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Three Otakians Honored as DJC Women of Vision!

In an inspiring celebration of achievement and excellence, Saretta Tillmaand, Amanda Owings, and Margaret Steinhilber – three remarkable women from Otak – have been honored with Women of Vision accolades by the Daily Journal of Commerce (DJC) Oregon!

The recognition adds to a growing list over the past several years of Otak people to receive the award:

2022 – Millicent Williams
2021 – Tanya Boyer, Rachel Laura, Cathy Kraus
2020 – Serah Breakstone, Tina Keller, Angela Khosa-Marangwanda
2019 – Ashley Cantlon, Amy Scheckla-Cox, Teresa Huntsinger

What is the DJC Women of Vision Program?

Every year, the DJC Oregon honors a select group of nominated women for their contributions to the fields of architecture, engineering, and construction – allowing them to set an example for others in the field and position them leaders in the broader communities we all serve. This year’s 46 Women of Vision honorees were project managers, CEOs, principals, company founders and more – all active in creating opportunities for the future generation of women in our industry.

Who are the Honorees?

Amanda Owings – Business Unit Leader of Transportation

For more than 20 years, Amanda has worked within all facets of transportation, from traffic signal review to accessible ramp designs. She now draws on that experience to design unique transportation solutions that are centered around the impact they have on existing systems and the broader communities her projects aim to service. Amanda sees value in cultivating relationships within her team and has taken opportunities such as treating her team to a local soccer game to facilitate teambuilding and comradery. She takes her role in leadership to heart and understands that building a quality team requires work and dedication beyond the day to day operations.

“I’m honored to have served the institutions I have, and thank you to Otak for believing in me since the beginning, for nominating these other deserving women and inspiring me on my journey.”

– Amanda Owings

Saretta Tillmaand – Senior Project Architect

Saretta is task oriented and skilled Project Architect who enjoys figuring out what tasks need to be done in what order to create the greatest efficiency. She excels at aligning client wants with available space and finding new materials and technology to make construction more efficient and sustainable. An ardent believer in community involvement and uplifting women in the field – she’s described as a trailblazer in the project architect’s group at Otak. She volunteers with Habitat For Humanity and served as a lead advocate for the U.S. Green Building Council’s operations within our firm.

“I’d like to thank my coworkers for seeing and acknowledging the work that I do. I’m often behind the scenes, so this honor is a testament to the importance of visibility.”

– Saretta Tillmaand

Margaret Steinhilber – Senior Project Architect

Margaret is a Senior Project Architect with a calm head and solid communication skills. At Otak, she works with the design team from concept phase through construction documents, coordinating with clients and consultants throughout the process. She continues to be involved through the construction phase, providing observation and coordinating with contractors and owners to ensure projects are in alignment with the construction documents.

Margaret prides herself on creating environments both beautiful and functional. She finds plenty of opportunity to follow her passion at Otak, because Margaret says her colleagues’ dedication to creating innovative, sustainable, and livable buildings makes coming to work something she looks forward to every day.

“Margaret is an example of dedication and is a role model to other women in the architecture group.”

– Matt Neish, Architecture Business Unit Lead

These three have demonstrated unwavering dedication, innovation, and leadership in their fields of architecture and transportation. The DJC’s recognition is a testament to their outstanding work, showcasing how their practices are not only impacting our company but also making a significant and positive mark in the greater AEC world.

Otak Wins at APWA Colorado Awards!

Otak is thrilled to announce our success at the 2023 American Public Works Association (APWA) Colorado Awards Luncheon, where we were honored to be part of not one but two awards!

The awards ceremony brought together professionals and organizations from the public works sector to celebrate excellence and innovation in community development.

Adams County Veteran's Memorial project team accepting 2023 APWA Project of the Year Award. — *The Adam’s County Veteran’s Memorial Project team accepting the 2023 APWA Project of the Year Award. (Photo Credit: Colorado Public Works Journal)*

What Projects Won?

The big winner for this year was one of the most interesting projects Otak’s has had the chance to team up on in recent years – Adam’s County Veteran’s Memorial. Partnering with DHM Design and ECI Site Management was an opportunity to not only serve the community but honor veterans with a historic battleship turned testament to their service for their country.

Adams County Veteran’s Memorial – Project of the Year

Otak also attended a ribbon cutting at Adams County’s grand opening – which you can check out here!

Otak was the prime on another project that took home an award – the Aspen Paepcke Bus Stop Improvements. Located at one of the busiest stops in one of America’s most iconic mountain towns, a multidisciplinary design team including City of Aspen, Clanton & Associates, Connect One Design, CTL | Thompson, PR Studio, True North Colorado, Z Group Architects, and Gould Construction came to together to deliver both a functional and aesthetically pleasing transit hub for the city.

Aspen Paepke Transit Hub Improvements – Small Transportation Project

A Continued Commitment to Excellence

The ceremony was not only an occasion for Otak to celebrate its own achievements but also to applaud the remarkable efforts of other dedicated professionals and organizations in the field. Together, we continue to elevate the standards of excellence in public works and community development.

The Adams County Veteran's Memorial team accepting the Project of the Year Award at the APWA Colorado 2023 luncheon. — *The Adams County Veteran’s Memorial project team at the APWA Colorado 2023 luncheon.*

Otak would like to express its gratitude to the APWA Colorado Chapter for organizing this event and for providing a platform for industry leaders to share ideas, inspire innovation, and celebrate success. We are thrilled to be part of this thriving community of professionals who are working tirelessly to build a brighter future.

At Otak, we remain committed to making a positive impact on the communities we serve. These awards are a testament to our collective efforts, and we look forward to many more opportunities to create meaningful change. It’s amazing to get recognition for the work we do to serve our communities, and the real payoff is not just with awards, but in the way we deliver projects successfully.

For more information about Otak and our ongoing community-focused projects, check out our website where you’ll find the latest on other projects in the Rocky Mountain Region!

30th Street and Colorado Avenue Underpass Ribbon Cutting: A Community Comes Together for Increased Roadway Safety

Otak was proud to attend a ribbon cutting on October 3^rd – celebrating the unveiling of the City of Boulder’s first-ever fully protected intersection and underpass project at 30^th Street and Colorado Avenue!

The timing for the full delivery of this project could not be more relevant as the intersection is a top crash location for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists alike. The need was great to redesign it as a protected intersection – meant to ensure safety by physically separating vehicles from other modes of transport through the intersection, and making it easier for users to see each other.

Project Details

The project design features the aforementioned protected intersection as well as two separate pedestrian and bicycle underpasses. Connecting infrastructure to nearby sidewalks, bike lanes, and multi-use paths along with the reconstructed transit stops improves access to these corridors. Features like lighting, landscaping elements, and public art were also included as part of the urban design. Otak and our team of subconsultant partners developed construction documents to make the City of Boulder’s improved transportation goals a reality. You can read more about it on our project page!

Otakian Representation

Those attending might have caught sight of Otak’s Kevin Dooley, representing his project management and design work that was essential to accomplishing the city’s goals. For him, transportation is about much more than getting from one place to the next – transportation design is an art form that involves creatively combining what is known with what could be, and that passion played an instrumental role in a successful project delivery.

The ribbon being cut during the ribbon cutting event for the 30th and Colorado Underpass.

View of the crowd gathered for the 30th and Colorado ribbon cutting event.

A biker crossing the 30th and Colorado intersection during the ribbon cutting event.

View of one entrance to the 30th and Colorado pedestrian underpass.

Otak Denver Hosts Office Open House!

In Fall of 2022, Otak opened its doors to our brand-new Denver office. We reinforced our presence in downtown Denver for several strategic purposes – including a motivation to deepen our commitments to and strengthen our relationships within the greater Denver metropolitan area.

And what better way to build relationships than to host an Open House! On October 5^th Otak welcomed our valued clients, teaming partners, and local community members to Otak’s downtown space in the historic Elephant Corral building.

A Variety of Practices Forging New Relationships

At the event, we had the chance for meaningful discussion with local peers in architecture, landscape architecture, planning, water resources, and transportation. With a variety of clients in attendance, it was a fantastic opportunity to get better acquainted with partners and local organizations – some of whom we’ve already partnered with on projects, and others we hopefully will in the future.

Beyond Networking

The energy in the office was uplifting as the Denver community came together to explore the space, enjoy food and drinks, engage in meaningful conversation, and foster connections. The event’s success wasn’t just measured in terms of professional connections, but in the opportunity to engage and recharge together outside of a video call. We were honored to host this event and start dialogue with the potential clients, partners, and friends in attendance.

As we continue to thrive and grow our work in the Rocky Mountain region, Otak remains dedicated to contributing to the communities we serve. We look forward to even more vibrant and interactive events in the future, recognizing that it’s not just about planning and building infrastructure, but also about building bridges between people in our communities for years to come.

Otak Hosts Open House at our New Vancouver Location!

We are thrilled here at Otak, because the anchor of our Southwest Washington operations officially launched its new space to the public with an Office Open House this July!

About the Vancouver Space

Located at 805 Broadway Street in the heart of downtown Vancouver, Otak’s new Vancouver office reinforces our urban presence and commitment to the ongoing revitalization of Clark County’s core. The new space creates an enjoyable street-level connection between our team, visitors, clients, and businesses of downtown Vancouver. Formerly the Princeton Athletic Club, the long-vacant space provided a unique, ‘clean slate’ for our architecture team to creatively design and curate. A modern design, high and exposed ceiling, and an abundance of glass creates a bright open environment that fosters collaboration amongst team members.

Hosting the Community to Improve It

Over 50 local dignitaries, business leaders, clients, and guests joined celebration, including Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle and local partners from the City of Vancouver, Vancouver Housing Authority, and the Vancouver Downtown Association. It was a delight and pleasure to open our doors and catch up in-person with our community

With direct connections to the city as former Vancouver mayor, Otak’s Principal Engineer, Tim Leavitt, shared his thoughts about Otak’s place in the growing region:

“Otak has long supported the successful planning and development of SW Washington, including both our work in the public infrastructure realm and our work with private investors and developers. We have tremendous pride looking over the landscape of important projects that are bringing Vancouver and SW Washington to the forefront of prosperity in the metro area. This new office space represents our ongoing investment and strong belief in the bright future of SW Washington!” – Tim Leavitt, Principal Engineer Otak

As Vancouver continues to grow and diversify its economy, this new office promises to be a catalyst for local economic development. By bringing together innovative minds, fostering collaboration, and providing a conducive environment for growth, the office aims to contribute to the city’s thriving business landscape.

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

Celebrating Pride Month: Five Perspectives in Showing up for the LGBTQIA+ Community

Posted on June 15, 2023June 15, 2023 by OTAK Team

This month and every month – Otak unequivocally supports the LGBTQIA+ community.

It’s critical for us as an organization to not only set up policies and use our resources to create a welcoming, inclusive workplace for LGBTQIA+ people to contribute their professional passion at Otak, it’s also important to us to advocate for and demonstrate our commitment to psychological safety and inclusion.

From executive leadership to those in the field, we’ve gathered Otakian thoughts on what Pride Month means to all of us:

Graphic showing a quote on an inclusive workplace from the Otak CEO.

How is Otak Supporting our LGBTQIA+ Team Members?

Our support for the community shows up internally just as much as it does externally, and our policies are just one way we ensure all Otakians feel like they can be themselves at work.

In 2021, we updated the Otak Equal Opportunity Employer statement to be more than a check the box exercise to meet our compliance requirements. Our DEI Committee helped to draft our statement in a way that was more inclusive and speaks to Otak’s vision and commitment to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment. You can read more about it on our equal opportunity employer page!

Our medical benefits cover gender-affirming healthcare in full, and employees have full access to resources to help them navigate their journeys through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP). This isn’t just with one network. Otak also maintains a broader network of providers to ensure employees have the flexibility to find a provider they are comfortable with. We also carry this benefit across our insurance policies. All insurance plans Otak offers cover domestic and same-sex partners, a benefit that has been in place for over five years.

Graphic of a quote on supporting diversity in the workplace.

Training can come in a variety of ways while working at Otak. Our DEI Committee regularly hosts ‘Walk and Talk’ sessions where our teams walk to a nearby restaurant or happy hour while giving insight, perspectives, and stories related to social issue we face. We do this without judgement or censorship, because we welcome viewpoints that are opportunities to educate and inform – giving everyone a seat around table.

In fact, this month we’re leading a Walk and Talk for Pride with our communications lead, Tobias Wisner, where he will talk through proper use of pronouns, how to use more inclusive language, and how to be a better ally every month of the year.

What Does our Team Have to Say?

Hear directly from Otakians who wanted to share their experiences supporting the LGBTQIA+ community in honor of Pride, raising awareness for a few organizations close to their hearts. Using our platform to uplift is part of what we can do to continue that support throughout our business:

Graphic of a quote on creating an environment of belonging in the workplace.

Matt pointed to the Gender & Sexualities Alliance Network (formally the Gay Straight Alliance Network) as an organization important to him — a nationwide nonprofit founded in San Francisco in 1998 as a youth-driven collective that connects LGBTQIA+ youth and school-based GSA clubs through peer support, leadership development, and community organizing and advocacy. You can get involved at their website above!

Graphic of a quote on creating respect, empathy, and awareness in the workplace.

Tobias also had a nonprofit to share– The Trevor Project. This organization literally saves the lives of LGBTQIA+ young people daily, with a mission of ending the pervasive risk of suicide and self-harm among queer youth. They have resources like access to counselors in real time, learning materials on sexuality and gender identity, and spaces where LGBTQIA+ kids can meet and talk about their experiences. Whether you’re looking to volunteer or just learn, The Trevor Project is a great place to start.

Graphic of a quote on validating the growth of others.

In line with supporting her daughter, Tina pointed to Aces & Aros, an organization that seeks to raise awareness for asexual and aromantic people. Their mission is to spurn conversation about normative sexual identities, organize, educate, and advocate for the ace community on a national scale. We affirm with Tina that we stand with all queer people, no matter how they may identify, because we are all human and deserve no less. Take a chance to learn more at their website!

Our support comes from listening and learning from our own staff and inviting conversation. When we listen and learn from each other, we ultimately create a better place to work – a place where all people can grow and thrive.

Learn more about Otak’s DEI work, and most importantly — Happy Pride!

Otak Wins at DJC Top Projects Awards

Time to raise glasses at Otak! We’re happy to report three of our projects took home awards at the 2023 DJC Top Projects Gala! We’re taking a closer look into the three projects that took home some hardware, so check out the work below.

Hotel Indigo and Kirkland Tower – 2nd Place (Hospitality and Other Special Purposes)

Located in Vancouver, WA with primetime views of downtown and the Columbia River, our client, Kirkland Development, made it a priority take full advantage of the location. Enter a 12-story luxury condo tower with 40 units, and the boutique-style Hotel Indigo, a 138-room high-rise.

Otak provided comprehensive planning and design services for the mixed-use property, which also includes 10,000 square feet of retail and 7,700 square feet of restaurant space. The design highlights the hotel chain’s signature brand while creating an iconic destination on the prime site. A six-story atrium, second-level meeting and conference hall, rooftop bar, expansive terrace, and valet parking will provide visitors and residents with luxury amenities and an inviting setting to enjoy the riverfront festival street and parks. The hotel, one of the few Indigo properties west of the Mississippi, is within easy walking distance of downtown Vancouver.

Taking home 2nd place in the Hospitality & Other Special Purposes category, this project will provide a unique mixed-use hospitality and residential environment for visitors and residents on the Vancouver waterfront. Otak is excited to see this project come to life and earn recognition for its efforts to create a vibrant new community along the Columbia River.

Cascade Admin Building at Casino Road – 2nd Place (Tenant Improvement and Major Renovation)

Originally constructed in the 1970s, the unused two-story structure on Casino Road has found a new purpose as an administrative headquarters for a bustling transit company, Community Transit. A complete rehabilitation of the 70,000 square-foot concrete tilt panel building involved full design from our team – from programming through construction documents to ultimately becoming the new home of a number of groups’ operations.

Key to this design was an adaptive re-use project delivery method, including an upgrade to nearly all building systems to meet current building, fire protection, energy, and electrical codes. An added data facility that required enhanced security was also solved in the renovation plans. Added daylighting throughout the building is one element of this energy efficient design.

With 14 user groups set to call the admin building home, the needs of each were considered throughout the process. Through continuous visioning sessions and interviews with key stakeholders, a consensus was met in designing an open office environment that features a large, stadium style gathering space as well as a rooftop deck that offers an employee lounge and amenities.

Taking home 2nd place in the Tenant Improvement & Major Renovation category, this is another project we hang our hat on – exemplifying a dynamic relationship between community, innovation, sustainability, and quality design.

The Vancouver Clinic Salmon Creek 2 – 1st Place (Healthcare and Life Sciences)

Otak CPM is proud to be a part of this award-winning project, made possible by close teaming with our partners at: Pacific Medical Buildings, ZGF Architects, and Andersen Construction. With over 121,000 square-feet added as a apart of their three-site expansion program, The Vancouver Clinic grew its ability to provide healthcare services for communities across Southwest Washington.

Utilizing a Lean Integrated Design / Design Build approach, the Vancouver Clinic expansion designed all three facilities concurrently. The design processes were augmented by full-scale mock-ups to confirm functionality while leveraging the experiences of clinical staff and medical consultants to prioritize patient care with optimal clinic workflows.

As owner’s representative, Otak CPM was involved through the design and early site work of the Salmon Creek 2 medical office building. At the onset of the pandemic, the project delivery method changed from Design Build approach to a developer-based project with Pacific Medical Buildings (PMB). The original Design Build team of Andersen Construction and ZGF Architects was retained to construct the building in partnership with PMB, with Otak CPM remaining in an advisory role to Vancouver Clinic through the conclusion of the project.

We would like congratulate our partners: Andersen Construction, ZGF Architects, Pacific Medical Buildings, and our client Vancouver Clinic on this wonderful award.

Conference Roundup: Forging Relationships During Spring Conference Season!

We’re officially rounding out the end of Spring conference season in Oregon, where we’ve continued to form lasting partnerships, meet the clients we serve, and showcase what we’re about. We love the opportunities conferences give us to support and connect with organizations rooted in the communities we call home.

OAME and APWA Oregon, the two most recent conferences we attended, are organizations we have a long history of partnering with. Read on to find out more about each conference and hear the why behind what makes each of them so special!

OAME Conference

The 35th Annual Trade Show hosted by the all-inclusive organization, Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs (OAME) provided us with the opportunity to exchange ideas, talk to fellow partners and potential clients, and most importantly support the growth of minority-owned businesses.

We value having a presence at this conference, because enables us to show up directly for minority-run businesses and forge lasting partnerships – from prospective clients to new friends in the industry.

Complete with a booth and Otakians from engineering, architecture, marketing in full attendance, we got the chance to bring who we are to the table: a firm that listens to our communities and their local businesses and uses those connections to improve the project work we do daily.

APWA OR Conference

The American Public Works Association (APWA) is one of the most influential professional organizations in the public works field, dedicated to raising awareness about the vital role public works plays in the communities where we live. Fun fact, our own Ashley Cantlon, senior water resources engineer, is the Oregon chapter President – meaning we have a deep appreciation for our relationship with the organization.

Similarly to the OAME conference, this event allows us to be involved in one of the premier organizations for public works in the state, enabling better connections, better relationships, and better understanding of best practices and industry trends.

With a strong presence from Otak engineering leaders like Kevin Timmins, Amanda Owings, Henry Alaman, and Trista Kobluskie, we spoke with potential clients, new friends, and learned more about how we can enrich neighborhoods through the power of quality design. To mix things up a bit, we brought along a special APWA OR picture frame to encourage some photo opts!

Thank you to both these organizations for hosting us, and we can’t wait to come back next year!

Otak Reaches New Heights in ENR Top 500 Design Firm Rankings

We’ve moved UP! We’re pretty excited about our nearly 40 point jump (but who’s counting!) to #207 in the Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm rankings! Everyone looks forward to ENR’s annual big reveal moment to see how we stack up with our competition; it’s a great way to benchmark.

What is the ENR Top 500?

The Engineering News-Record’s annual Top Firms lists ranks firms by revenue across several important segments in the Architecture-Engineering-Construction industry. ENR’s Top Firms report is about more than rankings; the market analysis is invaluable as an additional resource to help us plan our future strategy, especially this year as we finalize our next 5-year strategy.

Along with last year’s ENR Northwest Top Design Firm of the Year award, we’re happy to see the growth of Otak as a company consistently reflected in industry rankings.

Creating Opportunities

It’s great to see that our work is paying off and our ranking means the firm is growing well ahead of the industry median – ultimately creating opportunities for building the best team in the industry with our culture and projects leading the way.

We’re proud to be ranked by a notable publication like ENR – stay tuned for more news on our growth as we attract top talent to our multidisciplinary practice.