A Legacy of Designing Schools

Eighty-five years ago, around the time the Yankees were playing the Cardinals in the 25th World Series, Norwegian-born Fred N. Severud was hanging a nameplate on the door of his new engineering firm. The year was 1928, and the firm was Fred N. Severud Consulting Engineer, known today as Severud Associates.

Over the years, Mr. Severud’s name has become associated with several renowned structures, including the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, but his first project at his newly formed firm was the St. Nicholas of Tolentine School in Queens, New York. Working with architect John Taylor Egan, Mr. Severud provided structural engineering services for a school that was established in 1929 and originally staffed by the Sisters of Charity of Halifax.

Since then, Severud Associates has worked with an array of architects to design many school facilities. These projects include the design of the prestigious Stuyvesant High School, which is located in Manhattan and attended by students gifted in math and science; the design of two new buildings and the renovation of an existing building for Horace Mann School, one of New York City’s most respected independent schools; and work on the Sacred Heart Academy, a Catholic school in the New York area. These schools, and all of our projects, exemplify our commitment to continuing the tradition of excellence started by Fred N. Severud 85 years ago.