LCDesigns

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Basic designs to complex residential and light commercial projects.

Architectural & Engineering Design and Review, we are licensed in 50 states as a PE for Structural, Civil and Electrical and have over 100 years combined experience.

10/25/2026

🔍 Structural Inspections | Termite Damage Assessment

Not all termite damage means major structural repairs are necessary. Understanding the extent of the damage is critical before determining the appropriate corrective action.

LC Designs & Engineering was recently called out to perform a structural assessment of suspected termite damage in a residential wall assembly in Wichita, Kansas.

During our field investigation, we performed a visual examination and localized wood density probing to evaluate the condition of the structural framing.

Our findings indicated that the deterioration was localized to a section of the pressure-treated sill plate, between the wall stud and the foundation anchor bolt. The surrounding framing was also evaluated to determine whether the damage extended beyond the affected area.

While the damage was concentrated within a relatively small section, evaluating the remaining wood integrity, structural load path, and foundation anchorage is essential when determining whether repairs are necessary.

Why does this matter?

Termite damage can often appear more extensive—or less severe—than it actually is. A professional structural evaluation helps distinguish isolated deterioration from damage that may compromise the building’s structural performance.

At LC Designs & Engineering, our goal is to provide property owners with clear, practical engineering assessments based on documented field conditions—not unnecessary repairs or assumptions.

📍 Wichita, Kansas
🏗️ LC Designs & Engineering
🌐 www.lcdesigns.us

10/19/2026

Out and about in Wichita. Taking a closer look at what’s supporting your home. 🔎

Today’s inspection stops included a cracked concrete porch and a failed elevated wood deck. These are spaces families use every day, and the details beneath them deserve attention, too.

We look beyond the surface, evaluating movement, drainage, posts, footings, and connections to help homeowners understand their property’s condition and plan practical repairs.

Seeing widening cracks, uneven surfaces, or movement in your porch or deck? Let’s take a closer look.

📍 Serving Wichita and surrounding communities
🌐 lcdesigns.us

10/14/2026

When structure becomes part of the architecture, the details matter.

Heavy timber can create incredible spaces—but the simplicity you see in the finished building depends on a lot of engineering behind it.

Large glulam members, steel knife plates, bolts, lateral bracing, foundations, load paths, and connection forces all have to work together before the structure can look effortless.

At LC Designs, we approach heavy timber and steel as one coordinated system. The goal is not to hide the structure, but to make it feel intentional—strong enough to perform, refined enough to remain part of the architecture.

For custom residences, lodges, hospitality projects, and other complex buildings, the connection details are often where good design either comes together or falls apart.

The best structural systems do more than carry the load. They help define the space.

10/01/2026

We have some big news from Goddard, Kansas.
LC Designs & Engineering has been recognized with a Business Excellence Award from the Consumer Ratings Institute, placing us among the top 1% of businesses recognized for excellence.
We started with a simple goal: build an engineering firm that could tackle serious projects without becoming distant from the people we serve.
Today, projects may take us across the country, but our home is still right here in Goddard, Kansas.
This recognition belongs to the clients, contractors, consultants, and partners who have trusted us with everything from difficult structural problems and inspections to custom homes, commercial projects, infrastructure, and major master plans.
We're proud of how far we've come — and we're nowhere close to finished.
Engineering nationally. Built in Kansas.
LC Designs & Engineering
lcdesigns.us

09/30/2026

When a tree hits a roof, the damage is not always limited to shingles and sheathing.

This photo shows what can happen when the impact is large enough to punch through the roof decking and damage the roof framing below.
In this case, the tree impact damaged the decking and compromised the roof truss system. Once a truss is broken or significantly damaged, the repair should not be treated as a simple carpentry patch.

A proper evaluation should look at:
- Damage to the roof truss and adjacent framing
- Cracked, split, or displaced members
- Failed connector plates and connections
- Damage to roof sheathing and decking
- Whether loads were transferred into neighboring trusses
- Any movement at walls, ceilings, or bearing points
- Temporary stabilization needed before permanent repairs

The goal is not just to close the hole in the roof. The goal is to restore a complete, reliable load path from the roof back to the supporting walls and structure below.
Storm and impact damage can look localized while affecting more of the framing system than expected.

If a tree, vehicle, or other impact damages a structural component, have the framing evaluated before repairs are covered up.

09/24/2026

Well, we found out why the drywall in the hallway above was cracking and showing signs of movement.

09/22/2026

Great architecture still has to stand up.

Some of the most interesting homes, resorts, and commercial buildings we work on begin with architectural ideas that push beyond conventional framing.

Large glass walls.
Long roof spans.
Open floor plans.
Cantilevers.
Heavy timber.
Steel framing.
Complex foundations.

The structural engineer’s job is not to simplify those ideas until they become ordinary.

It is to develop a load path that allows the architecture to work.

At LC Designs, structural engineering is coordinated with the architecture from the beginning so beams, columns, foundations, lateral systems, and connections become part of the design rather than problems that have to be solved after the drawings are complete.

Good structural engineering should be strong, efficient, constructible—and often nearly invisible in the finished building.

Architecture establishes the vision. Engineering makes it buildable.

09/16/2026

From aging wood framing to a long-term steel deck solution.

The second photo shows the existing wood deck at this home. Like many exterior wood structures, years of exposure to moisture, temperature changes, and weather can eventually lead to deterioration, movement, and ongoing maintenance.

The first image shows our proposed replacement concept using an engineered steel deck structure.

Steel can be a great option when the goal is to create a deck that is stronger, more stable, and designed for a much longer service life.

Some of the advantages of steel deck framing include:

No rot, termites, or wood decay
Greater dimensional stability with less warping and twisting
Ability to engineer longer spans and more open areas below the deck
Strong, predictable structural connections
Reduced long-term structural maintenance
Excellent compatibility with modern railing systems and architectural finishes

Steel is not completely maintenance-free. Exterior steel still needs the correct coatings, drainage details, fasteners, and corrosion protection, and every connection needs to be engineered for the actual loads on the structure.

For this project, the goal wasn’t simply to replace the old deck with another version of the same thing. It was to look at how the structure could be improved and create something that performs better, looks cleaner, and should serve the property for many years.

That is the difference between simply rebuilding a deck and engineering a deck system.

Existing condition → engineered design → better long-term solution.

09/15/2026

Master planning is where a large property starts becoming a destination.

Before individual buildings are designed, the larger questions need answers:

Where should people arrive?
What gets built first?
How does infrastructure expand?
Where does water go?
How do future phases connect?

For resorts, destination ranches, private clubs, and significant estates, those decisions can shape decades of development.

Plan the property first. Then let each building support the larger vision.

Address

Wichita, KS

Telephone

+13162853615

Website

http://www.lcdesigns.us/

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