ArchitecturAl Firms - Utah Construction & Design...

52 | UTAH CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN | May | Jun 14

ArchitecturAl FirmsmArk milestones in 2014

EDA Architects, 60 years

Archiplex Group, 10 years

AE Urbia, 10 years

Babcock Design Group, 30 years

ArchitectAnniversary Profiles

Each year firms within Utah’s A/E/C industry hit significant milestones

along the way. Four architectural firms who submitted surveys as part

of our 2014 Top Architectural Firms list are celebrating anniversaries

this year. UC&D takes a look at this unique mix of design firms.

Profiles by Brad Fullmer

May | Jun 14 | UTAH CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN | 53

EDA Architects Salt Lake CityFounded: 1954

As the longest tenured partner at Salt

Lake-based EDA Architects – 39 years and

counting – Burke Cartwright said the only

reason he’s still in Salt Lake is because of

the strong early commitment to him from

founders Ralph Edwards and George ‘Jud’

Daniels.

“They were extremely supportive,

almost to a fault,” said Cartwright, a

native Californian who began working

as an apprentice at an architectural

firm in his home state at age 16. “I told

Ralph I’d be (in Utah) one year and then

go back to California. He threw money

and opportunities at me...told me ‘you’re

staying here.’ Without that commitment,

I’d probably be gone. This is the only job

I’ve ever had; I’m glad I didn’t go back to

California.”

Cartwright, who serves as Executive

Officer of Design, joined the firm in March

1975 after graduating from the University

of Utah’s Graduate School of Architecture.

He described the atmosphere at that time

as “kind of a ‘Mad Men’ environment.”

“The firm had been in place and

establishing itself as a player,” he said.

“Ralph saw the vision and was committed.

He was an excellent salesman; the

standards and quality of design were high.

We had continuity and a broad base of

clients.”

Besides Cartwright, senior partners

Peter Emerson (Executive Officer of

Operations) and John Shuttleworth

(President), have led the firm since

Edwards retired in 1988 and Daniels in ’98,

and guided it through myriad peaks and

valleys.

Emerson has been with EDA since

September 1981; Shuttleworth joined

in February 1988. Both men are proud

of the firm’s rich heritage and legacy

for delivering well-designed, beautiful

projects over six decades.

“When we changed the name to EDA,

it always surprises me how people in the

community remember the firm as Edwards

and Daniels,” said Emerson. “The original

name still resonates with people in the

design industry.”

“It is a continuation of a legacy

and trying to build upon that,” added

Shuttleworth, who was named President

last fall. “It’s about having people in the

office who support that every day.” >>


The Ogden High School Renovation is one of EDA’s most recent award-winning projects. (courtesy EDA)


Remember the Past; Embrace the Future

As one of the oldest architectural

firms in Utah, EDA’s history of projects

is enviable on any level, as is the firm’s

expertise in myriad markets. Notable

projects from EDA’s early portfolio include

Cottonwood High School in Murray, the

Old Main Library in Salt Lake (now The

Leonardo), and the Arts and Architecture

Building at the University of Utah. Higher

education and K-12 projects have been

particularly strong in recent years,

including award-winning projects like

the Ogden High School Renovation and

the Skaggs Pharmacy Building at the

University of Utah. Public work has been

a staple for EDA, particularly through the

recession, but the firm is also targeting

more private work.

“The private sector is where we’re

seeing the most change. It was obviously

challenging the last 4-5 years because

private sector work all but dried up except

tenant finishes,” said Emerson. “(Tenant

improvements) helped sustain us during

those times, along with our opportunities

on some great public projects. It allowed

us to keep the doors open. The state is

still busy with higher education and we’re

seeing start-up companies expanding in

tech areas. We’re fortunate to be in Utah.

We were the last ones to downturn and

we’re coming out of (the recession) faster.”

The trio has been immersed in

sustainable design throughout their

careers, and sees LEED and other green

building movements as vital to the long-

term well-being of people, communities

and the environment.

“Sustainability is having a positive

impact on the quality of buildings being

designed and built, from the standpoint

of livability and reduced energy costs,”

said Cartwright. “We’re trying to focus

on designing buildings from the inside

out. We should be thinking about how the

building functions and design with that in

mind.”

“LEED has given the industry a bench-

marking process to achieve goals,” said

Shuttleworth. “We’re seeing an emphasis

on reducing carbon emissions, reducing

energy usage, pushing that envelope of

LEED even further and going beyond some

of the LEED prescriptive requirements to

create energy neutrality.”

Emerson said there are increasing

opportunities to incorporate ‘Net Zero’

ideas and standards into projects,

especially as owners expand their

knowledge of sustainability.

“(Net Zero) is part of a greater

understanding and effort of owners and

architects toward sustainability,” Emerson

said. “It’s a great incentive to move the

process of sustainability forward.”

Cartwright added regarding

sustainable design, “Once, it was a

specialty; now it’s so integrated into the

consciousness of everybody, we just do it.”

With their collective reservoir of

experience, they remain committed to

moving the firm forward and into the

next generation of partners. They didn’t

speculate on how many years each wants

to continue working; they’re just enjoying

the ride and thankful for the experiences.

“Part of what we’re looking at is

solidifying our process, solidifying our

ability to expand on our delivery to clients

and the community…being a bigger player

in that aspect,” said Shuttleworth. “We’re

interested in development of our young

people, providing them opportunities to

grow and blossom. We’re committed to the

people who work for us.”

“During the last stewardship of

the firm – with Peter, myself and John

as partners – we have had an enviable

relationship with each other,” Cartwright

said. “Don’t get me wrong – there is

drama from time-to-time as firms take

their personality from the leaders at the

top. What family doesn’t have its ups

and downs? It really has enriched my

professional career being associated with

these gentlemen.” n


(left to right) John Shuttleworth, Burke Cartwright and Peter Emerson have nearly 100 years of collective experience at EDA Architects. (courtesy EDA)

Sustainability is having a positive impact on the quality of buildings being designed and built, from the standpoint of livability and reduced energy costs. - Burke Cartwright

“

”


Archiplex Group Salt Lake CityFounded: 2004

Ralph Stanislaw’s decision to uproot

his family and relocate from the hustle

and bustle of Los Angeles to the serenity

of Park City 21 years ago had nothing

to do with his career, and everything to

do with his then 8-year-old daughter’s

chronic asthma and a desire for a healthier,

outdoor environment.

After an RV tour in summer 1993

to western cities like Boise, Idaho and

Bozeman, Montana, the family settled on

Park City after some advice from friends,

even though Stanislaw wasn’t sure what he

would do for work despite having worked

in architecture in L.A. for 16 years.

“When I resigned I had no immediate

job prospects,” he recalled. “Within a week,

through a network of architects I knew in

L.A., someone contacted me from DMJM

and I was offered a job. It was an easy

transition; I felt very fortunate.”

After a decade with DMJM (later

AECOM), the firm closed its Salt Lake office,

and Stanislaw started Archiplex Group in

2004, also rather seamlessly.

“A former client offered me office space

in their building which helped us set up

the new business immediately,” he said.

“We helped AECOM complete its regional


Archiplex Group is led by founder Ralph Stanislaw (right), who designed the AGC of Utah Headquarters. (AGC photo by Dana Sohm)

May | Jun 14 | UTAH CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN | 57

architectural commitments as we started to

establish new opportunities for Archiplex.”

L.A. to Utah; Private Work to Public Sector

Stanislaw was born in Toronto

and split time between Canada and

Pennsylvania as his father worked for

Litton Industries as an engineer. His

family moved to L.A. when he was 13, and

Stanislaw attended Yale before earning

a Master in Architecture from UCLA and

starting his career in L.A.

He said the transition from California

to Utah from a career standpoint forced

him to learn about the public sector and

doing more municipal-related projects,

which he appreciates. His final job in L.A.

was as a design department manager for

a firm with a commercial focus, one that

worked mostly with development clients.

DMJM in Utah, on the other hand, dealt

mainly with public clients.

“Part of my shift was to focus on

things that are important for public

clients,” he said. “Besides quality

architecture, the focus is squarely

on budget and schedule. Some of the

flexibility on a private sector project

doesn’t exist on a public sector project, so

that was something I had to learn along

the way. Today, we have a larger number

of public sector clients, particularly as we

weathered the recent recession.”

Archiplex Group has three other

licensed architects besides Stanislaw,

and 11 employees. The firm works across

multiple sectors in both public and

private sectors. Stanislaw said his firm

is interested in complex projects that

require thoughtful, sustainable solutions,

including projects for Utah Transit

Authority (UTA Lovendahl Maintenance

Facility in Midvale), the Associated General

Contractors of Utah’s headquarters in Salt

Lake, and the Liberty Park Pump House for

Salt Lake City Corporation.

“We pride ourselves in maximizing a

building’s potential; we’re not focused as

much on a particular style or approach

as we are solving problems,” he says.

“We bring sustainable concepts to all

our jobs, whether they are going for

LEED certification or not. I’ve personally

supported principles of sustainability

throughout my career. I was interested

in renewable energy as an architecture

student and pleased to see this area of our

industry transform how we think about

projects.”

On the Lovendahl Maintenance

Facility (built in 2009), his firm had to work

around the installation logistics of a $4

million, 50 ft. by 15 ft. by 10.5 ft. Wheel

Truing Machine for repairing wheels on

UTA light rail cars. The project, Stanislaw

said, “Benefitted greatly from our ability to

think three-dimensionally and integrating

a complex installation within an existing

building. It was a very successful, problem-

solving, non-traditional architectural

approach we took.”

For the Liberty Park Pump House,

which is slated for completion this summer,

the firm is designing an architectural

enclosure for pump equipment for a

secondary irrigation system project.

“We came up with the concept of a

green building – literally a landscaped

clad building,” said Stanislaw. “A building

that is approachable by the public, but

recedes into the landscape. We had the

idea of enclosing walls with trellises and

encouraging landscape ivy growth on the

building. It’s an important building for the

City.”

Stanislaw envisions working another

decade, or so and then perhaps turning his

firm over to the next generation.

“We have some very capable people

within our group,” he said. “I would like to

think at some distant point, 10 years-plus,

that the firm could continue with a change

of leadership and follow the same basic

principles I’ve been following since its

inception.” n



AE Urbia Salt Lake CityFounded: 2004

In the commercial design industry,

particularly here in Utah, it’s rare to find

a firm that offers both architectural and

engineering services under one roof, much

less so from one individual.

But that’s what makes James Williams

unique, the fact he’s a licensed civil

and structural engineer, and a licensed

architect (in addition to being a LEED

accredited professional).

Williams is the owner and founder of

Salt Lake-based firms J.M. Williams and

Associates, a structural engineering firm he

founded in 1992, and AE Urbia, a full-service

architectural firm that is marking its 10th

anniversary. Williams insists he doesn’t

have a split personality; he thoroughly

enjoys both design professions.

“I think of myself as both,” said

Williams. “I think engineers look at me as

an engineer that gave up engineering to

become an architect. Architects look at me

as an engineer who became an architect.

It’s like I’m floating between both

professions and not embraced by either.

But we’re happy doing our own thing and

we’re seeing success.”

Williams looks at his diverse skill set as

one that is attractive to clients, since he can

offer two vital design services in one stop.

“I get to be involved in the creative part

of architecture, the artistic side, and also be

able to design a building that stands up to

an earthquake,” Williams said. “I have a >>


AE Urbia design the Air Hotel project in Salt Lake City, which is slated to begin construction this fall. James Williams (above) is both a licensed structural engineer and a licensed architect. (rendering courtesy AE Urbia; portrait by Dana Sohm)


full understanding of how to build. They

used to have a term ‘Master Builder’ – it’s

a lost art. It now requires multiple people.

It gives me an advantage in that I know

how to design it, and how to build it. I can

usually get to an answer faster.”

“James sees a building from multiple

perspectives,” said Chad Robinson, a

structural engineer who joined J.M.

Williams & Assoc. nine months ago after

nine years at another local firm. “I started

out as an architect major and defected to

engineering myself. He’s not just seeing a

building as trusses, beams and columns,

but also from a spaces perspective. He

has a very studied sense of many building

systems and codes.”

“He’s been a close friend since we

went to BYU together,” said Mike Morley of

M13 Construction in Springville. “He knows

from an engineering perspective what

makes sense and uses his knowledge to

create designs that are cost effective, and

he can also design architecture around a

structure. It’s nice to work with someone

who understands both disciplines.”

Driven and PassionateIt’s not easy to understand what

makes anyone tick, let alone a man who

had an original goal of being an architect

dating back to junior high, yet went to a

college that didn’t offer an architecture

program and ended up switching to

engineering, figuring it would all work out

someday.

“I felt I would be a better architect if I

had a structural engineering background,”

said Williams. “When I graduated, I

talked to the University of Utah (about

architecture) and they recommended

I become a licensed engineer and then

pursue an architectural license.”

He worked for McNeil Engineering

for eight years before founding his SE firm

in ’92. It took him a dozen years to finally

launch AE Urbia, simply because business

as an engineer was so good.

“We had so much success it was hard

to justify going back to school,” he said.

Williams admits that he tends to have

more fun with the architectural side of

design, because it allows for so much more

creative expression and diversity.

“I like architecture because that’s

what people see,” he said. “They see it, they

can comment on it, whereas structural

engineering, I get satisfaction engineering

a building correctly and efficiently.

(People) don’t appreciate it until there is

an earthquake and the building stands

up. The architectural part is much more

rewarding.”

Besides his vast knowledge and

expertise as a designer, Williams has a

personality to match.

“He’s got great design skills that are

pretty diverse,” said Ken Bretschneider,

Owner of KPB Equities of Pleasant Grove,

a developer that Williams is currently

designing two major projects for in Utah:

the Air Hotel, a $100 million-plus hotel/

mixed-use development in downtown

Salt Lake across from the new U.S. Federal

Courthouse on West Temple; and Evermore,

a multi-phase, fantasy-based, 45-acre

adventure park in Pleasant Grove. “He has

the artistic side, but also the analytical

side. It’s rare to get a great designer

who also understands the structural

component. He’s a great guy to boot.”

Perhaps part of Williams’ success is

his work ethic. 12- to 14-hour work days, he

claims, just aren’t that big of a deal when

you’re doing something you enjoy.

“I usually get up at 3:30 in the morning,

get to the office by 5:00 and work until 6 or

7 at night,” he said. “To me, it doesn’t feel

like work. This is what I do for fun.” n



Babcock Design Group Salt Lake CityFounded: 1984

Babcock Design Group (BDG) has

undergone a significant transformation in

the six years since founder Fred Babcock

sold interest in his firm in 2008 to four

Principals – Brent Davis, Rob Cottle, Darin

Bell and T.J. Winger – after a lengthy career

spanning five (now six) decades.

A key part of BDG’s progress has been

the opening of a satellite office in Boise

in May 2012, a decision that was fueled

in part by the firm’s strong relationship

with Gardner Company a prominent Salt

Lake-based developer that has completed

several recent projects in Idaho’s capital,

including the 17-story 8th & Main building

that was designed by BDG.

“When Gardner opened an office in

Boise, that environment was picking up

faster than Salt Lake City and they asked

us to do some jobs up there,” said Davis.

“We’ve been fortunate to be associated

with (Gardner). We opened an office (in part)

to be more attentive to their needs, and it’s

been profitable and we’ve picked up a lot

more work. It’s been a good venture.”

“We had never planned on being in

Boise, but we took the leap and are glad

we did,” added Rob Cottle. “8th & Main was

an incredible project and we’re currently

working on some exciting work in its

preliminary stages.”

Babcock, 75, continues working on

a part-time basis, primarily on custom

home projects, or to help out with advice

periodically. He’s impressed with the

direction the current partners have taken.

“They have done more than I ever

dreamed they might,” said Babcock.

“I’m just as content as I could be with

the arrangement. I keep pursuing work

through past clients of mine – primarily

custom homes. That’s always been kind of

my personal thing to be involved with.”

Long CareerA native of Pocatello, Idaho, Babcock

earned a Bachelor of Architecture from

the University of Utah, and a Master

of Architecture from the University of

California-Berkeley in 1963. He returned to

Utah and started his internship with John

Clawson Architects of Salt Lake.

By 1969, Babcock co-founded

Architects Planners Alliance (APA) with two

former U classmates, Ab Christensen and

Ralph Evans. In 1980, Babcock and John

Pace formed Babcock Pace, and by 1984 the

firm became Babcock Design Group.

“When you’re in charge as the only

principal, there are plusses and minuses,”

said Babcock. “There is a level of comfort

to depend on someone else, to talk about

issues and concerns, but on the other hand,

it’s a plus to be able to make decisions on

your own when others might not agree. >>


Babcock Design Group Principals include (left to right) Brent Davis, T.J. Winger, Darin Bell and Rob Cottle. The firm has expanded its presence in the Intermountain region, with the opening of a satellite office in Boise in May 2012

Despite selling his interests in his firm in 2008, Fred Babcock continues to work on a part-time basis at BDG, mainly on custom home projects. (photos courtesy BDG)


I was always optimistic and confident.”

One of Babcock’s main strengths is

his friendly personality and easy going

demeanor. He tends to make long-time

friends out of clients and associates.

“Everybody I’ve ever met that knows

Fred Babcock, loves Fred Babcock,” said

Winger. “I asked him one time ‘are you that

good?’ And he said ‘I’m not that good; what

people like is that I recognize it’s their

project.’ Fred says bring your talent, but

don’t bring your ego. We let clients know

we care for them, but it’s their project.”

“He cares a lot for his clients,” added

Davis, who was hired by Babcock in 1975

and worked with him for 39 years. “Fred is

such a well-known architect in Salt Lake. His

influence has led to part of our success.”

BDG also recently designed the

nearly completed 101 South Office

Building in downtown Salt Lake for the

Boyer Company, another long-time client.

Babcock developed strong relationships

with Roger Boyer and Kem Gardner, former

partners of the Boyer Company (Gardner

split in 2004 to found Gardner Company),

dating back to his APA days. The firm had

designed Trolley Square and had an office

there, and former manager Rich Robbins

went to work at Boyer Company and

introduced Fred to Roger and Kem. The rest

is history.

“They’re both good friends,” said

Babcock. “Over the years we’ve done

multiple projects for both of them. I

designed both of their homes. It’s been a

choice association. Now we’re all three

getting to the end of our careers, and

talking about what trip to take rather than

what job to do.”

Next PhaseMoving forward, BDG is well-positioned

for continued growth and success. Davis

said he’s started talking about selling

his interest, with a handful of in-house

architects to consider as the next partner.

Cottle said the firm remains committed to

designing smart, sustainable buildings (8th

& Main in Boise is aiming for LEED Silver

Certification) in diverse markets.

“If you look at our portfolio and what

projects look like stylistically, we have a

wide array of design solutions,” said Cottle,

who worked for Babcock in the mid-90s

for three years, before ultimately coming

back in 2001. “Our emphasis is they’re

not our buildings. The aesthetic look is

a reflection of what is important to the

client. We try not to put our thumbprint on

everything we do. We like the diversity, and

also for the sake of being viable in crazy

economies. Being diverse helps when one

sector goes cold.”

“We’ve surrounded ourselves with a

great team, a talented team, and we have

amazing chemistry right now,” added

Winger. n


BDG designed the new headquarters for Savage Industries in Midvale.

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