Editor’s Note

This issue of the Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities includes an entertaining and informative Forum contributed by Raymond Paul Giroux, “The Relevance of Roebling.” His remarks are derived from a presentation delivered as part of the Brooklyn Bridge 125th anniversary celebration last year. The remarkable members of the Roebling family—John, Washington, and Emily—continue to inspire generations of design and construction professionals in the 21st century. Giroux’s account places their innovative work in context with contemporary challenges. I am grateful to Henry Petroski, a member of this Journal’s editorial review board, who heard Giroux’s presentation and encouraged him to submit it to the Journal for publication.

Each year at Washington State University, I encourage my architecture and construction management students to read David McCullough’s The Great Bridge. The marvelous story of the design and construction of the Brooklyn Bridge always generates enthusiastic discussion, as we read together all of the passages referenced in Geroux’s essay. My students are consistently impressed by the creativity, integrity, and professionalism exhibited by the Roeblings, despite the technical, social, and political challenges present in mid-19th century America. Most likely, all readers of this Journal have read The Great Bridge. For those few who have not, I strongly recommend it as essential reading. It ranks in my top five works of literature—the other four all having titles related to fly fishing.

In the November/December 2008 issue of the Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities, I announced the annual Outstanding Paper Award winners for this Journal, including a list of all papers nominated for the award. All of the Society-wide paper awards have now been announced. These include