Field Notes: How Drone Survey, Orthomosaic, and Point Cloud Mapping Inform Project Development

Posted on December 12, 2023February 17, 2025 by Otak Staff

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

Land surveying is an ever-evolving profession, with data acquisition and measurement tools continuously becoming obsolete as they are replaced with faster, more accurate, safer, and more efficient tools. One such tool involves the use of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), or what’s more generally known as a “drone”. When paired with a sensor (aka payload) the drone becomes an unmanned aerial system (UAS), capable of capturing unique perspectives from otherwise unreachable vantage points.

In the survey and mapping industry, drones have grown to be safer, less expensive, and easier to operate. Gone are the days of creating your own drones, control systems, payloads, and controllers to tailor an unmanned aerial system (UAS) to a project’s particular needs. The result of a drone survey today can provide aerial imagery, point cloud data, and ultimately data that allows for map creation and digital terrain modeling. Just as important, a drone survey also allows us to obtain a perspective of the overall context of a site in a way that is immediately understandable by non-surveyors.

In this piece, we’ll examine exactly what a drone survey is, what it’s capable of, and how it leads to more informed projects from design through construction.

Read on or skip ahead:

What is a Drone Survey?
Why Use a Drone Survey?
The Drone Capture Process
Taking a Multidisciplinary Approach to Complete Surveying

Infographic showing the components of technology used for a drone survey.

What is a Drone Survey?

Drone surveying is the art of mapping areas of land using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology. Drones carrying cameras or sensors (known as “payloads”) are used to capture data that can be turned into images ranging from the visual spectrum to infrared or point clouds utilizing LiDAR (Light Detecting and Ranging).

Modern drones can be deployed quickly and safely, providing images and videos in different formats, perspectives, and angles. Drone images and videos can be used to create maps, orthomosaics (aka “aerial photos”), and help users better view and understand view corridors.

The Science of Turning Data into 2D and 3D Models

In processing what’s captured during a drone survey, flat, 2D photos are used to create 3D models and obtain a digital terrain model of a site. How? Through a technique called structure from motion (SfM).

Structure from motion is a photogrammetric technique for estimating three-dimensional structures from two-dimensional image sequences. It is based on the principle that if we know the position and orientation of a drone’s camera when images are taken, we can use corresponding features to compare overlapping images as the drone has moved to reconstruct a 3D structure of area.

The SfM process works by first finding matching features in different images of the same scene. These features can be anything from corners of buildings to leaves on trees. Once the matching features are found, the software can use them to estimate the position and orientation of the camera for each image. With the camera positions known, the software can then reconstruct the 3D structure of the scene.

Quote from John Rogers on how drone surveying can be used to capture inaccessible project cites.

Drone Survey and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

A drone survey also naturally lends itself to Geographic Information System (GIS) applications. For the practice of mapping and analyzing geographically referenced information, the perspective and data obtained from a drone can significantly streamline that process.

The ability to produce this accurate and information-rich view of a given area has widespread benefits for a variety of projects. For instance, UAV captured data can be used in GIS for anything from modeling post-fire debris flow potential or avalanche terrain risk studies to view shed studies for planning and architecture projects. It can also have major applications in environmental design including the analysis of river morphology and water turbidity, plant species and land cover classification, advanced wetland identification modeling, and many more.

[Interactive] Slider in ArcGIS Showing Water Level Change Over Time

Why Use a Drone Survey – An Essential Component of Upkeep, Planning, and the Design Through Construction Process

The world isn’t a static place, and neither are the uses for drone imagery. While the prevailing usage is to create a map or aerial photo of a site once, mapping how that site changes over time is another very valuable application. Whether it be monitoring how plantings are growing, or tracking how woody debris and boulders may move seasonally in a stream restoration project, recording change over time reveals how well the project stands up to the elements of nature and time.

As the field has evolved, many manufacturers are building UAS specifically for land surveying uses – “metric” cameras for high accuracy, high resolution photography and LiDAR to name a couple. Advances in battery life, carrying capacity, and overall capabilities have rapidly accelerated while costs have come down and piloting has become more intuitive.

Columbia Bottomlands

See the Project

Take a closer at how the vast – and largely inaccessible – Columbia Bottomlands was surveyed with drone technology for a habitat restoration design that improves wetland and fish conditions in the region.

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Accuracy

Drone surveys can provide highly-accurate data with a level of detail that is not possible with traditional surveying methods over wider areas. This is because drones can fly closer to the ground and take more photographs, which can then be stitched together to create a detailed 3D model of the survey area. Whereas traditional surveying methods require intention to map every specific item with a survey field crew, with a drone, you get all the items in your photo and then decide what to include in your map.

Cost-Effectiveness

Drone surveys are typically less expensive than traditional surveying methods, as they require fewer personnel and less equipment. Additionally, drone surveys can be completed much more quickly than traditional surveys, which can further reduce costs.

Efficiency

Drone surveys may be completed much faster than traditional surveys. This is because drones can cover large areas of land in a short period of time. The approach also opens the door to a wider variety of project sites as drone surveys can be conducted in areas that are difficult or dangerous to access using traditional methods.

Safety

All work done with drones for commercial purposes must be flown or overseen by a Remote Pilot in Charge having their FAA Part 107 UAS Remote Pilot License. Drone surveys are much safer than traditional surveys, as they do not require surveyors to put themselves in dangerous situations. For example, drone surveys can be used to survey areas that are otherwise inaccessible. This could be due to steep terrain, failing infrastructure, dangerous lake or river crossings, or areas with hazardous materials among a host of other reasons.

Infographic with examples of assets typically captured on projects with drone surveying.

Drawbacks to Drone Survey: Airspace, Weather, and Logistical Limitations

The drawbacks of surveying with drones generally come down to airspace restrictions. There are limitations on where and how high drones can fly in areas around secure locations such as airports. Weather also comes into play. Clouds must not be too close to the ground, and wet ground may be too reflective and shiny to create acceptable imagery for mapping.

While the costs associated with surveying – as well as drone technology – continue to reduce, the process still involves highly-skilled individuals using very advanced and expensive equipment. Each survey crew has a sophisticated setup, including their truck/mobile office – and for this reason, survey field crews are costly. They also often need to be scheduled weeks if not months in advance. Unfortunately, this doesn’t allow for rapid deployment to capture an ephemeral situation or event, such as a flood, moving slide, or traffic conditions. However, there are situations where a decent drone and a Part 107 pilot can be deployed to a site rapidly if needed, at a much lower cost than a traditional field crew.

Does this mean traditional ground mapping is no longer needed? Not at all. In addition to the limitations noted above, ground cover, tree canopy, and the ability of an experienced survey crew to discern the existence and location of objects that might be under a few leaves, or a thin layer of sand or mulch won’t be replaced anytime soon.

Orthomosaic Mapping and the Drone Capture Process

Orthomosaics are large, dimensionally correct photos made up of hundreds or even thousands of individual photos of a site. Utilizing software to create these images, they provide a surprisingly accurate view of planimetric features.

When using drones to create a mapping product, there are a number of steps to ensure that the resulting product meets the accuracy needs of project.

[Watch] Drone Survey Flight Footage at Manley Road

Mission Planning

To maximize the resulting imagery from a drone survey, there are numerous factors to consider during mission planning. Critical aspects often include determining the best time of day, anticipating low wind conditions, cloud cover, and less congestion from parked vehicles or pedestrians. Ensuring the controller and UAV are up to date on software, firmware, and airspace maps, and that the drone is physically in tip-top condition with charged batteries is vital prior to every flight. Determining the optimal height above ground for the UAV to fly, the overlap and number of images, the specific UAS to be used, and the direction and rate of travel of the drone while acquiring images all add to the considerations when planning a flight mission.

Establishing Ground Control Points (GCP’s)

Small marks are made throughout the site, visible in the drone images, that have specific coordinates and elevations associated with consistent locations on these marks. These may be “T”’s or “L”’s or “X”’s made with tape, or circles with the classic survey pattern of opposing quarters. Depending on the site size and elevation change, there may be 7 to 10 of these used to control the data, and 3 to 4 that are used to check it. The resulting map can only be as accurate as the least accurate control point, quality survey equipment and great care in this process is essential to establish these stations.

Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Flight

If all the planning was done properly, the flight is mainly about safety, safety, and safety. Immediately prior to a mission, the pilot must plan ahead to mitigate distractions, disruptions, and disputes that may arise while the mission is underway.

While a UAS can be programmed to literally fly itself , the pilot is on hand to at least ensure safe flight operations from the moment they arrive on-site to the time they depart. While the UAS is in flight, the pilot needs to give their full attention to the safe operation of the drone. Pilots need to look out for other craft entering their airspace and track that the drone is acquiring the correct number and type of images that it is programmed to capture.

Quote from David Breneman on piloting during a drone survey.

Post Processing

The images, sometimes as many as two thousand, are loaded into software. What’s known as a photogrammetry module (both the module and software package can run thousands of dollars) is designed specifically for the kind of mapping needed on a particular project. There are a variety of options when it comes to post processing software packages with some better designed for different types of drone survey applications.

Mapping Creation

The process can also be taken a step further by creating a photographic point cloud, which allows us to create a digital terrain model and obtain the heights of items above the ground such as buildings, wire elevations, and trees. Point cloud data may be used simply for map quality control or to supplement field surveying with 2D items such as paint striping or concrete patterns. But it can also be used to create mapping in inaccessible areas or areas that would be dangerous to map with traditional means. While most surveying won’t rely solely on drone data, it can be an essential tool in all these areas.

Structure from Motion is used to create a 3D model of everything within the images. This is then cleaned up and items that are irrelevant to the project are removed. The clean data can then be used to create linework and digital terrain model (DTM) features (i.e., objects found on the surface area) which are transferred into AutoCAD for final mapping and drafting.

Manley Road

See the Project

Take a closer look at the redesign of Manley Road where drone survey was used to capture a site with challenging topography on the way to numerous road safety improvements as well as a restored stream.

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Drone Project Photography

Many times, land surveying work is performed to create a basemap of a location so engineers and architects can design improvements or new uses for that site. But what if the goal is to simply have a record of what is there rather than to immediately improve it? This is where mapping that may require a lower accuracy than “survey grade” may be what is needed.

In simply documenting a project visually from a unique perspective, drone-based photography and mapping really shines. When overseen, controlled, and quality checked by a land surveyor, the resulting mapping from a drone mission will be as accurate and reliable as possible. This data can be used to create GIS datasets that track locations of site improvements, utilities, and other features.

Ultimately drones give surveyors the ability to visualize unique project perspectives, capture otherwise unobtainable viewpoints, and document site conditions in a way that can’t easily be accessed.

Designed bridge to replace the second-most-hazardous in the state. — Lommen Bridge Replacement – Tillamook County, OR

Aerial view of Union Station and Willamette River. — Lommen Bridge Replacement – Tillamook County, OR

A Multidisciplinary Approach Supported by a Complete Survey Team

While the Otak UAV program is hosted through our land surveying group, the use of drones extends much further. From marketing and comprehensive project management to water resources engineering and construction management and inspection, the full breadth of multidisciplinary expertise can benefit from data obtained through drone imagery and video. Drones are an increasingly valuable part of our industry, and their usage and value will continue to be discovered and utilized for years to come.

While an exciting tool that provides capabilities not before available to land surveyors, UAV-based mapping is still just one of several advanced tools Otak has to map features above, on, and below the surface of the earth. Whether a project requires UAVs, terrestrial scanning, bathymetric mapping, traditional mapping, or nearly any other mapping means, Otak’s land surveying and GIS personnel are equipped with the tools and expertise to get the project done right.

Explore Our Survey and Mapping Work

Five Insights on Tribal Consultation for Successful Stewardship of Cultural and Natural Resources

Posted on November 29, 2023March 26, 2024 by Otak Staff

No history of the United States is complete without significant conversation around the history of Native American Tribes. In fact, this often-solemn past represents merely a fraction of indigenous peoples’ place on the North American continent.

As the original stewards of the land, Tribes today now play a role in the development of public projects, supporting efforts toward the successful preservation of cultural and natural resources.

In recognition of this historical context, certain circumstances – namely through the Historic Preservation Act of 1966 – designate when and how projects need to involve Tribal consultation. But for this commitment rooted in a government-to-government relationship, truly building and benefiting from these relationships must go beyond what’s simply required by law.

In this piece, we take a closer look at the tribal consultation process, and the steps to successfully fostering those relationships when it comes to project development.

Read on, or skip ahead:

What is the Tribal Consultation Process?
When is Tribal Consultation Needed?
Insights to Successful Tribal Relationship Building
Lasting Benefits to Continuous Tribal Relationships
A Unique Approach by the City of Boulder

Infographic showing areas of best practice for building Tribal relationships during project development.

What is the Tribal Consultation Process?

Tribal consultation is a crucial step in the development of public projects, with an overall goal of avoiding mapped culturally sensitive sites, as well as preserving landmarks and natural resources. The process is formalized by Section 106 of the Historic Preservation Act of 1966, including providing at least 30 days advance notice to tribes before the first consultation session, and sufficient detail of the project to be discussed so leaders can have an opportunity to fully engage with each step in the process.

At the heart of the consultation process is allowing Tribes the chance to engage in meaningful discussions between their own representatives and federal decision-makers. Stringent records of all proceedings must be maintained. Additionally, the federal response to tribes and their input, detailing how their insights were incorporated into the final decision of development, is an equally critical part of the discussion.

When is Tribal Consultation Needed?

While tribal consultation is legally required by section 106 of the Historic Preservation Act of 1966 where federal funds are involved, it can also be triggered by state regulations, bond conditions, or simply as a best practice.

The NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) or SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act) processes often initiate tribal consultation, and more recently there’s been a greater effort made to involve tribes where counties and municipalities strive to respect the public’s relationship with the land. Sometimes, projects evolve directly from a partnership with a local tribe and local government where the tribe becomes a client rather than a stakeholder.

“It’s important to consider two things. First, the Tribes are sovereign nations and communication should reflect that status. Second, the process shouldn’t be transactional. Invest in relationships that produce more meaningful and fruitful outcomes for everyone involved.”
– Jon Hedlund, Senior Archaeologist, ERO Resources Corporation

Insights to Tribal Consultation and Relationship Building

Building truly successful relationships with tribes involves more than simply checking the necessary boxes. The process requires recognizing tribal sovereignty, understanding past generational trauma, and pursuing mutually beneficial outcomes.

It’s important to recognize here that tribes are often inundated with requests and might not have paid staff to process all aspects of a project development plan – meaning the process might take additional time and prioritization of the most important aspects of a project is paramount. With that in mind, there are some key steps that can be taken both in one-off consultations or in maintaining a more regular relationship to streamline the process and meet project priorities for all stakeholders involved.

Middle Village / Station Camp Park

See the Project

Take a closer look at how a park was developed to recognize its historic significance to both the Lewis and Clark expedition as well as the Chinook Nation as a long-standing trading post in the Pacific Northwest.

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Identifying Interested Parties

Efforts to identify interested tribes should extend beyond regional boundaries, considering relocated indigenous communities. Tribal consultation often involves groups that are native to a project area but can also include indigenous people who have relocated from elsewhere.

Leveraging State Historic Preservation Officers’ (SHPO) databases provides a starting point with insights into tribes with interests in specific areas. When required by Section 106, this is must and when operating outside the statute it remains a valuable resource. In any case, if a non-government entity is trying to get a tribe involved, mirroring that government-to-government relationship is a formal process that should not be taken lightly.

Engaging Early and Often

Early and regular communication with tribes is essential for meaningful participation. An even better method is to maintain communication, whether work is being done or not, on an ongoing basis so a real relationship can be built between a firm, municipality, and the tribe in question.

Initial outreach, including project details, invitations to consult, and breakdowns of the pros and cons to tribes directly is critical – and follow-up phone calls or emails set the stage for ongoing collaboration. Recognizing that tribes may need 45-60 days to respond underscores the importance of patience in the process and establishing appropriate timelines.

“Not only does a quality relationship [with Native American Tribes] make the consultation process smoother, we also pick up on things related to the local ecology that we might not normally.”
– Phillip Yates, City of Boulder

Creating Clear Lines of Communication

Providing concise and visually engaging information is also crucial. Establishing clear lines of communication facilitates effective dialogue and collaboration. Sometimes a tribal liaison will be established to help ensure this takes place.

Regular meetings contribute to building trust and fostering true collaboration, and visuals are often incorporated into the initial outreach portion to easily break down what is being requested of a tribe in a digestible way. Considerations of the tribe’s time and extra care in nurturing a relationship yields better project results for everyone involved, building true trust and collaboration between all stakeholders.

Dungeness River Bridge and Floodplain Restoration

See the Project

Take a closer look at how guidance from the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe contributed to the re-establishment of a floodplain while repurposing an trestle structure with a river-worthy, salmon-friendly replacement.

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Addressing Feedback and Adding Tangible Benefit

Tribal input should not only be acknowledged but actively incorporated into project designs. Meaningful benefits, such as opening project areas for tribes to collect natural resources they once had access to but no longer do, or incorporating a gathering space for tribal events into project planning demonstrate a commitment to tangible outcomes that align with tribal interests.

Above all else, project design should be finalized with tribe’s comments/concerns in mind, and ultimately with consideration of impacts to the ecological and cultural health of these areas.

On-Site Involvement and Unintended Archeological Discoveries

Central to this consultation process is a connectedness with the land. Involving tribal representatives on-site throughout the project, especially during construction, ensures their expertise on identifying natural and cultural resources is utilized.

For instance, during construction a tribal monitor might come out to a project site to observe where the land is being disturbed. Through site surveying and testing, sacred artifacts in the ground are typically avoided, but sometimes there are unintended archeological discoveries. In these cases, the cultural context provided by tribes is essential to setting appropriate actions. The preference in these instances is almost always to leave artifacts where they were found, but it is especially crucial regardless to have tribes guide the approach in the unfortunate event of these developments.

Little Boston Road Pedestrian Trail

See the Project

Take a closer look the design behind a trail that prioritizes multimodal accessibility and low impact on the environment to better connect he Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe with their Tribal Administrative Campus.

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Lasting Benefits to Continuous Tribal Relationships

Maintaining relationships with tribal governments yields lasting benefits. The connections formed can enhance the project design process and benefit the broader community in the form of education and shared knowledge of peoples they share the land with.

There are a variety of guides related to the preservation of different natural resources also available that draw on this intimate knowledgebase. Harnessing historical and cultural knowledge for initiatives like forest management and river restoration ensures projects align with tribal values.

A Unique Approach for the City of Boulder

The City of Boulder offers a unique example of a municipality actively engaging with tribal communities. Their approach, involving annual formal consultations, specific projects with cultural connections, and virtual working group meetings, sets a precedent for fostering ongoing communication and collaboration.

To the City, navigating the tribal consultation process in project development is more than a legal requirement – it is an opportunity for meaningful collaboration, honoring the land’s history, and fostering relationships with indigenous communities. “We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to listen to and learn from Tribal Representatives and for all the time they have shared with us,” says Phillip Yates who leads the City of Boulder’s Tribal outreach program. “We thank them for the opportunity to build relationships with them and recognize the critical importance of sustaining those relationships in the future.”

By embracing the principles of respect, communication, and common sustainable goals we can create projects that not only meet regulatory standards but contribute positively to the cultural and environmental fabric of the communities they serve. Taking steps to maintain a relationship with regional Tribes is one area that serves that goal.

View Examples Our Work With Tribes

School Bond Program Management: Piecing Together the Puzzle of Success

Posted on October 4, 2023February 21, 2024 by Otak Staff

For something as inherently valuable as education, the means for updating its facilities are often less than straightforward.

The process for improving education community assets often relies on many steps over a complex timeline that involves a variety of different stakeholders. Education professionals typically maintain full schedules in keeping their schools functioning as well as possible. With so many complex and moving parts, many organizations benefit from partnering with a bond program manager with the technical expertise to ensure a bond management process runs smoothly alongside typical operations.

In this piece, we’ll examine the elements of a successful school bond program and the role of an owner’s representative, or bond program manager plays in supporting the client.

Read on or skip ahead:

What is a School Bond Program?
How Are Bond Programs Unique?
How Are Bond Programs Similar?
Planning and Front-End Alignment
Stakeholder and Oversight Engagement
Project Delivery, Documentation, and Reporting
Setting Transition and Turnover
Augmenting the School Bond Process

What is a School Bond Program?

A school bond program is a form of financing for capital construction projects that many communities rely on for improving their facilities. The projects that comprise a bond program can range from new construction or facilities renovation to addressing deferred maintenance. The cost for these often exceeds typical operating budgets so additional funds are sought from voters in general elections.

Falling into the category of general obligation (GO) bonds, school bonds are generally funded by leveraging property taxes, proposed during general elections. Beyond just improving the built environment for students, teachers, and the community – or in supporting the longevity of an asset – to pass bonds school districts must be thoughtful and strategic about the needs and interests of their community and appeal to those voters.

Bonds may focus on life, fire, safety, and ADA concerns. Some will also address more targeted goals like seismic improvements, pedagogy, or curriculum advancements such as career-technical education facilities. At their heart, bond programs and their passage are an expression of public trust by taxpayers.

Use of bond funds is also subject to financial management and procurement requirements established by state and local municipalities. In many states, additional grants and “match” funding are also available to help taxpayer dollars go farther to support education.

Serving as owner's rep and bond program manager — *[See the Project] Reynolds School District Bond Program*

How are Bond Programs Unique?

No two school bond programs are the same. Some bonds may be focused on one or a few projects, while others may touch every school within the district’s portfolio. Depending on the size and complexity, a bond may be conceived with multiple projects, budgets, and project teams. It may involve multi-phasing to prepare interim facilities and swing spaces ahead of final projects.

To account for this variety and unanticipated conditions that can arise during construction, successful program management requires experience in facilities, design, educational paradigms, administration, all phases of construction project management, managing multiple levels of stakeholders, team leadership, and community relations.

How are Bond Programs Similar?

With unique goals and requirements, each school bond program will require processes tailored to their specifications. However, there are a number of key elements that are common denominators with any successful program.

A priority for any school bond program is maximizing the impact of locally approved funding by preserving as much money as possible for the projects themselves.

Part of this effort may involve minimizing overhead, but it’s important to consider the big picture as the greatest savings are found in efficiencies throughout the process. For example, a 1–3% upfront investment in pre-planning work can result in much lower costs over the full lifecycle of the project. This is one area where a program manager can have the most value.

In pre-planning, a school district may have identified immediate and long-range needs, but determining the best solutions to meet district needs can be guided and facilitated by the program manager.

Aerial view of Nustucca Valley Campus — *[See the Project] Nestucca Valley School District Bond Program*

Planning and Front-End Alignment

A crucial step for any school bond program is often one of the first. In selecting a project – and even prior to it – extensive planning begins with the identification of long-range district goals. This process can include focused due diligence such as facility assessments and enrollment forecasting needs (over at least 10 years), and eventually lead to project selection itself. Without these steps, projects may be compromised by short-sightedness or even subject to future rework if they are not considered in the context of a larger plan.

According to a study by Autodesk, poor schedule management is cited by 68% of project trades as the main cause of decline in worker productivity. Experience in construction management and front-end planning of a bond’s budget, scope, and timeframe components can help design the best execution strategy that maximizes approved funding impact. With this breadth of experience and knowledge, a bond program manager will be able to provide cost projections and cost-benefit analyses for potential project scenarios, and advising as such when a District is determining whether to renovate and upgrade existing facilities or initiate new construction.

In this stage of the school bond program, standardizing processes also provides the opportunity to bring together key project players and establish consensus in planning. Clear expectations for input and decision making need to be established to secure trust with these stakeholders so they can constructively engage in the design/construction process. From public engagement stakeholders and consultants to bond counsel and legal representation, coordination between the complete team early on can be an essential step in collecting necessary information to help inform project scope.

Role of a Bond Manager

An experienced bond manager understands this entire process and the subtle nuances that can affect the outcome of a yes or no vote. From tailoring polling questions and voting strategies around an election, to how the bond itself is worded, there are variety of aspects that impact its outcome. Competing agendas and politics are invariably part of the overall equation and an experienced bond manager can help guide the district through the entire pre-bond process.

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Stakeholder and Oversight Engagement

While establishing internal planning for anticipated projects is essential, they will not move forward without determining what the tax base will support. Knowing what taxpayers in the district can afford and what they value or view as necessary is key. To answer these questions, studies and polling can help tailor the dollar amount and scope of work before being put out for a vote. In-person meetings where community groups are represented can be essential engagement tools to connect with potential community champions and identify any initial dissenting opinions. Educating the public about bond goals and outcomes to garner support is also an essential investment.

After the bond’s passage, the real work begins to engage the many stakeholders invested in the success of a project including students/teachers/school-based staff, district personnel, and the partners/community members that may also use the facilities.

With a high level of scrutiny on expenditure of bond funds, districts should consider establishing an external oversight committee to observe the process. Typically comprised of interested community members, a bond manager will support the selection and engagement of the oversight committee to identify potential expertise that may be useful for supporting the bond and preparing reporting and presentations for their review across the bond’s duration.

At the end of the day, voters will want to know why a bond is needed: does it provide the best solution; what will it cost; can they afford it; and how will life continue in the meantime? To answers these questions and gain taxpayer support, a bond campaign will need to be outlined and implemented.

Role of a Bond Manager

A bond manager will be able to guide the district in all decisions and lend technical expertise and construction industry experience to guide the program’s delivery. They can help bridge gaps in personnel capacity and knowledge to bring bond promises to fruition.

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Strong Execution – Project Delivery, Documentation and Reporting

At the core of any successful school bond program is execution and delivery. While that may seem obvious, the path to effectively managing these steps is often anything but. Research of construction planning efficiency and delivery times by Wrike found that project planners typically have only a 58% accuracy rate when predicting delivery dates. These inconsistencies can have major impacts on staff, operations, and even student safety. In keeping complex school bond processes on track, documentation and reporting is key.

From start to finish, workflows and protocols are essential to facilitating review, approvals, and overall decision making. From augmenting project management resources at the outset of a project to setting consistent system specifications for maintenance following project completion, the establishment of strong document control and management systems helps ensure nothing slips through the cracks. The ability to quickly reference and produce consistent records also streamlines what can be complex legal processes.

When it comes to capital improvement projects, managing public contracts within a school bond requires an understanding of public procurement laws as they pertain to architectural design, engineering, construction, and consulting contracts. Contracts in the public sector are more complicated than the private sector and tend to have higher levels of scrutiny and oversight—every expenditure requires public justification. Ultimately, strong documentation and reporting in the school bond process prepares stakeholders throughout project delivery to help ensure staff needs are met and the safety of students is prioritized.

Role of a Bond Manager

A bond manager can help augment district staff efforts with deep knowledge of the way documentation and reporting tools are applied to projects of all shapes and sizes. As a go-between for the Owner with the architect, contractor, and other stakeholders, communication of important details are streamlined while keeping everyone on the same page.

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Setting Transition, Turnover and Community Use Expectations

While it’s easy to get swept away in the planning, engagement, and execution of school facility improvements, it’s important to remember that while the project itself is underway, life goes on. An important factor that is often, but should not be, overlooked is how people and programs are transitioned. This is because, as all educators are aware: the kids come back.

“We have seen projects come to completion, the owner moves in, and then it takes another 18 months before they know how to operate the building.”
– Henry Alaman, Otak Senior VP

Eighteen months is not atypical in a complex new facility where the existing facilities employees are not familiar with the new technology, systems, or equipment. To ensure the transition is seamless, all staff should receive the tools and training necessary to operate the building. Additionally, documents (drawings, plans, manuals, etc.) should be provided and stored electronically so they can be easily accessed.

Even the most well-established timelines and plans need to be prepared for unforeseen challenges. As a project progresses, the need to adapt is often inevitable. The ability to anticipate these challenges and quickly resolve them in the form of change management also becomes an important factor where the experience of an owner’s representative can prove invaluable.

Role of a Bond Manager

With the passage of a school bond measure, the public is placing their trust in the school district to deliver on specific outcomes. Ultimately, the bond manager is an extension of this trust and is responsible for guiding the spend-down of the approved budget and protecting the public and the school district’s interest.

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Taking a Multidisciplinary Approach to Augmenting the Bond Process

Delivering a school bond, no matter the scale, is a complex process and a program manager isn’t successful without operating in an owner’s representative capacity. The ability to coalesce diverse sets of expertise from different team members and align them with individual client goals is essential to bringing the work and the promises made to the community to fruition.

As a multi-disciplinary firm, Otak provides a unique combination of program, bond, and construction management expertise, as well as knowledge and understanding of public procurement laws governing bond spending, local industry, and market knowledge. Our firm has proudly worked with many urban and rural school districts in bond development and delivery. Check out some of that work below!

See Our School Bond Work

Benefits of Active Transportation: Walking, Biking, and Healthy Community Design

Posted on August 31, 2023February 20, 2025 by Otak Staff

In today’s rapidly evolving world, where convenience and speed often reign supreme, a quiet revolution is taking place on our streets and sidewalks. The growing popularity of non-motorized transportation, often referred to as “active transportation,” is reshaping our communities and our lives in profound ways. From bustling metropolises to quaint suburban neighborhoods, designers, planners, and entire communities are increasingly realizing the benefits of walking and rolling. In doing so, they are transforming the way we think about transportation, health, and urban planning.

In this piece we’ll examine how active transportation is playing a key role in designing healthier communities while improving connectivity, sustainability, and economic growth.

Read along or skip ahead:

What is Active Transportation?
Active Transportation Benefits to Public Health
Congestion & Climate Impact
Creating Safer Commute Options
Economic Benefits of Active Transportation
Types of Active Transportation

What is Active Transportation?

Active transportation encompasses any mode of travel that involves human propulsion – walking, cycling, skateboarding, and similar forms of mobility. It’s the human-powered movement that breathes life into our streets and invites interaction within communities in developing the public right-of-way. The benefits of active transportation extend beyond mere personal fitness; it nurtures a culture of connection and vibrancy within our towns and cities.

This movement aligns seamlessly with the philosophy of multimodal transportation and complete streets design. It recognizes the importance of accommodating a diverse range of travel choices, ensuring that our roads and paths are welcoming to pedestrians, cyclists, and users of all abilities.

Active Transportation Benefits to Public Health

Amid the pressing concerns of our modern world is the growing public health crisis of obesity, due in large part to increasingly sedentary lifestyles. According to the World Health Organization, people who are insufficiently active have a 20%-30% increased risk of death from a variety of causes.

The reality that two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight or obese underscores the urgency of reimagining our transportation landscape. Active transportation emerges as one solution to a variety of ills surrounding both public health and the transportation, offering a practical solution that naturally infuses physical activity into daily routines.

What’s more, the significance of the movement encouraged by active transportation extends beyond individual well-being. Unhealthier communities place strain on healthcare systems and exact emotional costs from reduced quality of life. By embracing active transportation, we can collectively counteract these social costs, cultivating a society that prioritizes well-being and reaps the rewards of healthier, more fulfilled citizens.

Designed 24-mile Interurban Trail — *Shoreline Interurban Trail – Shoreline, WA*

Reducing Congestion and Transportation Climate Impact

As cities continue to expand, transportation-related congestion poses significant challenges. It’s also no secret that the transportation sector contributes significantly – approximately 45% of total emissions in the U.S. – to air pollution. The correlation between these issues and increased motorized traffic is irrefutable.

In an industry aiming to reduce climate impact while also improving connectivity, active transportation serves as a powerful remedy to both problems. By design, the approach is offering emission-free travel options that mitigate environmental strain and alleviating congestion in urban centers simultaneously.

Creating Safer, More Plentiful Commute Options

Reducing congestion has benefits that extend beyond sustainable design alone. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) people are driving less while biking and walking more. At the same time, pedestrian and cyclist fatalities have also increased, further emphasizing the importance of active transportation design that naturally creates safer pedestrian right of way.

Access to reliable, equitable transportation is the lifeblood of thriving communities. Active transportation plays a pivotal role in shaping our neighborhoods by offering safer and more plentiful commute options. This is especially significant for lower-income individuals who may lack direct access to public transit or personal vehicles.

Intentional design that integrates active transportation into urban design is paramount to diverse, viable commute options. Carefully planned infrastructure ensures that pedestrians and cyclists are shielded from motorized traffic, promoting safety and fostering a culture of shared road space. This approach also contributes to more accessible, ADA-compliant communities where everyone can move with ease and dignity.

*McCaslin Boulevard Underpass – Louisville, CO*

The Economic Benefits of Active Transportation

Active transportation isn’t just a health booster; it’s also a catalyst for economic growth. With greater connectivity comes not only greater access to necessary services and employment opportunities, but also local businesses. The link between healthier communities and economic prosperity is undeniable. Areas with enhanced pedestrian and bicycle facilities often see increased property values and vibrant local businesses, creating a cycle of improvement and investment.

Property and Business Value

From increasing retail visibility to raising real estate value, the economic impact of active transportation on a community can take many forms. Studies across various U.S. cities by the Urban Land Institute find houses located in areas with above-average walkability or bikeability are worth up to $34,000 more than similar homes in areas where those features are average. As for businesses, people who arrive by bicycle have been shown to spend more overall while making more frequent visits.

Funding and Resource Efficiency

Aside from the economic benefits to the surrounding community, advantages also extend to the feasibility of the project itself. Active transportation infrastructure diminishes the need for constant road expansions to accommodate heavy traffic and roadway repairs that come with time and influx in population. This cost-saving measure frees up resources for other community enhancements, reinforcing the attractiveness of these areas to residents, businesses, and investors.

*“Linking Lookout” Interchange – Golden, CO*

In fact, many existing roadways are repurposed and converted to accommodate multi-use travel. With that approach, active routes can be swiftly implemented using a modest investment in curbing, traffic paint and signs, and landscaping.

Barriers to getting active transportation projects off the ground can also be reduced from a financial standpoint. Funding and grants for active transportation projects are easier to secure due to their inherent value to the community and the positive impact on pedestrian safety.

Types of Active Transportation

Active transportation comes in various forms, each with its own set of benefits and design considerations. From walking to biking, these modes of mobility interact with different facets of community life, ranging from leisure to essential transportation. Accessibility and ADA compliance remain vital in ensuring that all members of the community can participate.

Wayfinding – the art of providing clear signage to guide users – also plays a critical role in successful active transportation design. By helping people navigate these routes efficiently, we encourage broader adoption of non-motorized transportation.

Walking Transportation and Pedestrian Infrastructure

Walking is the most fundamental form of active transportation, and its role in urban planning cannot be overstated. Walkability contributes to the vitality of neighborhoods, enabling residents and visitors to engage with their environment, access essential services, and enjoy leisurely strolls.

Pedestrian infrastructure is central to this vision, ensuring safe and appealing walkways. Investments in pedestrian bridges, designed to link key areas of a community, further underscore the commitment to providing accessible and enjoyable pedestrian experiences.

Pedestrian Bridge on University of Colorado Campus

See the Project

Take a closer look at this example of pedestrian infrastructure where the vision for a “bridge through the canopy” was brought to life on the campus of University of Colorado, Boulder.

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Bike Facilities and Infrastructure

Bicycle infrastructure takes active transportation to new horizons, extending the reach of human-powered travel. Protected bike lanes, cycle tracks, and shared roadways carve out safe spaces for cyclists, allowing them to navigate through urban landscapes with confidence. Protected intersections further enhance safety, ensuring that cyclists can navigate intersections without fear.

The rising prominence of active transportation symbolizes a transformative shift in the way we move and live. This movement isn’t just about physical health; it’s about nurturing communities that are vibrant, connected, and sustainable. By embracing active transportation, we invest in our well-being, our environment, and our future. As we pedal, stroll, and roll towards healthier, more equitable communities, we pave the way for a brighter tomorrow.

30th and Colorado Underpass

See the Project

Take a closer look at this example of bicycle infrastructure where a dangerous, priority corridor is updated to advance the city’s future planning goals and improve the community’s multimodal transportation options.

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Multi-Use Paths

The concept of multi-use paths embodies inclusivity and adaptability. Such paths cater to various user groups, accommodating activities from scooting to dog walking. Thoughtful design accounts for different forms of transportation and future traffic considerations, such as the burgeoning popularity of electric bicycles. There are also a variety of surface types to consider that offer their own unique benefits for different types of users. In designing multi-use paths, it’s a delicate balance between user comfort, safety, and accessibility remains paramount in crafting these versatile pathways.

Kronberg Multi-Use Pathway

See the Project

Take a closer look at this example of a multi-use path where an elevated bridge was designed to promote active transportation while minimizing impact to the surrounding environment.

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Trails and Trailheads

Beyond the urban landscape, trails carve a path to healthy recreation and appreciation of nature. They also offer another key option for people to seek out regular exercise. Sustainable trail design minimizes maintenance while accommodating diverse user groups and minimizing conflicts. Trails beckon people outdoors, nurturing a deeper connection to the environment and fostering a shared sense of stewardship.

Meadowlark Trail

See the Project

Take a closer look at this example of trail design where a sustainable approach is taken in creating greater accessibility for the community to a popular trail network.

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Merging Transportation Design with Community Growth

Whether it be an urban corridor or rural open space, community growth takes shape in a variety of ways. More than just addressing population growth or fixing infrastructure, it’s about ultimately designing communities for both the present and future From project goals of supporting future economic development, to incorporating multimodal design, our multidisciplinary expertise allows for a comprehensive approach to achieving what matters most, improving the lives of the people who call that place home.

Take a closer look at our transportation engineering practice and learn more about how sustainability, accessibility, and mobility come together to create greater community connectivity.

See Our Active Transportation Work

Empowering Interns at Otak – Perspectives from Future Designers

Posted on August 2, 2023February 21, 2024 by Otak Staff

Skills in the AEC industry are among some of the most technical in the American workforce, and fostering those abilities in the next generation of professionals is critical to the future of our built environment. Future designers need to have the tools to learn practically and grow organically so they are equipped for success when it comes time to earn their license.

Internships are among the best ways Otak can provide our expertise as a learning experience – empowering young people looking to break into design with real world know-how, so they feel not only confident in their passion but also determined to make their mark on the world and how we experience it. This is what’s at the core of our Summer Internship Program.

In this piece, we delve into the heart of Otak’s Internship Program to explore what it is, its unique offerings, and hear directly from current and past interns about the impact it’s made on emerging professionals from across our offices!

Laying the Foundation

The Summer Internship Program at Otak serves as the launchpad for those seeking to pursue a career in the fields of engineering, architecture, and design in the marketing, planning, and construction project management sectors. As part of a greater industry practice, the program aims to create consistency of experience for interns, regardless of their individual backgrounds or interests. It embraces each intern wherever they are in their journey, providing a wealth of knowledge and skills that lay the foundations for a successful career for years to come.

An effort that evolved across Otak’s various departments over the last two years, the goal of the program became to nurture a pipeline of talent. The decision was made to structure the program around a “One Otak” approach to nurturing talent that would be consistent across our practice areas.

Our interns are able to get out in the field as soon as they can – contributing directly to problem solving on the project site while building real-world skills for their future careers.

Meet Our Summer Interns!

With a total of eight interns for the summer – we’re sharing perspectives on their experiences so far and what makes their early work meaningful to them:

Graphic introducing Otak summer intern Thomas, along with his skills and hobbies.

Thomas Jacobsen, Transportation & Infrastructure (Louisville)

Thomas is a student at the University of Colorado – Boulder, pursuing his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering with a minor in Business. He has skills in Civil 3D and coding in C++ and Java, along with a CSWA Solidworks certification in Mechanical Design. In addition to his civil engineering background, Thomas also has experience working as a soccer referee for the U.S. Soccer Federation.

“The most interesting thing I’ve worked on is a project for a multi-use trail in Aspen that had many interesting features. It was cool to see how certain obstacles were overcome to create an impactful project that will benefit the residents of Aspen.”

Graphic introducing Otak summer intern Javier, along with his skills and hobbies.

Javier Buenrostro, Marketing (Portland)

Javier is a marketing student at the University of Portland. He has experience in a variety of different industries including healthcare and retail. He is skilled in Adobe suite, Canva, and Microsoft office. Javier has worked on projects that span brand identity design, product development, and UX design, enhancing user experiences and optimizing product functionality. Additional experience includes working on marketing campaigns to draw brand/product awareness and achieve business objectives. 

“The most interesting thing I’ve had the opportunity to work on was the Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs (OAME) conference. It was an incredibly rewarding experience as I got to attend and represent Otak. What made it so special was the cause of inclusion it supported, which I deeply resonate with.”

Graphic introducing Otak summer intern Davis, along with his skills and hobbies.

Davis Brandt, PMCM & Owner’s Representative (Portland)

Davis is an Architectural Engineering student at Oregon State University pursuing a bachelor’s degree. He has an interest in design and construction. He has experience using software including Microsoft Office, AutoCAD and Bluebeam Revu. He has a passion for math and problem solving that has led him to choose engineering as a career path.

“I got to observe the process of a modular getting delivered to an elementary school which is simply just a portable classroom. I thought it was so neat because they have to make a pre-built foundation for the modular, and from there they have to connect all of the electrical and plumbing lines back to the school’s main building.”

Graphic introducing Otak summer intern Chiara, along with her skills and hobbies.

Chiara Roskelley, PMCM & Owner’s Representative (Portland)

Chiara is a student at Oregon State University pursing an Architectural Engineering Bachelor’s degree. She is a current member of the Oregon Army National Guard. Chiara is an effective communicator and has held several leadership positions in the military for BCT and AIT. She has experience working for Linn County Road Department helping in county road marking and sign fabrication.

Graphic introducing Otak summer intern Isaac, along with his skills and hobbies.

Isaac Parker, Structural Engineering (Vancouver)

Isaac is a student at Oregon State University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. He is skilled in technical writing, computer-aided design and structural analysis program. Isaac has experience tutoring various disciplines including writing, engineering classes, and college access programs. He became interested in Otak when he learned about the company’s sustainable and equitable practices in structural design which deeply resonated with him.

“The most interesting thing I have gotten to work on so far is the Clark County Railroad Bridge repair project. It has been interesting getting to inspect the bridge and help out with wetland delineation.”

Graphic introducing Otak summer intern Samantha, along with her skills and hobbies.

Samantha Cornejo, Planning and Landscape Architecture (Redmond)

Samantha is a student at the University of Washington, Seattle, working on her Master of Urban Planning. Samantha has experience in planning research, data entry, code compliance, and editing agenda reports. She is skilled in QGIS, quantitative and qualitative research, and Adobe Illustrator.

Graphic introducing Otak summer intern Brendan, along with his skills and hobbies.

Brendan Wedderspoon, Planning and Landscape Architecture (Redmond)

Brendan earned his Bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies from Boise State University and is currently pursuing a Master of Urban Planning at The University of Washington, Seattle. Brendan has skills in Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Illustrator, and GIS programs including arcMap, and ArcGIS Pro. He has previous GIS and planning intern experience which allowed to work on LiMAr maps, mapbooks, contourmaps, and reviewing land use permits.

“The most interesting project that I’ve been a part of has been our partnership with the City of SeaTac to hold public engagement meetings about updates and changes to their Airport City Center District plan. I’ve been able to tackle all manner of tasks which are making me use a wide variety of skills!”

Graphic introducing Otak summer intern Alex, along with his skills and hobbies.

Alex Brzezinski, Transportation & Infrastructure (Redmond)

Alex is a student at the University of Washington, Seattle, pursuing his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. He has skills in the Microsoft Office Suite and AutoCAD. In addition to his civil engineering background, Alex has experience working as a basketball coach for the Home Court of Woodinville.

“The most interesting project I’ve worked on so far is the Redmond Central Connector project – construction is happening right across the road from the office. I got to attend a site meeting where all of the construction entities met to discuss some construction challenges and I appreciated getting to witness how so many groups collaborate to solve problems.“

Guidance and Multidisciplinary Exposure

One of the program’s unique strengths lies in its emphasis on mentorship. Unlike typical internships where supervisors may serve as mentors, Otak offers a totally holistic guidance system where interns are paired with experienced professionals from different practice areas. This multidisciplinary approach is facilitated by Otak’s size and structure, allowing interns to gain diverse exposure and discover their true passions through experimentation and hands-on experiences.

Throughout the internship, Otak strives to give its interns the best possible experience. Leaders from various practice areas present to interns regularly, offering career guidance, self-development opportunities, and professional brand-building insights – ensuring that each intern is equipped with the necessary tools to thrive in their chosen craft.

The Unique Otak Experience

Otak’s Internship Program differentiator lies in its two key factors – the immersive expertise sessions offered to interns, and interdisciplinary mentorship from the diverse skillsets of our team. The expertise session structure allows interns to engage in a number of meetings culminating in a presentation of their own, fostering connections with various groups and initiatives within the firm and among themselves. Just recently the interns were welcomed to Otak by our Interim CEO, Scott Dreher, and are slated to meet with members of our Transportation and Infrastructure teams, our Water and Natural Resources teams, and our Planning and Landscape team in the coming weeks.

Interns are encouraged to bounce ideas off each other and contribute to discussions where everyone gets a seat at the table. Simultaneously, mentorship from seasoned leaders provides interns with a more comprehensive professional development experience, supplementing their direct supervision with the tools to be leaders early on in their careers.

Want to Learn More?

Are you a young and aspiring designer seeking to take your first steps into the world of engineering and architecture? Are you exploring what you want to specialize in for your career? Otak is continuing our internship programming beyond our summer series and is always on the look-out for interested candidates.

If you’re ready to take your first step towards a rewarding career in engineering, architecture, design, or one of our many other practice areas, Otak’s Internship Program is where you belong. Keep track of our openings and follow us on social to keep an eye out for the opportunity to apply. A conversation with Brooke Henderson or Susan Dull on our talent acquisition team could lead to joining a team of talented interns who have already begun their transformative journey with us. Come unleash your potential to improve the built environment!

View Our Openings

Happy Holidays from Otak!

Posted on December 15, 2022December 12, 2023 by Otak Staff

This holiday season, we’ve assembled an online gallery of our team’s artwork for you to enjoy. We hope these flashes of the Otak creative spirit inspire you during the holidays and into the new year!

Native American Heritage Month: Celebrating Culture and Preservation in AEC

Posted on November 30, 2022May 5, 2023 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?

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

How Equity Intersects with Sustainability in Design

Posted on October 27, 2022May 24, 2023 by Otak Staff

Unquestionably, the reality of climate change is on the world’s doorstep. More severe storm events, widespread drought, and higher-than-average temperatures are just some of the impacts we are currently experiencing. As designers and engineers, it must be in our DNA to design using principles of resiliency, which can be defined as “the capacity of a system to deal with change and continue to develop.”¹ It is also a responsibility to ensure that these solutions are equitable.

What is an Equitable Project?

Climate change has the largest burden on communities that are the most vulnerable, including physical, social, and economic risk factors. Otak believes in taking a truly integrated approach to our design and sees the value in aligning with the unique needs of all stakeholders to create memorable places for future generations.

Otak is also invested in the concept, as climate and community activist Majora Carter says, that “No one should have to leave their community to live in a better one.”

That investment includes identifying and learning from community experts, whose lived experiences can inform our design. Engaged communities, where everyone feels safe, valued, and empowered, are vital to creating a thriving society. Our internal investments in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion bolster our staff with skills that can carry over to our project work.

What Does Equitable Design Mean at Otak?

From work with the National Park Service (NPS) where LEED silver is standard in their design, to the Portland Building where Minority and Women-Owned Business (MWBE) utilization exceeds expectation, our projects take shape with these values in mind in a variety of ways.

Particularly within the AEC industry, as the field becomes more gender-balanced and places an emphasis on sustainable elements such as daylighting, energy performance, and water use, the results quickly become tangible.

“Maintaining accessibility through universal design is a must for equitable experiences in project development… Implementing these strategies can be easy from the start, because we share common values with a client and can work towards a common goal.”
Aryn Phillips, architecture team designer

Equitable design is an essential component of environmental justice. For too long, sustainability and the design that accompanies it have placed heavy burdens on our most vulnerable populations. Poor communities, people of color, the disabled community, the elderly, and other populations have been harmed by a lack of progress in sustainability. Worse yet, our infrastructure often reflects past racist, classist, and ableist policy decisions. A look at current environmental and health crises in Mississippi, Detroit, and New York City exhibit the need to think about the intersections of design, policy, and justice.

History tells us that these communities were made vulnerable through intentional and targeted policies that benefited a few and burdened many. For example, the current crisis in Jackson, MS can be traced to white resistance to school integration in the 1970s. The choice to open segregated academies and the flight to outlying areas resulted in segregated communities, shrank the tax base, and crippled any investment in crumbling infrastructure.

Equitable design that is intentionally focused on outcomes for these and other vulnerable populations reflects an understanding of justice and how we can design and deliver projects that are transformative by design. Environmental justice necessarily centers communities and the expertise that resides there.

It is our job to translate that expertise into design that centers the needs of vulnerable populations.

References and resources:

Resiliency definition: SRC+Applying+Resilience+final.pdf (stockholmresilience.org)
FEMA: Building Alliances for Equitable Resilience (fema.gov)
Majora Cater Group: Majoracartergroup.com

Otak’s Millicent Williams Wins DJC Women of Vision Award

Posted on October 26, 2022March 31, 2023 by Otak Staff

As our industry becomes more dynamic and multi-faceted, the need has never been greater for those who shape the built environment to have unique perspectives and approaches to their work. It’s imperative for firms to not only recruit talent from a variety of backgrounds, but also to honor those who are recognized for their visionary qualities in the field.

This is the case for Millicent Williams, our Regional Director for our Oregon and Southwest Washington Public Sector practice, who we are proud to say has been recognized as a DJC Oregon’s Woman of Vision award for 2022.

The Meaning Behind the Honor

The accolade spurns multiple thoughts and feelings for Millicent, both tangible and intangible. What stuck out to her from the outset was the nature of the win—being recognized for inspiring others in the field. She says this comes with a sense of extreme legitimacy, “The things I say and do give women, especially women of color the belief they can work comfortably in and offer leadership in a largely male-dominated industry.”

There are real-world applications for this award as well. To her, it gives a relatable face to the work we do and reinforces that construction is not a man’s job, that infrastructure work in particular is not less sophisticated, and that a non-traditional background isn’t a deterrent to leadership in the field. In fact, she credits her traditional business education as her greatest asset, and knows she can make an impact with her perspective and existing knowledge about “the business of being in business.”

Learning the Ropes

When asked about formative ideas that helped guide her toward this achievement, she pointed directly to a textbook that she used while an undergrad at Florida A&M University’s School of Business and Industry called The Ropes to Skip and The Ropes to Know: a definitive work detailing what Millicent now calls her specialty—organizational systems and development. It instilled in her early on that successful enterprise is about people and navigating both the social and cultural aspects that go into getting any job done. It inspired her to get out of her own way, embrace assertiveness, work hard every day, be teachable, and uplift others in order to achieve desired outcomes. This is especially true for transportation and infrastructure, which she saw as a way to use her skills to influence the built environment in ways she previously thought had been impossible.

Things started to click as she got further and went higher in her career, “When I began to see cities function well as a result of my efforts, I got to then see the direct impact I could have on the industry. You can, in fact, do something about it if you see something that isn’t right, and people don’t always think they have that power.”

Contending with Perceptions and Realities

To Millicent, it’s clear as day that this industry is male-dominated, and even clearer that few people of color are able to achieve the same things with the resources they have access to. However, she credits her tenacious work-ethic and awareness of her transferable skills for elevating her to where she is today, “I was the type of person that shows up every day, that puts their head down and works, and most importantly generate quality results because of that work. That gave me access to opportunities.”

“People want to see themselves in the people they look up to, and this platform creates energy that allows people in the industry to see that”
Millicent Williams

In practice, she also rejects the idea that transportation and infrastructure is as simple as a bus arriving on time. She explains, “The finance and engineering departments for transit agencies are just as crucial to a bus being on schedule as the driver. I’m not often out in the field on projects, but my understanding of the whole system and how each piece works in tandem is what’s important.”

She uses this in-depth understanding to inspire others, to get people to fully see where they are and how they’re contributing, or even when they’re not contributing by being short-sighted, “That in and of itself can be transformative, and can change the way that people see not just infrastructure but government operations in general.”

Doing Generational Work

Millicent reflects that she has worked in the public sector for the majority of her career and that her roles were often assigned because of how she “showed up,” but notes that true passion for her work formed when she got into infrastructure, which led her to leadership roles within organizations like the Portland Bureau of Transportation. She explains, “I saw an opportunity to make impactful decisions in people’s lives and that infrastructure is generational work, meaning my actions could have an impact 100 years later.”

A prime example of this is her current work with the states of both Oregon and Washington on the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, the bridge in question being the connection between the two via the I-5 highway.

As the lead facilitator for the most high-profile stakeholders on the project, her job of making sure everyone is on the same page is incredibly gratifying for two reasons. For one, she’s playing a direct role in the upgrade of a hundred-year-old bridge where everything needs to be taken into consideration, both in logistics and in politics. She gets to employ her skill in navigating those two spaces from explaining the technical aspects like budget, to the political intersections between the states and their goals. Second, it’s an opportunity to exude leadership under pressure, and to further her goal of creating generational wealth through infrastructure, “This is a once-in-a-lifetime project that incorporates different disciplines and backgrounds of all types. I get to bring the totality of my skills to bear in delivering the results everyone wants, everyone needs out of the project.”

The Ceremony and the Future

Millicent is greatly looking forward to the award ceremony taking place on October 26^th in Portland, where she sees incredible value. To her, it’s a tremendous networking opportunity where new partnerships can be forged, and new thought leaders can emerge. The opportunity to recognize women from numerous other firms who will also be acknowledged will help “open eyes and open doors” to future generations, especially those of color, that they too can make an impact with a nontraditional background that can in fact be a strength and a point of pride. The “vision” aspect of this award is especially important here because it allows people of influence, power, and ability to help everyone see value, “The night itself serves the whole industry because it’s a chance not only to make space, but create a meaningful space where all are respected for their work.”

When asked why she thinks it’s important to highlight and recognize women’s stories, she pointed again to giving people the ability to see, “People want to see themselves in the people they look up to, and this platform creates energy that allows people in the industry to see that contributions can be made by those who don’t look like them in terms of gender.”

She wants to see more women in leadership and empower other women to see that success in this industry is possible. Without that, “It’s hard to see for yourself if you don’t see yourself.”

A Closing Message

Millicent puts two words to other women who are looking to break into the Transportation and Infrastructure industry—“Why not? Just because something isn’t in your background doesn’t mean it can’t be in your foreground, so even if you feel like you don’t tick all the boxes, apply yourself anyway—because why not?”

Otak is lucky to have a visionary like Millicent on our team. We look forward to reporting on more of her achievements, and extend our warmest congratulations to her and the other women being honored with this award. You can view the rest of the honorees courtesy of the DJC Oregon here.

Four Ways an Art + Science Approach Produces Better Results

Posted on April 22, 2019March 31, 2023 by Otak Staff

More than 500 years ago, renaissance artist Leonardo DaVinci said “art is the queen of all sciences, communicating knowledge to all the generations of the world.” Just as DaVinci believed a person needs to study the science of art and the art of science to develop a complete mind, the marriage of art, structure, sustainability, and planning is essential to developing complete projects.

Communities built for the 21st century need a balanced approach, with input from multiple disciplines and solutions that are unique to the client and project area. In this age, projects are too complicated for either art or science alone. Here are four ways art + science = better results:

1. Planning and architecture are not afterthoughts

Most companies in our industry primarily emphasize either art (planning and architecture) or science (science and engineering). And in most A/E firms, engineers take the lead by managing projects, being the public face to clients, and running the company.

For the best results, clients need to be able to tap into the combined talent and backgrounds of architects, planners, engineers, scientists, and other team members. Planners and architects need to serve important roles on multidisciplinary projects.

2. Clients and communities are best served by a multidisciplinary approach

Very few challenges can be solved within the realm of one discipline. Try replacing a road without addressing water quality challenges, for example. The best project teams are balanced, with input from multiple disciplines creating solutions that are unique for the client and community. Whether designing the expansion of King County Metro’s bus transit bases to support the county’s booming bus ridership, developing an overlay district for Denver’s hot RiNo neighborhood, or designing a leading-edge, mixed-use, car-free building with a hotel and housing in Portland’s trendy Pearl District, clients and communities are served better when we bring different types of expertise to the table. A diversity of thought results in a stronger project and 21st century communities.

3. All disciplines are equally valued and appreciated

In many large A/E firms, each discipline operates as its own business. Some clients might partner with a firm for years, never learning how the company could help tackle their challenges in other areas. When a client issues a request for proposals, companies need to form teams that contain the best subject matter experts from across all practice areas and a project manager who can get the job done right, no matter their area of expertise. What’s critical is that the entire team collaborates to deliver the best service possible to our clients.

4. Employees can bring art and science in their own lives

Employees who are driven by their individual passions to ask questions, find the answers, and leverage their collective passions are more likely to improve their communities and the world.

Take Zaq Dohallow, for example, an architectural designer driven by a passion for science. He interpolates raw data to inform the design process, and he integrates incentives to promote sustainable design measures. As one of Otak’s sustainability champions, he is also our go-to person for green tech systems to improve building performance.

And then there’s Ann Nguyen, who views landscape architecture and planning as a compilation of environmental design, policy, and science. As an urban planner and gifted sketch artist, Ann applies her art and science approach to her public outreach for the City of Denver Santa Fe Streetscape; Food Bridge International Marketplace and Center for Asian Pacific American Women; the Cleworth Architectural Legacy Project; and other organizations.

When Otak’s founders conceived of the company in 1981, they looked at the region’s planning, landscape architecture, and engineering firms and imagined a firm that was integrated and collaborative—an approach that’s art + science. Want to learn how Otak is living out our founders’ art + science approach by serving our clients well? Contact us to find out more.