Graham Associates Receives Texas Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award for National Medal of Honor Museum

Graham Associates, now part of Parkhill, was recognized for civil engineering and surveying work on the landmark Arlington project.

ARLINGTON, Texas — Graham Associates, now part of Parkhill, received the Texas Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement (Texas OCEA) Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Texas Section for its work on the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas. The award was presented during the ASCE Texas CECON 2026 Civil Engineering Conference, held Sept. 16-18 in Corpus Christi. 

The Texas OCEA Award recognizes completed projects that demonstrate significant contributions to civil engineering progress and society as a whole. This recognition honors the engineering behind the National Medal of Honor Museum, a destination of national significance dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of Medal of Honor recipients. 

“Receiving the Texas OCEA Award is a tremendous honor for everyone who helped bring the National Medal of Honor Museum to life. The engineering challenges made this a remarkable project for our team, but what makes it truly special is its purpose,” said Parkhill Chief Strategy Officer of Engineering and former Mayor of Arlington Jeff Williams. “Arlington is now home to a national destination that honors extraordinary courage and sacrifice, and we are proud that our work helped create a place that will serve the city, our state, and the nation for generations.” 

Graham Associates provided civil engineering and surveying services for the museum. Designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects, the museum features a 200-by-200-foot exhibition hall elevated 50 feet above the ground, creating the appearance that the structure is floating above the landscape. Supporting that bold architectural vision required complex site engineering to bring roads, parking, utilities, grading, and drainage together across multiple elevations. 

The site, previously home to a little league ballpark, also required the relocation of a major electric duct bank. Graham prepared construction plans for grading, roads, parking, lighting, utility service, and drainage, while coordinating the infrastructure with the museum’s distinctive design. 

A significant challenge involved Mark Holtz Lake and the surrounding floodplain. Through hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, the team modified site grading and removed more than an acre of existing parking. Combined with green roof systems designed to filter and manage stormwater, these strategies helped the project achieve a net-zero increase in impervious runoff while improving floodplain conditions. Water from Mark Holtz Lake is also used for landscape irrigation, reducing the need for treated domestic water. 

Beyond the individual engineering solutions, Graham coordinated with private utility companies and the City of Arlington on behalf of the design team and helped guide the project through the municipal approval process. That coordination brought architecture, infrastructure, utilities, landscape, and public spaces together as one cohesive site. 

The National Medal of Honor Museum opened in March 2025. Its campus combines open space, pedestrian connections, gathering areas, and access to the lake, creating a landmark intended to serve Arlington, Texas, and visitors from across the country for generations.

ABOUT GRAHAM ASSOCIATES 

Founded in 1972, Graham Associates is an award-winning civil engineering and surveying firm based in North Texas, known for delivering high-quality infrastructure solutions across public and private sector projects. The firm has played a key role in many of the region’s most recognizable developments and is committed to building strong relationships and lasting communities. In 2026, Graham Associates joined Parkhill, bringing together two firms with a shared commitment to serving communities through thoughtful design and engineering. 

ABOUT PARKHILL  

Parkhill is a multidisciplinary firm offering comprehensive architecture and engineering services. With offices across the Southwest, Parkhill is dedicated to transforming spaces and improving the quality of life in the communities it serves. From civic to education and healthcare projects, Parkhill’s team of professionals creates sustainable, forward-thinking solutions that make a difference. For more information, visit Parkhill.com.