What Structural Engineers Want Architects to Know Page 18 PUB 2 2021-2022 ISSUE 3
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4 REFLEXION | 2021-22 | AIA Utah Ref lexion is a publication of the Utah Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. www.aia.org/utah AIA Utah 280 S 400 W, Suite 150 Salt Lake City, Utah 84101 President Robert Pinon, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP President-Elect Jessica Hoffman, AIA , NCARB Secretary Jared Anzures, AIA Treasurer Roger Phillips, AIA Editor Frances Pruyn, CPSM Staff: Michael Smith, CAE Executive Director Jennifer MacGillvray Staff ©2022 AIA UT | The newsLINK Group, LLC. All rights reserved. Reflexion is published quarterly by The newsLINK Group, LLC for AIA Utah and is the official publication for this association. The information contained in this publication is intended to provide general information for review, consideration and education. The contents do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied on as such. If you need legal advice or assistance, it is strongly recommended that you contact an attorney as to your circumstances. The statements and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the AIA UT, its board of directors, or the publisher. Likewise, the appearance of advertisements within this publication does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of any product or service advertised. Reflexion is a collective work, and as such, some articles are submitted by authors who are independent of the AIA UT. While AIA Utah encourages a first-print policy, in cases where this is not possible, every effort has been made to comply with any known reprint guidelines or restrictions. Content may not be reproduced or reprinted without prior written permission. For further information, please contact the publisher at 855.747.4003. CONTENTS President’s Message.....................................................................5 Executive Director’s Message......................................................6 Benefits of AIA Utah Membership..............................................8 Interviews with Local Legends: Michael J. Stransky, FAIA...... 10 Interviews with Local Legends: Niels Valentiner, AIA..............14 AIA Utah YAF Social Mixer..........................................................17 What Structural Engineers Want Architects to Know.............18 How Architects Can Make The Most Of Mobile Devices To Transform Their Productivity.....................................................20 Total Recall: Cognitive Biophilia and the Restorative Impact of Perceived Open Space, Part 1...............................................22 Interview Insights...................................................... .................26 Thank you Allied Members.......................................................29
5 On a recent trip to Denver, I found myself standing between Studio Libeskind’s Denver Art Museum and Michael Graves Denver Library and enjoying the contrast between the two distinct styles BY ROBERT PINON, AIA, NCARB, LEEDAP AIA UTAH PRESIDENT PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE What do you strive for? As architects, we have a unique opportunity to serve our community by adding to the existing fabric, creating spaces and buildings that provide an impact on those who occupy the space. As architects, we find ourselves building upon yesterday’s lessons, sharing the space we practice in with the next generation while perfecting what drives us. In a world of ever-challenging issues, we find comfort in doing the best we can with all we have. So, to that point, what do we strive for, and how can we stay focused on becoming better architects? In February, the AIA Utah Board met for a Strategic Planning Session. Our efforts led us to a simple Core Purpose: AIA Utah helps Utah Architects be better Architects! As simple as that sounds, we are here to support each other and our careers by combining our efforts to protect our profession. Within each of our committees, we focus on bringing value to the members — and if you find yourself wondering what that means, please visit our website and find a committee that interests you. In 2022, we have already had several committees re-engage the members in this endemic phase of COVID-19. The YAF held a mixer along with the young Structural Engineers (SEAU) at Kiitos Brewing, with an attendance of almost 50. The Urban Design committee held a Sustainable Symposium in April with two days’ worth of virtual presentations — these were recorded and will be available for viewing. The topics presented were very relevant to today’s practice of sustainable techniques. Additionally, the AIAS had a virtual panel regarding licensure and the Government Affairs held their yearly Day on the Hill in-person during the session. These events provided different ways to engage with members and inspired what we do every day. With all the turmoil happening in the world and our ever-busy schedule, it is important to take a moment to reflect on what we are engaged in. Can we provide a little reprieve in what we do to re-energize and hone in on what makes us happy? Where can we turn to inspiration? On a recent trip to Denver, I found myself standing between Studio Libeskind’s Denver Art Museum and Michael Graves Denver Library and enjoying the contrast between the two distinct styles. I asked my family if they found inspiration in the architecture and a fun dialogue ensued. Needless to say, the pointy edges of the Museum won out! As a new Board, we have focused on making our promises. We are constantly asking ourselves how we can bring value to your membership within the Institute. As we continue to program out the year, please watch for opportunities to engage and participate, become inspired and driven, and finally identify what you strive for! b
6 REFLEXION | 2021-22 | AIA Utah EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE BY MICHAEL SMITH, CAE Hello to the Utah Architectural community! My name is Michael Smith; I am AIA Utah’s new executive director. I represent a local association management company the AIA Utah Board has engaged to operate the Utah chapter. I know the Utah A/E/C industry well; I have worked with associations in the Utah-built environment for almost twenty years. Before working in the association world, I served on the staff of Governor Michael Leavitt and Governor Olene Walker. During the past couple of decades, I had the opportunity to collaborate with both Heather Wilson and Elizabeth Mitchell on joint A/E/C industry events and legislative issues for the design community. AIA Utah, last year, celebrated its 100th anniversary, which is a milestone few businesses and fewer associations reach. I am delighted to join an organization with such a notable history and abundant possibilities for the future. We have been working with the AIA Utah Board on a new strategic plan focused on refreshing the membership proposition as we look to the next hundred years of AIA Utah. You may have seen one of the recent membership surveys asking questions about what aspects of AIA membership bring the most value to you. If you have not had a chance to share feedback with me or the 2022 AIA Utah Board, we would like to hear from you. What benefits do you find most beneficial to your work in the architectural community; what events engage you and inspire you to hone your craft? Are there things that you would like to see AIA drop, or are initiatives you want your association to focus on? Drop me an email and share your thoughts about how AIA Utah can better serve you; I can be reached at msmith@aiautah.org. As we continue to feel our way out of the recent pandemic, I recognize that many facets of the marketplace have changed. We have new ways to meet and interact, new options to work remotely, and new ways to learn and gather information. As we look at how AIA Utah interacts and engages with the Utah membership, I want to know what your preference is? Do you prefer virtual or in-person training, email, text, video, or social media to stay up to date with the current fluid business environment, and what about networking with peers? Do you miss it, or are you not ready to engage with a large group? These are some of the questions we are looking at with the 2022 Board of Directors. Our mission is to bring value to you, our members, and help you be a better architect. We are excited to be back in person for the national convention in Chicago A’22; if you have not registered yet, there is still time to join your peers in the windy city at the end of June. Please plan to join AIA Utah for our annual scholarship fundraising golf tournament; the 2022 tournament will be held on August 22nd at Jeremy Ranch Golf and Country Club. It is the only Arnold Palmer signature course in Utah, so do not delay; we expect the event to sell out. Finally plan to join AIA for our annual conference in late September that will feature two great buildings, engaging professional development, and recognition of the 2022 Design Competition winners. Along with these major events, you will see new opportunities, both at a state and section level, to network with peers, tour exciting projects and participate in some great continuing education events. It is an exciting time to be in the A/E/C industry! Utah leads the nation in growth and in economic outlook, which has led to unprecedented project opportunities to chase. In addition to a strong state economy, your association is starting the second hundred years with a refreshed focus on bringing value to you as a member of AIA Utah. I hope you will engage with one of our committees and some of the upcoming events. It is a pleasure to work with this association; I hope to meet each of you soon. b It is an exciting time to be in the A/E/C industry! Utah leads the nation in growth and in economic outlook, which has led to unprecedented project opportunities to chase.
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8 REFLEXION | 2021-22 | AIA Utah What is the benefit of being an AIA Utah member? We all grapple with this question at some point in our careers. Many professions have an organization supporting the people working in their industry; the American Institute of Architects is ours. The top items most professional organizations promote include professional development, networking, advocacy and education. AIA has all these benefits and more. How can AIA member resources enhance your career, and how can you apply benefits to your day-to-day work? This article jumps into the main categories of AIA Utah Member benefits: professional development, networking, education, advocacy, equity by design, sustainability and stewardship, and conferences. The value of each benefit may vary from person to person and over time, depending on where you are in your career. Good thing there are a variety of benefits for everyone at every stage! Professional Development Let’s start from the beginning. Are you thinking about, or do you have staff who would like to get licensed? AIA Utah provides PPI resources to be checked out. As a member, the AIA space is open for you to use for yourself or with a group for studying, coffee breaks, or simply another space to work. The AIA Utah space can be used as a pop-in space during business hours or can be reserved free of charge for AIA Utah Members. In addition to assisting with licensure, AIA Utah promotes the growth of individuals and firms through Honor Awards, professional recognition and accomplishments, and providing platforms for local and international design competitions. Networking AIA Utah provides community connection with other architects and supporting allies of the architecture community through awards, social hours and panels. AIA Utah works to connect with supporting groups of the AIA, such as the Utah Center for Architecture, the School of Architecture, and Urban Design Utah. The AIA also has 21 Knowledge Communities where members can connect across one or multiple shared interests. In addition to personal networking, AIA Utah provides free job postings for AIA Members and firms in Utah. This is a wonderful community resource as many postings require heavy fees. Education To keep your license current in Utah, you need a total of 12 HSW per calendar year. AIA Utah works to actively promote new continuing education credits through its committees, local lecture series, and conferences. If there are educational topics you would like to see, contact the committee closely associated. In addition to contacting your local committees, there are several highly rated on-demand courses for free or at a discounted rate through AIAU and AIA’s Course Catalog. The AIA Continuing Education System online tracks your continuing education record, making it a breeze to keep up licensure. Advocacy AIA Utah advocates for architects. One of the AIA’s key initiatives is to advocate for architects to the Utah State Legislature and regulatory agencies. This is done through the Government Affairs Committee by creating relationships and lobbying government officials. The Government Affairs Committee tracks bills and initiatives that impact the design industry, providing important professional perspectives to elected officials. Business Resources At a micro level, though equally important, the AIA provides individuals and firms with business practice resources such as contract documents, master specs, and salary calculators. Being an AIA member also lends to resources from the AIA Trust that provides risk management and insurance programs. Benefits of AIA Utah Membership BY KATJA PETERSON, ASSOCIATE AIA
9 Equity by Design At AIA Utah, we strive to educate and promote equitable practice through design. AIA Utah has resources to educate and take action around race, equity and inclusion. The Equity by Design committee is committed to keeping the conversation current and inviting all to the table. Sustainability & Stewardship The AIA provides valuable resources for firms striving to attain the 2030 Commitment. AIA Utah is committed to providing Building Envelope education to its Utah Members through panels and podcasts. Don’t forget to listen to the more current podcast on building resilience. Conferences AIA Members receive discounts for AIA National Conference and AIA Grassroots. The nice thing about the AIA Utah conference is that there is room to get involved. Conference planning is happening NOW. If there is something you would like to see, get involved. Involvement can vary – from an email, a phone call or joining one of our eight committees to express what you want to see at the AIA Utah Conference. All AIA Utah committees work to incorporate professional development, networking, conferences, education, and advocacy through the lens of diversity, inclusion, and sustainability. Benefits of an AIA Utah Membership have the potential to expand from metrics and resources to true connections. The more you put into the organization as an active participant, the more you get out of the organization. As one of our AIA legends, Mike Stransky, said elsewhere in this issue of REFLEXION, “I was an active member of AIA. I met hundreds of men and women across the country who I got to share my experience with and they with me, and a number of those we partnered with on work because we had mutual respect for one another, and they brought something to the table that we didn’t have. I cherish that part of my career. That was a big part of my life. It was very rewarding.” b AIA Utah works to actively promote new continuing education credits through its committees, local lecture series, and conferences. If there are educational topics you would like to see, contact the committee closely associated. In addition to contacting your local committees, there are several highly rated on-demand courses for free or at a discounted rate through AIAU and AIA’s Course Catalog. The AIA Continuing Education System online tracks your continuing education record, making it a breeze to keep up licensure.
10 REFLEXION | 2021-22 | AIA Utah Michael J. Stransky, FAIA Interviews with Local Legends When did you decide to become an architect? While I was in high school in Wyoming. I thought about petroleum engineering; Wyoming is full of oil and uranium. I also thought about a military career. I applied to the Merchant Marine Academy and took the physicals, and found out I was color blind. No academy would take you if you were color blind. So, my family encouraged me to consider architecture because I liked to draw and make things. I took drafting classes in high school and pretty much made the decision. I didn’t know where to go; I didn’t know a lot about architecture other than drawing and building involved with it. Mike Stransky is a Wyoming native with a big, open personality. Mike originally came to Utah to go to architecture school. After a nine-year stint with the Army Reserve and Don Panushka’s firm, Mike joined Abe Gillies in a firm that would evolve to be GSBS, now one of the standard-bearers in the Utah architectural industry. Mike talked to Fran Pruyn and Travis Shephard, AIA, about his career in the industry. So, where did you go from there? I went to a community college in Casper to get my university requirements. I had a teacher who lined me up with Mr. Wehrle, an architect. I found out he was at the University of Utah doing a doctorate in architectural psychology. I thought, well, Utah is good for him, Utah is good for me, so I applied, was accepted, and came to the University of Utah in 1964. Clearly, you graduated then … (Smiles) Not without a struggle. I got drafted in ‘67. So, to accommodate both careers, I opted to go into ROTC at the University, which gave me two years to finish. I graduated in ‘70, got my commission, and had to go into the Army. Where were you stationed? I was in the Army Corps of Engineers, and the training is in Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. Carolyn and I had been married for two years. She put her career on hold because I didn’t have an option. My option was to go to Ft. Belvoir and then to Vietnam, but they were cutting back, so I wasn’t shipped out to Vietnam. I spent nine years in the Army Reserves in Utah. At the same time, I worked for Don Panushka before deciding to jump in with Abe Gillies. Tell us about that. I knew Abe in school; he was one year ahead of me. He had a partner – Bob Brotherton. They had worked together at Enteleke and had decided to do it on their own. They incorporated in January of 1978. They were looking for help, and I was looking to move on. My firm wasn’t considering longevity and transition. I said, “I am interested but not just in a job.” Within a year, I had bought into the firm. Within two years, Bob wanted to stay in our office in Denver, so we split then. That is when it became Gillies Stransky. Outside of marrying Carolyn, it was the best action I ever took – to accept his invitation to join him in business. He is the best. He plowed the ground; I joined the team. Pretty soon, I found out that we both had a heckuva load of responsibilities. How did you divide the responsibilities? We did everything. Abe had been involved in putting the corporation together, so he kept an eye on the books and the billings. I was largely involved with project management. There BY FRAN PRUYN AND TRAVIS SHEPHERD
11 was a $15 million job with Wheeler Machinery; a really good job for our little firm — incredible clients. As a result of that job, we picked up a very similar project in Denver, Wagner Equipment — another great client. That’s when Bob decided to open an office in Denver doing interior finishes, largely. We picked up similar jobs. I ran projects. Abe ran the business and ran projects too. I started doing the marketing; I was the outside guy. Abe said, “You be AIA for the firm; I’ll take care of this. I’ll be the ballast.” Great person, great ballast. I can’t imagine having a better partner. A couple of years later, through AIA, I got to know David. I knew Steve before, a little bit; he was a neighbor of Abe’s. We brought our firms and talents together. By 1986, we got all the initials in there. Talk about some of the struggles. When you are starting your firm, having a strong financial basis is important. We mortgaged my house; we dipped into my savings to pay some bills. I had a lot of cold showers. It was the kind of “the-head-against-the-wall” thinking, “We gotta get through this.” But you still believe in yourself. And you believe in your partner. And my wife believed in me. She lived through that stuff; it was as tough a time for her as it was for me. But we knew we could do it. We never missed a payroll. Never. I am really proud of having done that. Never stepped on anyone to make that happen. No consultant ever went unpaid. The work was never too hard. It was grueling at times, trying to get work done, trying to figure out how to get the new job to keep a flow of projects into the office. Those are struggles, but those are all just meaningful moments in your career. You just find a way and make it happen. When you look at your career, what are you most proud of – both in the practice and portfolio? Recently, I tried to figure out how many jobs I had worked on. I had over 800 projects that I was responsible for. Now that’s a tenant finish, but it is also a big federal project. That is a pretty wide spectrum. When you do that, you meet those clients. Some of the joy of the projects was the clients, having a relationship with them, not necessarily the end result. People were always, to me, important. I am proud of the Museum of Natural History that the firm did, but I didn’t personally spend a lot of time on it. As a piece of architecture, it is unquestionably one of the best things our firm was involved in, teamed with Ennead. I like St. Thomas More. That was a big struggle to get that built. The building committee, people from the east, west, south – all had their backgrounds that they brought to the table. Sorting that out you would think is relatively easy (but not); this is only a couple of million bucks. I am incredibly proud of that project. I think it is a landmark project for the Catholic Church. It was an aggressive look at what a church could be, not the repeat of a church in Indiana, or Savannah, or Upstate New York, or Tucson. It is Salt Lake City, Utah; it is very contextual. I love the Public Safety Building. I think it was a progressive step for our firm, working with David and Kevin and Valerie and all of my great partners to get that done. I think we succeeded in a tremendous way. Abe said that you enjoy doing Maintenance Facilities because they are so technical and require so much thought. The first big job I worked on with Abe was Wheeler Machinery. I had just worked on the University Hospital for Don Panushka. All the details from the hospital — the radiation, the labs, the plumbing for gasses and air — everything was really technical, and I really got my head into that. Then it just fit it in to do Wheeler. There is infrastructure in there that I loved putting together, although the scale of that was monster, not microscopic. We grew that into doing work for the federal government, largely the Corps of Engineers in Sacramento. I did a lot of work with them. I sought those as hard as any other job that we sought. It was very successful work. The Consolidated Maintenance Facility we did at Tooele Army Depot was a $120 million fully rigged outbuilding for rehabbing military vehicles, engines. The heartbreaker was that within two years after that was finished, Tooele suffered from the base closures, and they sold it to a private client for ten cents on the dollar. But that’s politics. Tell us about the evolution of the industry from the late sixties till now. There were firms that were emerging. Many of the old firms went away. Only a few of them had transition plans that allowed them to continue until today. There are only three or four that proceeded us — MHTN, EDA, FFKR — Bob Fowler had his own firm, and the Enteleke guys came over. Most of the other firms went away; they didn’t put transition in place. I remember my boss Don Panushka, calling when he finally retired, and he had a bunch of drafting boards and asked if we needed any. But we were already on our second or third generation of computers. We embraced that from the very beginning, and there were a number of jobs we got because we could demonstrate we had that technology. We were then pressed with making it work, literally forced to make that technology work for us. When you are starting your firm, having a strong financial basis is important. We mortgaged my house; we dipped into my savings to pay some bills. — continued on page 12
12 REFLEXION | 2021-22 | AIA Utah That is one thing that I personally didn’t embrace. I never felt I had the time to dedicate. I have fifteen calls to make, and I am not going to sit here at this computer and learn how to draft. In retrospect, that doesn’t bother me a bit. We have so many bright people who do that and far surpass anything I would do. Which is a bit counter to the way I looked at life. I always said, “If I have to drop back, if we have to lose every person in this firm, can I still do it?” Well, yeah, but I would have survived with pencil and paper or ink and paper. In the last ten or fifteen years, I have watched dozens of firms do the same things we did, different ways and different people, and build excellent firms. I think we have an incredible community of architects that can meet any challenge. I am disappointed to see some of this work come to town being done by outside firms. The contractors who grew along with us are (mostly) able to build these. But they are not looking to our community for our design. There is plenty of work going on, everybody is busy, but when I see some of the tallest buildings downtown, I’d like to see that we are, or somebody else, is doing them, not some firm from somewhere else in the country. What do you think makes a good building, and can you name a few really good buildings in Utah? • The City and County Building. I am glad we saved it. I was chair of the Landmark Committee when there were discussions about what was going to happen with that building. They had to come up with $35 million, and many people said tear it down, build us a new building like the Church Office Building. There wasn’t a lot of traction there, but this was presented. We finally grew as a community to say we are saving these treasures. • And, of course, the Capitol; it has gone through a major renovation, and it is going to be here for a long, long time to come. • In my own faith, the Cathedral of the Madeleine is a jewel of this community. • One that always comes to mind is Symphony Hall. That one has stood the test of time. I think its context makes that a great building. • The context of the Natural History Museum makes that a great building. • A GSBS project, the Speed Skating Oval: I think that is world-class architecture. It fulfilled its mission in 2002. • The Public Safety Building is a favorite of mine. If I went back and asked what made them great, I think: how did the project go with the client and the people it represents? Did some of those get designed and built in spite of the client? I never believed in that. I think we have an incredible community of architects that can meet any challenge. — continued from page 11 What would you say to someone following in your footsteps quite literally and wants the class, style and composure you guys had? It is time for you to make it your own. This profession changes, personalities change, our community changes, clients are changing. Advice for a young architect? Architecture is a tough profession, particularly as a young practitioner. You are going to school, you wonder how to apply what you have learned, is the economy going to accept you? Is there going to be anything left by the time I have put in my seven years? It is a profession that can leave you hanging for a year or two while the economy takes a dip. You have to be ready to say, “This is what I want to do; I see my niche,” and you give it everything you’ve got, because it will suck up everything you got – all your time, all your energy – if you let it. And then you will find that you have to balance that with your other life, your family: your partner, your spouse. And you have to find a way to keep that in balance. That will probably be the biggest struggle you’ll have. Last thoughts? My job was to go out and to create a presence in the community. I hadn’t been a member of the AIA. So, I became an AIA member, an active one, and expanded that to some pretty healthy responsibilities within the AIA – the National Board, Board of NAAB, 18 years on the Documents Committee. And through that, I was able to help accomplish a lot for the profession on a national basis. While that was all happening, I met hundreds of men and women across the country with whom I got to share my experience and they with me. A number of those we partnered with on work because we had mutual respect for one another, and they brought something to the table that we didn’t have. I cherish that part of my career. Very much. It was something that my wife shares with me, and she has friends within that circle of professionals that we still have today. It. That was a big part of my life. It was very rewarding. b To watch the full interview, please scan the QR Code. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0OrK1jKvKo
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14 REFLEXION | 2021-22 | AIA Utah Interviews with Local Legends Niels Valentiner, AIA Niels Valentiner is the founding principal of VCBO Architects. A Denmark native, Niels immigrated to the U.S. in 1965, attended BYU, and after his mission in Denmark with the LDS Church, he transferred to the University of Utah, graduating in 1973. He started Valentiner Architects right out of university, and has grown his firm to ninety professionals in two offices, Salt Lake and St. George. Almost 50 years since Valentiner and Associates opened, Niels continues to work at his profession and avocation – Choice Humanitarian, a non-profit whose mission is to eliminate extreme poverty. What prompted you to become an architect? I grew up in Denmark. I was in the last year of Gymnasium, and we were supposed to have some idea where we would go after that; we should interview a person in that profession. I had some interest in architecture, but more in art — I was studying painting and sculpture. I talked to an architect. As we were contemplating immigrating to the United States, I asked him if he thought I should study at the Academy in Denmark or in the United States? He said he thought the United States would be a good experience. The path of architecture was set at that point. I was planning to go to UC Berkeley, but Berkeley was a big (political) mess in 1965. So, as I had connections with the Mormon Church, I went to BYU for the first year and a half. In ’67, I went back to Denmark on an LDS mission, then came back and transferred to the University of Utah. I finished my degree in art, then did a master’s degree in architecture. While I was in school, I worked for Don Panushka. I went to talk to him, and Don said, “Show me some of your work.” Of course, I had nothing. I went home and asked a friend who was in school a year or two ahead of me to give me some plans I could copy over. I copied them over, then came back a week later and showed Don. (This was) very bad, but he needed someone to do drafting so I worked with him for a while. After that, I worked for Enteleke, as well as with a group of other architects. When did you decide to form Valentiner Architects? After graduation in ‘73, I started the firm right out of school. I took the one-week exam and hung my shingle out on the door — Valentiner and Associates. I had to look important, so I put “Associates” after Valentiner. That’s the problem when you start a firm: you have to look like somehow you know what you are doing. How did you do it? How did you look like you knew what you were doing? I must admit I would not recommend starting out that way, right out of school. It would have been smarter if I had gotten more experience: five or ten years. I had two or three years working for architects that qualified me to get my license, so I had some of that background. I would not recommend that — but that is what I did. I had to learn very quickly how to put BY FRAN PRUYN AND PHIL HADERLIE
15 drawings together. Back then, everything was by hand. We designed simple stuff. How did you find your clients? I had some connections with developers and some others. One of my first real jobs was with a builder in Ogden who was doing a design-build credit union at Hill Air Force Base. That became the first America First Credit Union, and the project turned into a relationship. We went to planning meetings every month for over two years planning their new headquarters and hoping that they would give us the job. Well, we got it. It was our first major office building. It was mostly just connections with people. And then? What Terracor did for realtors and developers is what Environmental Design Group did for architects. They started something that was way before its time and overly ambitious: Stansbury Park and Bloomingdale, and all those projects. That was the beginning of architecture and development on a large scale in Utah. Other firms spun off of that group. Roger Boyer spun off and started his company. We started working together when he was doing his first little office buildings, and I was scrambling. We did projects for many years and still do. That is how you start; bump into the right people at the right time, and hustle. What are you most proud of? I don’t look back. I look forward to doing a project, then I pass it along and move on. What intrigues me about architecture is the ability to put it all together: getting the client, getting financing, getting a site, come up with all the pieces that make it a project, then the design and everything comes into it, and then construction, then be done with it. It is very intriguing to me — the process of making architecture — that is probably what built the firm. The smartest thing I did was hire and bring people to work with that were smarter than me. People with different backgrounds, different strengths, different abilities, that is really why VCBO is where we are. How did that all happen? Back then, firms were very small. A firm of 30 was big. All of us were just scrambling to get little pieces of projects. At a point, I got smart and said, how do I get strength, diversity? I was primarily involved in development, office buildings and commercial work, no institutional, no schools. Steve Crane and I had casually met each other. We went to lunch, and I said, “Steve, you have a little firm, and I have a firm, and we both need to grow if we are going to compete with the big guys out there.” Over several months we decided that he would roll his firm into ours. We created a partnership: me, Steve, Peter Brunjes and Sean Onyen, who were also working with me. Steve brought schools with him and some other clients. That was really the beginning of VCBO. I kept 51%. I wanted to make sure that if I made mistakes, I could get rid of them. They knew that. We talked about it and said, “This is going to be a trial here.” We did that for a year or two, but I soon realized that I shouldn’t be a majority owner; it had to be all equal. We are now into our third generation of partners. What are some of the struggles you had to overcome? Meeting the demands of clients, but that is always going to be there. The other side is keeping the firm growing. Growing a firm is not easy because of the way people interact with each other. Today all the major firms, I think, are struggling — moving from one generation to the next to the next. You start a firm — you’ve got to have the fire. You have to know that there is no payroll tomorrow unless you get a project and you do well. In the beginning, our biggest problem was that we had no resume to speak of. Today, we can show thousands of projects, major projects. Now, the problem is having the initiative to keep developing the company and making people in the firm see that. The biggest challenge is moving from us old-timers who just had to do it, to the new generation who wants a little more freedom. They have to have the fire in their belly and understand that to own a firm and grow it, you have to have sleepless nights, wondering if what we are doing is right or wrong. What have you seen in terms of the evolution of architecture in the fifty years you have been practicing? There has been huge development. Everything we did back then was by hand, using colored pencils and markers, putting presentation drawings and models together. Model making was a big thing; I used to spend many hours up in East Canyon gathering yarrows — we used them for trees on our models. Nobody does that anymore now. It was very hands-on. It was a lot simpler in the design and communication of drawings. Most firms were no larger than ten, twenty people. That has evolved with AutoCadd, with digital communication. How we deliver architecture, how we design, how we visualize, how we communicate, all those are entirely different than it was 30 or 40 years ago. It has been a tremendous development: a very positive one, I think. We can communicate so much better. Just look at the drawings; we only had thirty pages, now we have three hundred pages for the same project. We have very sophisticated clients who are very focused on their particular sliver of a business. Clients think just because you can do an elementary school doesn’t mean you can do a high school, and just because you can do a high school doesn’t mean you can do elementary school. That is ridiculous, but it is getting that focused. — continued on page 16
16 REFLEXION | 2021-22 | AIA Utah I think (as an architectural community) we have done very well. We are not over the top with iconic projects, but have developed the Wasatch Front very reasonably. I think altogether we have been very respectful as architects. We have respected the community, respected the mountains, respected the environment. And there has been a sense of preserving history. But we all have to do better. There is a lot more to do. What is a good building? Architecture needs to be relevant to where it is, what it is doing, what it is trying to achieve, and what it adds to that whole environment. A good building needs good clients — without a client that is able and willing to visualize with you can’t go that next step; to create and design something that is relevant, that is in context to what you are doing. Salt Lake City Library was one of our very important projects, working with Moshe Safde. The context was to create a living room for the community that everybody can come into and feel comfortable. One reason it was successful was Nancy Tessman, the library director. She got the board bought off on doing a unique building. I said to her, we have to be careful, we have got to control this. We have so many homeless people we don’t want to come in and have them take their morning shower and wash. Nancy said, “Niels, homeless people are part of our community; they belong here too. That was a real moment for me. I was like, “I want to keep this beautiful building away from people that might destroy it.” Instead, she opened the door and said, “Come in.” Guess what? Those homeless — continued from page 15 Architecture needs to be relevant to where it is, what it is doing, what it is trying to achieve, and what it adds to that whole environment. A good building needs good clients — without a client that is able and willing to visualize with you can’t go that next step; to create and design something that is relevant, that is in context to what you are doing. people sitting on the carrels up along the wall are in there and sit there and read every day all day long, and they are more a part of that building than maybe other people. Now that is architecture to me; it is socially responsible, environmentally responsible; it is in context. What advice would you have for a young architect starting out? Not to do what I did. Find out about architecture. I think in many ways it is really to explore the world, maybe go somewhere else and practice: South America, Europe. Get your mind open — go out and get away from just the narrow scope we live in. If you live in Utah, you see Utah as the world. There are people on the other side of the mountain. Then, find a niche where you are strong: a certain design, a certain direction, a certain social, psychological emphasis that you want to be involved in. It can be all parts of architecture – it can be design, it can be technical, it can be in spec writing, it can be whatever. Create and become an expert in that, because that is what architects in the world need. b To watch the full interview, please scan the QR Code. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqKFVWHObp8
17 877-696-3742 toll-free epicmetals.com Jackie Fuller Elementary School, Aubrey, Texas Products: Envista F7.5A, Colony Maple Architect: Huckabee, Austin, Texas Envista® Roof and Floor Deck Ceiling Systems Envista FA Timberlok® provides the structural support and fire resistance of steel roof deck panels while providing the warm appearance of natural wood. Envista offers four wood grain finish options, superior acoustic properties, and long spans up to 36´. YAF (Young Architects Forum) Utah kicked off the year with a great event at Kiito Brewing! Many like-minded young professional architects and structural engineers got together for the first in-person YAF event in a couple of years. It was a huge success, as everyone was craving social interaction with peers after a long hiatus. There were drinks, mingling, and a new food truck with loaded Mexican hot dogs to top off the night. Afterward, the YAF committee high-fived each other for successfully pulling off yet another young architect social. The YAF has plans for another social this summer (because who doesn’t like free food and a good time with friends?). The current goal for the YAF is to get people together and re-connect the rising stars of the Utah architect community. Creating a network where young professionals can meet and learn from each other in a non-formal environment is paramount for a thriving architectural profession. Not to mention, some of the millennials have mentioned they would like to learn how the new, more hip gen-z architects do things. The YAF is also resurrecting the Meet the Masters series, with a couple planned for this year. This event has always been an enriching opportunity to hear from experienced professionals in our community. Stay tuned for announcements of these events. All are welcome to join regardless of what level you are in the profession! (i.e., disregard the word “young” if you want to come) b AIA Utah YAF Social Mixer
18 REFLEXION | 2021-22 | AIA Utah BY CHRIS HOFHEINS, SE What Structural Engineers Want Architects to Know
19 There is a famous African proverb that reads: “It takes a village to raise a child.” It also takes a village to design and construct a building. The goal for all project team members is to work together to deliver a successful building for our clients. Here are four items architects can do to help their structural engineer deliver a winning project: • Engage the structural engineer early • Communicate what is important to you and the client • Establish clear lines of communication • Develop a schedule that maximizes design time and minimizes design changes Engage the structural engineer early The best practice would be to consult with a structural engineer at project conception. When consulted from the beginning, your structural engineer can provide different building material options and cost-effective ways to structurally frame the building. Creating floor plans and building concepts prior to consulting with a structural engineer will limit the options a structural engineer can provide. Due to product lead times, many cost-effective solutions may no longer be an option for the project, which will increase project costs. Communicate what is important to you and the client Structural engineers want architects to be successful in delivering their vision to clients. Occasionally, a structural engineer’s nature to please is misguided when we do not understand what is most important to the architect, contractor, and owner. Take column placement as an example. Without additional input from the architect, the structural engineer will provide a column layout that is most efficient for the building structure. This efficiency may be in contradiction with the architect’s goals. Frequent communication and feedback to your structural engineer will enable them to provide structural options that meet your vision, are cost-effective, and builder-friendly. Establish clear lines of communication Structural engineers are problem solvers by nature. Communication comes fast and from all directions. Sometimes structural engineers unintentionally get the proverbial cart in front of the horse. A common example is when a contractor contacts the engineer directly seeking a solution to a problem. If your structural engineer knows the architect’s communication preferences, engineers can be more responsive to needs and questions without creating confusion in the process. Develop a schedule that maximizes design time and minimizes design changes The most notable change in the industry I have seen over my career is the acceleration of the design process. Structural engineers are typically on the critical path to complete our design and deliver permit documents so the contractor can get in the ground as soon as possible. The need to start construction quickly is at odds with the structural engineer’s need to develop the most cost-effective design. The two most notable things architects can do to help structural engineers successfully overcome this challenge are building a schedule that maximizes our design time and minimizes changes. Go to bat for your structural engineer to help them establish a design timeline that enables the contractor to deliver the project on time while maximizing the structural engineer’s design timeline. Establish intermediate design deliverables, then hold owners and design team members accountable for hitting deliverables and making decisions. Late information and changes raise the hurdle and make it more difficult for your structural engineer to deliver a complete and cost-effective design on an accelerated schedule. Nothing is more satisfying than being part of an effective team that works together to deliver a successful project despite the obstacles along the way. Engaging with your structural engineer early, sharing project goals with clear lines of communication, and developing a schedule that enables all team members to be successful are the necessary ingredients to a successful project. b Chris Hofheins, SE is co-founder and President of BHB Structural. Over the course of 20 years, BHB has become one of the largest structural engineering firms in the Intermountain West by focusing on providing responsive, wellcoordinated and creative structural engineering. Chris frequently gives AIA CES presentations on a variety of topics. He can be reached at chris.hofheins@bhbengineers.com or 801.355.5656. When consulted from the beginning, your structural engineer can provide different building material options and cost-effective ways to structurally frame the building.
20 REFLEXION | 2021-22 | AIA Utah Architects spend so much of their time on the road, consistently communicating with clients and contractors, accessing designs, performing site inspections, taking notes during meetings, etc., and mobile devices can help accelerate all these processes. This article examines how mobile apps can help architects become more productive and save hours of valuable time across all parts of their day. For example, saving a single hour on your site inspections and drafting field reports can add up to whole billable days saved over the course of a month or two. But field reports are just the beginning. The right mobile apps can help architects make all parts of their day more efficient and less stressful. Before leaving for the office — transport work the easy way When architects get into the design and modeling work, they’ll naturally turn to dedicated workstations and industry-standard CAD solutions. However, when they leave their office and workstation behind, they need a way to show clients the new designs or annotate models. Printing designs on paper and lugging them around is common to transport work, but it can be inefficient and prone to error. Mobile devices can strip out this traditional paper-intensive step, as many industrystandard tools offer handy mobile apps that let architects take their work with them. For example, AutoCAD Mobile is a mobile app extension that helps architects review drawings and designs with clients on-site — bridging the gap between the design studio and the construction site. During client meetings — work faster with a digital sketchbook and notepad Getting the most out of client meetings starts with capturing client feedback to implement it into your designs. Tablets paired with a stylus and apps like Nebo, GoodNote, and OneDrive can make this process as simple as writing in a notebook. Unlike handwritten notes, this digital alternative offers the benefit of easier storage and organization in your How Architects Can Make The Most of Mobile Devices To Transform Their Productivity BY DELTEK
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