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Man of the People

As Babcock Design marks its 40th anniversary this year, founder Fred Babcock reflects on his profoundly unique career.
By: Brad Fullmer

When looking back at Fred Babcock's architectural career in Utah, his list of local clients—some of whom he designed palatial homes for—has a certain "who's who" wow factor, with names like Huntsman, Redford, Romney, and Holding sure to grab one's attention. 


Not bad for a small-town kid from Pocatello, Idaho, whose father was a hardworking, blue-collar Union Pacific worker who encouraged his oldest son to chase his dreams, while extending himself financially to make it happen. 


"I didn't find out until years later the sacrifices my father made—taking out loans—to help me attend the University of Utah," said Babcock. "I was grateful for that."

As the Salt Lake-based firm that bears his name—Babcock Design—marks its 40th anniversary this year, the founder and mentor to those currently running the company took time to reflect on a career well-navigated and a life he continues to live well as a spry and active 86-year-old. 

Interest in Art = Career Path to Architecture

Babcock had a passion for art in high school and was intrigued by a possible career in commercial art and graphics, which led to an art teacher recommending architecture as a career with better stability and earning potential. 


After graduating from Pocatello High in 1956, Babcock spent a year at Idaho State. At the end of that year, the instructor counseled the young graduate to consider the University of Utah's architecture program as a superior educational option for a student of his caliber.


"I went home, told my dad, and I could see him [wince]," Babcock recalled. "But he was very supportive. The University of Utah had just hired Roger Bailey as dean, and he brought instant credibility to the program."


Babcock started over as a freshman at the U in the fall of 1957 with 60 others in the five-year Bachelor of Fine Arts and Architecture program and followed that up by earning a Master of Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley in 1962.


Babcock and his wife, Linda, returned to Salt Lake and he worked the next few years with prominent architects including John Clawson, Don Panuschka, and Boyd Blackner. While working with Blackner, Babcock was approached by a friend who was a dentist about designing a new dental clinic. The opportunity was exciting for the young architect, until he told Blackner about it, who promptly congratulated Babcock and told him that he would design it himself. The experience left Babcock with a bad taste in his mouth.


Shortly thereafter, Babcock was approached by two architect friends—Albert 'Ab' Christensen and Ralph Evans—and the trio formed Architects Planners Alliance (APA) in 1968.


APA quickly landed a notable project, a renovation of historic Trolley Square in Salt Lake, which later became the location of the firm's office.


Another prominent long-time client came about a couple of years later when Kem Gardner of Salt Lake-based The Boyer Company contacted the firm about a project directly across from Trolley Square.


"Because we were so close to the site, I think he saw some benefits having someone working on the project who was across the street," said Babcock. "He was happy how it turned out, and through him, I met Roger [Boyer]. Kem has been wonderful to the firm, as well, with ongoing work."

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    Fred Babcock’s ability to connect with people and a genuine desire to design a home or project that absolutely met a client’s vision and dreams led to many loyal clients and inspiring projects including this mountain gem in Park City.

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    Fred Babcock designed several significant projects for Jon M. and Karen Huntsman including Phase I of the Huntsman Cancer Institute (pictured)—a building that continues

    to age gracefully more than 25 years after its completion. (photo courtesy Sohm Photografx)

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Celebrity Architect; Niche in Designing Custom Homes

In 1974, tragedy struck when Christensen suffered a heart attack at 43 and passed away, a huge blow to the still up-and-coming firm.

"That really set us back," said Babcock. "Ab was the leader of the firm; the key principal—we depended on him."


His passing created a unique opportunity for Babcock to work directly with his first "celebrity" client, Hollywood legend Robert Redford. He said Redford was pleasant to work with and came across as a regular guy, considering his A-list, heartthrob status.


"When Ab died, I got a call from Redford saying, 'What are we going to do?' So, I followed up with him. That was back in the day of the 'Sundance Kid'—it was a big deal. I had more people wanting to know about [Redford's house] than anything else we were doing," he laughed.


He continued, "Our office in Trolley Square was surrounded by glass on the second floor. Every time we had a meeting with Redford, we'd go in that conference room, and before you knew it there were 50 people milling around, pretending they were shopping. That was exciting!"


Designing Redford's home was certainly a thrilling opportunity but Babcock was just getting started on an almost fairytale-like career designing homes and other generational projects for an enviable list of well-known clients.


His secret? An innate ability to connect with people, and a genuine desire to design a home or project that absolutely meets the client's vision and dreams.

By 1984, Babcock had teamed with John Pace to create Babcock Pace Architects, and they purchased an office in Exchange Place which remains the firm's Salt Lake headquarters, albeit with a sharp new makeover. Pace left two years later, and Babcock, along with Brent Davis—who Babcock spoke glowingly of all these years later—and a few others, soldiered on as Babcock Design.


Dynamic Relationships Key to Filling Project Pipeline

Babcock Design thrived in designing custom homes, and Babcock's relationship with commercial clients blossomed during the late 80s and early 90s, providing other opportunities to supplement residential work.


"I've always had a passion for residential work and fortunately was able to maintain enough work to sustain the office," said Babcock.


Babcock said designing a custom home for a client was always a thrill, a process he quickly mastered because he cared so much about the final product and fulfilling people's dreams.


"[Designing a home] is more of a privilege—they're depending on you to glean from them what their dreams are, without them having the knowledge of how to do it," said Babcock. "I found out early how important it was to listen. I love art, I love to draw, and I felt like what you present to people is an extension of who you were, through the pencil."


The ability to negotiate directly with an owner—whether it be a single residence for a homeowner or multiple commercial projects for a private developer—was where Babcock Design thrived.



"Therein lies the essence of a successful practice—maintaining relationships," Babcock added. "That was a big part of our residential work [...] I don't remember getting a house [to design] that didn't come as a referral. And designing those homes led to some significant experiences for me."

Word-of-Mouth Referrals Lead to Remarkable Opportunities

One of those experiences came about when Babcock one day got a call from a real estate agent in Park City who knew of the firm's reputation. He had a client from New York who needed an architect and Babcock's name was mentioned.


He ended up meeting with Martin “Marty” Granoff, and ultimately designed not one, but three homes, which led to a genuine friendship between the men.

Granoff later called Babcock regarding the design of a Hillel for Tuft's University in Medford, Massachusetts, a request that left the architect rather speechless, given that he was just getting to learn a bit about Granoff's Jewish faith.


Granoff proved to be a very philanthropic individual who was funding the Tuft's Hillel project, a project Babcock said is for Jewish students to socialize, fellowship, and practice their religion, much like a Latter-day Saint Institute building.


"I didn't even know what a Hillel was, but because he had confidence in me and wanted me to design that, it put myself in a spot I never dreamed of," said Babcock. "We ended up designing three more Hillels and consulted on many others across the country. It was really impactful to our firm. I still talk every month or so with Marty—we're dear friends. And it all started with a relationship with a real estate agent in Park City!"


Huntsman Connection Proves Fruitful

Babcock's relationship with Jon and Karen Huntsman was also ignited by a referral. He said the Huntsman’s were planning a "fairly significant residence" on a 35-acre spread in Park City, and Karen became aware of Babcock's name and called him out of the blue one day.


Three other significant projects from the Huntsman's followed, including a remodel of their home in Salt Lake, and two major commercial projects near the University of Utah: the Huntsman Corporation offices, and Phase I of Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI).


"That turned out to be a wonderful honor," said Babcock. "Jon said to me, 'Fred, I am committed to curing cancer, committed to funding a cancer institute.’ He had [cancer] at the time. I had no idea it would turn out the way it did!'


At the request of the State of Utah DFCM and the University of Utah, Babcock Design had to bring on a partner, which turned out to be Jensen-Haslem Architects (later Architectural Nexus) on Phase I, a building that continues to age gracefully more than 25 years after its completion.


Babcock Design Continues to Build on Founder's Legacy

Babcock Design today is led by a trio of Principals—Rob Cottle, Darin Bell, and T.J. Winger—who combine to have more than 80 years of experience in architecture, with the majority of it with the firm. Each sings Babcock's praise as a mentor and friend, a man with great design acumen and even better people skills. They all realized early on that Babcock's ability to connect with clients was a true hallmark, a skill to emulate.


"I remember asking Fred one time, 'Everyone who knows you, loves you. Are you that good?'" Winger recalled. "He said, 'I'm pretty good, but bring your talent—don't bring your ego. It's the client's money, it's the client's project. We help them make good decisions.' It's the relationship that matters."


"Custom residential was the basis of Fred's firm from the beginning. He fell into [great projects] through his relationships and his hard work," said Cottle, who has been President since 2008, and who worked with Babcock on Huntsman Cancer Phase I in addition to having 30 years of experience at the firm. "His whole ethos, his business development ability, is because he's a genuinely nice guy and he's attentive to them. When we took over, we wanted to continue that approach. One of the reasons we kept the name [Babcock Design] is because there is a lot of goodwill associated with his name."


Cottle said the firm did $1.5 million in revenue that first year, which was followed by three lean years as it weathered the great recession. Cottle, Bell, Winger, and Brent Davis learned from the recession the importance of diversifying their work and becoming proficient in multiple market segments.


"He put in a good word for us on occasion and has always been there for us," said Bell. "He handed us the keys and let us figure it out."


"We learned from the downturn that we had a lot of eggs in a fairly small range of projects. When the economy tanked, it really hurt us," said Cottle. "We needed to diversify our project sectors and widen our influence over the market. Second, we learned the hard way that you have to hire the right people, people that fit your company culture. Our law became 'Must play well with others.’ Having people that don't get along with others can mess up the vibe."


Babcock Design's decision to open an office in Boise—a direct response to getting a plethora of new work from Gardner Company in and around the Idaho capital city—has been a boon to the firm, as it now has 46 employees in the two offices and projects in multiple market segments.


Babcock Design eclipsed the $12 million revenue mark last year and is primed for another banner year in 2024, with 2025 also shaping up nicely.


"We've grown organically, but incrementally," said Cottle. "We've added new people and expanded our range of expertise that addressed our needs." That includes hiring Jackie Black six years ago to establish the firm's Interior Design division, which led to creating an in-house FF&E installation division.


"I have such high regard for these guys—I have a great love for them," said Babcock. "That they would go forward using my name, the great projects they've done. I never would have gone to Boise—I wouldn't have had the nerve to do that! To see what they've done has been a highlight."


Cottle and Bell both have a few more years to go before considering retirement, while Winger has at least another decade ahead of him. The firm has brought on new Principals as partners and shareholders, and the expectation is for Babcock Design to remain a Top 10 Utah architectural firm.


"The best part of our firm is we have different strengths," said Cottle. "I genuinely feel like we build off each other's strengths. We're just all in it together [...] and we try to let each person work where their natural genius lies."

(from left to right) TJ Winger, Rob Cottle and Darin Bell have led Babcock Design to new heights and helped diversify their design portfolio and widen the firms market influence—including opening an office in Boise, Idaho.

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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