Flood design is often reduced to meeting federal and local regulations, but some engineers want more bespoke solutions to keep buildings dry.
“When we deal with contractors, we try to reduce the cost and value-engineer, but we have to meet the standards dictated to us,” says Gene Kennedy, president of Palm Beach, Fla.-based Savannah Trims. The company engineers and manufactures flood-protection systems for major projects across the Eastern Seaboard, including skyscrapers and train stations in New York City and other major metropolitan areas.