the link in our bio. ⁠ ⁠ Built by @copperlinehomes⁠ Engineering by @walkerstructural⁠ Photography by @adamrousephoto