Projects Archives - Page 5 of 11

Meet the Team: Otak’s Denver Architecture Studio

Posted on February 27, 2023February 21, 2024 by OTAK Team

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:

Aerial view of the "Linking Lookout" Interchange

“Linking Lookout” Interchange (2017)

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.

Reimagining the Colfax and Federal Cloverleaf (2018)

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.

Led process to reimagine a dangerous intersection in Denver

Construction work being done at Godfrey Ditch

Godfrey Ditch Diversion Structure Reconstruction (2020)

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 Dahallow EcoDistricts AP LEED Green Associate Designer

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
Contract Administration/Forensic Services

Human Factors Engineering (HFE)
Post Occupancy Analysis (with VUM)
Smart Cities Pre-Design Consultant Services Signage/Branding
Code Consulting

What Motivates the Studio?

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.

DBIA Awards 2022: The Portland Building is Recognized for Historic Reconstruction

Posted on December 13, 2022August 14, 2025 by OTAK Team

When it comes to project delivery, few methods are as cutting-edge as the design-build delivery, but what does it mean, and how do we differentiate it from a traditional delivery?

What is the Design-Build Delivery Method?

According to the Design Build Institute of America (DBIA), the design-build process is different from a traditional project delivery for a few reasons:

Rather than managing multiple contracts, the Owner manages only one contract with a single point of responsibility.
The single point of reference allows the designer and contractor work together from the beginning as a “Design Build Entity,” providing unified project recommendations to fit the Owner’s schedule and budget.
Any changes are addressed by the entire team rather than in siloes of the project, leading to collaborative problem-solving and innovation.

It all comes down to single-source contracting, but what’s important here is the culture of collaboration inherent in design-build. Teams truly work as a team without an adversarial relationship between subdivisions, and that means everything for successful, innovative delivery.

The Portland Building team at the DBIA Award 2022 acceptance — *The Portland Building team at the DBIA Awards 2022*

The DBIA has a storied history of sharing the wonders of design-build with the greater industry. Formed in 1993, it started as a handful of engineers, architects, and builders who sought to make project delivery both easier and scalable. The organization is now the authority on the design-build process, comprised of not just professionals but academics, students, and leaders from all over the country.

What’s more, they host one of the biggest industry events in the country commemorating use of the method every year.

What is the Design-Build Conference & Expo?

The Design-Build Conference & Expo happens in various locations and hosts a slew of industry professionals who come to network and learn from one another.

Projects from all over the U.S. are nominated for their historic delivery methods, and experts from across the AEC industry judge and award firms based on a variety of criteria provided by the DBIA.

“The Portland Building is by far, one of the defining projects of my career and one of the best teams I’ve worked with in my life.”
Miro Radoynovski – Portland Building Project Manager

Otak attended the annual event in Las Vegas in November 2022, where we were up for multiple awards for our owner’s representative work on The Portland Building in our home city of Portland, OR.

What Did the Portland Building Win?

At the 2022 Design-Build Conference & Expo, the Portland Building was nominated for three DBIA awards in the category of rehabilitation, renovation and restoration. The project ultimately swept all three.

Best in Process – Rehabilitation / Renovation / Restoration
National Award of Excellence – Rehabilitation / Renovation / Restoration
National Award of Merit – Rehabilitation / Renovation / Restoration

The awards reinforced the success felt across the project team, including the city of Portland. For the DBIA, success is defined in a variety of ways and the details of the Portland Building were clearly aligned with those criteria.

Delivering an Award-Winning Project: What the DBIA Looks For

Winning projects are all evaluated on the same criteria, based on DBIA’s Design Build Done Right framework.

Projects are considered if they achieve the best value while meeting design and construction quality, cost and schedule goals. They must also demonstrate advanced and innovative application of total integrated project delivery, including design-build best practices to achieve exceptional outcomes.

Credit: DLR Group

But what is the Design Build Done Right framework?

The overview of it is that it’s a universally applicable set of best practices and principles that can aid in the delivery of any design-build project. The DBIA provides a set of guidelines, and more importantly real-world techniques, that facilitate successful projects from procuring services to execution, exemplified by the following aspects of delivery:

Schedule and cost performance
Effective processes
Interdisciplinary teamwork
Problem solving
Excellence in design
Use of technology

Based on these elements of successful design-build, Otak is proud to say we won multiple awards the evening of the conference, which we’ll get into next.

Building a Winning Case in The Portland Building

The Portland Building project is a 15-story high-rise occupied by City of Portland bureaus. As an internationally renowned architectural example of post-Modernism designed by Michael Graves, the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and houses a number of government departments all working in tandem to make Portland run smoothly.

Exterior view of the Portland Building
(Photo Credit: James Ewing, JBSA)

The project addressed the building envelope issues by covering the concrete façade with a unitized curtain wall and terracotta rain screen tiles that eliminated leaking while preserving its historic status and appearance. The restored façade also greatly improved the poor natural lighting which, combined with a full interior remodel, drastically transformed the building’s working environment. Otak also organized the temporary relocation of all the city’s 1,400+ staff to ensure that the city maintained normal operations throughout the project.

However, what’s really interesting (and unique) about the project is its cutting-edge delivery method, one that takes DBIA guidelines and brings them to the next level—progressive design-build.

Progressive Design-Build Delivery of the City of Portland’s Vision

The City of Portland initiated a $195 million project to reconstruct the building, making it the city’s largest capital project.

Such an innovative method of delivery was needed to address several of the City’s objectives with construction:

Fix the enclosure performance problems—no more leaks and better daylighting
Preserve the historic integrity of the exterior—get through landmark approval process
Upgrade the seismic performance of the building to an appropriate standard
Replace building mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems
Remedy urban design deficiencies at the base
Improve the workplace and public engagement areas
Meet requirements for LEED Gold

What Does Progressive Design-Build Mean?

Essentially, a progressive design-build delivery method is a form of early contractor involvement that can help reduce risk and increase collaboration among all stakeholders. It’s the way a construction project design is developed by the owner and design-builders using a step-by-step process.

The DBIA again states that progressive design-build allows the design and construction team to collaborate during the earliest stages of project development. This enables the greatest amount of engagement between the three key players in a construction contract: the owner, the designer, and the contractor. Ultimately, Otak advocated that this unique method was best for meeting the needs of the project in terms of complexity and scheduling needs.

Best Value for Dollar Spent: Collaborative Team Environment, Optimal Efficiency

The Progressive Design-Build model allowed for the right voices to be in the room to make the best decisions at the right time. From the outset, Otak successfully met the greatest challenge of the method—getting all team members to buy in to a lean design process and trust it would deliver an innovative project. The team also utilized the “SmartStart” partnering process, where we discussed and committed to a community-focused assessment of risk and project progress which was key to establishing a collaborative environment.

Schedule, scope, and design intent were optimized, as the entire team was at the table making informed decisions each step of the way.

Planning sessions and project milestone dates were incorporated into scheduling from the very beginning to inspire active participation between stakeholders for effective schedule management.

Technology Utilization

Quality assurance and control was also highly collaborative, and we deployed high-tech tools like VR, Clash Detection, and Laser Scanning for building information modeling (BIM) work to improve access to facilities and streamline operations of the building post-construction.

A huge part of this effort was not only relocating all city employees into temporary office spaces, but also bringing them back when construction was completed, and the building envelope was brought up to code. Thanks to the progressive design-build method these goals were accomplished through early planning and team effort to get the job done.

Design Solutions to Historic Reconstruction Challenges

With every project comes challenges. This can be particularly true for buildings of historic relevance, for which the Portland Building is a perfect example.

The City’s vision was such that the building needed to be drastically updated while maintaining it’s iconic design elements, while enhancing the working environment. The existing concrete exterior, external glazing, the famous Portlandia sculpture, and getting the space approved as a city landmark were all hurdles that made progressive design-build the choice of the greater team.

View of Portlandia statue at the Portland Building — View of “Portlandia,” the copper sculpture at the Portland Building
(Photo Credit: James Ewing, JBSA)

Considerations were also made to maintain the internationally recognized post-Modern architecture style, and the stakes were high. The building has historic significance of “exceptional importance” on the National Register of Historic Places, which means extra care had to be taken in order to both preserve and renovate the space. The building also needed to be upgraded from a sustainability perspective, a viewpoint that has become an Otak calling card.

Sustainable and Efficient Systems

In terms of being sustainable, the Portland Building was truly brought into the modern era. The project made improvements to light fixtures allowing for greater daylighting, reducing energy costs and carbon footprints in the process.

The envelope of the building also needed to be revitalized in order to fix leaking issues in a famously rainy city. Low emitting materials were also used to compensate for the existing concrete of the structure, which we did by improving existing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, among others.

The project also pursued a LEED Gold Building certification, and the team’s efforts led to the project exceeding it’s goals in achieving both WELL and LEED Platinum certification.

Public Involvement and Inclusive Project Goals

Not only did the project need to be sustainable, but it also needed to be equitable to address the needs of the city and align with its values. The vision was to both inspire and influence the public, leading to a two-fold goal— serving the public well and becoming an employer of choice to bolster talent acquisition into the space. To align with those goals, our team led visioning sessions on both the public and employee experience, ultimately transforming the building’s poorly lit, substandard interior into a truly exceptional interior experience for all.

Social and community impacts were also top of mind. A targeted community outreach effort was implemented to ensure DMWESB firms were aware of upcoming opportunities. This effort included informational meetings, open houses, trade show events, one-on-one meetings, and sourcing a local non-profit to provide consultation to DMWESB firms bidding on the project. Additionally, the project promoted design and construction career opportunities by hosting eight separate tours for high school and college students. Otak is proud to say that in the process we exceeded MWDBE goals.

The End Result

By utilizing a progressive design-build framework, inspiring both the team and the community, and delivering on early promises thanks to early planning, the result of our efforts yielded a multi-award-winning project.

Otak would like to extend a formal thank you to the DBIA for bestowing us with these accolades, which we take to heart. We’re proud we had the opportunity to play an outsized role in the successful delivery of the project, and our mission to transform the built environment while keeping the community in mind remains one of our cornerstones.

You can find out more about the complete list of DBIA award winners, and we look forward to the opportunity of highlighting our projects in the future

See the Portland Building Project

Native American Heritage Month: Celebrating Culture and Preservation in AEC

Posted on November 30, 2022August 14, 2025 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 the importance of considering historical context in design, we’d like to give recognition to a project with a client that aligns with our mission to uplift communities across all backgrounds.

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

Don Hanson’s Retirement: A Lasting Legacy in Landscape, Planning and Design

Posted on September 29, 2022June 10, 2025 by OTAK Team

Community impact, quality design, and a lasting legacy—all of these are phrases that describe the work of Don Hanson, senior advisor of our planning and landscape architecture division, who has announced his well-deserved retirement. It’s a bittersweet day at Otak, however, we are taking this opportunity to reflect on and commend Don’s work throughout his illustrious career.

A Certified Expert

For the past 37 years at Otak, Don has become a lauded expert in residential, mixed-use commercial, and industrial development work. He also has extensive project experience with public parks/recreation, open space, and streetscape improvements. Greater still, Don served as chairman of the Portland Planning and Sustainability Commission and was a member of the commission for 10 years, setting development and land use policies for the entire Portland Metro Area.

To say Don’s career has been impactful would be an understatement. Though it’s hard to pick just one of the many projects he’s worked on, we’re zooming in on a few key projects that highlight Don’s legacy both at Otak and in our greater community:

The Project Breakdown

Center Commons—Portland, OR

Don’s Role: Serving as the Principal Planner, this project involved the preparation of a master plan and highly detailed site design, as well as a land use approval process coupled with public involvement.
Project Highlights
- This work is regarded by TriMet, the Portland Development Commission, and the neighborhood as a model for transit-oriented development and in-fill development in Portland’s station area districts.
- The project includes 314 units of housing at both market and affordable rates, housing for seniors, as well as for-sale townhomes. Retail space, a daycare center, and management offices are also provided.
- The focal point for Center Commons is a “woonerf” space that congregates cars, pedestrians, a playground, a bosque of trees, parking, drop-off zones, and generous sidewalks that provide shortcuts to transit. The development is located adjacent to the 60th and Glisan station of the MAX LRT line.

View the Center Commons Project

Columbia Knoll—Portland, OR

Don’s Role: As the Principal Planner/Landscape Architect for this project, Columbia Knoll is a mixed-income redevelopment project located on the ten-acre historic Shriners Hospital site in northeast Portland.
Project Highlights
- The redevelopment includes affordable senior independent and congregate housing, as well as affordable family housing, a day-care facility, a community center, and market rate-for-sale townhomes.
- The 334 housing units are configured in two, three, and four-story structures that are carefully sited to preserve mature existing trees and the historic Shriners front lawn on Sandy Boulevard.
- The project required detailed coordination with the state Housing Office, the Portland Development Commission, the Historic Landmarks Commission, and an extensive public outreach program with five neighborhood associations. We also worked closely with the NE coalition of neighborhoods throughout the process.

View the Columbia Knoll Project

Villebois—Wilsonville, OR

Don’s Role: Serving as both Principal and Master Planner, this project is in the countryside west of Wilsonville.
Project Highlights
- Villebois is a spectacular 480-acre site where residential neighborhoods include forests, open spaces, ponds, walking trails, and magnificent vistas. Working in close coordination with the master planner and the City of Wilsonville, Don oversaw the design of a cohesive street and site network that encompasses 135 acres of single-family residences, parks, and open spaces, while preserving the natural features of the site.
- Individual projects within Villebois include residential subdivision developments, engineering of public roads and private alleys, utility infrastructure design, water quality and detention ponds, and enhancement and creation of wetlands. Final design elements include greenways, trails, neighborhood and regional parks, a future community swim center, and entry monuments.

View the Villebois Project

Involvement and Affiliations

Not only has Don’s skill set had an indelible impact on Otak’s project work, his involvement and community affiliations outside of work set him apart as a luminary in the field and his extensive resume reflects that. Some of the groups Don was a part of, and even led, include:

Portland Planning and Sustainability Commission, Past Chair and Former Member
Urban Land Institute (ULI)
Former Development Review Advisory Committee: City of Portland
Former Citizen Advisory Committee Member reviewing the Title 34 Land Development Ordinance: Portland, Oregon
Former Stakeholder Advisory Group Member for Vision 2000: Portland, Oregon
Committee Member reviewing the Urban Renewal Districts Status: Portland, Oregon
Former Downtown Design Review Board Member: Vancouver, WA

Passing the Torch

With a dedicated planning & landscape architecture team now led by staff like our own David Sacamano, Business Unit Leader for our Oregon and Southwest Washington Planning and Landscape Architecture team, Otak will continue to deliver on dynamic projects in Don’s spirit and bring not only our whole selves, but also our expertise to projects in the future. It’s a practice that Don ensured was integral to Otak’s success, and it will continue to be so in our future operations.

Take a closer look at how we celebrated Don’s legacy as an Otakian in this digital booklet and join us in bidding a fond farewell to Don as he begins this well-deserved new chapter.

Thank you, Don—you’ve made Otak a better place.

Take a quick peek at Don’s career below:

Four OtakCPM Projects Win DJC Oregon Top Projects Awards

Otak is proud to announce that four OtakCPM projects have won DJC Oregon Top Projects Awards for 2022! The DJC Oregon is the premier publication covering news of the building and construction fields in Oregon and SW Washington. Project teams from all over the region submitted their projects for consideration and, out of 84 finalists, we took home four trophies for our Project Management/Owner’s Representative work.

OtakCPM, our PMCM/Owner’s Rep services group, was fortunate to be part of projects whose design, construction and project management project teams produced some truly phenomenal projects for owners: The North Clackamas School District, the Nestucca Valley K-8 School Expansion, Lake Oswego City Hall and Police Station, and the Salem Public Library Renovation.

The DJC awards cap off a wonderful month of recognition; Otak was also named by the Engineering News Record (ENR) as the Top Design Firm in the Northwest.

Take a closer look at the details behind each of this year’s DJC awarded projects and the unique solutions the OtakCPM team implemented to bring the client’s vision to completion.

Project Winners

Lake Oswego City Hall and Police Station: First Place – Public Facilities

Lake Oswego City Hall and Police Station had our division tasked with owner’s representative services for the whole project’s lifecycle, overseeing the delivery of secured parking for police facilities and 9-1-1 operations, as well as the retrofitting of City Hall and designing to LEED Gold standards. Otak CPM worked with Mackenzie as the architect and used CM/GC delivery method—all of which resulted in a completely modernized, redefined part of city infrastructure.

Project Team Owner: City of Lake Oswego, Architect: Mackenzie, Contractor: Howard S. Wright, Consultant: Interface

Salem Public Library: Third Place – Public Facilities

PMCM was also commissioned as the owner’s representative on the Salem Public Library Renovation, Services the Otak CPM team provided include review of plans and specifications throughout the design process, bidding assistance, construction management, budget and schedule tracking, assistance with project close-out, and contract administration. This all went to ensure a successful delivery using the Progressive Design-Build method.

Project Team Owner: City of Salem, Architect: Hacker Architects, Contractor: Howard S. Wright

Nestucca Valley School Expansion: First Place – Primary Education (<$50M)

As owner’s representatives for the Nestucca Valley K-8 School expansion, we oversaw a revitalization of a 1953-era elementary school to expand the curriculum from a K-5 school to a K-8 school, with a future capacity of 380 students. The new facility includes a double gymnasium, flexible layout new classrooms, a library/media space, a music space, a new kitchen, open layout commons/cafeteria, school administration offices & District administration offices.

Project Team – Owner: Nestucca Valley School District, Architect: DLR Group, Contractor: O’Brien & Company

Adrienne Nelson High School: Third Place – Primary Education (>$50M)

For the North Clackamas School District, we were nominated for our project management work at Adrienne Nelson High School, in which we managed the $503 Million dollar Capital Construction bond. The funds allowed for basic, large-scale repairs in existing schools including heating, ventilation, roofing, plumbing, windows, lighting, energy efficiency, and ongoing improvements to school facilities like a revitalization of STEM classrooms.

Otak Team and Partners

While all these projects have stories, they wouldn’t be award-winning if not for our teaming partners and those who nominated us. So we’d like to extend a warm thank you to not only them, but also the DJC Oregon for this recognition.

We also can’t forget about our tremendous OtakCPM team for continuing its tradition of excellence.

Want to learn more about some of our projects? Our experience engine has everything you need to search for any Otak project on our website. Check it out to see even more award-winning work.

Project Spotlight: Revitalizing the Salem-Keizer School District

Posted on April 8, 2022August 14, 2025 by OTAK Team

At Otak, we deal in cornerstones. Whether it be on a beautiful building or one of our values— cornerstones make us who we are in every sense of the word. One of these cornerstones is our projects, the work we do to elevate our communities and make them accessible, sustainable, and vibrant. Which is why when we were called upon to handle one of the biggest school bond programs in Oregon’s history, we welcomed the challenge, rolled up our sleeves, and got to work.

This was the case in 2018, when voters approved a $619.7 million funding bond for the Salem-Keizer School District. The goals? Relieve overcrowding, expand vocational and science learning spaces, improve safety and security throughout the buildings, protect the public investment with planning for upgrading infrastructure, and expand the wireless network for improved access to technology in mind. With the bond addressing every educational and support building in the district, our multidisciplinary approach wasn’t just desired, it was vital to the project’s success.

Building a Team

The project needed a qualified manager. Looking no further than our own team, we tapped Bob Collins, PMP, CCM, to lead 19 other Otak employees in working with the district to ensure strong project planning and delivery. Tasked with developing a plan to make the district’s aspirations a reality, we provided management services so voters could be confident their tax dollars would be stretched for maximum benefit to students and the community.

Tools of the Trade

We utilized a variety of tools to accomplish this. First, we introduced the district to Smartsheet, a significantly less costly project management information system that allows for easy tracking of costs, tasks, and schedules. Smartsheet made it simple for them (and us) to cross-reference and standardize work so that each project optimally benefitted from the influx of funding.

Second, we developed a set of guiding principles and official specifications for the scope of work, establishing a clear roadmap to project completion. Serving as a guiding light for 25 pre-qualified, local contractors and architects, we provided an action plan that contended with the ambitions of the district. Our project management and construction management capabilities presented a direct benefit to this program, and were a key factor in how we won such a far-reaching project.

Reinforcing our Values

This all ties into Otak’s “Why.” When it comes to uplifting communities and elevating our built environment, we do those things not because it’s lucrative, but because the project has benefits that will last generations to come. We believe in creating places that will benefit the many, not just the few, and our growing experience with schools is a prime example. When students have adequate facilities for learning and growth, the benefit to society extends beyond our body of work, and instead translates to value-added approach that serves the public good.

In Bob’s own words, “We are actively matching and meeting the goals of the bond with all of the tools at our disposal. We do this by making taxpayer dollars stretch further with tools like Smartsheet, and through our expertise, we’re confident we can deliver facilities to students that need them.”

So, join us in celebrating the work we do that benefits scores of children within the Salem-Keizer district, and here’s to continued success as we leverage everything we can to accomplish this work for the good of all.

Otak Design Team Keeps History Alive at Jasmine Tower

Historic preservation often entails restoring and rehabilitating old structures. However, for Otak’s Jasmine Tower project in Seattle, Washington, the goal for preservation is instead to maintain the location’s use as a public gathering space—one that captures decades of memories while offering the opportunity to build new ones.

Jasmine Tower sits in the Chinatown and Asian District of Seattle and was the former site of a community building that was first constructed in 1942 as a one-level brick building. Two levels were later added and the site became home to a restaurant and lounge called Bush Gardens. Through the years, the location was the site of numerous weddings, parties, and significant events that many in the community now remember fondly.

With this history as the backdrop, Otak was contracted to create a design reflecting the site’s former uses, while adding new housing opportunities and helping rejuvenate this area of the district. The client, Vibrant Cities, has offices next door to the site, as well as family history tied to the neighborhood, making this a personal legacy project for both the client and Otak. Getting the formula for this endeavor just right requires numerous meetings with multiple project stakeholders, including Seattle’s International Special Review District board and the community to ensure the integrity and dignity of the neighborhood remain intact.

The Jasmine Tower project was adjusted based on community input.

“Our clients have trust in Otak. Our design team had previous experience working through these kinds of challenging processes. We have experience with that type of building and we can take charge and guide it through the design process. There are lots of meetings with the community as well as the board, and if we’re not paying attention to that large constituency group, then we’re not going to be successful,” says Gary Reddick, the project’s Director of Design. Gary was joined on the Otak team by Li Alligood, Senior Planner, Casey McKenna, Senior Project Manager, and Ron Dean, Senior Designer.

The community originally wanted to preserve the building and Otak set about surveying the property to see if rehabilitation was possible. Unfortunately, the building proved to be structurally unsound and nothing was salvageable. “What we’ve really heard at the meetings with the public is that they want the legacy of Bush Gardens to continue. Our job has been to show that the happy memories were more about the experience than the building. There are so many memories embedded in the site and we know if we keep a part of the new building as a community gathering space, those memories can be retained and new ones created,” Gary comments.

That input from the public has reshaped the original design for the first two floors which were initially intended to be mostly residential. Now, that space will be occupied by a restaurant and retail on the first floor and office space on the second. A large community event room will also occupy much of the second floor and serve as the new place for building memories. In a nod to the history of the space, old photos and artifacts from the site’s days as Bush Gardens will be featured throughout. The remaining fifteen floors will be residential and there will also be a three-level parking deck underground.

Along with capturing the history, the design of the building is also the first in the district to take full advantage of the 170-foot zoning heights. Strategic massing, where the ground levels will be given more weight than the upper levels, will help maintain the neighborhood feel of 3 or 4-story buildings. “Otak is experienced as the first development group to take advantage of height increases in other areas (see Hyatt Place). Being the first to reach for those heights requires additional explanation and meetings to build comfort,” Gary comments.

With at least three more meetings to go, Gary says construction is not likely to begin for another year or possibly two. But he knows the end result will be a building that embodies the community spirit. “It’s not the building, it’s the container for the memories. We’ve honored the container in our design and the building will add value to the whole district and bring people back.”

Dungeness River Pedestrian Bridge Enhances Natural Habitat, Benefits Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe

It isn’t often that our engineering profession delivers infrastructure projects that actually enhance and create salmon habitat by allowing the restoration of natural processes. This was the case for the 750-foot long river-worthy and salmon-friendly Dungeness River Pedestrian Bridge constructed in 2015 for the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe. Now, six years later, the bridge and habitat restoration have proven to be a real benefit to the river, salmon habitat, and the 1000+ pedestrians and bikers who cross the bridge daily. The increased bridge traffic has also brought new opportunities to the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe and plans for a bridge extension and new nature center are underway.

The bridge design allows the Dungeness River to naturally migrate, increasing the potential for fish-bearing habitat.

2015 Flooding Destroys Existing Trestle

In February 2015, during a large flood event, the Dungeness River avulsed laterally approximately 100 feet and destroyed two bents of the existing bridge trestle. The trestle carried the popular Olympic Discovery Trail near Sequim, WA and the closing of the damaged bridge sent ripples through the community. The owner, the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, immediately began applying for grant funding to restore the crossing, and after months of effort, secured several grants that were primarily focused on salmon recovery.

Otak was selected and began design work in May 2015. Preliminary meetings with the Tribe and the stakeholder group allowed an expedited alternatives evaluation and selection process, and the final design was completed by the end of July 2015.

New Design Reinforces Stability

The new bridge design included four main spans of 185-feet each, which were prefabricated steel trusses with a concrete deck and a 30-foot wide section in the center to create an overlook area. The bridge piers had a buried pile cap with driven piles down to bedrock and a single concrete column supporting a hammerhead cross beam.

A robust pier design ensures stability after deep scouring below the pile caps, including lateral water pressures on debris buildup. To make the bridge river worthy, the piers had to withstand river avulsions anywhere along the span. Because of the stoutness of the pier’s limited ductility for seismic performance, the superstructure was supported on seismic isolation bearings on top of the pier caps. Restrainers were incorporated into the design to limit maximum seismic displacements.

Dungeness River Pedestrian Bridge extension preliminary design.

Expedited Procurement, Permitting

To expedite procurement, the bridge sections were pre-ordered in July, with the main construction bid in August 2015. The site contractor was then selected and mobilized in September 2015. Environmental permitting was expedited including the US Army Corps of Engineers permit, which was applied for in June and granted three days before mobilization.

Spawning Salmon and Habitat Reformation

During the pre-construction walk-through, a pool in the Dungeness River was almost completely black—filled with more than a thousand spawning salmon. Because of the sensitivity of the river, caution was taken to minimize disturbance near and over the water. After the foundations and piers were complete and the bridge spans erected, a notice came in late November that heavy rains were predicted. The contractor immediately removed the temporary bridge over the river, and three days later a flood hit, which not only washed out the section of the river where the temporary bridge was but shifted the thalweg another 80 feet to the west—completely exposing one of the buried piers. Not to worry though, the bridge foundations were deep and structurally robust enough to withstand the river shifting and meandering. And, by doing so, new habitats are constantly being formed.

The complete removal of the existing trestle and replacement with longer spanning structures allows the Dungeness River to naturally migrate and thereby significantly increases the potential for fish-bearing habitat. As such, the bridge has been deemed salmon-friendly. The trestle replacement not only required a high level of engineering skill, but also engineering that had an appreciation for the natural sciences, with equal focus being on salmon recovery as well as the restoration of the popular trail linkage.

The grand opening of the bridge occurred on December 30, 2015, only eight months from the start of the design. Randy Johnson, Habitat Program Manager, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe expressed the tribe’s appreciation for the new bridge the following November, stating “In contrast to the old bridge, the new Otak-designed bridge is environmentally friendly and river worthy. It has already been tested by several floods and has performed with flying colors. Trail users are enthralled with the bridge.”

Conceptual drawings: Dungeness River Pedestrian Bridge, nature center, and amphitheater.

Fast forward six years to the present and the tribe, working together with Otak, is beginning work on an extension for the bridge, as well as the partial removal of an existing levee to make the flood plan even wider. The bridge extension structure will essentially replace the portion of the levee being removed. In total, this will allow the river to run more freely and will further enhance ongoing river restoration. Designs are being finalized for the new bridge extension, which is on track to be completed in the summer of 2022.

Reconstruction of the nature center on the east side of the river began earlier this year. The new extension will provide improved access for visitors to the new Dungeness River Nature Center from the bridge, as well as access to a trail to a natural amphitheater and a bi-pass for pedestrians and commuters from Port Angeles who traverse the bridge and Olympic Trail daily.

Connecting Communities Both Large and Small

With the recent hiring of Senior Transportation Manager, Amanda Owings, and James Winslow, Transportation Business Manager, Otak has taken a bold step toward enhancing its project capabilities within the transportation sector. Transportation is a critical piece to building community, providing a way to get from point A to point B, while also creating access to areas and building opportunities that may formerly have been out of reach. Both Amanda and James are poised to expand Otak’s transportation team and project capabilities.

Amanda is a traffic engineer who has worked within all facets of transportation, from traffic signal review to accessible ramp designs. “Any time you’re doing development, there’s a requirement to look at how it impacts existing systems. My experience evolved from civil engineering to performing roadway design and then specifically to traffic,” she comments.

James has worked in the civil engineering field for 20 years. Over the past 14 years, he worked in various segments of the transportation, active transportation, and traffic signals fields, where he has managed bridge, roadway improvement, sidewalk, and traffic signal upgrade projects. This experience included managing not only the design components, schedules, and budgets, but also the public, council, and community stakeholders. He has also worked in the water, wastewater, environmental, and geotechnical disciplines.

“I remember one stakeholder meeting where many individuals, including the director, had differing visions on how to move forward. However, through hard work and a collaborative approach, cooperation was possible. Often it takes a dedicated champion and commitment to really listen to others and work towards achieving that common goal,” he comments.

The pair’s varied and extensive backgrounds in transportation made them an ideal fit for Otak.

Amanda chose to come to Otak because she sees the opportunity to take her career into a creative space while drawing upon experience in traffic solutions. She looks forward to her role in growing the engineering team and mentoring younger engineers. Her work will entail performing quality control to ensure clients’ needs are met along with supporting internal teams to make sure they have the tools they need to do their work. Potential project work Amanda will spearhead includes bike and pedestrian path planning, multi-modal design related to roadways and development, and facilitating meetings to discuss how transportation-related infrastructure will intersect with land use goals, ADA accessibility, and future growth.

“I am passionate about safe, well-connected infrastructure and that our communities have equal access to this system. Often there’s not enough money to go around to build to the ideal, but where there is new development, I’ll help see that the design is appropriate for the needs of the surrounding community,” she says.

Applying his past experience to work on solving problems with innovative and creative solutions for multiple agencies across a region is what James finds most rewarding about his work with Otak. His years of public sector experience have given him a unique understanding of both the public and private sides of the project management equation. “I’m critically aware of the potential pitfalls that can be encountered on both sides, and potential solutions or initial steps that may need to be taken to help agencies avoid those potential issues,” James states. Along with his client work, James will join Amanda in guiding and supporting the transportation team as it grows.

Both Amanda and James see a bright future for transportation projects that they predict will be more equitably distributed, from big-city projects to small rural ones, allowing for every community to benefit from enhanced connections.

The Byway Creates A Sense of Place For The City Of Wood Village

The City of Wood Village is one of three cities east of Portland, OR (Fairview and Troutdale are the others), that have been working together since 2017 to create a shared vision for Halsey Street, specifically where it runs from Fairview Parkway to downtown Troutdale. Entitled “Main Streets on Halsey,” the Halsey Corridor Plan seeks to create a neighborhood feel with boutiques, apartments, restaurants, community buildings, and plazas lining the street, along with improved pedestrian pathways, colorful awnings and signs, artwork, and murals. The Byway, a new mixed-use development in Wood Village, is one of the first Main Streets on Halsey sites to be completed.

The iconic tower at The Byway is a new landmark for the City of Wood Village.

Otak, working with developer Williams & Dame, collaborated with the City to create a vibrant community center at The Byway. This accomplished both the goal envisioned for the Halsey Street Corridor and the goal of the City to create a sense of place. As Casey McKenna, AIA, project manager and Otak Mixed-Use Studio Leader, states, “The project was really a placemaking effort and the completed Byway, with its iconic tower and amenities for both residents and visitors, has done just that.”

Situated on approximately three acres at the corner of 238th and Halsey Street, the former site of the Wood Village City Hall, The Byway encompasses eight buildings in total with ten thousand square feet of retail space, 170 apartment units, shared community space, a fitness center, and a pool. The Byway also features a blend of modern amenities and Pacific Northwest style, designed to enhance and embrace the outdoor spirit of the City, which is a gateway to Mt. Hood and the Columbia River Gorge. A large tower in the heart of the development is reminiscent of forest service lookout towers and has become a landmark for the City.

Casey remarks on some of the finer details in the overall project, including how the design enabled maximum density and site efficiency: “We were able to squeeze enormous yield per square foot in each of the buildings, netting more than ninety percent efficiency.” Some of the apartment units were designed to provide flexibility to tenants through multi-purpose spaces and separate living quarters which, as Casey explains, “can serve families, roommates, or someone working from home who needs that extra space for a home office.” The different areas of the development also provide for different experiences with various gathering spots, outdoor grilling stations, and other amenities all designed to serve the residents. A dog wash and nearby walking trails will add to the overall enjoyment of the place.

Retail space is slated to include a coffee shop, pub, boutiques, and professional services to serve both residents and visitors.

Otak provided complete project management for The Byway, as well as architecture, land use planning, civil engineering, survey, urban planning, landscape, and water and natural resources services. Structural engineering was provided by Froelich Engineers and the contractor was Deacon Construction.

A ribbon-cutting was held on August 10th, with City officials, including the city manager, the mayor, and residents all in attendance. Casey says, “the strong sense of community pride was evident. It was great to see, and for all of us at Otak, it is rewarding to know our work is making a difference in the communities we serve.”