Ysrael A. Seinuk, a structural engineer who pioneered innovative design techniques for tall buildings in New York City and around the world for more than 50 years, and who led two design firms, died on Sept. 14 in New York City at age 78. The cause was cancer, says a spokeswoman for Ysrael A. Seinuk PC, the New York City-based firm of which he was CEO.
Seinuk devised innovative high-rise engineering approaches, including New York�s first use of seismic isolators and a frame for a slim structure that eliminated transfer girders. He was named an ENR Marksman in 1983 for devising an engineering approach to speed the addition of 27 floors to an existing seven-story Manhattan building, noting, �The developers asked us to come up with creative ways of fast-tracking the project� (ENR 7/8/82 p. 27).