Academy of Distinguished Alumni

  • Alumni Image #1:
  • Image Caption Title #1: NRG Arena - Houston, Texas
  • Image Caption #1: Griffis overcame structural engineering challenges to help usher in a new era of sports stadiums with retractable roofs and fields. NRG Stadium can be configured to utilize a 125,000 square foot space for general sessions, catered functions, exhibits, concerts, and much more.
  • Alumni Image #2:
  • Image Caption Title #2: Chevron Tower - Houston, Texas
  • Image Caption #2: Griffis pioneered the design of an innovative perimeter “tube” composite frame system in the Three Houston Center/Chevron Tower (a 52-story high-rise tower in downtown Houston that led to a long career in advancing the art of composite frame construction.
  • Alumni Image #3:
  • Image Caption Title #3: University of Phoenix Stadium - Glendale, AZ
  • Image Caption #3: As President of the Structures Division of Walter P Moore, Griffis has been the designer of record for a large number of notable structures including landmark achievements like the Arizona Cardinals’ stadium. He is the structural engineer for the stadium’s 500,000 square foot retractable roof.

larry griffis

Lawrence G. Griffis

M.S., University of Texas at Austin, 1972
B.S., University of Texas at Austin, 1970

Larry Griffis is a nationally award-winning structural engineer with over 40 years of experience contributing structural design to more than 80 major buildings throughout the U.S. and internationally. In 2003, he was elected to the National Academy of Engineering for contributions to the structural design and wind engineering of composite buildings and open, covered, and retractable-roof sports arenas.

His expertise involves the design of long-span roof structures, high-rise buildings, composite steel and concrete systems, and analysis of large buildings under wind and seismic forces. 

As one of the premier specialists in wind engineering, Griffis has authored/contributed to the U.S. wind standard building codes. He is also a pioneer in the design of retractable roof stadiums and ballparks. Many projects under his direction have received numerous awards, including the Eminent Conceptor Award for the top engineering accomplishment in Texas.

Griffis is honored with many distinguished professional awards including the coveted Kimbrough Award, the highest award presented for design innovation in structural steel, presented by the American Institute of Steel Construction. He was named a Fellow to the American Concrete Institute, and a Fellow to the Structural Engineering Institute.

He is inspired by Gustave Eiffel who financed, designed, and constructed the Eiffel Tower, exceeding the height and grandeur of anything yet built at the time.