Helmand M. Kushkaki | S.E. | Principal
Name: Helmand M. Kushkaki
Education: Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from San Diego State University, 1992
Master of Science in Civil/Structural Engineering, San Diego State University, 1994.
License: California C 54286/ S 4326, Hawaii SE 13866, Illinois 81.00681, Nevada 18408, Texas 89879.
Professional Affiliations: SEAOSD, ACI, SAIC
Specialties/Types of Projects: Office /commercial, Industrial, Multi Family, Churches and Custom Homes.
Favorite Project: Solar Turbines. I had to design the surrounding concrete walls to contain dissipated energy from the failed/ flying blades. The project was unique and challenging to say the least.
Design Philosophy: To simplify.
Favorite thing at HTK: The people, atmosphere and variety of jobs.
Why would you recommend HTK to clients?: We detail enough to minimize change orders and field questions.
Hobbies: Playing the Tablas (kind of drum).
Family: Four young kids (including twins), not sure about the “kids keeping you young” part.
You would be surprised to know: No matter what I touch around the house; it always gets followed by a call to the handyman!
Steve Smith | P.E. | Principal
Name: Steve Smith
Education: Bachelor of Science in Structural Engineering, from University of California, San Diego, 2001.
License: California C68478, Colorado PE0048671, Oregon 88915PE, New York 95753.
Specialties/Types of Projects: I have done all types of commercial and residential projects, but I tend to do a lot of multifamily/mixed use projects with elevated Post-tension slabs and/or below grade parking garages.
Favorite Project: I was the project manager on a mixed use project in City Heights that was challenging. It is located on University Ave in San Diego and encompasses the block between Fairmount & 43rd Street. The project footprint was roughly 250ftx250ft and consisted of (2) below grade parking levels, retail at street level, and (5) levels of residential above. The (3) post-tension concrete levels(each over 60,000 sq. ft.) had to be broken up into (4) quadrants in order to control slab movement from tensioning and curing.
Design Philosophy: Post-tension concrete design is interesting in that you can’t over engineer the tensioned cable design. The purpose of the cables is to lift the slab up between supports to balance the natural deflection of the concrete. If you add too many tension cables the slab will bow up between supports rather than remaining flat when loaded. I apply this same logic to all the different design/material types. Any engineer can over size the system and feel safe. I strive to identify the correct design parameters and meet those specifically without causing unnecessary effort and cost.
Favorite thing at HTK: Our endeavor is to keep our clients happy, but we still have a very friendly workplace atmosphere. We are just one big happy family.
Why would you recommend HTK to clients?: HTK is client driven. How to best serve our client’s needs is top priority. In everything we do, we focus on our clients best interest, and depending on the project that might be economy, longevity, style or just the right combination of all three.
Hobbies: Hiking/biking, brewing beer, travel and nature/landscape photography.
Family: I have 3 sisters and 7 nieces & nephews, and my wife has 2 brothers, many cousins and 12 nieces & nephews. We enjoy being “the fun” aunt & uncle!
You would be surprised to know: I have been lucky enough to live on an island out near the end of the Aleutian Chain of Alaska and travel to remote locations such as Cuba, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia.
Ben Seibel | P.E. | Associate
Name: Ben Seibel
Education: Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from University of California, Los Angeles, 2002.
License: California C69349, Utah 9292746-2202.
Professional Affiliations: AIA Palomar Treasurer, BIA YGEN Mentor
Specialties/Types of Projects: Single family and multi-family residential, podiums, restaurants, remodels and TI.
Favorite Project: I have done about 8 or 9 houses on the beach in Coronado, my goal is to design the entire street.
Design Philosophy: I want to save my clients time and money and to see them as friends that I enjoy spending time with. My designs are efficient and easy to build due to the high level of detailing.
Favorite thing at HTK: The atmosphere and how fun it is to be in the office.
Why would you recommend HTK to clients?: What we save you in construction costs, generally covers our fees.
Hobbies: I play basketball and golf, work out and love to listen to and play music.
Family: My wife, Megan, and I have two boys, Calvin and Milo.
You would be surprised to know: I built and raced canoes made out of concrete in college.
Harshda Prasad | S.E. , LEED AP | Associate
Name: Harshda Prasad
Education: Bachelor of Engineering in Structural Engineering from Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, India, 2004.
Master of Science in Structural Engineering from The University of Texas, Austin, 2006.
License: California C81520, Arizona SE 63640, Texas PE 107063.
Professional Affiliations: SEAOSD, SEAOC, SMPS.
Specialties/Types of Projects: Schools, Community Colleges, Commercial, Seismic Retrofits, Sport Stadiums.
Favorite Project: Beverly Hills High School Seismic Retrofit, Kansas City Soccer Complex and of course Cowboys Stadium!
Design Philosophy: To use my technical knowledge base to help shape Architect’s vision into reality while designing a safe and durable structure.
Favorite thing at HTK: The wealth of experience and knowledge in the office is incredible while at the same time, the people are very friendly and welcoming.
Why would you recommend HTK to clients?: At HTK, we believe in providing exceptional service to our clients while providing constructible and cost effective structural solutions. Our technical expertise and customer service makes us unique.
Hobbies: I love dancing, reading books and spending my days playing with my two kids.
Family: My husband and I have two beautiful kids who keep us on our toes.
You would be surprised to know: Growing up, my dad was the chief engineer in merchant marines and I spent all my summers on big cargo ships/ tankers sailing to all corners of the world!