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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!

How Engineering Impacts More Than the Built Environment

Posted on by OTAK Team

The science of engineering is the backbone of the environment we construct around us, and many people perceive engineering in its most common ways. For example, both civil and structural applications are when engineers are most in the spotlight and is arguably the first thing people think about when considering what “engineering” means. These practice areas are often the most visible because they are physical and affect our daily lives as both participators in the built environment and also as members of society.

“I love being able to see a project come to life. It is quite a spectacular feeling to know I have helped bring someone’s idea into reality.”

Hailey Sibert – Otak Civil Designer

However, engineering can be much more varied than meets the eye, and the practice area is defined by the broader applications that a multidisciplinary approach can have on not only the built environment, but also on the communities that call that environment home.

In this post, we’ll explore the ways in which engineering affects multiple facets of society, and show just how important the intersectional practice is to fully functioning communities.

View of transportation design

Getting People Around, In Multiple Ways

Transportation engineering immediately comes to mind when thinking about the lesser thought applications of the profession. Options for transportation in the built environment don’t just spring up out of nowhere, and the impact that high functioning transportation infrastructure on communities is hard to overstate.

Quality transportation engineering improves how community members get from place to place and serves as a great socioeconomic equalizer. By increasing access to jobs, opportunities, and services through breaking down transportation barriers, engineering directly uplifts disadvantaged groups within municipalities by ensuring everyone gets an equal shot at getting there.

Multi-modal transportation also plays a role here. Communities don’t solely consist of cars, trains, and busses. Designing pedestrian-friendly areas allow neighborhoods to flourish and encourages healthier, more walkable lifestyles among citizens. Greater still, access between point A to point B is improved for those who do opt for public transport, which decreases reliance on cars. This means everything from sustainability perspective, and it’s all made possible through quality engineering that’s designed to move people, not just vehicles.

Using The Natural Flow of Things

The environmental intersections of engineering with purpose are also huge components of quality design. When we envision communities, we design with natural surroundings and not despite them. By doing this, we place an emphasis on low impact development (LID) which gives way to developing green stormwater infrastructure.

The best part about being a civil engineer is building connections. We building infrastructures and improve transportation networks that connect people and communities.

Eva Ho – Otak Civil Engineer

Without a multidisciplinary approach to this type of engineering, the greener aspects of project work may go unnoticed, or natural systems in place may be harmed or interrupted. Instead, engineers can design around habitats by understanding water flow and hydraulics of the site. In this way , water and natural resources engineers play a critical role in making communities not only sustainable for humans, but also more habitable for other forms of wildlife that may exist alongside something out of the built environment.

Helping the Rain Go Away

Quality water resources engineering also helps us answer unique questions about planning and design, including ones in relation to stormwater and surface water management. One might ask themselves, “When the rain falls, where does it go?”

The answer? It’s been engineered to flow through the community in helpful ways. For one, understanding water detention and retention prevents flooding for neighborhoods already in place. Second, it ensures quality of water for communities and natural habitats impacted by the local watershed and stormwater runoff — engineering for the community of life, not just for people.

“My [engineering] work has given me the opportunity to wear many different (hard) hats. I’ve designed cable stay bridges, a variety of buildings, sculptures… every day is an adventure!”

Greg Mines – Otak Structures Engineer

This ultimately helps prevent more vulnerable communities and areas from experiencing the effects of increased or harmful precipitation by injecting climate resiliency into the existing system, something a traditionally structural engineer might not consider. When multifaceted engineers are tasked with a project, they come up with a multi-pronged way of looking at a project that does more than just house, shelter, or get people to work on time.

Finding the Perfect Place for a Project

Engineering helps us answer even more pertinent questions about the built environment and our relationship with it, even before construction begins. So, just what happens on a site before we start building on it? Choosing the right spot to begin work involves a lot more than one would think.

Scrupulous engineering considers all the possibilities in order to find the right place for a project based on a goals and initial design, giving way to the practice of site development. Coming up with creative, practical, buildable, and permittable solutions is the work of engineers as well, and good ones are context sensitive (to cultural and natural resources that exist around a site) before building starts. Design efficiency has everything to do with pre-construction, from choice of materials to making sure things go smoothly from both a budget and site complications perspective. Engineering opens doors to deeper understanding of a project, not just the calculus to get it done, to ensure timely project delivery.

Enjoying Outdoor Spaces

As much impact as good engineering can have, sometimes the work is about leaving that impact with a minimal footprint. This can not only benefit clients, but members of the community that the project might impact. So much of engineering is about enhancing our open spaces and natural landscapes with low-profile infrastructure that allows for greater access and enjoyment from the populace, which can be as simple as a well-placed jungle gym or as complex as designing administrative facilities for parks and natural attractions.

Bike paths, multi-use paths, all of these are often not thought of as a crucial bit of engineering, however they double down on active transportation of the area while continuing to encourage a healthy lifestyle.

Trails and trailheads play a similar role — allowing people to access and connect with nature while preserving the spaces in which they exist and generating interest in the natural environment while in an effort to preserve it.

The thing I like most about working at Otak is the awesome, interdisciplinary team that I get to work with.

Chris Romeyn – Otak Sr. Water Resources Engineeer

And again, even before construction or the start of a project, feasibility studies in these environments also fall into the wheelhouse of engineering, ensuring the safety, sustainability, and resiliency of the site so people can enjoy it, catching problems in advance that might hinder project completion.

Multiple Engineering Disciplines, One Team

The work of engineers at Otak is multi-faceted and interdisciplinary, and we’re proud that our work goes toward the betterment of the communities we serve. The voices, experience and expertise of the engineering teams within our ranks reflects what their work means to them. Take a closer look at the depth and breadth of project work from one of our most esteemed and recognizable practice areas.

Meet the Team: Otak’s Denver Architecture Studio

Posted on by OTAK Team

Otak’s architectural practice extends well beyond the borders of the Pacific Northwest. We also have roots in the Rocky Mountains, and as we continue to build a robust team of architects in our studio, we’re happy to announce that our investment in the Denver Metro area has never been stronger.

Our Louisville office has been in Colorado for years, and with the opening of our Denver studio we remain excited about playing an active role in what make’s Denver’s built environment so interesting. From Coors Field to Larimer Square to Union Station, the history of Denver’s architecture is storied and worthy of praise across the country. Now, Otak lives where that story is most prominent — Downtown Denver.

Our ‘One Otak’ approach plays a critical role here, and the values of our whole company align with the impact we’re making in Denver. When you work with us, you work with multidisciplinary professionals who are able to look at a project and see not only the macro elements, but also the micro details of how it will affect communities and people that live in whatever space we occupy.

All of this is why Otak thinks it best to introduce the world to our Denver studio, and talk more about our appreciation for both them and our ability to serve the area.

In this piece, Otak invites you to meet our stellar Denver Architecture team, and learn more about where that team is involved, the type of work we do, and how we prioritize that work.

Otak’s History in Colorado

Though our architecture presence in Denver is new in comparison, Otak has been serving the Rocky Mountain West throughout nearly our whole history out of multiple locations in the state. Just some of our milestone projects in the region include: It’s a history that includes a variety of services and a number of milestone projects in the region that include a few recent highlights:

Aerial view of the "Linking Lookout" Interchange

“Linking Lookout” Interchange (2017)

Designed to serve as an urban park as well as a major multi-modal transportation conduit, the US6 and 19th Street interchange improved connectivity between residential areas and the Colorado School of Mines campus, while also improving the vehicular level of service. The concept would also lead to work on the “Heritage Lid” Interchange design project.

Reimagining the Colfax and Federal Cloverleaf (2018)

The 29-acre cloverleaf intersection of Colfax Avenue and Federal Boulevard represented one of the most dangerous intersections for pedestrians and bicyclists in Denver. Otak led the design of transportation infrastructure modifications with numerous stakeholders and hosted public participation meetings in reimagining the area.

Led process to reimagine a dangerous intersection in Denver
Construction work being done at Godfrey Ditch

Godfrey Ditch Diversion Structure Reconstruction (2020)

In partnership with Naranjo Civil Constructors, this complete design-build project replaces the Godfrey Ditch Diversion structure located on the Middle South Platte River in Weld County, Colorado. The multiple-benefit diversion project reduced sediment transport disruptions, improved maintenance requirements, limited damage potential from future floods, enhanced aquatic and riparian habitats, and enable fish and safe recreational boating passage—all while delivering the full decree of water.

Why Denver?

Our presence in Denver serves distinct strategic purposes. For one, it opens up our practice to projects in urbanized areas — places where Otak services are needed. From affordable housing and mission critical facilities to mixed use and multifamily high rises, Otak has experience with addressing and exceeding the needs of both our clients and the community.

Second, being in Denver expands our footprint in the region for growing involvement with the community. From this location, we continue to build on our core commitments of equity and sustainability with both the projects we take on in the area and as part of our broader business operations.

On the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains, Denver is uniquely positioned to provide a perfect addition for our continued work with preserving our natural landscapes. From projects with the National Park Service to studies involving our visitor use management and water and natural resources teams, the deep connection between Denver and the value of outdoor spaces will enhance our own emphasis in that area.

Meet the Denver Architecture Team

Headshot for Kurt Basford

Kurt Basford – Denver Studio Lead

“For me, architecture has always been a passion. As a young artist, I connected with the profession as a physical extension of my creativity. Designing spaces that inspire and shape our cultural dynamics bring me joy in every project. Being raised around construction sites and building a background in finance, I have been able to bring these experiences to the built environment to create meaningful spaces, balance the art + science of architecture, and deliver innovative solutions for our clients. Architecture has allowed me to travel the world working with incredible clients and afforded me the experience of every building type. It truly is a joy to be an architect and I enjoy my work with colleagues every day. I can honestly say I love my job as every day is a new adventure.”

Kelly Buchanan – Architect

“Architecture is about people and placemaking. I believe in the power of placemaking and crafting spaces to be inclusive, sustainable, and relevant. Having studied in Las Vegas, Portland, OR, and a brief time in Italy, I have seen how architecture adapts to the context and culture of a place. I grew up along the front range and moved to Denver to once again be closer to family. I’ve always appreciated the unique style of Mountain West architecture and the influence of both the mountains and prairies. The natural landscape is deeply embedded in the culture of Colorado communities and offers an exciting backdrop for practicing architecture and place-based problem solving.”

Headshot of Kelly Buchanan
Zaq Dahallow EcoDistricts AP LEED Green Associate Designer

Zaq Dohallow – Designer

“I chose a career in architecture in order to better serve my passion for integrating nature into the built environment. Architecture is one of many options for addressing the challenges related to a rapidly changing climate, however, architecture and design also provide an outlet for creativity and inventive thought. Designing buildings and spaces in Colorado is a welcome challenge. Due to our extreme weather and drastically different seasonal considerations Colorado buildings are a great way to expand our understanding of flexible and adaptive design. Energy saving strategies and passive measures are tested in our hot and cold, wet and dry seasons and provide a template for strategies which can be applied to various parts of the world with more stable weather patterns.”

Levi Wall – Architect

“Like many architects, I found architecture first through Legos, but also from gleaning art and woodworking skills from my mom, which got me hooked on shaping the physical world. Colorado is a great place to practice architecture for many of the same reasons it’s an great place to live: the natural beauty, the vibrant growing cities, and a dynamic business environment all provide the context for beautiful architecture. Population growth and climate change also bring challenges to our way of life, which are exciting challenges to address in designing the built environment.”

Headshot of Levi Wall
Headshot of Tom Hoover.

Tom Hoover – Architect

“I became interested in Architecture at a very young age, 8 years old to be exact.  My family moved to Colorado after time in Europe and my parents procured a piece of land on a hilltop with fabulous views to the west.  My parents collected several Herman Miller & Eames furniture pieces long before I knew what good design translated to.  My parents engaged the services of an architect whom designed a mid-century modern home nestled into that hillside.  Growing up in that house, in a mountain setting, with choreographed interior elements that supplemented the feel of the space gave me an appreciation for how it came together through the architect.  I grew up with desire to create fabulous spaces & experiences in Colorado doing just what that architect did.”

Karen Smith – Interior Designer

“I feel privileged to live in such a beautiful place and have witnessed a coming of age with local and national architectural groups.  I had the opportunity to work for some local icons that were Colorado natives, and now of course everyone wants to be here!  Throughout my career I have learned that working in tandem with architects yields the greatest results for the overall vision of the project.  Blending the two disciplines seamlessly is one area where I have great expertise and an ongoing passion. Above all, design is a way of thinking, of looking at the world around us, and appreciating the fine details.  There’s no better place to do this than here!”

Headshot of Karen Smith.

Interested in joining the Denver architecture team, take a look at openings here!

What Does the Denver Architecture Team Do?

As a multidisciplinary firm, it follows that our people have multifaceted experience and a holistic view of all kinds of projects. Our team’s industry knowledge is extensive — our main areas of expertise are as follows:

Primary

Secondary

Tertiary

  • Architecture
  • Interior Design
  • Specification Proficiency
  • Master Planning
  • Visitor Use Management Integration
  • Program Planning
  • Fixtures, Furnishings, and Equipment (FFE)
  • Historic Preservation Data Driven Design (Parametric/Algorithmic)3D/Meta Design
  • Contract Administration/Forensic Services
  • Human Factors Engineering (HFE)
  • Post Occupancy Analysis (with VUM)
  • Smart Cities Pre-Design Consultant Services Signage/Branding
  • Code Consulting

What Motivates the Studio?

The values that bind the Denver studio are distinct while still falling under our ‘One Otak’ umbrella, and much of our work in the PNW translates directly into the work we do in Colorado. From affordable housing, higher education, civic, and institutional to specializations including corporate offices, data facilities, and mission critical infrastructure, Denver injects expertise and community involvement at every step of project delivery.

In line with our Green Otak (GO) and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, Denver also undertakes projects where environmental resilience meets serving underrepresented communitiesTo serve these projects, the team is involved with organizations like Housing Colorado and the Urban Land Institute.

In summary the Denver studio is strategically placed and positioned to serve clients in the Denver Metro area with a unique perspective, one that’s distinctly Otak.

A Piece of the Otak Architecture Puzzle

Otak’s Denver studio exists to impact a variety of new bottom lines when it comes to serving clients, which expands our reach and relationships even further into the state of Colorado. It’s a crucial new piece of Otak that aligns with our greater architecture practice and strategy.

With our new Denver office opening this past year, learn more about our whole architecture business unit. Otak is proud to take this step in our continuing commitment to resilient, practical, and beautiful design.

Sustainability In Action: See How One Bridge Engineer Puts a New Spin on Biking to Work

Posted on by OTAK Team

Sustainability is now a top priority for firms across the globe. According to a recent Mckinsey poll, a larger share of executives now say that sustainability programs make a positive contribution to their companies’ value both in the short and long term. 

Greater still, over a third of global consumers are now willing to pay more for sustainability-integrated services and products. Now more than ever, individuals are both looking for more environmentally sensitive alternatives and looking to firms to champion resilient initiatives. 

“When you’re going and inspecting pedestrian bridges, being a pedestrian just feels right.”

David Graff – Otak Bridge Engineer

Given the information, the time has never been better for people and firms to truly live their sustainable values—not only to internal stakeholders but also to external partners and communities.  

Otak is excited to highlight a Bridge Project Engineer in Colorado who is truly living those values especially on the jobsite. 

We would like to introduce you to David Graff, who biked 22.7 miles over three days through the City of Aurora for a single project—both to reduce his carbon footprint and get a leg up on his competitors in the art of pedestrian bridge inspection. 

A Sustainable Approach to Pedestrian Bridge Inspection

Who is David? 

David Graff, P.E. is a leading voice in our firm for bridge engineering in the Rocky Mountain West. Serving as project manager for bridge inspections and replacements throughout the region, his career is one of excellence at the highest standard. As a member of our structural engineering practice, David is also a certified bridge inspector for the National Highway Institute (NHI).  

He also happens to be one of Otak’s best cyclists, and calls the back roads and pedestrian areas of Colorado his backyard. A bike commuter and environmentalist through and through, David had long awaited a chance to merge his love of cycling and the love of his work—what he calls “Two of my favorite things.” It took one RFP dropping from the City of Aurora to give David that chance. 

What’s the Project? 

The City of Aurora PROS 2022 Bridge Inspections project is one uniquely fit for David and his talents. In addition to being a certified NHI bridge inspector, David has also been running inspections on pedestrian bridges for years in other cities like Vail and Aspen—a niche market in the Colorado region. He specializes in full scale inspection, or the art of inspecting every bridge within a given municipality for deficiencies, structural soundness, and overall ability to serve the community where the bridge lies. 

The problem in Aurora? A notable pedestrian bridge suffering from erosion and a washed away backfill underneath the approach lapse. David and his team were able to win an initial contract for the bridge in question, and later sold the city on inspections and service for every pedestrian bridge in Aurora.  

Thanks to perseverance and long-standing relationships in Colorado, David was tapped to lead this charge behind this renewed effort to fortify and inspect pedestrian bridges across the community.  

Map showing David Graff's bike path for bridge inspection
Mapping David’s Bridge Inspection Bike Path

Why Bike to Each Site? 

In David’s own words, “When you’re going and inspecting pedestrian bridges, being a pedestrian just feels right.” To truly experience the bridges in their full capacity, David felt that he needed to “be a pedestrian” to do his best work. Besides making the work more enjoyable, he also found that riding his bike would be more efficient from both a time and sustainability standpoint. 

Parking is limited in many of these spaces where pedestrian bridges exist, like the ones on the Highline Canal Trail and Sand Creek Park. Armed with just a bike, David was able to saddle right up to each bridge and perform a full inspection as an active user. Saving time walking between a car and the site, while also saving emissions by biking seemed immediately like a no brainer. 

What Did David Find? 

There are three categories of deficiencies that every bridge inspector looks out for on a trip to a site: 

  • Maintenance – Basic upkeep. Things like trimming trees that are growing underneath bridge, clean debris.
  • Preventative – Things that aren’t problems yet, but if not addressed could become a problem. 
  • Repair – Deficiencies that could threaten structural integrity or safety of bridge. Should be address before next inspection or immediately. 

While he’s only a third of the way through the full-scale inspection cycle, those he’s visited look to be in good shape out of the 26 he’s biked to this year. 

More Than Just Bridge Inspectors 

Of course, pedestrian bridges differ from vehicular bridges.  

Vehicular bridges tend to be bigger and have traffic moving faster making deficiencies more difficult to notice in passing and potentially more hazardous. And when it comes to pedestrian bridges, there also isn’t a governing body that ensures certain standards are met, which can lead to the maintenance of pedestrian bridges being more likely to fall by the wayside. Still, in either case, it’s ultimately the same expertise and principles come into play for inspection. 

David stresses here that himself and his team are not just bridge inspectors—they’re bridge engineers, meaning that they’re capable of giving reasons why deficiencies arise and structural fixes for problems, which ultimately saves money for clients as issues are caught early on.  

Interested in learning more about a transportation approach that’s about more than just mobility? Take a closer look at our work that’s designed to create greater access in communities to healthy lifestyles and resilient economies. 

DBIA Awards 2022: The Portland Building is Recognized for Historic Reconstruction

Posted on by OTAK Team

When it comes to project delivery, few methods are as cutting-edge as the design-build delivery, but what does it mean, and how do we differentiate it from a traditional delivery?

What is the Design-Build Delivery Method?

According to the Design Build Institute of America (DBIA), the design-build process is different from a traditional project delivery for a few reasons:

  • Rather than managing multiple contracts, the Owner manages only one contract with a single point of responsibility.
  • The single point of reference allows the designer and contractor work together from the beginning as a “Design Build Entity,” providing unified project recommendations to fit the Owner’s schedule and budget.
  • Any changes are addressed by the entire team rather than in siloes of the project, leading to collaborative problem-solving and innovation.

It all comes down to single-source contracting, but what’s important here is the culture of collaboration inherent in design-build. Teams truly work as a team without an adversarial relationship between subdivisions, and that means everything for successful, innovative delivery.

The Portland Building team at the DBIA Award 2022 acceptance
The Portland Building team at the DBIA Awards 2022

The DBIA has a storied history of sharing the wonders of design-build with the greater industry. Formed in 1993, it started as a handful of engineers, architects, and builders who sought to make project delivery both easier and scalable. The organization is now the authority on the design-build process, comprised of not just professionals but academics, students, and leaders from all over the country.

What’s more, they host one of the biggest industry events in the country commemorating use of the method every year.

What is the Design-Build Conference & Expo?

The Design-Build Conference & Expo happens in various locations and hosts a slew of industry professionals who come to network and learn from one another.

Projects from all over the U.S. are nominated for their historic delivery methods, and experts from across the AEC industry judge and award firms based on a variety of criteria provided by the DBIA.

“The Portland Building is by far, one of the defining projects of my career and one of the best teams I’ve worked with in my life.”

Miro Radoynovski – Portland Building Project Manager

Otak attended the annual event in Las Vegas in  November 2022, where we were up for multiple awards for our owner’s representative work on The Portland Building in our home city of Portland, OR.

What Did the Portland Building Win?

At the 2022 Design-Build Conference & Expo, the Portland Building was nominated for three DBIA awards in the category of rehabilitation, renovation and restoration. The project ultimately swept all three.

  • Best in Process – Rehabilitation / Renovation / Restoration
  • National Award of Excellence – Rehabilitation / Renovation / Restoration
  • National Award of Merit – Rehabilitation / Renovation / Restoration

The awards reinforced the success felt across the project team, including the city of Portland. For the DBIA, success is defined in a variety of ways and the details of the Portland Building were clearly aligned with those criteria.

Delivering an Award-Winning Project: What the DBIA Looks For

Winning projects are all evaluated on the same criteria, based on DBIA’s Design Build Done Right framework.

Projects are considered if they achieve the best value while meeting design and construction quality, cost and schedule goals. They must also demonstrate advanced and innovative application of total integrated project delivery, including design-build best practices to achieve exceptional outcomes.

Credit: DLR Group

But what is the Design Build Done Right framework?

The overview of it is that it’s a universally applicable set of best practices and principles that can aid in the delivery of any design-build project. The DBIA provides a set of guidelines, and more importantly real-world techniques, that facilitate successful projects from procuring services to execution, exemplified by the following aspects of delivery:

  • Schedule and cost performance
  • Effective processes
  • Interdisciplinary teamwork
  • Problem solving
  • Excellence in design
  • Use of technology
  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion

Based on these elements of successful design-build, Otak is proud to say we won multiple awards the evening of the conference, which we’ll get into next.

Building a Winning Case in The Portland Building

The Portland Building project is a 15-story high-rise occupied by City of Portland bureaus. As an internationally renowned architectural example of post-Modernism designed by Michael Graves, the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and houses a number of government departments all working in tandem to make Portland run smoothly.

Exterior view of the Portland Building
Exterior view of the Portland Building
(Photo Credit: James Ewing, JBSA)

The project addressed the building envelope issues by covering the concrete façade with a unitized curtain wall and terracotta rain screen tiles that eliminated leaking while preserving its historic status and appearance. The restored façade also greatly improved the poor natural lighting which, combined with a full interior remodel, drastically transformed the building’s working environment. Otak also organized the temporary relocation of all the city’s 1,400+ staff to ensure that the city maintained normal operations throughout the project.

However, what’s really interesting (and unique) about the project is its cutting-edge delivery method, one that takes DBIA guidelines and brings them to the next level—progressive design-build.

Progressive Design-Build Delivery of the City of Portland’s Vision

The City of Portland initiated a $195 million project to reconstruct the building, making it the city’s largest capital project.

Such an innovative method of delivery was needed to address several of the City’s objectives with construction:

  • Fix the enclosure performance problems—no more leaks and better daylighting
  • Preserve the historic integrity of the exterior—get through landmark approval process
  • Upgrade the seismic performance of the building to an appropriate standard
  • Replace building mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems
  • Remedy urban design deficiencies at the base
  • Improve the workplace and public engagement areas
  • Meet requirements for LEED Gold

What Does Progressive Design-Build Mean?

Essentially, a progressive design-build delivery method is  a form of early contractor involvement that can help reduce risk and increase collaboration among all stakeholders. It’s the way a construction project design is developed by the owner and design-builders using a step-by-step process.

The DBIA again states that progressive design-build allows the design and construction team to collaborate during the earliest stages of project development. This enables the greatest amount of engagement between the three key players in a construction contract: the owner, the designer, and the contractor. Ultimately, Otak advocated that this unique method was best for meeting the needs of the project in terms of complexity and scheduling needs.

Best Value for Dollar Spent: Collaborative Team Environment, Optimal Efficiency

The Progressive Design-Build model allowed for the right voices to be in the room to make the best decisions at the right time. From the outset, Otak successfully met the greatest challenge of the method—getting all team members to buy in to a lean design process and trust it would deliver an innovative project. The team also utilized the “SmartStart” partnering process, where we discussed and committed to an equitable allocation of risk and project progress which was key to establishing a collaborative environment.

Schedule, scope, and design intent were optimized, as the entire team was at the table making informed decisions each step of the way.

Planning sessions and project milestone dates were incorporated into scheduling from the very beginning to inspire active participation between stakeholders for effective schedule management.

Technology Utilization

Quality assurance and control was also highly collaborative, and we deployed high-tech tools like VR, Clash Detection, and Laser Scanning for building information modeling (BIM) work to improve access to facilities and streamline operations of the building post-construction.

A huge part of this effort was not only relocating all city employees into temporary office spaces, but also bringing them back when construction was completed, and the building envelope was brought up to code. Thanks to the progressive design-build method these goals were accomplished through early planning and team effort to get the job done.

Design Solutions to Historic Reconstruction Challenges

With every project comes challenges. This can be particularly true for buildings of historic relevance, for which the Portland Building is a perfect example.

The City’s vision was such that the building needed to be drastically updated while maintaining it’s iconic design elements, while enhancing the working environment. The existing concrete exterior, external glazing, the famous Portlandia sculpture, and getting the space approved as a city landmark were all hurdles that made progressive design-build the choice of the greater team.

View of Portlandia statue at the Portland Building
View of “Portlandia,” the copper sculpture at the Portland Building
(Photo Credit: James Ewing, JBSA)

Considerations were also made to maintain the internationally recognized post-Modern architecture style, and the stakes were high. The building has historic significance of “exceptional importance” on the National Register of Historic Places, which means extra care had to be taken in order to both preserve and renovate the space. The building also needed to be upgraded from a sustainability perspective, a viewpoint that has become an Otak calling card.

Sustainable and Efficient Systems

In terms of being sustainable, the Portland Building was truly brought into the modern era. The project made improvements to light fixtures allowing for greater daylighting, reducing energy costs and carbon footprints in the process.

The envelope of the building also needed to be revitalized in order to fix leaking issues in a famously rainy city. Low emitting materials were also used to compensate for the existing concrete of the structure, which we did by improving existing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, among others.

The project also pursued a LEED Gold Building certification, and the team’s efforts led to the project exceeding it’s goals in achieving both WELL and LEED Platinum certification.

Public Involvement and Inclusive Project Goals

Not only did the project need to be sustainable, but it also needed to be equitable to address the needs of the city and align with its values. The vision was to both inspire and influence the public, leading to a two-fold goal— serving the public well and becoming an employer of choice to bolster talent acquisition into the space. To align with those goals, our team led visioning sessions on both the public and employee experience, ultimately transforming the building’s poorly lit, substandard interior into a truly exceptional interior experience for all.

Social and community impacts were also top of mind. A targeted community outreach effort was implemented to ensure DMWESB firms were aware of upcoming opportunities. This effort included informational meetings, open houses, trade show events, one-on-one meetings, and sourcing a local non-profit to provide consultation to DMWESB firms bidding on the project. Additionally, the project promoted design and construction career opportunities by hosting eight separate tours for high school and college students. Otak is proud to say that in the process we exceeded MWDBE goals.

The End Result

By utilizing a progressive design-build framework, inspiring both the team and the community, and delivering on early promises thanks to early planning, the result of our efforts yielded a multi-award-winning project.

Otak would like to extend a formal thank you to the DBIA for bestowing us with these accolades, which we take to heart. We’re proud we had the opportunity to play an outsized role in the successful delivery of the project, and our mission to transform the built environment while keeping the community in mind remains one of our cornerstones.

You can find out more about the complete list of DBIA award winners, and we look forward to the opportunity of highlighting our projects in the future

View the Portland Building Project Page

Native American Heritage Month: Celebrating Culture and Preservation in AEC

Posted on by Otak Staff

As Native American Heritage Month comes to a close, Otak is aware that the land our practice areas often work on did not originally belong to us. Indigenous peoples across the United States and the regions we occupy existed long before the colonization of the Americas, and will continue to exist in perpetuity. 

What started at the turn of the century as an effort to gain a day of recognition for the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S., has resulted in a whole month being designated for that purpose. Otak hopes to recognize not only the contributions of indigenous people to our current society, but also highlight our project work directly with tribes in regions where our offices exist.  

As part of our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiative, and in an effort to show what Otak is doing to stand by it, we’d like to give recognition to a project with a client that aligns with our mission of designing with equity toward all community members regardless of background, race, ethnicity, or land origin.  

View of the Dungeness River Pedestrian Bridge for Native American Heritage Month
A view of the finished Dungeness River Pedestrian Bridge project

This is why we’re turning the spotlight on the Dungeness River Railroad, with our client being the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe on the Northern Olympic Peninsula in Washington state. 

Dungeness River Railroad Bridge: An Intersection of Cultural and Natural Restoration With Project Design

Inhabiting the area for more than 10,000 years, the S’Klallams possess a rich social and religious culture based on the abundant natural resources of the Northwest Coast. They moved from village to village in their traditional territory during the spring, summer, and fall for fishing and resource gathering, and settled into more permanent longhouses for the winter months. They are also craftspeople skilled in woodcarving and basket making, and they fashioned ceremonial masks, serving dishes and utensils, storage boxes from cedar, and woven mats, rope, and clothing from cedar bark. 

But what was the project, and how are we serving their community while upholding their rich culture and history?  

View of the Dungeness River Pedestrian Bridge for Native American Heritage Month
View of the Dungeness River Pedestrian Bridge for Native American Heritage Month
The Dungeness River Railroad Bridge Replacement project spans 585-feet and involved floodplain restoration to preserve the natural waterway

This project, titled the Dungeness River Railroad Trestle Replacement, is located on the Dungeness River at Railroad Bridge Park in Sequim, WA, and supports the Olympic Discovery Trail. The goal was to restore floodplain processes that had been constrained by the 585-foot-long railroad trestle and was accomplished by replacing the existing trestle with a river-worthy and salmon-friendly pedestrian bridge. Work included preparation of design alternatives, preliminary and final design of the preferred alternative, permitting, and preparation of a design report, technical specifications, quantities, costs, and bid documents. 

The project’s goals were achieved with the S’Klallam tribe in mind since members living on the land use the river and surrounding areas to fish and keep their heritage alive to this day. The most important part of this, however, is the role the tribe played in the decision-making process for improvements. The tribe worked with us directly to be the agents of change and helped us understand their needs, so we were best able to serve them by preserving and improving their resources. Far from being passive acceptors of our work, the tribe worked with us to achieve an award-winning project courtesy of the ACEC Washington in Engineering Excellence.  

Otak is reverent that we are able to work to preserve and improve land that the S’Klallam tribe calls home. Learn more about how our DEI initiatives are central to “Our Why,” and we’d like to thank the tribe for their trust in delivering this project. 

View the Dungeness River Project Page