Meeting Tipping Mar

For more than thirty years, Steve Tipping has advanced the science and art of structural engineering, pioneering creative yet pragmatic design solutions for a broad range of projects. His accomplishments in seismic retrofit design have been especially crucial to the San Francisco Bay Area, where an aging building inventory remains vulnerable to earthquakes. At the same time, his emphasis on constructability has culminated in an expertise in cost- and resource-efficient solutions for new structures.

Peers and industry groups at the state and national levels have recognized Steve’s leadership in the field. For example, he was awarded  the Engineering News Record Award of Excellence as one of the Top 25 Newsmakers in 2006 for devising and developing a corrugated-metal shear wall assembly, a simple nonproprietary system using inexpensive off-the-shelf components. The system was tested at UC Berkeley with funding from the Charles Pankow Foundation, an organization that promotes advancements in building technology. This wall assembly has great potential for lowering construction costs and improving the seismic performance of multi-unit housing projects.

Having served as a board member and president of the Structural Engineers Association of Northern California, Steve was inducted as a fellow of the organization. He continues to champion the advancement of seismic-resistant design, advocating a highly creative and collaborative approach. His achievements in seismic innovation inspire not only his employees but also his colleagues throughout the field.

After graduating from Clemson University, Steve began his engineering career as first lieutenant with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and completed a tour of duty in Vietnam. Prior to founding Tipping Mar, he worked for several other Bay Area engineering companies including Hirsch and Gray Structural Engineers; Shapiro, Okino, Hom & Associates; and Peter Culley & Associates, where he was a vice president. He has been president of Tipping Mar since its inception in 1983 as Steven Tipping + associates.