Stephanie remarks, “There’s something incredibly satisfying about moving a project from concept to realization. It’s especially rewarding for the team to see their work come to life, to watch it operate, and to be there to support their professional growth along the way. “The people who stay the longest are those who are willing to jump in and help wherever needed. That spirit keeps the work dynamic and engaging for everyone. At the end of the day, if it’s not fun, why do it?” Tom continues, “Excellence in design detailing is critical to creating facilities with lasting value, durability and sustained relevance — as history has proven with EDA’s Salt Lake County Main Branch Library. The building had it all. It was heavily used, yet when its original mission evolved, it was preserved because it had held up so well. It has truly withstood the test of time.” Challenges Over Time The leadership acknowledges that, though EDA experiences many successful seasons, like most companies, it has overcome its share of business and financial challenges throughout the life of the firm. Tom explains, “Our goal is to continue learning how to create greater stability over time. None of us were formally trained for that — it’s something we’ve learned through experience. In the 1980s, as the economy softened, the firm went from 65 employees down to 20. By 1994, we were at 16, then grew to 45 leading up to the Olympics. During the dot-com downturn, EDA scaled back to 18 people within just 12 months. Over the past decade, we’ve maintained a more consistent staff of approximately 25 to 30 professionals, reflecting a more stable and sustainable approach. “Leading by example can be daunting — stepping in to solve problems while bringing a sense of calm and direction to the effort. The harder times affect everyone differently, whether it’s making the difficult decision to lay people off or figuring out how to meet the next payroll. Leadership is ultimately about earning buy-in. EDA has endured because of a shared commitment to our culture and, at times, a willingness to make personal sacrifices. “We approach each of these challenges by bringing all our expertise to the table and solving them together. That collaborative approach strengthens both our client relationships and our team growth. In the end, what we’re building is bigger than any one of us individually.” As a result, despite the architectural profession’s tendency to mirror the overall economic climate, the EDA leadership team knows that they have very fulfilling careers. Where They Are and Where They Hope To Go Tom says, “It’s incredibly exciting. We’re currently working on a wide range of planning and design projects and have built a strong reputation in tenant improvements. Most of our work comes through referrals — about 98% is from repeat clients — which is remarkable and speaks to the strength of our relationships and the trust we’ve earned.” Evan adds, “Maintaining the relationships and friendships you build is just as important as the work itself. There’s something bittersweet about the end Castlight Health, Sandy IMA Salt Lake City Murray Science Center at Waterford School Skullcandy Headquarters, Park City Questar Headquarters, Salt Lake City Summit County Health Services, Park City 15
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