Benton Johnson brings new technologies and approaches to SOM’s work in structural engineering and sustainable design. Applying his expertise in research and industry partnerships, Benton has led SOM’s timber tower research project, a multiyear initiative involving full-scale structural, fire, and acoustic testing of mass-timber systems. He has also emerged as a leader in 3D-printed buildings through collaborations with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Benton transforms new ideas into practical solutions that set the bar for future developments. His innovative approach to structural engineering results in efficient and sustainable designs that are applicable to a wide range of building typologies. At 100 Mount Street, he successfully led the design of an exposed mega bracing system, allowing for an offset core that minimizes the size, cost and carbon footprint, while maximizing leasable space for the office building in North Sydney, Australia.
Engineers bring balance in design, leveraging efficiency, constructibility, and function. Today, we must go beyond that and find harmony between the built and natural environment, taking responsibility for the future of our planet.
Benton is a member of several industry organizations, including the American Concrete Institute, the American Wood Council, the American Institute of Steel Construction, and the Structural Engineers Association of Illinois (SEAOI).
