In support of Harris County’s efforts to address the need for affordable housing in the Houston metropolitan area, Saddle Creek Village provides two three-story apartment buildings adding 72 workforce housing units as well as a central community building. In leading the design of the development, Otak oversaw an accelerated design to permit process, managing the team of civil, landscape, structural, and MEP consultants, to ensure the project could meet a fixed funding timeline for bidding and construction.
Designing Multiple Buildings to Address Affordable Housing
Located on a treed site in this northwest Houston neighborhood, the two apartment buildings feature a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom units with elevators providing accessibility to all floors. The buildings also feature exterior patios and/or balconies for each unit, open corridors for natural ventilation, and shared bike rooms. With an aim of keeping utility costs affordable, the project will be Energy Star Certified with high-efficiency lighting, appliances, and fixtures. The community building is designed to function as an after-school learning center in addition to accommodating community gatherings, resident services, and leasing. Thoughtful site design aimed to preserve established native trees and greenspace to achieve a park-like feel while providing ample parking. A playground and double dog runs are among the other community-focused amenities.
Through Otak’s work with numerous organizations fostering the next generation of talent in the AEC industry, we believe in uplifting and equipping young professionals looking to make an impact.
Over the last quarter, we’ve been excited to host Kyle (Jinwook) Jang and Jina Park, two interns from our parent company, HanmiGlobal (HG), who visited our Portland office to learn practical applications of their studies with our Architecture practice area.
We sat down with Kyle and Jina to talk about their time visiting Otak, what they’ve been learning with the architecture department, and some of the things they love about visiting the United States (and the Pacific Northwest in particular).
Meet Kyle
Kyle is a rising star with two degrees in Architecture to his name. He earned his Bachelors in architecture at Chinese University of Hong Kong, and quickly followed that by earning his Masters in architecture back in his home city of Seoul, South Korea.
Kyle says the most valuable things he’s learning while visiting Otak is effective management skills and a deeper understanding of global markets when it comes to building and design, something HG puts a high degree of importance on when they send interns overseas. He explains, “It’s great to get a fresh perspective on design and my work that I can bring home with me, and I’m only getting more experience with different types of building codes in working with Otak.”
When asked why he was interested in visiting Otak, he emphasized that our rich history in the PNW and “commitment to society” immediately drew him in:
“I was especially impressed with Otak’s work for social good in the community and I’m grateful to learn at a firm with such a strong dedication to sustainability.”
More than just learning to be a better designer with renderings and assembly drawings, Kyle made the point of telling us what he loves about Portland and the PNW at large. He quickly grew to appreciate Portland craft breweries, the famous 10 Barrel Brewing Co. being his favorite, and it didn’t take long for him to become a fan of the Portland Trailblazers after going to a game.
Kyle is grateful for the opportunity to learn with both HG and Otak, and is excited to take his new lived experiences with him home to Korea. We return that gratitude and know that he will immediately make an impact in the built environment.
Meet Jina
Jina visited Otak already with a Bachelors degree in architecture from Hanyang University in Seoul. With aspirations of earning her Masters when she returns home, she says Otak’s interdisciplinary practices were what she values most. She explains, “HG often wants people with experience in a variety of fields within the industry. Otak’s work seemed to fit with that, and I wanted to learn as much as I could about other practices in the industry.”
Her favorite aspect of architecture is seeing it all come together, relishing the chance to go to construction sites and see designs rise from the drawing to a real building. She also appreciates the opportunity to learn and gain a global understanding of the AEC industry:
“I really get to learn the details of the work here, and feel like I have a deeper understanding of the design process in general since coming to Otak.”
Jina also didn’t want to leave out her favorite aspects of Portland and the greater area. She quickly grew to love the famous Voodoo Donuts and AFURI Ramen & Dumpling, and says she’s spent hours wandering through Powell’s Books looking for a good read.
Building Careers with Otak and Beyond
Kyle and Jina shared a similar sentiment about Otak and the PNW, the access to nature was amazing, the people were nice from the beginning, and each of them felt deeply involved with our operations in Architecture from the very start.
Not only are we grateful to be able to host such talented young architects, but we are also emphatic in wishing each of them the best with the rest of their careers. Thank you for visiting us, Kyle and Jina!
As part of Community Transit’s busy operations base, the Hardeson Campus Service and Operations Building presented a unique opportunity to convert a two-story concrete tilt panel office building into an operations hub. Following the design ideals established at the Cascade Administration Building to create a vibrant environment to better serve the growing company and community. Leading the project from design through construction, Otak provided architectural, structural, civil, and landscape design as well as planning and construction administration services.
A Transit Service Hub Designed for Employee Wellness and Efficient Operations
Comprehensive renovation revitalized the existing building through holistic improvements with an emphasis on employee wellness. Expanded exterior windows and several new skylights increase natural illumination to foster a more sustainable and pleasant indoor environment while newly added entry vestibules improve the envelope efficiency. Interior renovations focused largely on the needs of the hundreds of coach operators, supervisors, dispatchers, and ambassadors that it is intended to serve daily. This approach led to a facility that now boasts numerous amenities, from fitness facilities and expanded locker rooms to comfortable recreation and break areas, and quiet rooms where operators recharge between shifts. The heart of the building is the great hall designed to encourage team cohesion and accommodate company gatherings. The employee focus extends to other exterior enhancements including a screened patio area, expanded landscaping, and improved parking and traffic flow. Building improvements include structural and seismic upgrades, and state of the art mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems, including zero fossil fuel, all-electric heat pump heating. Additional technology systems meet stringent communication, conferencing, and security needs. Sharing the site with an active maintenance building and coach parking, the project required a phased construction approach to ensure uninterrupted operations throughout the process.
Across nearly 60 acres of land in Southern Oregon, a design guideline manual for its development was established to provide clear and consistent direction regarding architectural and site design elements. In setting these requirements for three commercial developments in the Hillcrest District, the Otak team placed an emphasis on ensuring that buildings developed contribute to high-quality public spaces and vibrant town center.
Historically-Inspired Design Guidelines to Develop a Vibrant Town Center
With historic properties featuring pear orchards that define the past of the Hillcrest Orchard area, those same elements provided inspiration on aesthetic guidelines aimed at a modern interpretation for its future. The Commercial Design Manual is outlined with the intention to create a pleasant and memorable experience that attracts people to the area while encouraging them to shop, dine, visit with friends and family, and ultimately return in the future. These standards and guidelines aim to enhance the district’s unique character and elevate the overall quality of design. By incorporating elements from both regional traditions and contemporary styles, specifically the Cascadian and Modern Farm styles, the goal is to establish a cohesive design image that reflects the aspirations and vision of the Hillcrest District while creating a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly commercial district. The design requirements of this manual take into consideration local architectural precedents, historic site uses and character, and local building preferences and materiality.
Otak’s architectural practice extends well beyond the borders of the Pacific Northwest. We also have roots in the Rocky Mountains, and as we continue to build a robust team of architects in our studio, we’re happy to announce that our investment in the Denver Metro area has never been stronger.
Our Louisville office has been in Colorado for years, and with the opening of our Denver studio we remain excited about playing an active role in what make’s Denver’s built environment so interesting. From Coors Field to Larimer Square to Union Station, the history of Denver’s architecture is storied and worthy of praise across the country. Now, Otak lives where that story is most prominent — Downtown Denver.
Our ‘One Otak’ approach plays a critical role here, and the values of our whole company align with the impact we’re making in Denver. When you work with us, you work with multidisciplinary professionals who are able to look at a project and see not only the macro elements, but also the micro details of how it will affect communities and people that live in whatever space we occupy.
All of this is why Otak thinks it best to introduce the world to our Denver studio, and talk more about our appreciation for both them and our ability to serve the area.
In this piece, Otak invites you to meet our stellar Denver Architecture team, and learn more about where that team is involved, the type of work we do, and how we prioritize that work.
Otak’s History in Colorado
Though our architecture presence in Denver is new in comparison, Otak has been serving the Rocky Mountain West throughout nearly our whole history out of multiple locations in the state. Just some of our milestone projects in the region include: It’s a history that includes a variety of services and a number of milestone projects in the region that include a few recent highlights:
Designed to serve as an urban park as well as a major multi-modal transportation conduit, the US6 and 19th Street interchange improved connectivity between residential areas and the Colorado School of Mines campus, while also improving the vehicular level of service. The concept would also lead to work on the “Heritage Lid” Interchange design project.
The 29-acre cloverleaf intersection of Colfax Avenue and Federal Boulevard represented one of the most dangerous intersections for pedestrians and bicyclists in Denver. Otak led the design of transportation infrastructure modifications with numerous stakeholders and hosted public participation meetings in reimagining the area.
In partnership with Naranjo Civil Constructors, this complete design-build project replaces the Godfrey Ditch Diversion structure located on the Middle South Platte River in Weld County, Colorado. The multiple-benefit diversion project reduced sediment transport disruptions, improved maintenance requirements, limited damage potential from future floods, enhanced aquatic and riparian habitats, and enable fish and safe recreational boating passage—all while delivering the full decree of water.
Why Denver?
Our presence in Denver serves distinct strategic purposes. For one, it opens up our practice to projects in urbanized areas — places where Otak services are needed. From affordable housing and mission critical facilities to mixed use and multifamily high rises, Otak has experience with addressing and exceeding the needs of both our clients and the community.
Second, being in Denver expands our footprint in the region for growing involvement with the community. From this location, we continue to build on our core commitments of equity and sustainability with both the projects we take on in the area and as part of our broader business operations.
On the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains, Denver is uniquely positioned to provide a perfect addition for our continued work with preserving our natural landscapes. From projects with the National Park Service to studies involving our visitor use management and water and natural resources teams, the deep connection between Denver and the value of outdoor spaces will enhance our own emphasis in that area.
Meet the Denver Architecture Team
Kurt Basford – Denver Studio Lead
“For me, architecture has always been a passion. As a young artist, I connected with the profession as a physical extension of my creativity. Designing spaces that inspire and shape our cultural dynamics bring me joy in every project. Being raised around construction sites and building a background in finance, I have been able to bring these experiences to the built environment to create meaningful spaces, balance the art + science of architecture, and deliver innovative solutions for our clients. Architecture has allowed me to travel the world working with incredible clients and afforded me the experience of every building type. It truly is a joy to be an architect and I enjoy my work with colleagues every day. I can honestly say I love my job as every day is a new adventure.”
Kelly Buchanan – Architect
“Architecture is about people and placemaking. I believe in the power of placemaking and crafting spaces to be inclusive, sustainable, and relevant. Having studied in Las Vegas, Portland, OR, and a brief time in Italy, I have seen how architecture adapts to the context and culture of a place. I grew up along the front range and moved to Denver to once again be closer to family. I’ve always appreciated the unique style of Mountain West architecture and the influence of both the mountains and prairies. The natural landscape is deeply embedded in the culture of Colorado communities and offers an exciting backdrop for practicing architecture and place-based problem solving.”
Zaq Dohallow – Designer
“I chose a career in architecture in order to better serve my passion for integrating nature into the built environment. Architecture is one of many options for addressing the challenges related to a rapidly changing climate, however, architecture and design also provide an outlet for creativity and inventive thought. Designing buildings and spaces in Colorado is a welcome challenge. Due to our extreme weather and drastically different seasonal considerations Colorado buildings are a great way to expand our understanding of flexible and adaptive design. Energy saving strategies and passive measures are tested in our hot and cold, wet and dry seasons and provide a template for strategies which can be applied to various parts of the world with more stable weather patterns.”
Levi Wall – Architect
“Like many architects, I found architecture first through Legos, but also from gleaning art and woodworking skills from my mom, which got me hooked on shaping the physical world. Colorado is a great place to practice architecture for many of the same reasons it’s an great place to live: the natural beauty, the vibrant growing cities, and a dynamic business environment all provide the context for beautiful architecture. Population growth and climate change also bring challenges to our way of life, which are exciting challenges to address in designing the built environment.”
Tom Hoover – Architect
“I became interested in Architecture at a very young age, 8 years old to be exact. My family moved to Colorado after time in Europe and my parents procured a piece of land on a hilltop with fabulous views to the west. My parents collected several Herman Miller & Eames furniture pieces long before I knew what good design translated to. My parents engaged the services of an architect whom designed a mid-century modern home nestled into that hillside. Growing up in that house, in a mountain setting, with choreographed interior elements that supplemented the feel of the space gave me an appreciation for how it came together through the architect. I grew up with desire to create fabulous spaces & experiences in Colorado doing just what that architect did.”
Karen Smith – Interior Designer
“I feel privileged to live in such a beautiful place and have witnessed a coming of age with local and national architectural groups. I had the opportunity to work for some local icons that were Colorado natives, and now of course everyone wants to be here! Throughout my career I have learned that working in tandem with architects yields the greatest results for the overall vision of the project. Blending the two disciplines seamlessly is one area where I have great expertise and an ongoing passion. Above all, design is a way of thinking, of looking at the world around us, and appreciating the fine details. There’s no better place to do this than here!”
Interested in joining the Denver architecture team, take a look at openings here!
What Does the Denver Architecture Team Do?
As a multidisciplinary firm, it follows that our people have multifaceted experience and a holistic view of all kinds of projects. Our team’s industry knowledge is extensive — our main areas of expertise are as follows:
Primary
Secondary
Tertiary
Architecture
Interior Design
Specification Proficiency
Master Planning
Visitor Use Management Integration
Program Planning
Fixtures, Furnishings, and Equipment (FFE)
Historic Preservation Data Driven Design (Parametric/Algorithmic)3D/Meta Design
The values that bind the Denver studio are distinct while still falling under our ‘One Otak’ umbrella, and much of our work in the PNW translates directly into the work we do in Colorado. From affordable housing, higher education, civic, and institutional to specializations including corporate offices, data facilities, and mission critical infrastructure, Denver injects expertise and community involvement at every step of project delivery.
In line with our Green Otak (GO) and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, Denver also undertakes projects where environmental resilience meets serving underrepresented communitiesTo serve these projects, the team is involved with organizations like Housing Colorado and the Urban Land Institute.
In summary the Denver studio is strategically placed and positioned to serve clients in the Denver Metro area with a unique perspective, one that’s distinctly Otak.
A Piece of the Otak Architecture Puzzle
Otak’s Denver studio exists to impact a variety of new bottom lines when it comes to serving clients, which expands our reach and relationships even further into the state of Colorado. It’s a crucial new piece of Otak that aligns with our greater architecture practice and strategy.
With our new Denver office opening this past year, learn more about our whole architecture business unit. Otak is proud to take this step in our continuing commitment to resilient, practical, and beautiful design.
An affordable housing community takes shape in Lincoln City, Oregon. In designing Wecoma Place, Otak drew inspiration from the site’s surroundings to emulate the enduring nature of the Oregon coast.
Affordable Housing Designed for a Displaced Community
Wecoma Place is comprised of three masses that resemble the large geomorphic shapes along the beach. The various patterns in the siding battens represent the wind-swept grasses found along the coastal landscape. The 44-unit building provides a place to live for residents of Lincoln County displaced by The Echo Mountain Fire in 2020. The units are designed to maximize natural light in the coastal environment and the building is oriented around a courtyard that provides space to recreate and acts as a buffer between the building and Highway 101.
Vancouver Waterfront Gateway is a mixed used development in the city of Vancouver, Washington. The project includes an 8-story mass-timber office, 6-story mixed use market rate apartment building, 6-story affordable apartment building, 7-level free standing parking garage, and extensive open space development between the buildings.
The Missing Link Between Downtown Vancouver and Its Waterfront
Vancouver City Hall and Esther Short Park are immediately to the north and the Burlington Northern rail line borders the south side of the site. On the block west of Esther Street, the development includes an 8-story mass-timber office, 6-story mixed use market rate apartment building, 6-story affordable apartment building, 7-level free standing parking garage, and extensive open space development between the buildings. Development on the block east of Esther Street includes a 6-story mixed use, market rate apartment building. That building features 2-level parking with a retail podium, as well as a large public plaza to the north and ‘makers alley’ along the east side. The total project building area is roughly 570,000 square-feet enclosed building area plus 210,000 square-feet of structured parking area, including approximately 375 residential units, 140,000 square-feet of office space and 40,000 square-feet in retail space.
With a unique brand and company culture in focus, iQ Credit Union made plans for a new branch design that reflects those elements. Aimed at highlighting an emphasis on the health and welfare of both employees and the surrounding community, the overarching design includes an emphasis on employee wellness. In leading the design effort, Otak also served as a certification consultant with an aim of earning WELL Platinum across branch locations in the Pacific Northwest.
A Branch Design Reflecting Brand Values and WELL Certification Criteria
In this architectural application of brand guidelines, iQ Credit Union aimed for a more modern branch design that maintained brand standards. Working with the Otak team from concept to construction, an exterior branding vision board was developed with a focus on accentuating features found in the northwest and iQ’s established brand values. With an emphasis placed on earning WELL certification, branches were designed to promote employee wellbeing. Features ranging from the inclusion of a mother’s room to the use of low volatile organic compound (VOC) materials contribute toward meeting all concepts of WELL criteria. Resulting themes of transparency, varied massing, an interesting articulation of the drive-through, as well as regional materials and accents are also prominent elements of the final design. A priority of sustainability is highlighted by the use of locally-sourced materials, low flow fixtures, an exposed wood structure, and an emphasis on natural daylighting and sun shading.
Originally constructed in 1979, this two-story concrete tilt-up structure on Casino Road finds new purpose becoming the Cascade Administrative Building as part of a broader operations facilities. The complete rehabilitation of 70,000 square-feet of unused space involved full design services from programming through construction documents to create a vibrant new home for 14 different user groups, including the headquarters of a bustling transit company in Community Transit.
Adaptive Reuse for a Modern Office Environment
The adaptive reuse of the Cascade Admin Building included an upgrade to nearly all systems to meet current building fire protection, energy, and electrical codes. Expanded windows and new skylights add daylight throughout the building enhancing the energy efficient design provided by high-performance mechanical systems, LED lighting, and integrated controls. Extensive structural upgrades in the renovation plans meet seismic requirements while an added data facility addresses requirements for enhanced security. With numerous stakeholders, the needs of each group were considered during the design process through collaborative visioning sessions and interviews resulting in a consensus for a plan that balances an open office environment with private offices. The final design’s key features include a variety of open collaboration spaces and meeting rooms as well as employee amenities in the form of a break room, roof deck, and a large stadium style gathering space for all company functions.
From a design perspective, what makes a building, space, or structure “good?”
Architectural ethics, or knowledge of moral principles in the built environment, is an issue that deserves analysis at every stage of the design-build process. Architects across the industry should be asking themselves the right questions: what makes a building good for the public, even if it’s not publicly owned?
This crucial step in the designing of buildings is a question that Otak project architect, Levi Wall tackled head-on when he led an ethics workshop at the 2022 AIA Colorado Practice + Design Conference.
“Ethics give architects a way of framing and understanding what we want to see in the world… and helps you find the why behind answering the question of how.”
Levi Wall, Otak project architect
What is the AIA Practice + Design Conference?
The Colorado Chapter of the AIA hosts a signature event in the fall, where architects and designers can come together to network, educate, and be inspired by other visionaries in the field.
Held at the Keystone Resort in 2022, it’s an event that demands the best of the best in the region, and inspiration struck Levi to play a more active role in the educational aspect of the conference by hosting a workshop, titled Designing Ethics.
Who is Levi?
Levi Wall is an accomplished practitioner of design with experience in urban projects, commercial interiors, K-12 schools, large-scale masterplans, and small-scale design interventions. He also serves as a Lecturer and Adjunct instructor at the University of Colorado Denver’s College of Architecture and Planning.
Previously serving as an architectural designer and then a full-fledged architect at DLR Group in the greater Denver area, his practice is rooted in the aesthetics of Denver architecture and the legacy of the city he calls home.
What do Ethics Mean in Architecture?
Levi credits a TED Talk featuring Alejandro Arevena, a Pritzker prize-winning architect from Chile, with inspiration for his workshop, and let a quote from that talk guide his thoughts as he developed his slide deck—“There is nothing worse than answering well the wrong question.”
Levi sought to raise awareness about ethical frameworks and how they relate to the built environment—when equity, inclusivity, and equality are required more than ever before given the world’s current cultural landscape. To Levi, a deep dive into ethics and design would help other architects start thinking about and answering the right questions:
At the very least, Levi sought to start a conversation and wanted to call other architects to action, to merge what they were talking about at the conference with the practice of their everyday design work.
“Our everyday jobs include balancing different values with money that isn’t our own – it often belongs to the client or public – so we’re already doing the work of figuring out what’s valuable in a built environment.”
Levi Wall, Otak project architect
The Approach
Employing Q&A tactics and SWAT analyses, Levi posed an icebreaker to the audience, prompting them to think about if they had ever been unsure in their work about the “right” thing to do as designers.
He invited audience members to probe those dilemmas and ethical conundrums, and came back to his initial icebreaker question: that ethics in architecture has everything to do with the alignment of values from clients to the public.
The Takeaway
Levi, from the outset, sought to get audiences thinking about how to utilize ethical frameworks throughout the design process, and now to measure the ethical impact of the designs they create. Ethics already plays a role in his work as a part of our Denver architecture studio, where work ranges from affordable housing to higher education buildings.
Take a look at more of our architectural work here, and join us in congratulating Levi on a successful workshop as he continues to prove himself to be a visionary in the Denver architecture space.
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