Case Studies Region: West

Morris Aldridge says it never gets old: watching elementary school children walk into a new school and hearing them squeal with delight. It’s almost as good as Christmas morning, he says. Delivering on a positive educational experience is something Aldridge knows a thing or two about. As a former teacher, principal and assistant superintendent, he […]

You may have been there once or twice. It’s one of those company-sponsored training or professional development events. During a break, you zip back over to your workspace to touch base with your colleagues and check in on emails, memos and calls. While this may only take a few minutes, as a result, you’re sidetracking […]

While it’s true that a museum is often the best place to display and store art, rarely is it treated like a piece of art itself. But the Seattle Asian Art Museum—with its Art Deco aluminum façade, specially-designed glass infinity floor, and octagonal rooms with 14-foot tall windows set in a series of galleries—has been […]

Air handling systems and drug production facilities that cycle a building’s air six to 60 times an hour with 100 percent outside air. A data center with a power usage effectiveness (PUE) ratio of 1.05. A computerized building automation system controlling 10,000 pieces of equipment and providing instant alerts if problems arise. These are examples […]

Not every museum exhibit invites visitors to grab a mic, have a seat and sing. But what better way to observe the legacy of singer, poet, novelist and artist Leonard Cohen than to join in renditions of “Hallelujah?” That’s what Daily Tous Les Jours, a Montreal-based art and design studio, has created within “Leonard Cohen: […]

Rooftop saltwater pools affording 360-degree mountain views. State-of-the-art fitness centers and spas (for pets, too). Expansive game rooms. Outdoor theaters. And then there are the keyless entries, smart thermostats that “learn” heating preferences, movable kitchen islands, customizable closets, fireplaces, private scenic patios and balconies. Offering these features across dozens of properties, Prometheus Real Estate Group […]

Failure is not unexpected, and to Ian Young at San Francisco-based Gusto, that’s refreshing. With the freedom to experiment, Young is embracing the challenges in his new role as head of facilities and build-outs for Gusto, a people platform provider of cloud-based payroll, benefits and human resource management software for businesses. It’s a totally different […]

Over the past 10 years, as the construction business worked to dig itself out of the Great Recession, EPC contracts (short for engineering, procurement and construction) became the go-to delivery method for a growing number of utilities and renewable energy developers. While EPC agreements have existed for decades, their core concepts—reducing risk and bringing all […]

In this tale of two cities, it may be the best of times and—though far from the worst—a very challenging time for the construction industry. For reasons unique to San Francisco and Houston, the building business is indeed booming in and around these great cities, with cranes pointing skyward like index fingers signaling victory. But […]

Tucked away on islands and small inland towns, some libraries are barely bigger than a living room, while others are almost twice as large as a retail store. More than places to get a book, they’re education hubs, community centers and places to gather. Yet to fulfill these many roles, the Sno-Isle Libraries system north […]