KCI provided structural engineering services for The Smyth, a 17-story mixed-use residential tower in Stamford, Connecticut, featuring one of North America’s tallest applications of prefabricated light gage steel load-bearing wall panels.
The L-shaped building incorporates 12 stories of light gage steel framing supported by a concrete transfer slab over a five-story concrete podium with integrated retail space and a multi-level parking garage. The structural system was designed to support a dense urban program while accommodating the project’s mixed-use requirements and site constraints.
KCI engineered the light gage steel residential levels, long-span framing at the penthouse floors, and expansive amenity spaces, including rooftop and enclosed glass amenity areas. Innovative framing solutions allowed for extended spans while controlling floor vibration and deflection, supporting flexible unit layouts and open amenity environments.
Working closely with the project team, KCI applied value-focused engineering strategies to optimize foundation systems, column grids, and floor layouts. These solutions reduced material quantities, improved constructability, and eliminated the need for more costly deep foundation systems, contributing to overall project efficiency without compromising performance. Now complete, the project features more than 400 residential units along with approximately 19,000 square feet of ground-level retail, creating a dense, walkable destination in Stamford’s downtown core.
