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50 Years of Excellence at VBFA

The MEP firm established by Howard Van Boerum in 1972 has become one of the preeminent consulting engineering companies in the Intermountain region, with three satellite offices and headquarters in Salt Lake.
By Brad Fullmer

When J. Howard Van Boerum puts his mind to something, there is no slowing him down. 

The 84-year-old founder of one of Utah’s preeminent MEP engineering firms, Salt Lake-based Van Boerum & Frank Associates (VBFA), established his consulting firm in 1972. He intended for it to be the very best at what it did, and he worked diligently to achieve those results.

As the firm celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, Van Boerum admitted great satisfaction with the current state of the firm, which was No. 2 among all MEP firms in UC&D’s 2021 Top Engineering Firms rankings with $19.3 million in annual revenues from 2020, the firm's highest mark. He trusts that the current leadership will continue steering the company in the right direction. 

“I wanted to be the best, wanted to be the biggest, with a good reputation,” said Van Boerum. “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished as a firm and as a team.”

In addition to its headquarters in Murray (the firm moved from its long-time Salt Lake location in 2020), VBFA has offices in Logan, St. George, and Tempe, Arizona, with a total of 125 employees. 


Early Days

The oldest of four kids, Van Boerum knew from an early age that he wanted to combine his drive and determination with his natural inclinations and become an engineer or architect. 


“I had my visions of being my own boss and having my name on the door,” he said. “I always liked drawing. As a kid I would draw 2D perspectives of homes—I remember drawing the home across the street. I had a propensity to like that kind of stuff.”

 

His father, John E. Van Boerum, worked hard for the federal government as a civilian commander at the Army Supply Depot in Ogden. He impressed upon young Howard the importance of going to college “so you don’t have to work for the damn government,” he chuckled. Van Boerum was also musically inclined, playing several instruments and forming a dance band in high school. He later served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Holland and married his college sweetheart, Joanne, upon his return.


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    Hale Center Theater in Sandy

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VBFA is renowned for its design of complex healthcare projects, including the landmark Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, a multi-building project on a 100-acre campus that opened in 2007 (all photos courtesy VBFA). The firm has vast MEP expertise in virtually every major building market. Some key projects in recent years include: the Snowbird Resort Co-Gen Plant; the Provo City Center Temple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and the Hale Center Theater in Sandy.

Starting Out

Van Boerum worked for Nelson Reeve Maxwell in Ogden prior to his mission and for two years after. He realized early on he didn’t want to work for a big company like Boeing, “being stuck in a big hangar with 500 people in a corner. I knew I wanted to be in business for myself,” he said. 

He moved to Salt Lake City to gain mechanical consulting experience at Hardy and Naylor then decided he was best suited to venture out on his own and started Van Boerum Associates on April 1, 1972. 

“I’ve always been driven to be good at what I was doing,” he said. “It became apparent that I needed to start my own firm.”

Life came quick and fast, as Van Boerum was called to be a Latter-day Saint Bishop of a Salt Lake congregation five weeks after starting his firm. He found himself pulled in myriad directions and challenged to find time to run his fledgling business, dedicate himself to his church calling, and tend to his wife and their four children (they would eventually add two more kids to their family). 

Joanne, who passed away September 21, 2021, at the age of 81, supported her husband’s ventures, despite him being a man of “too many aspirations,” he said. “If you shoot for the moon at least you’ll fall on a star,” he continued. “I didn’t always get home for dinner on time. I had to learn to compartmentalize.” He said he worked hard to be fully committed to home and church duties in addition to work and “tried not to let one interfere with the other. Those are the fun parts of life you look back on and say, ‘Well, I made it through!’” 

Lori Van Boerum Haglund, the oldest of Howard and Joanne’s six children and VBFA’s Marketing Director since 2001, recalled how hard both her parents worked on behalf of their family. Looking back at the firm’s success, Haglund said her father possessed all the key traits that make for an effective business owner and leader. 

“Integrity, drive, work ethic—he will always stand behind his work,” she said. “If there’s a problem, he’s honest and makes it right.”


Steady Growth 

Six months after establishing his firm, Van Boerum was approached by Lloyd Frank, owner of Associated Sheet Metal of Salt Lake, about hiring his son John, who had recently graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. 

“I had enough work that I needed help. [John Frank] and I were polar opposites in almost everything, but that turned out to be a herald for the business,” said Van Boerum, acknowledging the unlikely fit between them. “He appealed to a certain part of the industry and I did the other. He was a smart engineer and brought a lot to the table. He was a good partner.”

Frank, who formally retired in 2015, said, “Howard was always a good partner. He was not always the easiest to get along with, but I will tell you, we got along for 40 years and never had a major disagreement we could not resolve. You have to learn to work with your partners.”

Frank continued: “[…] We had a similar work ethic. We never tried to take advantage of clients. We worked hard and we were honest. We had a strong belief in helping our clients—that was 100% what it was about.”

Another key member of the firm, Kim Harris, came aboard in July 1977. The firm at that time was still relatively small, with only Van Boerum, Frank, and four other employees, but had just landed work on the University of Utah Medical Center expansion and needed help. Harris would go on to serve as VBFA’s President from 2006–2019 and was instrumental in growing the firm from 45 employees to more than 100. 

“I had an interest in owning my own business or being a key part of a business,” said Harris. “I didn’t want to work for a large firm and just be an employee, so this was a perfect fit and I was able to get in on the ground floor with Howard and John. I was fortunate they recognized potential in me.”

One of the key moments for the firm under Harris’ watch came within his first year as President, with the hiring of 16 employees in six months, the majority from Bennion Engineers, including Neil Spencer (retired 2014), Wade Bennion (current Principal), and Steve Shepherd (VBFA President from 2018–2021). 

“That was a big step from a business standpoint, taking on that many employees at once, but it propelled us forward,” said Harris. “We meshed well together.”

VBFA also began offering more in-depth electrical engineering services in 2007, becoming more of a full-fledged MEP firm. Mechanical engineering design still accounts for the majority of the firm’s revenues, but the electrical side has steadily grown over the years. 

Van Boerum said hiring talented people has been the underlying theme of VBFA’s success. 

“I had a philosophy; I would hire the smartest people I could find, people who were smarter than I was,” he said. “In the beginning, it was about being a better engineer and learning to be a better businessman.” 

He affiliated himself with the American Consulting Engineers Council, went to as many meetings as he could, met a lot of associates/friends, and “became a good businessman. I love the variety in our business. You have to be a good marketer, a good communicator. I love making presentations.”

“Howard was on the ball—his reputation was top-notch,” said Jeff Watkins, who was named President/CEO of VBFA in January 2022. “He’s been a great mentor and help, not just within the engineering community and my occupation, but advice for my own challenges and trials with family and life.”

“Howard is frank and to the point,” added Ladd Birch, Principal/Office Manager of the Southern Utah office in St. George. “I thought that’s how all businessmen are, but he has many unique qualities. He’s a great leader.”


Stout Reputation for Designing Complex, Challenging Projects

VBFA has built a stellar reputation over five decades of designing intricate and challenging MEP systems on a host of project types, from healthcare and education to municipal and sports/recreation—including several Olympic-related projects. 

Prior to the Salt Lake Winter Olympics in 2002, Van Boerum and Dave Eckhoff created a VBFA-EWP joint venture with their respective firms and toured the world looking at Olympic venues, so by the time the State of Utah put out an RFP for various projects for the 2002 games, they were ready to pursue the work. 

It paid off big-time, with the partnership landing design work for the Utah Olympic Park in Park City, including the bobsled/luge track, ski jump pool, the speed skating oval in Kearns, and an ice rink at Steiner Aquatic Center. The firm is also pursuing work for a potential return of the Olympics to Utah in 2030 or 2034.

Van Boerum said of the Olympic projects: “That’s one of the highlights of my career. It’s been a great thing to talk about over the years. It’s been a significant feather in our cap.”

Van Boerum and Harris recently completed a complicated cogeneration plant at Snowbird Resort in Utah, a remarkable project that Harris said was “not a cookie-cutter project, not everyday engineering. It’s the most complicated system I’ve ever designed.”

The firm has designed numerous healthcare projects, including Intermountain Medical Center in Murray and several phases of the Huntsman Cancer Institute, another highly satisfying accomplishment for Van Boerum.

K-12 projects have also been a key market segment, with the firm displaying its innovative chops in the design of ground source heat pump systems that offer schools greater energy savings—up to $40,000 annually. 

“It’s been embraced more than I ever would have expected,” said Wade Bennion, who leads all K-12 work. “We’re seeing more of a push nationally and locally for sustainability and it’s pushing towards all-electric systems and getting away from natural gas.” 


Key Executives Reflect on 50 Years, Future Outlook

Another of the firm’s hallmarks is the number of long-time employees who have been with the firm for multiple decades. The importance and significance of a 50th anniversary is not lost on them. 

“[Howard’s] legacy is this culture has been maintained for 50 years,” said Harris. “He set the culture of taking care of clients, taking care of employees, and doing quality work.”

“It’s been an exciting journey!” said Lisa Simons, who started at VBFA in 1992 when the firm had 27 employees and serves as Business Development Director working out of the Tempe office. “VBFA’s leadership is a true testament to the firm’s ability to attract top engineering talent. Our culture is focused on collaboration and mentorship, which has created friendships that last decades and promote staff longevity.”

Simons said that although Van Boerum and Frank had differing leadership styles, their values were aligned—achievement, integrity, and individual accountability. 

“It has been a privilege to work with Howard, John, Kim Harris, Steve Shepherd, and now Jeff Watkins,” she added. “Each has contributed to the growth and success of VBFA.” 

“It’s impressive to think about 50 years,” said Watkins. “Success requires the efforts of the whole company—one person can’t do it all.”

He added, “Howard gave me some advice back in the mid-’90s that is still valid today, where I can step into this role and succeed. It’s not about me, it’s about the engineers, the BIM specialists, our administration team—all of us together is what makes VBFA successful.”

VBFA is comprised of a talented cast that includes 11 principals, 5 associate principals, and 13 associates, along with designers, drafters, and support staff. Principals include: 


  • Jeff Watkins, President/CEO 
  • Ben Davis, Vice President/COO
  • Don Bradshaw, Vice President, CIO
  • Dave Baranowski, Corporate Secretary
  • Wade Bennion, Chairman of the Board
  • Ladd Birch, Vice President, CFO/Director of Southern Utah Operations
  • Byron Torgersen, Director of Arizona Operations
  • Ray Vernon, Director of Northern Utah Operations 
  • Jed Lyman, Principal
  • Scot Muir, Principal
  • Brad Rosenhan, Principal


Watkins believes the future is as bright as it has ever been, and is confident the firm will continue to thrive in Utah, Arizona, and the Intermountain West in general. 

“We’re a mainstay,” Watkins said. “We have great leaders and great people who work at VBFA. As people retire, it’s hard to see. These are people you’ve worked side-by-side with for a long time. It’s a realization that it’s now our responsibility and the buck stops with us. I’m excited about the future and confident we will continue to serve our clients effectively and maintain our high standards of quality.”

Van Boerum is also optimistic that those carrying on his name are poised for great future success. 

“We have always tried to hire the very best, and I couldn’t be more proud of the people we have today,” he said. “It’s exciting to know my childhood dreams came to fruition and that we are thriving 50 years later. I’m very proud of what we have accomplished together.”


One of the firm’s most iconic projects is the Bobsleld/ Luge Track at Utah Olympic Park in Park City. VBFA founder Howard Van Boerum stands in the track during construction in 2000. Van Boerum called the complex project “one of the highlights of my career”.

VBFA has completed design on numerous K-12 and Higher Education projects, including Odyssey Elementary (above left), Davis County School District’s first-ever ‘Net-Zero’ designed school, and the Human Performance Center at Utah Tech University (formerly Dixie State).

Economists Remain Optimistic about Utah

By Milt Harrison • February 28, 2025
Despite some minor economic headwinds, Utah is poised for another solid, if semi-unspectacular, year of construction and real estate development, according to top economists locally and nationally. Indeed, 2025 is shaping up to be much like 2024, a year where firms across the A/E/C spectrum completed dozens of life-enhancing, community-uplifting projects across every major building sector—in other words, a lot of projects were built outside of the still churning multi-family market. These firms thrived for the most part, posting positive revenue growth and maintaining momentum in the face of the usual challenges of shallow labor pools and volatile material costs. Utah continues to rank among the top states nationally on key economic drivers such as population growth, construction employment, a pro-business climate, and a legislative body that continues to be bullish on funding higher education and transportation projects. Prospects are good with a can-do mentality among developers, municipalities, and the firms designing and building the jobs. "Utah will continue to have above average growth and is in great position to continue its great track record with a growing population, and a strong economy and construction market," said Ken Simonson, Chief Economist for the Associated General Contractors of America (AGCA) in Washington, D.C. "Utah has been on a steady, strong upward path with 27% growth in construction employment—three times the national average of 9%—since 2020." Simonson said Utah's construction employment growth doubled last year, up 6%, which is twice the U.S. average. Growth would be even stronger, he added, if contractors could find workers, particularly skilled tradesmen. Simonson said a survey of 1,500 firms nationally stated 94% had openings for craft workers. "It's hard to fill (skilled) positions, more difficult than last year," he added. Utah's consistent population growth—the Beehive State ranked fourth according to the U.S. Census from 2023-24 with 1.8% growth (3.44 million to 3.50 million)—is a driver of demand for so many types of construction, as well as a course of construction labor. Simonson said the state has been more welcoming of immigrants, an important source of labor for contractors across the board. Utahns also have a reputation for being well-educated coupled with a strong work ethic and drive to succeed, making the state an attractive place for new businesses looking to expand. Developers Waiting Out Interest Rates; Hope for a Drop in '25 The Fed kept interest rates where they are in January—a decision not popular with many real estate developers simply itching to invest capital and have projects waiting to cut loose the minute rates become more favorable. That pent-up demand could heat up the market if rates drop by even half a point, particularly in the multi-family arena. Simonson said multi-family was down nationally 8% from September 2023-24, with Utah seeing an equivalent slowdown, despite a huge amount of inventory that hit the market in 2024, including attractive high-end downtown properties like Camber, The Worthington, and Astra Tower, and many others along the greater Wasatch Front. "Reductions in the [Fed]’s short-term interest rate target will make financing a bit less expensive but developers still can't get loans or want to proceed if rents aren't high enough to cover the financing and construction costs, including time to complete if there are extended delivery times for electrical equipment such as transformers and switchgear," Simonson added. "Utah isn't immune from these challenges, but if the underlying population growth will be supportive of rent increases, that may bring back multi-family construction sooner than in areas that aren't growing as fast, or at all." Spendlove Keynote at 2025 NAIOP Symposium Senior Economist for Zions Bank, Robert Spendlove, said Utah is well-positioned to maintain solid economic activity, with factors of low unemployment (hovering around 4%), solid wage growth (3.9% in December), and more than a quarter million jobs added at the end of last year. "Utah had unexpected, continued strength in the labor market," said Spendlove at NAIOP Utah's 2025 Symposium in January. "If we could pause the economy and stay where we're at now, we'd be in a perfect position." Consumer inflation, he said, remains sticky at nearly 3%, with the Fed targeting 2% before they can lower interest rates. "Until it's at 2%, they can't claim victory," he said. Overall, consumer prices are up a whopping 22% since 2020. "It's a struggle for people—those prices are never going back down. Inflation is just adding to those price increases. [Fed Chair Jerome] Powell said they will not make the same mistake as the 70s; they will not cut rates until inflation is down." In addition to strong 1.65% [WHAT TYPE OF] growth and 1.8% employment growth, Utah rebounded quickly from the pandemic. "That shows the strength of Utah's economy and labor market," said Spendlove. He added that Utah's GDP was up 4.6%, indicating the strongest economic growth in the U.S., with consumer sentiment improving and greater small business optimism. Utah Maintains Steady Growth, Says Eskic The Beehive State's remarkably consistent and steady growth remains a major reason why its economic outlook remains rosy, said Dejan Eskic, Senior Research Fellow at the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah. "Utah's population growth has never dropped below zero since 1950—we're still increasing with net migration," said Eskic at an event hosted by the Intermountain Chapter of the American Concrete Institute in January, with growth slowing by only .08 to 1.65% "There is so much demand in our economy that even in a down year for housing, construction employment is up 6.2%," he said. "The American household, on average, has never looked better on paper when looking at financial stability," with 70% of household debt tied to mortgages. Living in Utah is still expensive, even though the state is now listed as the 10th most expensive state to live in, down from 8th. "It doesn't mean Utah is more affordable, other states are just more expensive." The housing crisis will remain among the biggest challenges, both with affordable housing and overall number of units that need to be built. Governor Spencer Cox has made his intentions known that communities need to prioritize ways to address all housing issues, with a desire to see tens of thousands of single family homes built in the next decade. Way easier said than done, simply because developers cannot be expected to be altruistic when market conditions are competitive and profit margins potentially volatile and risky. He expects rents to increase once absorption is reached. Other items of note: —Consumer Price Index dipped to 2.6%, where it is expected to stay. —Expect growth in wages and employment. —Commercial construction will be primarily flat, similar to the last two years. —Office is flat, medical and industrial markets will continue to grow; industrial may be dictated by international trade. —Utah expects to add 500,000 people in the next decade, and will need a jaw-dropping 275,000 more housing units in that time, primarily along the Wasatch Front. "We need to change the dialogue if we're going to solve the housing crisis," said Eskic. "Currently, 92% of renters are priced out of the market. Construction must be optimized."

Waterworks in the Wilderness

By Taylor Larsen • February 28, 2025
July 23rd, 1847 was a pivotal day for the pioneers. Records from the time detailed how the advance party trekking into the Salt Lake Valley built a dam to convey water from City Creek to freshly plowed land. Years later, the city hired civil and hydraulic engineer Herman Schussler to design a system to bring water through laminated wood pipes to 20,000 Salt Lake City residents while preparing for future growth. Schussler said, in a presentation to Brigham Young in 1872, “I propose to construct the pipe system of the City of such dimensions as to be capable of supplying five million gallons per diem.” While those original pipes couldn’t make it to year two, the design was in place for cast iron pipes to go in their place in 1876. The 37 carloads of cast iron pipe, plumbing tools, water gates, and more came from multiple suppliers from eastern US industrial hubs of St. Louis, Boston, and Louisville, KY. Those collaborative efforts brought modern waterworks “in our lovely Deseret,” collecting water from 19.2 square miles of watershed that feeds the 14.5-mile-long City Creek stream. Modernity Fast forward nearly 150 years, past chlorination that arrived in the 1920s, past the first water treatment facility constructed in Utah, the City Creek Water Treatment Plant in 1953, past filter installation in 1966, and past the canyon reopening for recreational use in 1975—Salt Lake City needed a new treatment facility to keep clean water flowing. The Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities (SLCDPU) partnered with engineering firm Brown and Caldwell in design in 2018 to envision and engineer something new to ensure resiliency and reliable water service to its customers. While the plant escaped any critical damage in the March 2020 earthquake, it was a reminder of the urgent need to create a new facility. Design and construction would work around a coterie of barriers and challenges—keeping operations ongoing while building on a challenging site three miles into the wilderness—to produce the future of water treatment for Salt Lake City.

AGC of Utah 2025 Convention

By • February 28, 2025
The Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Utah successfully hosted its 103rd Annual Convention January 23-24 at Little America Hotel in downtown Salt Lake, a popular event that brought together A/E/C industry leaders, professionals, and stakeholders for two days of celebration, education, and networking. The convention highlights the outstanding achievements of Utah's construction industry and provides valuable insights into emerging trends shaping the economically impactful sector, along with the announcement of new chapter leaders and board members for the 2025 season. Brett Nielsen, President of Brigham City-based Whitaker Construction, who has served on the AGC of Utah board since 2017, most recently as National Governor, was installed as 2025 Chairman, taking over the reins of the venerable association from Slade Opheikens, President of Ogden-based R&O Construction. In addition, Nielsen is in line to become the first Utahn to serve as AGC of America President in 2030. "What an honor to be standing here, to be in front of a group of people I have the utmost respect for," said Nielsen at Friday night's Installation Banquet. "It's still surreal to me to be here and know that I'm getting the opportunity to work with a group of people that I'm so passionate about. This chapter is truly one of the finest chapters in all of America." Nielsen started as a Laborer at Whitaker Construction in 1992, gradually climbing the company ladder until taking over in 2021 as President of the powerhouse municipal/utility contractor, the first non-Whitaker to lead the firm. The firm cracked the $288 million mark in 2024 in annual revenues, a notable increase from $109 million in 2018. Nielsen's introduction to the AGC was unassuming, attending the packed annual summer golf tournament and then his first convention in the late '90s. "I saw it as more a networking opportunity, primarily with other Whitaker employees, vendors, and occasionally competitors," he said. His eyes were opened to AGC's real value when the chapter hosted a Young Constructors Forum in 2000, which is the predecessor to the Construction Leadership Committee (CLC). "I remember meeting other young contractors from throughout the country, and discussing the nuances of our markets, type of interstate pavements [this is when the original I-15 was constructed pre-Olympics], margins to the segment of construction, etc." he recalled. "I vividly remember a general contractor telling me their margin and how low it was compared to our underground utility segment, and I for the life of me couldn’t understand why a contractor would subject themselves to such headaches for such a low margin." In 2013, Nielsen became Chair of the Utility Infrastructure Committee for the Utah chapter and attended an AGC of America (AGCA) meeting in Phoenix later that year related to highway and utility contractor issues, something he called "an eye-opening experience." It was held at the posh Biltmore Resort and didn't know anybody. At the opening reception, he was standing alone when several individuals—including Toby Crow, AGC of South Dakota Chapter Executive, and his wife Liz—approached him to strike up conversation. They in turn introduced Nielsen to Scott Berry, who at the time was Director of AGC's National Utility Infrastructure Division, which led to dinner with long-time AGC CEO Steve Sandherr and several other AGC of America staff, along with fellow contractor members. "The rest is history," said Nielsen, who has been a member of the AGC of America Utility Infrastructure Division since then, including a stint from 2018-2020 on the AGCA Board. "I'm a relationship guy. They are important to me, and AGC provides the platform for me to collaborate with like-minded individuals to work on being informed, educating, and ultimately protecting not only our company the livelihoods of our employee-owners, but our industry. The benefits that AGC brings are real and measurable. AGC members are the 'Voice of the Construction Industry' both on the hill here in Utah, as well as in Washington, D.C. The issues that face our industry are complex, and those who want to exploit regulation, slow growth, and leverage legislative change to benefit their personal or industry interests cannot be overstated. We as contractors need a collective voice and for the Construction Industry, that voice is the AGC." Nielsen talked about the unique relationship that forms between AGC member firms, and how they work together for the good of the entire industry, despite competing against each other weekly to land new projects. "It makes me proud for what we accomplish here within this state," he said. "We come together, we solve tough problems related to our industry and we compete fiercely against one another." He mentioned competing that week head-to-head with Orem-based W.W. Clyde & Co., led by its President, Dustin Olson, on two sizable projects. Each team won a job, and subsequently lost a job. Said Nielsen: "I reached out to Dustin and congratulated him and told him it was a hell of a bid—he congratulated me as well [...] and followed up with the statement: 'If I'm going to lose to a contractor, I want it to be someone like you'. Many of us do that day-in and day-out. To be a part of a group that can accomplish what we accomplish, and then to turn around and be able to come to an event like this and celebrate all our hard work, is something that is astonishing to me." Nielsen said recruiting and retaining new skilled talent for the industry will be one of his top priorities this year and encouraged AGC firms to get involved with the Construction Leadership Committee (CLC). "I'm passionate about the future of people in our industry," he said. "I realize we're not the young spring chickens that we once were. It's our duty that we are setting the stage and making sure we're prepared to continue what we do. We all have great people who have gotten us where we're at today—we want to make sure we're bringing [new people] along." Nielsen closed his remarks by thanking his immediate family, including wife Hilary, daughter Emery, his mother, Shirley Harding, and mother-in-law, Ginny Butikofer, in addition to the Whitaker family and fellow co-workers.

One for the Ages

By Brad Fullmer • February 28, 2025
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At Home in the Mountain Modern

By Taylor Larsen • February 28, 2025
Salt Lake City finally has the modern take on mountain living it has needed with Camber, the 422-unit multifamily project developed by Endeavor Real Estate Group, designed by Texas-based GFF Architects and built by Murray’s very own Zwick Construction. Camber’s neighborhood environment extends inside and out, bringing comfort on multiple levels. The commitment from the project team to lead on the multifamily front resulted in community over commodity with a luxury, mountain modern example of an apartment community.

Towering Construction Adds to Glistening Skyline

By Taylor Larsen • February 28, 2025
Glittering in copper metal cladding and reflective glass, and towering in the capital city skyline, is The Worthington. Developed by Chicago-based Convexity and designed by SCB’s Chicago office, the Worthington stands tall and cracks the top 10 tallest structures in Utah. Ownership Marks the Spot But long before residents took a dip in The Worthington’s 12th-floor pool, Convexity saw an opportunity with both site and market, said Jessica Minton, the developer’s Senior Vice President. A high-rise on the eastern edge of downtown could offer spectacular views from above and afford residents walkability through the city below. Research from the firm included tours around the city to see what the market had in place, but crucially what it wanted. “Luxury high-rises are our niche. We knew we were capable of delivering a product that was successful in other markets,” said Minton. “And we knew it would succeed in Salt Lake City.” Construction was a joint partnership between Sandy-based Layton Construction, who helped to bring the local know-how, and Chicago-based high-rise building experts W.E O’Neill. The luxury amenities and high-quality residential finishes came from a project that looked toward accountability and collaboration in construction to take Worthington all the way up. Safety for Tenants, Public, and Builders Phased delivery, a newer process for Salt Lake City in high-rise construction, was an essential part of Convexity’s plans to bring the project to market. Minton praised the collaboration between Salt Lake City officials and the project team for “a smooth transition to get us to market.” “There’s a liability and a risk involved from the city to sign off on life safety measures while construction is ongoing,” she said. "It was a fully vetted and well-thought-out process from all of us—developer, city, and contractor— no party took this lightly." Phased delivery dictated that construction would turn over the first 16 floors for occupancy before moving on up to finish the rest. Rick Millward, Project Manager for Layton Construction, thanked Salt Lake City for being as forward-focused as the project team to ensure a high-quality building, namely helping to fine-tune solutions provided by the project team. He said the construction team was up to the challenge on multiple fronts to be a good neighbor and partner as they built. The give-and-take was brilliant as construction installed fire sprinkler systems throughout the structure instead of just completed residential floors, limited road closures to late night hours, and shifted pedestrians to a new walkway—simultaneously meeting city and construction goals. Millward said the team created a buffer zone of three completed floors as construction finished on floors 1-20 to keep construction noise from reaching the floors below. “You have to have residents come in and expect not to have to care about us at all,” said Millward. Minton added that the construction team’s commitment to an ironclad logistics plan created dedicated entrances and exits for workers and residents. “It needed to be a fully coordinated, daily effort,” she said. After all, “Residents aren’t moving into a construction site. There is no margin for error when people live there.” They went so far as to perform “concierge” duties to ensure residents only accessed specific elevators programmed to keep people from accidentally stumbling into active construction. Coordination between construction teams and apartment staff was seamless, actively informing residents 48 hours in advance on water and power shutoffs to keep people comfortable and in the know. With a busy street below, coordination kept pedestrians worry-free as they passed by. A covered and reinforced canopy sidewalk went in along 300 South, as Millward said, for the construction team to take full ownership of safety. Being a good neighbor paid off in more ways than one. Millward said Kathie Chadbourne, who runs From the Ground Up nearby, served coffee to the concrete truck drivers who worked through the night during the 13-hour foundation pour. Her work added to the buzz on site as the construction crew placed 3,600 yards of concrete foundation for the main structure. Three pump trucks took concrete from a cycling set of six trucks delivering slurry from “all of Geneva [Rock’s] concrete plants in the area” to help pour through the night. Millward says The Worthington isn’t going anywhere, especially with a super-stable matte footing that dips between 18 and 24 feet below street level.

UC+D Most Outstanding Projects of 2024

By LADD MARSHALL • January 1, 2025

Dynamic Electrical

By Taylor Larsen • November 1, 2024
Electrical contracting is competitive as hell. With a plethora of mega projects upcoming, a bidding war for the best electricians and estimators, and even a race to secure the energy to power Utah buildings, the competition at every level seems to grow more intense with each passing year. How can electrical contractors respond to upcoming trends and win work in the Beehive State? It Starts with Labor Ken Hoffman, Preconstruction Manager at Ludvik Electric, said that the competition for labor has been particularly fierce since he and his team began working on the New SLC International Airport some years ago. Competing for great people has always been the case, but the influx of high-level projects over the last decade, he recalled, “pulled everyone up” with drastic increases in wages that helped electricians bring more money home and brought in a cadre of workers from out of state to push jobs past the finish line. There is additional work to be done to bring in the next generation of fieldworkers to help build the state’s future, specifically the financial incentive to enter into a demanding, sometimes dangerous field. Contracting tech company ServiceTitan reports that salaries for entry-level electricians have risen 9.14% since the beginning of 2023, but is it enough? No, and it is hampering project execution. At a recent Urban Land Institute (ULI) Trends Conference, Hunt Electric CEO and President Troy Gregory offered a sobering statistic: currently, for every electrician who enters the trade, three electricians depart. Nathan Goodrich, Division Manager of Helix Electric, said that the industry needs to find solutions fast, as competing for the same people in a wage-based arms race is unsustainable. “We have to promote the trades as people are coming through high school,” he said. Exposure through industry days and other presentations is one way while granting release time for high school student workers was another that Goodrich mentioned as two ways to bring in the next generation of electrical contractors. Gregory agreed, saying that Hunt Electric and other industry groups have become much more involved at the high school level by showcasing and giving interested students career opportunities. He and his team have had success working on pre-apprenticeship that gives the most eager hands-on experience in prefabrication, an area that only grows in importance for contractors. “We’re getting them in a better position to be more productive on a job site on day one,” said Gregory.

Youthful Impact

By Taylor Larsen • November 1, 2024
Editor's note: UC+D's annual look at age 40 & Under A/E/C professionals includes individuals from a wide range of market segments including a general contractor VP, an interior designer, a rising UDOT director, a steel industry entrepreneur, an equipment dealer owner, and an electrical contractor safety/HR executive. Each holds a key position at their respective firm and has proven their skill and capability along their unique career paths.

Scintillating Sustainability

By Bradley Fullmer • November 1, 2024
Architect Brian Backe was succinct when he stated, "when I try to describe the Climate Innovation Center, one of the phrases is 'big things comes in small packages'." His words couldn't be more profound. An ambitious adaptive reuse project that is generating significant buzz in the sustainable building arena locally, Utah Clean Energy's new Climate Innovation Center (CIC) is the transformation of a modest, nearly 70-year-old, 3,000 SF single-level commercial structure into a state-of-the-art, two-story, zero-energy building that will serve as UCE's home for the next half century. "Within a 3,000 square foot footprint it has urban infill, is an adaptive reuse site, Net-Zero, combustion-free, hybrid mass timber structure—we really packed in a lot," said Backe, Principal-in-Charge for Blalock & Partners, who worked closely with Salt Lake-based Okland Construction to ensure optimum sustainability throughout the construction process. The $5.4 million, 5,260 SF project officially opened in June to much pomp and circumstance, and rightfully so. The center showcases the potential of what homes and buildings can be—spaces that are not only comfortable and inviting, but also produce zero pollution. The building will offer a space dedicated to learning, exploration and collaboration centered on climate solutions and improving local air quality, and a place for the community to engage and create solutions to the challenges we face. The project is a testament to CEO/Founder Sarah Wright and her team at Utah Clean Energy, and their commitment to increasing awareness of environmental sustainability. Their new home makes a bold, walk-the-walk statement about the importance of renewable energy in the built world. "There needs to be an education and understanding that renewables (solar, wind, hydro, geo-thermal) are our cheapest resources," said Wright, a Chicago-native whose diverse background includes work in geology, environmental consulting, air quality, and occupational health. She founded UCE, a mission-driven non-profit, in 2001 and is thrilled to see the CIC finally come to fruition after years of planning. The project, she said, embodies UCE's dedication to transforming Utah's built environment to be zero energy and emission-free, while helping the community reimagine the places we live and work. "This is a living laboratory and teaching tool for the public and the business community, demonstrating the tremendous role that buildings have in solving climate change," said Wright. "Everyone that's been here loves it and other owners say they are inspired by it." Kevin Emerson, Director of Building Decarbonization and an 18-year UCE veteran, said the project became a necessity in recent years as UCE's staff swelled to 15 people. "We've had a dream to really 'walk to talk' through our office headquarters and (CIC) is the result of that dream coming to fruition," said Emerson. "It is more than just office space—it's meant to be a showcase and teaching tool for the construction and design industry." "There is nothing more sustainable than reusing our existing buildings and breathing a new 50-year-life into a structure than was slated for demolition," said Backe, adding that construction crews seismically braced the primary existing CMU block wall, in addition to reusing over 65 tons of CMU and 50 tons of concrete.
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