Rachel Calafell

Principal/Structures

Practice Areas

Rachel brings extensive experience in structural design within healthcare, commercial, sports, education, performing arts venues, and significant renovations, where she thrives on solving unique challenges and fostering collaboration with colleagues and clients.

Experience

Since starting at WPM in 2008, Rachel has made contributions to many notable projects, including the acclaimed 957,000 square feet Houston Methodist Walter Tower, recognized as the 2019 ENR “Best Healthcare Project” in Texas & Louisiana. Her management of the structural engineering efforts for this project exemplifies her commitment to excellence in technical design, client service, and business acumen, traits which earned her the prestigious Horvilleur Award in 2015.

Recognition

Rachel’s projects won back-to-back gold medals from ACEC Texas for Engineering Excellence in the “Structural Systems” category.  In 2023, the Ion in Houston’s Midtown won both the gold medal and the Imminent Conceptor award from ACEC Texas.  In 2024, Steel House Omaha won the gold medal from ACEC Texas.  Both projects also won National Recognition Awards from ACEC National.

Education

M.S., Civil Engineering, Texas A&M University
B.S., Civil Engineering, Valparaiso University

Awards

  • Horvilleur Award, 2015

  • National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, 2006-2008