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The Advantages of Sustainable Development with Accredited Staff

Posted on by OTAK Team

In an era marked by increasing concerns about environmental resilience and social equity, sustainable development is no longer just a buzzword – it’s the new “business as usual”. Sustainable development encompasses a wide range of practices aimed at reducing or eliminating the negative impact of human activities on the environment while fostering healthy and equitable communities.

In this piece, we’ll explore the numerous advantages of sustainable development practices, with a particular focus on the valuable role of sustainable professional accreditations in achieving these goals.

What are the Advantages of Sustainable Development?

The advantages of sustainable development are multifaceted, extending across the natural and built environments, social systems, and the economy. Approaches must be forward-thinking and use a wide lens to evaluate potential impacts. From protecting natural resources to emphasizing active transportation, when community building aligns with sustainable practices, quality of life is improved for all.

Infographic displaying some common sustainability frameworks and the unique mission behind each.

Resource Efficiency and Cost Savings

One of the most significant advantages of sustainable development lies in its resource efficiency and cost-saving potential. With an emphasis on more efficient use of resources, sustainable design results in long-term savings that have the potential to outweigh initial investment. For example, water conservation measures and low-impact development (LID) strategies can significantly reduce water bills and alleviate the strain on local water resources over the long-term, which are becoming increasingly scarce in many areas.

Additionally, sustainable buildings incorporate energy-efficient features such as daylighting and insulation, leading to reduced energy consumption and lower energy costs. Over time, these designs pay dividends by reducing both operational costs and energy-use intensity, which is a key objective of the AIA 2030.

Resilience in Design

As our planet faces increasingly unpredictable and extreme environmental conditions, designing projects with resilience in mind becomes paramount. These projects often use more durable materials and construction methods that extend the lifespan of structures, reducing waste and future maintenance and replacement costs. This resilience extends to addressing challenges like climate change, seismic activity, and flooding – ensuring that projects remain functional during times of external stressors due to extreme weather, instability or resource challenges. Many of the services provided by this type of infrastructure are critical – hospitals, power generation facilities, emergency services, and essential ecosystem services.

Low impact development (LID) and stormwater planning for instance are crucial aspects of resilience. With growing concerns from disasters like wildfire and flooding making certain areas uninsurable, resiliency planning can help mitigate the growing threats as well as the associated costs of damage and recovery.

Property Value and Market Demand

In the world of vertical construction, properties with sustainability certifications often command higher market values than their non-certified counterparts. As sustainability becomes a more prominent concern for individuals and businesses, certification from frameworks like LEED, WELL, and SITES can significantly impact the demand for properties. Prospective buyers and tenants increasingly seek out environmentally friendly spaces that result in healthier and more productive spaces, making certified properties more appealing and valuable across markets.

Graphic featuring a quote from Scott Thayer on sustainable accreditation.

Healthier Communities and Biodiversity

Sustainable development also contributes to the creation of healthier communities and supports biodiversity in several ways. Indoor spaces benefit from improved air quality and other features that enhance occupant health and productivity. Outdoor spaces, too, play a crucial role, as sustainable development often involves projects like rain gardens, brownfield cleanups, and habitat restoration efforts. These initiatives not only enhance the aesthetics of the community but also contribute to the well-being of the natural world on which we all rely.

Reducing carbon emissions collectively improves the health of communities by mitigating the impacts of climate change while also creating greater mobility and community connectivity. Acknowledging and rewarding such efforts is crucial to fostering a sense of responsibility for our environment.

Profiles in Sustainable Accredited Staff

See Danah’s Profile
See Charles’ Profile
See Omar’s Profile

The Value of Professional Accreditations on a Project Team

Having staff with sustainable accreditations on a project team can be vital to the successful implementation of the practices discussed above. Various sustainability certification frameworks, each with its own unique processes and criteria, require expertise to navigate effectively. Having accredited team members streamlines the certification process, is often a requirement, and ensures that projects meet the rigorous sustainability standards set by these frameworks.

Multiple Disciplines Working Toward a Common Goal

Sustainable design takes shape in a variety of ways and across all phases of project development. From meeting – or exceeding – formal sustainable certification goals to simply finding efficiencies, a team with a diverse skillset brings a holistic perspective to the entire process.

Taking this multidisciplinary approach maximizes collaboration between a diverse and deep understanding of how sustainability applies to interconnected project elements, which can be critical to delivering on green goals. Equally as important is bringing these teams together early and keeping them engaged from project conception through construction and commissioning.

Streamlining the Certification Process

Accredited team members play a pivotal role in streamlining the certification process. Given the variations in certification frameworks, their expertise ensures that the project team selects the most suitable framework, understands the available design and reporting options, and efficiently navigates the submittal process. This knowledge helps the project progress smoothly towards achieving, verifying, and communicating its sustainability goals.

Graphic featuring a quote from Rose Horton on sustainable accreditation.

Obtaining and Maintaining Sustainable Accreditation

Earning and maintaining sustainability accreditation is an ongoing process. As the industry quickly innovates, new techniques and case studies routinely become available to advance our understanding and practical implementation of what is considered “sustainable design”. Keeping up on those is also a requirement of keeping an accreditation.

Individuals value their accreditation as a mark of expertise and commitment to sustainability. Organizations like Otak support their accredited staff by encouraging them to earn and maintain their accreditations. Through initiatives like our OtakU, staff members have opportunities to enhance their skills and keep their knowledge current.

Designing for sustainability offers a multitude of advantages, from resource efficiency and cost savings to healthier communities and enhanced biodiversity. Having an accredited project team is instrumental in realizing these benefits, as it streamlines the certification process and ensures that projects meet the highest sustainability standards. With the increasing importance of sustainability in today’s world, having accredited staff members on your team is not just an asset – it’s a necessity for creating a better, more sustainable future.

Graphic featuring a quote from Eva Ho on sustainable accreditation.
See Our Sustainable Work

Hispanic Heritage in AEC: Four Perspectives on Improving Communities

Posted on by OTAK Team

This year and every year, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with reverence and mindfulness. Reverence for the contributions Hispanic individuals have made on both our industry and our firm, and mindful of the fact that we have much left to do to advance equity for underrepresented groups essential to the ecosystem of AEC work.

Observed from September 15th to October 15th, Hispanic Heritage Month is dedicated to celebrating the histories, culture, and contributions of Hispanic Americans with ancestors from across the globe. At Otak and across firms in the built environment, we use this month to highlight Hispanic culture’s contributions to and growing influence on the industry.

Hispanic individuals make up 31% of the construction workforce in the US, and the share of Hispanic people earning a bachelor’s degree in STEM related fields is up 5% in the last decade. The impact of Hispanic Americans on the AEC industry cannot be overlooked and Otak sees this in practice through our project work. From Pritsker Prize-winning architects at RCR Arquitectes in Spain, to a construction worker you may pass by on a job site, a myriad of cultures and perspectives influence our built environment.

We asked Hispanic team members from across Otak’s offices: What about your lived experience has been impactful in your approach to work and community involvement?

The answers we got were insightful and valuable.

Josh Guerra – Senior Project Architect

Josh is a proud second generation Mexican American, and says he is continually inspired by the story of his grandparents emigrating to the US in the early 20th century – something to which he credits his work ethic and ambition.

Rooted in his Hispanic heritage, his biggest design influences as an architect include pre-Columbian, megalithic architecture of the Mayans, Aztecs, and Inca, as well as modern, Spanish architecture styles a la the work of Antoni Gaudi, Enric Miralles, and Santiago Calatrava — garnered from his time abroad as a graduate student in Barcelona. In Josh’s case, his heritage and inspirations translates to nearly every project he touches!

Ken Vigil – Senior Project Manger/Engineer

Ken, senior project manager and engineer in our water resources group, is also extremely proud of his Hispanic heritage, and says it lends him a unique lens toward stakeholder involvement across all sorts of projects.

A believer in working hard, serving family, and uplifting communities – he points to his recent involvement with managing habitat restoration at the confluence of Deep Creek along the Clackamas River in Oregon. Ken says he was selected not just thanks to his technical expertise, but also thanks to his cultural values and awareness, especially when working with indigenous community members to restore a culturally significant site based on their needs and desires. To Ken – heritage and cultural knowledge translate to results when shaping the built environment and restoring natural spaces.

Sandy Stewart – Office Manager

Sandy heads our office operations out of our Louisville office in Colorado, and says her Guatemalan heritage has shaped her life and defines her to this day.

She describes her culture as colorful, vibrant, rich in tradition and values, and characterized by a fusion of Spanish and indigenous influences with which she recalls growing up. Her values of hard work, integrity, family, and good food translate directly to the bright and tenacious identity she brings to work with her every day. In her 23 years at Otak, she’s also helped deliver on many successful projects – being especially proud of the McCaslin Boulevard Underpass in her backyard of Louisville.

Javier Buenrostro – Marketing Intern

Javier is a fresh face among our Otak marketing team, and as someone who has lived in both Mexico and the United States – he says his experiences have deeply influenced both his approach to work and community service. Working with our team on relevant project pursuits has made him appreciate the impact he can have on underrepresented communities when we win work to improve their built and natural environments, and he strives to represent his heritage in authentic and relevant ways when a fresh perspective is needed.

Taking a Community-Driven Approach to Design

Otak views it as paramount that we remain intentional about enhancing the daily lives of our community members through thoughtful development, this month and every month. From ensuring accessibility and affordability in housing to investing in essential public works and fostering robust public engagement, we and our teaming partners within the industry hold the power to shape thriving communities, no matter the socioeconomic background or ethnic makeup. By embracing these values, we can pave the way for a brighter and more inclusive future, where every individual can enjoy the benefits of a well-designed and compassionate neighborhood.

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month from Otak!

Field Notes: How Structural Engineering Connects Isolated Communities with Essential Services

Posted on by OTAK Team

Field Notes is a recurring series where impactful aspects of projects are brought into focus from the field, along with the people who make it possible.

Structural engineering plays a pivotal role in shaping and improving communities worldwide. While we often take transportation infrastructure for granted in first-world countries, many less developed regions struggle with seemingly simple transportation challenges that hinder access to vital services.

This article explores the transformative work of Engineers in Action (EIA), an organization dedicated to building bridges, providing clean water, and fostering education and workforce development in underserved areas. Through the lens of Sally Gerster, a passionate structural engineer at Otak and mentor for the program, we delve into the profound impact of footbridges on isolated communities and the broader socioeconomic benefits they bring.

Image of a footbridge in Bolivia from Engineers in Action.
Engineers in Action Footbridge Project in Churo Alto, Bolivia

Who is Engineers in Action?

Engineers in Action is an organization committed to building bridges and facilitating access to education and healthcare, all in an effort to empower communities globally. Originally affiliated with Bridges to Prosperity, Engineers in Action places a special focus on constructing footbridges, which have an outsized impact on the communities where they’re needed. With impassable rivers and other barriers, these structures ensure year-round, safe access to vital services such as education, healthcare, and employment — together serving as a catalyst for poverty alleviation.

“The impact of even a simple footbridge on people’s lives, as this seemingly small thing that we don’t think about, is incredible.”

Sally Gerster, Structural Engineer and EIA Mentor

The Impact of Footbridges on Isolated Communities

In many communities worldwide, the lack of transportation infrastructure presents significant challenges, impeding access to essential services, community assets, and even contact with family members. By constructing footbridges, Engineers in Action improves the lives of over 5,000 people annually.

Sally highlights the compounding effect a single bridge can have on individuals, families, and communities as a whole. Take for example, a farmer unable to cross a barrier to access seeds. His inability to work and earn an income also can quickly lead to a lack of food and participation in the local economy. This obstruction – even if temporary – suddenly limits members of an entire community to sustain their livelihood, or life itself. When considering these alternatives, the question often becomes, do you risk your life or the life of others to cross these sites?  

Image of Sally Gerster at a project site during her work with Engineers in Action.
Sally Gerster on-site with EIA

Workforce & Economic Impacts

The economic impact of footbridges in isolated communities is profound. Studies conducted by Bridges to Prosperity reveal a 36% increase in wages and a 75% increase in farmer profitability following the implementation of bridge programs. Additionally, these projects lead to a 60% increase in women entering the labor market, fostering gender equality and economic empowerment. The compounding effect Sally mentions becomes even more apparent when considering the transformative power these bridges hold for local economies.

Education Impacts

Inaccessible barriers often prevent children from attending school, particularly during seasons of heavy rainfall. Education plays a vital role in community development, and footbridges act as the gateway to improved educational opportunities. Furthermore, the involvement of the community in these projects cultivates a sense of ownership and fosters learning experiences that transcend engineering. Engineers in Action not only prepares the next generation of globally-minded engineers, but also empowers communities through active participation.

Broader Community Impacts

In addition to education and economic benefits, footbridges have far-reaching impacts on various other aspects of communities. Improved access to markets enhances economic opportunities, while increased accessibility to healthcare facilities ensures better nutrition and healthcare outcomes. Additionally, footbridges strengthen family bonds by reuniting separated loved ones and facilitating social interactions.

Image of Sally Gerster working on a footbridge project with Engineers in Action.
A team working on construction of a footbridge with Engineers in Action.
A community gathered around a footbridge built by Engineers in Action.

Path of an Engineer in Action: Sally’s Journey to Impact

Sally’s story exemplifies the journey of an engineer dedicated to creating positive change. Her involvement with Engineers in Action began as a student at CU Boulder, where she joined the organization, later becoming a mentor and structural engineer at Otak. University student teams actively organize, design, and construct these bridges, with the organization fostering partnerships for experiential learning and cultural exposure. Sally’s work highlights the profound impact that seemingly small engineering interventions can have on people’s lives and communities.

A graphic displaying quotes and images displaying Sally Gerster's work with Engineers in Action.

The Projects

Churo Alto, Bolivia – Learning to Connect Communities

Sally’s involvement in Bolivia took place during the summer after her sophomore year. Alongside her university team, she fundraised, designed, and spent eight weeks building a suspended cable pedestrian bridge spanning 60 meters. This bridge addressed the need of a community separated by a river, which rendered access to school and family members impossible during the rainy season.

Group photo from an Engineers in Action project in Bolivia.

Nkambule, Eswatini – Mentoring for Educational Opportunities

Years after her first experience, Sally mentored a project in Eswatini, where she guided a team from CU and Penn State University (PSU). The impassable river in this region hindered various aspects of community life, and the bridge provided newfound opportunities for educational growth. Sally joined to help fill knowledge gaps and played a critical role during the project’s final and most complex stages.

In addition to completing the project, everyone involved gained a unique perspective on their work’s impact. According to Sally, the community’s enthusiasm for this bridge project was unparalleled. “This community was the most excited about the bridge project than any other. They welcomed the students to their community like I’d never seen before, and the students were so excited to learn.” The resulting experience fostered an immersive exchange of culture and knowledge between the students and the community, including visiting the local church and cooking meals together.

Group photo from an Engineers in Action project in Eswatini.

Rwanda – Mastering Impact with Data and a Unique Camera System

As a Master’s student, Sally’s work took a slightly different angle, aiming to not just create impact through a single footbridge project, but in measuring that impact across multiple projects. This time Sally found herself in Rwanda, developing a system using trail cameras to track bridge use. Her system is designed to recognize human (ignoring wildlife that can frequent a bridge) traffic, implementing the system, and training locals to operate it after she was gone.

The data enables more comprehensive evaluations of footbridge impact on health, business, and education. Sally’s efforts in Rwanda underscore the multifaceted nature of Engineers in Action’s work and their commitment to continuously improving the outcomes of their projects. The system is still in use today and that data is being applied to not only better understanding the value of the organizations work but also expand where and what they’re able to support communities with across the globe.

Image of a camera system being installed to collect data on the impact of footbridges on isolated communities.

Building the Future’s Impact of Structural Engineering

Demonstrated through the work of Engineers in Action, structural engineering and transportation infrastructure is essential to community building. The organization continuously advances its capabilities, such as expanding into the construction of suspension bridges where longer spans open the door to new opportunities in more locations, but also require a higher degree of technical skill and resources. For her part, Sally intends to continue mentoring and supporting students in their pursuit of engineering excellence. Individuals and corporations can also contribute to these programs by volunteering, providing financial support, or sharing their expertise.

The transformative power of footbridges in isolated communities cannot be overstated. Through the dedicated efforts of organizations like Engineers in Action and the passionate individuals like Sally, access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities becomes a reality for those who were once isolated. By investing in structural engineering projects, we build not only physical connections but also bridges of hope and empowerment, shaping a brighter future for communities around the world.

How Modular Architecture is Shaping the Future of Design

Posted on by OTAK Team

For any discussion about the future of design – modular architecture is now part of that conversation.

Trends in the field point to it as well. Back in 2015, the Modular Building Institute notes that modular construction constituted 2.9% of all construction while expecting it to grow to 5% in 2020.

As it turns out, modular buildings now make up more than 6% of new construction in the United States. With a market now expected to grow from $89.18 billion in 2022 to $95.59 billion in 2023, modular construction is in demand because it’s become more cost effective, efficient, and flexible in design.

Modular design’s history can be traced back thousands of years to the ancient Romans who created prefabricated sections of their forts that could be assembled on-site for quick defense. And modular configurations have been commercially available since the early 20th century.

Image of modular units being constructed using a crane.
Modular units being constructed on site.


The difference in today’s approach to modularity is advances in technology. From enhanced building materials and greater precision in manufacturing, to the logistics behind transporting building components, the entire process is now done with greater quality and efficiency. The result is a modern architecture approach that’s often more innovative in design and efficient in completion than today’s traditional methods.

In this piece, we’re taking a closer look at the practice of modular design and exploring its details and advantages, as well as implications for the future of the built environment. Feel free to read on or skip ahead:

What is Modular Architecture?

Modular architecture’s definition is rooted in the term ‘module’: where prefabricated units of a structure are assembled in configurations designed to meet different sizes, complexities, or functions.

Modular Versus Prefabricated

The relationship between modular construction and other types of prefabricated approaches like panelized construction is similar to the relationship between 3D and 2D design. While modules are three-dimensional units comprised of several prefabricated pieces, panels are individual flat pieces assembled on-site. So, one could think of modular construction as a specific application of prefabrication where floors, walls, and roofs are integrated into larger units, often comprising one or more rooms.

Simply put, prefab deals with the manufacturing of the individual units (walls, floors, and other elements) with assembly of entire spaces happening later at the construction site.

An infographic showing the modular design process and how it can shorten project schedules.

Benefits (and Challenges) of Modular Architecture

With a number of factors driving added attention to modular architecture – the rapidly growing need for adequate, affordable housing significantly among them – there are numerous benefits being found by both designers, builders, and the community who eventually uses the final product.

Of course, with the benefits of any approach also come challenges. Below we’ll take a closer look at both in some key areas.

Quality Control
A modular approach to design and building allows for greater control of the overall quality of a structure. With units prefabricated in a factory setting as opposed to being subject to field conditions (i.e., short building windows in colder, wetter seasons, etc.), there’s less degradation of materials.

Also, because modular construction is simplified to an assembly process, reliance on different skill levels or unfamiliarity from on-site labor – and quality issues that can arise as a result – are dramatically reduced.

However, since units are prefabricated, often with proprietary materials and methods, if quality issues do arise, they aren’t able to be addressed on-site as easily as with conventional construction.

Constructability
A huge benefit of a modular approach is time. Construction time on a modular structure takes a fraction of the time it takes to build from the ground up. The process is also safer for workers as fewer people are needed for less complicated tasks on a shorter schedule, minimizing site risks.

An infographic with stats that speak to growth of modular design.

This benefit can be even greater when used at scale while applying templated configurations across multiple sites, as opposed to a one-off approach for each building.
It’s estimated that modular approaches can reliably save at least 20% in construction costs, including the potential for an estimated $22B in savings annually across U.S. and European markets. This savings makes sense when you consider the reduced construction time that leads to a reduction in overall emissions from heavy equipment.

While site accessibility is a challenge with any project, because modular design involves the use of larger units, this can be a limiting factor for difficult to reach locations.

Modular units being used in construction of an office building in Berlin.
Construction site of an office building in Berlin.

Repeatability
As mentioned, modular design lends itself to repeatability and scalability. The consistencies gained in minimizing onsite construction issues like weather or access, improve the quality of overall construction while being more insulated from the elements. Using a system of repeated building blocks leaves less room for variation in quality and creates a process that can then be repeated across multiple sites.

Sustainability
Modular design is also better for the planet. The approach bakes in an emphasis on minimizing waste in the construction process because the process is primarily carried out in the controlled environment of a manufacturing facility. The units themselves are also often made using recycled materials. Almost every client values sustainable methods that lessens onsite waste and materials, because less waste not only lowers a project’s overall carbon footprint, it also lower costs associated with disposing and transporting that waste.

Establishing Design Goals for Clients
The benefits of modular design also extend away from the job site. While of course not exclusive to a modular approach, the use of 3D visuals can be particularly useful in facilitating a discussion that requires an extra degree of predefined design decisions with the client.

A discussion including a modular architecture approach can draw out a client’s true goals for the project, like if they want resilient products that are easy to maintain for a buyer that can be weatherproofed during the short build season. Different components of the structure can be modular in an ‘a la carte’ type approach to meet the design, avoiding the challenges that come with limited variety and allowing for design flexibility.

A 3D rendering of a sustainable home's modular design.
Example 3D rendering of a sustainable house, using modular design.

A Modular Design Approach: What Makes a Project a Good Fit?

It’s one thing to consider a modular design approach, but it’s another to decide which projects are most suitable for it. The reality is it’s a different design process from what traditionally takes place and might not always be the right solution depending on the project details.

For one, designers have to think in a more integrated way because the pieces of the puzzle are bigger. Units also must be designed to thorough specifications to make sure everything fits just right when it comes time to build. Architects need to think about how one gets the most customization in the fewest components, while also considering the need for flexibility. Owners also tend to invest more in early phases of the project so the prefab process can begin, meaning decisions need to be made early so that can be conveyed to financiers.

Consideration of a modular approach is best done early in the design process to truly reap the benefits in identifying projects that are a good fit.

An Answer to the Housing Crisis: Modular Residential Home Design

Modular architecture can be especially useful for residential home design. With the growing housing crisis plaguing the United States, it’s estimated that 3.8 million more homes must be built now to keep up with population growth in the future, and modular design lends itself to the need in a unique way.

Rendering of a modular home design.
Rendering of a modular home project.

Given its repeatability, scalability, and time-saving capabilities, modular construction allows for a number of cost-effective solutions to building houses en masse. Rather than a one-off approach with a traditional stick-built home, modular home design delivers a shortened schedule, material cost savings, and a more sustainable project, ultimately getting people into homes – and developers paid – more quickly.

Modular Housing Common Questions

When considering modular architecture for housing projects, there are a few common questions to consider:

Can modular homes be stacked?

Modular homes can be designed as a single standalone structure or multiple story building by stacking them. Bottom line: there are many structural and design possibilities.

Can modular homes be renovated?

Modular homes can be modified and renovated, though much depends on the initial structural integrity and design which may require specialized knowledge and resources.

Can modular homes be built anywhere?

One of their greatest benefits is that modular homes can be placed just about anywhere. There are some constraints since the larger components need to be able to be accessible to a site.

Modular Architecture for Commercial Buildings

Large-scale projects don’t just include housing. While not currently as common, commercial buildings are increasingly being built using a modular approach.

View of a modular unit at the construction site.
Modular construction site.

In cases where there is a need for meeting rigorous quality standards (due to regulation or client specifications) a modular approach can help ensure those standards are met. This is especially common in advanced manufacturing and the automotive industry for example. Efficiency with energy, materials and construction timelines are also goals that lend themselves well to a modular approach to commercial facilities.

Modular Architecture as A Growing Application in Healthcare Facilities

Healthcare is another area where modular design is growing in popularity, and the concept is gaining hold for several reasons.

While the priorities of healthcare have evolved over time to place a greater emphasis on patient-centric model that emphasizes convenience and experience, the physical infrastructure for the industry has comparatively lagged. An effort to catch up has turned many to the benefits of modular design for the development of new healthcare facilities.

View of modular units inside a facility.
Example of modular units.

Modular architecture is helping bridge that gap with healthcare facilities by simplifying coordination and install of multiple, complex infrastructural components that are often needed.

In addition to being more innovative and scalable in design, the cost-efficient nature of a modular approach is especially fitting an industry where creating the convenience for communities of nearby facilities is a priority. Considering the size of these projects, insulation from factors that often cause delays in construction (weather, labor shortage etc.) and other on-site complications is also an important consideration in getting healthcare facilities operational on schedule. These efficiencies also translate to cost savings and a better return on revenue.

Applying Creative Design Approaches to Architecture

Every project is unique and the options for bringing them to completion are numerous. The ability to deliver creative designs that meet a diverse set of client goals and project types is at the heart of our architecture practice. Modular design is just one approach in a world of possibilities to consider.

Take a closer look at our architecture work and learn more about a design-forward mentality that fits into a unique set of multidisciplinary capabilities.

Celebrating Pride Month: Five Perspectives in Showing up for the LGBTQIA+ Community

Posted on by OTAK Team

This month and every month – Otak unequivocally supports the LGBTQIA+ community.

It’s critical for us as an organization to not only set up policies and use our resources to create a welcoming, inclusive workplace for LGBTQIA+ people to contribute their professional passion at Otak, it’s also important to us to advocate for and demonstrate our commitment to psychological safety and inclusion.

From executive leadership to those in the field, we’ve gathered Otakian thoughts on what Pride Month means to all of us:

Graphic showing a quote on an inclusive workplace from the Otak CEO.

How is Otak Supporting our LGBTQIA+ Team Members?

Our support for the community shows up internally just as much as it does externally, and our policies are just one way we ensure all Otakians feel like they can be themselves at work.

In 2021, we updated the Otak Equal Opportunity Employer statement to be more than a check the box exercise to meet our compliance requirements. Our DEI Committee helped to draft our statement in a way that was more inclusive and speaks to Otak’s vision and commitment to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment. You can read more about it on our equal opportunity employer page!

Our medical benefits cover gender-affirming healthcare in full, and employees have full access to resources to help them navigate their journeys through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP). This isn’t just with one network. Otak also maintains a broader network of providers to ensure employees have the flexibility to find a provider they are comfortable with. We also carry this benefit across our insurance policies. All insurance plans Otak offers cover domestic and same-sex partners, a benefit that has been in place for over five years.

Graphic of a quote on supporting diversity in the workplace.

Training can come in a variety of ways while working at Otak. Our DEI Committee regularly hosts ‘Walk and Talk’ sessions where our teams walk to a nearby restaurant or happy hour while giving insight, perspectives, and stories related to social issue we face. We do this without judgement or censorship, because we welcome viewpoints that are opportunities to educate and inform – giving everyone a seat around table.

In fact, this month we’re leading a Walk and Talk for Pride with our communications lead, Tobias Wisner, where he will talk through proper use of pronouns, how to use more inclusive language, and how to be a better ally every month of the year.

What Does our Team Have to Say?

Hear directly from Otakians who wanted to share their experiences supporting the LGBTQIA+ community in honor of Pride, raising awareness for a few organizations close to their hearts. Using our platform to uplift is part of what we can do to continue that support throughout our business:

Graphic of a quote on creating an environment of belonging in the workplace.

Matt pointed to the Gender & Sexualities Alliance Network (formally the Gay Straight Alliance Network) as an organization important to him — a nationwide nonprofit founded in San Francisco in 1998 as a youth-driven collective that connects LGBTQIA+ youth and school-based GSA clubs through peer support, leadership development, and community organizing and advocacy. You can get involved at their website above!

Graphic of a quote on creating respect, empathy, and awareness in the workplace.

Tobias also had a nonprofit to share– The Trevor Project. This organization literally saves the lives of LGBTQIA+ young people daily, with a mission of ending the pervasive risk of suicide and self-harm among queer youth. They have resources like access to counselors in real time, learning materials on sexuality and gender identity, and spaces where LGBTQIA+ kids can meet and talk about their experiences. Whether you’re looking to volunteer or just learn, The Trevor Project is a great place to start.

Graphic of a quote on validating the growth of others.

In line with supporting her daughter, Tina pointed to Aces & Aros, an organization that seeks to raise awareness for asexual and aromantic people. Their mission is to spurn conversation about normative sexual identities, organize, educate, and advocate for the ace community on a national scale. We affirm with Tina that we stand with all queer people, no matter how they may identify, because we are all human and deserve no less.  Take a chance to learn more at their website!

Our support comes from listening and learning from our own staff and inviting conversation. When we listen and learn from each other, we ultimately create a better place to work – a place where all people can grow and thrive.

Learn more about Otak’s DEI work, and most importantly — Happy Pride!

Guiding Funds and Future Goals in CTE Center Development for Sheridan School District

Posted on by OTAK Team

What started as an idea in 2020 of developing a School District’s local career technical education (CTE) program, quickly turned into a more expansive vision as the Sheridan School District set their sights on a building.

The challenging question that confronted Sheridan SD Superintendent Dorie Vickery Ed.D was how to raise the funds for a projected $20M project. Ongoing efforts from SEDCOR (Strategic Economic Development Corporation) whose mission is “Serving Willamette Valley’s most unique and vital industries” generated commitments in various forms from companies such as Hampton Lumber, Tectonics Tuning, Cascade Steel and Forest River manufacturing (a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary).

Looking for additional support, Superintendent Vickery enlisted the aid of Emerald Flash LLC. Led by Brent Nielsen, the group was created from the simple proposition that organizations must combine agility with clarity of purpose. “We are firmly rooted in the concepts of innovation and change management. We work with our clients to help them build a message about their passions, but then we take this further. Our focus is to help organizations create tangible proof of their intent. These proofs of concept often challenge conventional wisdom; they show a different way of doing things.”

Emerald Flash, Superintendent Vickery, and other stakeholders (including the City of Sheridan, the Sheridan Fire Department, and Program Manager Otak) have been working to secure education funding from Local, State and Federal resources. For example, after submitting an initial request to the Oregon Budget Committee for $1.9 million from the Oregon Lottery, funding came through six months later to support the building’s purchase. The school district also received additional funding from other sources including a CTE revitalization grant, Yamhill County ARPA funds, and $500,000 from the Omnibus.

Four months after receiving funding, purchase of the 24,000 square-foot facility was complete. The facility, named after former Oregon Governor Barbara Roberts, is set to be the centerpiece of developing Sheridan School District’s CTE program, which aims to cultivate local talent and opportunities for students.

What is The Barbara Roberts CTE Center?

In 2021 Sheridan School District began creating CTE pathways with the vision of experiential classes and hand-on training opportunities that are open to high school students in Sheridan and surrounding districts. The development of a collaborative, regional CTE program will encourage more students to see the connection between their education and their future while cultivating pride in the pursuit of careers that require technical and trade skills.

The Barbara Roberts Career Technical Education Center (Roberts CTEC), spearheaded by Dorie Vickery, is a 24,000 square-foot facility that aims to fully develop the program. With the help of funding from the Oregon budget committee, Yamhill County ARPA funds, and a CTE revitalization grant, the building is currently in design and early construction procurement to renovate the entire building and site.

Why Are CTE Centers Critical for Education and Today’s Workforce?

CTE centers are crucial for education as trade jobs are increasingly in demand for a workforce experiencing a skilled labor shortage. For context, the application rate for technical jobs dropped by 49% between 2020 and 2022.

The CTE center offers programs in truck driving, manufacturing/welding, fire/EMT training, and agribusiness, with graduates being able to complete high school with monetizable skills and immediately earn a profitable living. The career pathways were selected based on Oregon employment data, leading to a living wage job, and employee demands from our local industries.

Rendering of the fire science facility at the Barbara Roberts Career Technical Education Center.

Fire Science

The Fire Science program will be developed in partnership with the Sheridan Fire District. Instructors for the program will be provided by Sheridan Fire, who will also coordinate funding and resources for a training tower to be built on site. Students who successfully complete the Fire Science tract will be prepared to demonstrate competency with regards to fire suppression and will have developed skills related to working as a team, personal responsibility, and professional communication.

Rendering of the diesel tech facility at the Barbara Roberts Career Technical Education Center.

Diesel and Heavy Equipment – Truck, Logistics & Diesel Mechanics

Students who participate in the Truck Driving and Diesel Mechanics program will develop foundational driving skills, as well as specific skills using a semi-truck driving simulator. Students will also learn basic mechanics for maintenance of diesel trucks. Long-term goals for this tract include a full-scale auto body and repair program.

Students who successfully complete this tract will be prepared to obtain their Commercial Driver’s license (CDL) and have hands-on experience with operation and basic maintenance of diesel trucks. Students will also have developed skills related to record-keeping, personal responsibility, and professional communication.

Rendering of the manufacturing lab facility at the Barbara Roberts Career Technical Education Center.

Manufacturing Technology

Manufacturing will utilize existing equipment and staffing to expand opportunities for students interested in career paths based on manufacturing skills. Students participating in this tract will also learn business skills necessary to run a small business. Students who successfully complete this tract will be able to operate basic equipment and tools, and have a basic understanding of the steps involved for setting up their own small business.

Rendering of the agribusiness lab facility at the Barbara Roberts Career Technical Education Center.

Agribusiness-Sustainable Plant Science and Technology

Agribusiness will focus on sustainable farming practices and bring large-scale agriculture into the classroom setting. Local resources, including visits to local farms and mentorships with local agricultural professionals will also help students understand the variety of careers available in agriculture. Students who complete the Agricultural Business tract will have an in-depth understanding of practices in a variety of careers related to agriculture, including business/sales, hands-on farming, and professional communication.

Higher Education Certification

All CTE programs will include instruction on post-secondary opportunities through community colleges, universities, trade schools and apprenticeships. CTE Pathways will be aligned with community college and trade school requirements. Students will be able to earn some college credits while in high school, and then complete the industry certification requirements at the college level.

The Impact of CTE Center Development

Roberts CTEC is set to make a significant impact, not just on the Sheridan community, but the greater workforce of Oregon. The Center will provide high school students with CTE courses aligned to industry standards, preparing the future workforce. Participating students across the West Valley region will be equipped to enter their industries or further their education with advanced certification. Sheridan School District recognizes the combined effort of Emerald Flash, Otak, and BRIC in the fundraising, project management, and design of the CTE center. 

Otak CPM is proud to be a supporter of the Roberts CTEC because of its expansive vision for empowering students to enter needed career and technical trades. If you would like to get involved in supporting this project, please contact Bob Collins, bob.collins@otak.com or Dorie Vickery, Superintendent about joining us in supporting this exciting and needed project.

Introducing Imagination (and Legos) to the Design Charrette Process with Friends of the Children-SW Washington

Posted on by OTAK Team

Critical to the design process in our architecture practice, the charrette represents a crucial step toward achieving practical, beautiful buildings with the needs of the community in mind. But what exactly is a design charrette?

Simply put, the design charrette is a short and collaborative meeting during which an architect or client can share their work with team members. It’s here where most ideation is done, where they can talk through, collaborate, and sketch while exploring and sharing diverse design ideas.

These charrettes are especially useful for projects that require many hands and even more inspiration. Given the importance of stakeholder engagement in this process, a unique approach (including Legos) seemed a natural fit in working with a non-profit aiming to inspire creativity in a new clubhouse.

“We center youth voice in all of our work and the decisions that we make. This feels like a great moment for the kids to see their ideas come to fruition, its empowering for them in a world where they aren’t often empowered.” 

Allison Pauletto, Executive Director – Friends of the Children-SW Washington

Who is Friends of the Children?

Friends of the Children-SW Washington is a chapter of a national organization established in 1993 in Portland, Oregon. The non-profit seeks to provide mentorship, care, and consistency for disadvantaged youths. It was founded on the principle that one of the strongest protective factors a child can have is a long-term, nurturing relationship with a consistent and caring adult.

Starting with just 24 kids and three adult ‘Friends’ in 1993, the organization has since grown to serve locations across the country including this Southwest Washington chapter. With great growth comes a great need for facilities that are innovative and built with community’s needs in mind, the community in this case being the kids Friends of the Children-SW Washington serve.

Friends of the Children stakeholders sit at a table during one of the design charrette activities.

Designing a Unique Charrette Process

While no two design charrettes are exactly alike, some are more creative that others. Given the goals for Friends of the Children in Southwest Washington, a unique approach to the design charrette process included the imagination of the same children who would eventually call the new clubhouse their own.

The architecture team ultimately designed two charrettes to gauge the needs of the organization and incorporate them into the facilities’ design.

Preliminary Brainstorm

To kick things off, the architects hosted a brainstorming activity to learn more about current facilities and what they mean to both the children and their ‘Friends,’ as well as the greater community. Five questions were posted on the wall meant to help us understand what the group already loves about their clubhouse. The purpose of this was to not lose the original vision of the clubhouse, but instead expand upon it — letting the children and their ‘Friends’ inform the design process directly.

In charrette number two, four more questions were posted on the wall, encouraging participants to use their full imaginations in ideating what the final project delivery should look like.

Responses to each brainstorming activity were placed on the wall with sticky notes, ultimately creating word clouds and design concepts, all of which were used to find out what the clubhouse means to the Friends of the Children-SW Washington.

Photo of whiteboards used to collect answers to questions during the design charrette.
Example word cloud asking, "What types of outdoor activities should your facility provide," from the design charrette with Friends of the Children
Example word cloud asking, "when you are at the clubhouse, how does it make you feel," from the design charrette with Friends of the Children

Lego Charrette: Creation Stations for a Reimagined Clubhouse

After these brainstorming sessions, three groups were created for breakout sessions and assigned one of three ‘Creation Stations,’ complete with Legos to define how the pieces of the new clubhouse could potentially fit together, using the brainstorm and Otak staff to inform their design choices.

“These are the connections our kids need to make them understand architecture, where they can see how art and creativity are used in the real world.”

Allison Pauletto, Executive Director – Friends of the Children-SW Washington

Broken into the categories, “Interiors, Adjacencies & Outdoor Spaces, and Landscape”, the Legos used at each Creation Station were strategic. Allowing the children to figuratively build their own space exposed them to the exploration of architecture and landscape architecture in a tangible, tactile way, inspiring imagination and creativity even further.

Outlining Clubhouse Site Facilities

Each of the three groups arrived at Creation Station #1 to find a 24”x24” piece of green poster paper and premade 3-dimensional shapes built with Legos that represented (to scale) the new clubhouse and other features, including the parking lot and exterior patios.

The groups were presented with the story that a big, new gym building had come down from the sky and landed in a large, grassy field (think Dorothy’s house in The Wizard of Oz). Each group’s job was to arrange the nine primary outdoor activities around the gym building.

One by one, the kids talked about where each of the functional areas should be. They sometimes explored a possibility only to discover a better location.

This exercise led them to consider what activities function well next to each other and what activities require space or separation. For instance, the children considered placing quiet activities next to quiet, noisy next to noisy. The kids were eager to add things initially overlooked, such as a pond, a basketball court, bicycle riding trails, a bicycle storage room, and a barbecue area, to name a few.

An Otak architect working with children during the Friends of the Children design charrette.

Identifying Ideal Interior Amenities

The focus then shifted to the clubhouse’s interior, and the children and their Friends were tasked with imagining the type of amenities the new clubhouse should have, either building their idea with more Legos or illustrating it.

Everything from new gaming consoles to interactive furniture to places to do homework, the children wasted no time in imagining what their space could be. Their Friends also identified needs for a coffee station, a full kitchen, a break room, and more board games. The design element is especially important here, as the needs of the organization directly informed Otak’s choices for the project for the greater community’s benefit.

Children using Legos during the Friends of the Children design charrette.

Creating Outdoor Spaces

The three groups were then asked to represent their outdoor activities and desired amenities through, you guessed it, more Legos. Several children built creations that represented outdoor equipment (i.e., basketball hoop, tree house) while others created scenes that captured different activities or amenities (i.e., pond with a basketball court, a game of rock tag).

The groups were then given markers and trace paper overlaid on a large aerial photo of a potential clubhouse site. They were asked to brainstorm what types of activities they wanted to see outside the clubhouse and then identify the best locations for each. The kids discussed and made decisions as a group on where facilities or activities should be located and the spatial arrangement and relationships between them.

Some key themes emerged between both the kids and their Friends:

  • Creating a ‘backyard’ for the children, Friends and community that provides different spaces, facilities and activities that evoke a sense of belonging or ownership.
  • Providing a balance of loud outdoor areas and quiet spaces throughout all seasons.
  • Separating activity areas to accommodate different age groups and activity types.
  • Connecting indoor and outdoor spaces
  • Providing access to nature and the environment through outdoor learning spaces
  • Preserving friendships through outdoor art or installations that live across generations
  • Establishing a safe and secure clubhouse and backyard (i.e., perimeter fencing, no pool, no trampoline)
A group collaborating during the Friends of the Children design charrette.

Concluding the Design Charette: A Roundtable Discussion for Preliminary Decision Making

The final session in our second charrette with the Friends was a roundtable open discussion and preliminary decision-making process to identify the necessary spaces that would be designed in the clubhouse, and determine a sufficient square footage or size for each space.

As the group discussed each space, significant feedback from the Friends provided insight into what is needed for these spaces to function successfully, be fully utilized, and accommodate long-term growth.

Establishing Project Programming

This exercise regarding programming set the precedent for the following discussion about adjacencies and how the programming would translate into a visual spatial arrangement. As an example, the group was shown a Lego model created by the children at Creation Station #2 reflecting their thoughts on where different spaces should go and their relationship to others.

The goal was to encourage everyone to reflect on how they move and function throughout the current clubhouse and imagine their role in these new spaces, and a roundtable discussion is perfect for hashing out the multitude of ideas the children and their Friends came up with.

Group photo at the Otak office during the Friends of the Children design charrette.
Friends of the Children at Otak’s Vancouver office with the architecture team

A Closer Look at Community-Focused Design

Throughout this unique design charrette process, community engagement and stakeholder involvement were paramount, and baked into the ideation phase seamlessly to understand the needs of Friends of the Children-SW Washington from not just an adults perspective, but from active users of the space – the children. This approach is critical to the ‘why’ of not just Otak Architecture, but Otak as a whole.

Check out more work from our architecture team, and we can’t wait to continue to report on this unique project. Thank you to Friends of the Children for having us, and we’re excited to get started!

Otak Welcomes Interns from HanmiGlobal

Posted on by OTAK Team

Through Otak’s work with numerous organizations fostering the next generation of talent in the AEC industry, we believe in uplifting and equipping young professionals looking to make an impact.

Over the last quarter, we’ve been excited to host Kyle (Jinwook) Jang and Jina Park, two interns from our parent company, HanmiGlobal (HG), who visited our Portland office to learn practical applications of their studies with our Architecture practice area.

We sat down with Kyle and Jina to talk about their time visiting Otak, what they’ve been learning with the architecture department, and some of the things they love about visiting the United States (and the Pacific Northwest in particular).

Meet Kyle

Graphic introducing Kyle, an HG intern visiting Otak architecture.

Kyle is a rising star with two degrees in Architecture to his name. He earned his Bachelors in architecture at Chinese University of Hong Kong, and quickly followed that by earning his Masters in architecture back in his home city of Seoul, South Korea.

Kyle says the most valuable things he’s learning while visiting Otak is effective management skills and a deeper understanding of global markets when it comes to building and design, something HG puts a high degree of importance on when they send interns overseas. He explains, “It’s great to get a fresh perspective on design and my work that I can bring home with me, and I’m only getting more experience with different types of building codes in working with Otak.”

When asked why he was interested in visiting Otak, he emphasized that our rich history in the PNW and “commitment to society” immediately drew him in:

“I was especially impressed with Otak’s work for social good in the community and I’m grateful to learn at a firm with such a strong dedication to sustainability.”

More than just learning to be a better designer with renderings and assembly drawings, Kyle made the point of telling us what he loves about Portland and the PNW at large. He quickly grew to appreciate Portland craft breweries, the famous 10 Barrel Brewing Co. being his favorite, and it didn’t take long for him to become a fan of the Portland Trailblazers after going to a game.

Kyle is grateful for the opportunity to learn with both HG and Otak, and is excited to take his new lived experiences with him home to Korea. We return that gratitude and know that he will immediately make an impact in the built environment.

Meet Jina

Graphic introducing Jina, an HG intern visiting Otak architecture.

Jina visited Otak already with a Bachelors degree in architecture from Hanyang University in Seoul. With aspirations of earning her Masters when she returns home, she says Otak’s interdisciplinary practices were what she values most. She explains, “HG often wants people with experience in a variety of fields within the industry. Otak’s work seemed to fit with that, and I wanted to learn as much as I could about other practices in the industry.”

Her favorite aspect of architecture is seeing it all come together, relishing the chance to go to construction sites and see designs rise from the drawing to a real building. She also appreciates the opportunity to learn and gain a global understanding of the AEC industry:

“I really get to learn the details of the work here, and feel like I have a deeper understanding of the design process in general since coming to Otak.”

Jina also didn’t want to leave out her favorite aspects of Portland and the greater area. She quickly grew to love the famous Voodoo Donuts and AFURI Ramen & Dumpling, and says she’s spent hours wandering through Powell’s Books looking for a good read.

Building Careers with Otak and Beyond

Kyle and Jina shared a similar sentiment about Otak and the PNW, the access to nature was amazing, the people were nice from the beginning, and each of them felt deeply involved with our operations in Architecture from the very start.

Not only are we grateful to be able to host such talented young architects, but we are also emphatic in wishing each of them the best with the rest of their careers. Thank you for visiting us, Kyle and Jina!

How to Manage Overtourism: Identifying Problems and Solutions

Posted on by OTAK Team

For today’s traveler it’s a common, if not inescapable sight—crowds of people seemingly everywhere. This includes places where, in the past, this may not have been the case. Significant growth in tourism across the globe in recent decades has given rise to ‘overtourism’ or simply put, too many visitors in one place at one time.

The trend of overtourism has brought the practice of visitor use management (more commonly found within outdoor recreation areas) into focus for a wider variety of locations. In this piece, we’ll explore the meaning of overtourism, the problems it can create, and solutions for managing its impact that balance site preservation with quality visitor experiences.

Read on or skip ahead:

What is Overtourism?

Overtourism is the impact of tourism on a destination or location that excessively impacts quality of life for local communities, habitats and/or the overall quality of visitor experiences in a negative way.

It’s important to note that overtourism is relative to capacity and specifics of each location. Local infrastructure, facilities, community and ecology are all among the details that determine where overtourism is a problem and help define the needed solutions. 

Problems of Overtourism

With the exploding popularity of destinations across the globe, it follows that overtourism bears a huge impact on those spaces.

Overtourism, especially by those who may not be familiar with visiting national parks and historical sites, brings certain pressures on systems of visitor use management that wouldn’t otherwise be there. That unfamiliarity can create conflict when it comes to guidelines of where they’re visiting, which is all the more reason why visitor use management is becoming increasingly important to preserve spaces and protect people.

The Social Media Impact on Overtourism

In many ways the information age has been a boon to tourism. The ability to find and travel to locations across the globe has increased dramatically. At the same time, for many destinations, heightened visibility now often comes with a cost.

With the rise of social media, scenic locations have been exposed to overtourism through the viral popularity that can come with sharing a destination on these platforms. The visual nature – Instagram in particular – makes the travel industry ripe for social media and the way “influencer” dynamics can quickly drive people to action in pursuit of likes and followers.

Whether it be through general awareness or attempts to replicate perceived success over social media, these platforms’ impact on overtourism – both for well-known and new locations alike – is already apparent and growing.

Overtourism Solutions

When addressing overtourism challenges, a delicate balance found in visitor use management comes into play. Does one use an unobtrusive and indirect approach? Or does one need a more intrusive and direct intervention method when thresholds are broken? The answer is: it depends.

Many issues are specific to the parks and geographies, but can also be understood as a regional system. Consider the questions behind how local use is dispersed – Where are visitors going? What are they doing in light of crowding and increased use of natural spaces?

These questions have not only local implications, but also regional and international impacts when applied to other historic sites where tourism abounds. Professionals in Visitor Use Management need to have a high-level understanding of the system and ask themselves practical questions about how people actually behave, whether they be at a National Park or at the Eiffel Tower.

3 Types of Overtourism Examples

As discussed, a quickly growing travel environment has made the issue of overtourism relevant to an increasing number of locations. Growing accessibility to reach destinations more quickly and at further distances, coupled with rising interest a broader array of destinations, has lead to a trend that’s sure to continue.

There are some primary examples of overtourism where the impact is already abundantly clear and, in many cases, where solutions have already begun to be put in place.

Iconic Destinations

Some of the places experiencing the most acute impacts of overtourism are naturally those that have already traditionally been popular tourism destinations. Many of these locations are also very old, which can leave them particularly vulnerable since their infrastructure often isn’t designed to handle modern visitor use capacities.

  • Venice, Italy
  • Machu Picchu, Peru
  • Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • Santorini, Greece

Encouraging travel during non-peak seasons and limiting the amount of visitors allowed to certain areas of a given destination are just a couple of the strategies being used to help combat the negative impacts of overtourism.

Historic Sites, Museums and Public Attractions

While the impacts of overtourism can be clearly seen in its effect on natural landscapes, the same challenges are felt at other types of popular public attractions. This is especially relevant for museums and historic sites that have sensitive, often fragile, aspects of their value. Visitor flow at these public sites now often being optimized using the elements of a visitor use management framework.

Overtourism at US National Parks

View of crowded parking from Acadia Visitor Use Study
Otak Project: Acadia National Park Transportation and Visitor Capacities Study

The US National Park System (NPS) has largely been a victim of its own success. A concerted effort over the years to grow interest in natural landscapes as well as growing popularity with outdoor recreation activities has taken its toll on the parks experience and natural resources.

While still fairly new in practice, the visitor use management framework has quickly become prevalent in the National Park System as well as other public land recreation areas. The framework’s principles of establishing desired conditions, identifying indicators, and setting thresholds and triggers are now being used to address overcrowding on trails and parking. They also protect the valuable natural resources that make these destinations the irreplaceable scenes they are.

Celebrating Surveyors Week: A Closer Look at Otak’s Survey Team

Posted on by OTAK Team

Otak is happy to introduce a week near and dear to our hearts. Starting today and going through this Saturday the 25th is National Surveyors week!

Surveyors’ week was created to provide a time for everyone in our profession to think about the impact surveyors have on society, to inform the general public about our work, and to share how enjoyable and impactful a land surveying career is.

To celebrate National Surveyor’s Week, we’re shining the spotlight on our beloved survey team and taking a closer look at what makes survey one of our most integral and far-reaching practice areas. Otak’s team is made up of 18 people working from three offices in Oregon and Washington, with a regional presence that includes Oregon, Washington, California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Colorado, North Dakota, and South Dakota. With the help of partners, we also work in Alaska and Hawaii.

Our clients range from Federal agencies to national freight and passenger railroads, to local jurisdictions and even a homeowner from time to time. The variety of work Otak Survey does, along with the diversity of places we do it, is unique and very enjoyable.

What is Surveying?

Land Surveying is a profession as old as the concept of land ownership. The earliest known surveying practices date back to 1400 BC, when land was measured for taxation purposes in Egypt. The position of land surveyor has been held in esteem for just as long. In Oregon, the Office of County Surveyor is in the Constitution (Article VI, Section 8) and is still an elected position in several counties.

Surveyors are historians, measurers, mathematicians, mediators, and treasure hunters, using tools that have been around for a thousand years alongside the latest in modern technology and equipment. Our field and office surveyors map, measure, search, find, set, calculate, adjust, draw, compute, stake, read, scan, fly, float, and plat – sometimes all in the same day.

Meet Otak’s Survey Team

Otak’s survey group is a team that works together for everyone’s success. With a strong foundation of legacy staff, our team members range from seasoned experts to growing talent. All have important perspectives and skills to contribute, and that shows up in our work every day. Below are pictures of Otak field surveyors in their natural element.

Surveyor Week graphic showing Bob Hawkes at Coffee Lakes Creek
Surveyor Week graphic showing Kora Autrey on site
Surveyor Week graphic showing Jeff Johnson on site
Surveyor Week graphic showing David Breneman on site
Surveyor Week graphic showing Katelyn Wright on site
Surveyor Week graphic showing Kevin Cullen on site
Surveyor Week graphic showing Chris Wiley on site
Surveyor Week graphic showing Joel Lundeen on site
Survey Week graphic showing David Finley in the field
Survey Week graphic showing Christian Sumner in the field

Of course, most of the pictures are in pleasant conditions and in nice places – but field surveyors work in the elements every day. That may mean it’s wet, muddy, cold, raining, freezing, next to a freeway, or so remote that hiking into it can take hours. The next day that it’s terrible outside, remember, Otak’s field surveyors are probably out in the weather!

Some of Otak Survey’s recent projects include:

  • Trimet’s Division Transit Project and nearly every light rail line in the Portland area
  • Multiple segments of the Willamette Water Supply Pipeline from Wilsonville to Hillsboro, Oregon
  • Community Transit’s Orange Line and several other light rail lines in the Puget Sound region.
  • A new 6-mile industrial spur track in Mesa, AZ, for a national freight railroad.

Otak’s survey team uses satellites, robotic total stations, drones, scanners, unmanned boats, and 360° cameras – and as technology advances, so will our utilization of the latest and greatest surveying equipment available.

The Legacy of Otak’s Survey Practice Area

Otak has been providing land surveying throughout its entire history as a firm, with seasoned professionals who have been with us for 30+ years.

We’ve also had four generations of the Lundeen family that have worked for Otak Survey. The first generation started with Gary Lundeen, who worked at Otak for 30+ years until retirement. Gary’s son Joel Lundeen is currently at 29 years with Otak and counting. Generation three included two of Joel’s sons who have since moved on to other careers. Other long-time survey employees that have built the foundation of Otak’s survey practice include: Chris Wiley (24 years), Jerry Osgood (25 years), Mike Rusch (30 years), David Finley (20+ years), and David Breneman (24 years).

“Bob Hawes marked his 39th anniversary with Otak this year!  Bob works harder and smarter than most.  His tenure gives him a perspective that is nearly unobtainable.”

– Jon Yamashita, Director of Survey

Quality design depends on quality mapping – so early on it was decided that control of the mapping and surveying process was a key to Otak’s overall quality of work. It didn’t take long for word to spread that Otak’s surveying group provided high-quality services – very quickly our client list expanded to work for local and state agencies. We continue to work on on-call contracts with agencies that were initially won decades ago – and some agencies now find that there is more institutional knowledge of their land surveying history at Otak then they have internally.

Celebrating our Staff

Please join us in thanking the Otak Survey Team during International Surveyors’ Week!  We’re grateful to have an expert team that is engaged in their work, quick to laugh, and always working on something fun.

Interested in joining the team? Head to our career page!