I recently sat down with the fourth generation of leaders to talk about who EDA is in its current iteration: the firm’s culture, philosophies and goals. Certainly, this trio has longevity with EDA — each has worked with the firm since the late ‘90s. Thomas Brennan, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB, currently serves as the firm’s president and directs its civic and public sector practice. Joining EDA in 1994, he is closely associated with many of the firm’s government, justice, library and community projects throughout Utah and the Intermountain West. Tom’s projects of note include the Midvale Senior Center, Gallivan Plaza, Sweetwater County Justice Center and Weber County Main Library. Principal Stephanie McCarthy has been with EDA since 1997. She directs the firm’s higher education and K-12 practice, with a focus on leading the programming, design and construction of major university and K-12 science facilities, including several University of Utah projects and Murray Science Center at Waterford School. Joining EDA in 1997, Evan Cindrich, the principal who leads EDA’s interior design practice, has 39 years of interior design and project management experience. His established reputation for developing effective, efficient workplace and corporate interior solutions includes headquarters projects for companies such as Skullcandy, Overstock, Maverik, Weave and Lucid Software. Tom, Stephanie and Evan agree that Utah Modernism guides EDA’s firm ethos and defines its architectural vision. The progressive design philosophy, rooted in the unique climate and context of the Intermountain West, is realized through the aesthetic and practical drivers for EDA’s work. The trio defines the principles of Utah Modernism as: • Clarity of plan organization • Natural light as form giver • Integrated art • Elegant, timeless quality • Engagement of all the senses • Movement through time and space • Clear and expressive structure • Connection of outside to in and inside to out • Unity of architecture and landscape design • Responsible environmentalism • Natural materials with colors and textures reflective of Utah and the West Embodied in EDA’s projects, Utah Modernism leads to transformational places for EDA’s clients. Rather than resulting in a signature “look,” it expresses itself through a commitment to the regionally relevant, environmentally responsible and community-focused tenets of progressive design. Collaborative Process Tom, Stephanie and Evan describe EDA’s culture as client-, design- and service-oriented. Its design process focuses on collaboration rather than hierarchy. Tom says, “I think it’s revealing that, aside from bookkeeping, we haven’t had private offices in over 25 years. We prioritize open access for and to everyone. Our structure is only hierarchical in that people understand where to go for resources and support.” Tom explains EDA’s design-focused approach means the design expression is carried from concept through technical documents that are thoughtful, proficient and cohesive both functionally and aesthetically. Salt Lake City Main Library Utah Olympic Park, Park City Utah Veterans Memorial, West Valley City Overstock.com Headquarters interior Overstock.com Headquarters exterior 14 REFLEXION
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTg3NDExNQ==