Where Does Sustainability Go From Here?

Photo above courtesy of Jacobsen Construction

The concept is ever present in the minds of architects and engineers—sustainability. But where will it go next?
By Taylor Larsen

Sustainability comes in many shapes and forms, but we took the time to bring energy usage, water usage, and community development to the forefront. What are the most promising trends in engineering and design for these areas? Five professionals from architecture and engineering spoke to us about what excites them most, what challenges are around the corner, and where the A/E/C industry moves as it embraces sustainability.

Simplifying the System

Brian Hicks

President, BNA Consulting


Brian Hicks has seen remarkable sustainability wins from utilizing a fully monitored electrical system on Architectural Nexus’ headquarters, Arch Nexus SLC.


The headquarters’ precise, efficient system required thorough planning from Hicks and the BNA Consulting team. That planning also involved understanding client needs.


“To do a good job, you need to understand the [client’s] business,” he said. “What are their critical success factors?”


For Arch Nexus SLC, the defining critical success factor was a regenerative building full of regenerative systems that could be selling points to future clients. Another was resiliency because of that regenerative nature. With the building Living Building ready, a solar array that generates well over 100% of the company's energy needs, and battery power capacity to run the essential company needs for a week, it’s safe to say that Hicks and his team succeeded in their mission.


The system designed for Arch Nexus SLC has many noteworthy electrical components, one of which being the relay system, which turns off power for non-essential outlets.


“All [employees] need to do is tap the card reader to activate the system,” said Hicks. No more phantom power bills from printers, computers, and other systems in standby mode. This building means to conserve as much power as possible. 


Creating such a system seems obvious, as “shutting all the power off—that’s just something no one thinks about,” Hicks said. Simplifying the processes and systems would be the best way forward.


Beyond the relay system, Arch Nexus SLC meters all electrical circuits thanks to Hicks and BNA Consulting. Those meters have allowed the building owners at Architectural Nexus to use the most comprehensive data and make the most informed decisions about their energy use and predictive models.


Hicks also spoke about how the Living Building Challenge has maintained his scope of work with the building. He appreciated the unique nature of the project and the commitment to the energy consumption goals outlined in its scope.


“People are used to the scope of architects ending, but our scope continues,” he said. “There is no ‘design and walk away.’”


Simplifying systems, monitoring them fully, and entrusting the help of experts to make sure performance meets design are all key facets of sustainability in electrical engineering.


(Photo courtesy Architectural Nexus)

Embracing the Push

Ryan Boogaard

Principal Mechanical Engineer, Spectrum Engineers


Why the current push to go green? According to Ryan Boogaard, it is consumer demand. “Companies are getting on board [with sustainability] because people want it.”


And one thing that people want is an emissions-free future. All-electric buildings are vogue. Boogaard mentioned that it makes sense—the push to make a more unified grid, one without needing the space for hundreds of gas meters and powered without combustion emissions, is a big step in the right direction.


But it has not been an easy switch. It has taken the industry a lot of work to move past prioritizing operating costs first and instead prioritize the health benefits of electrification. But progress is being made, according to Boogaard. The industry is looking for more carbon-neutral or carbon-free solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, especially as power companies are spending considerable resources on renewable energy sources in the Beehive State.


The industry may be late to the party, but water conservation is also becoming a bigger priority in the sustainability hierarchy of Utah’s high desert climate. According to Boogaard, some processes surrounding water use are misguided, like evaporative cooling considered “free cooling” because utilizing a compressor uses no electricity. 


“[The industry] isn’t factoring in water costs,” said Boogaard. Since water has been labeled as a free energy source as a cooling mechanism, it is the cheapest source of cooling energy around. 


But he mentioned that it is getting better. LEED has stepped up to try and account for water more consciously. It looks to reward design and builds where water conservation is prioritized like energy conservation and emission reductions have been.


It’s not the only area where water is being prioritized and conserved effectively. Mineral buildup flushing has become more efficient, not just in water use and by ending over-flushing. Instead of a “set-it-and-forget-it” flushing system that goes every few hours to reduce mineral building, systems will only flush when the scale buildup reaches a specific threshold. While the trends are promising, the industry still needs to ensure its commitment to sustainability.


“There must be a move away from the easy way,” he concluded. Sustainability components are usually the first thing to go when budgets and scope butt heads, but Boogaard wants a new trend. “Let’s be responsible stewards and use better equipment.”


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The Weber Basin Water Conservancy District (WBWCD) Building is a great example of how best practices can be combined. Beautiful cross-laminated timbers are incorporated throughout the building and add warmth to the exterior (WBWCD photos by Paul Richer). The Soleil Lofts Apartments (below) is an innovative project in Herriman that utilizes solar and battery technology on a large scale (photo courtesy Architecture Belgique).

Dialing in Design

Dave Wesemann

CEO and President, Spectrum Engineers


New buildings may be in good shape for sustainability, but the shift has been one decades in the making, according to Dave Wesemann.


“We over-designed and over-engineered buildings,” said Wesemannn. Buildings in the past trended toward too much artificial light, a lack of natural ventilation, and overcompensating for energy needs. Today, intelligent controls work in tandem with natural systems to create ideal situations for building users—leading to crucial energy savings for sustainability.


Those intelligent controls are helping Wesemann and others shift into right-sizing equipment, better regulate electricity loads, and create efficiencies for owners. Wesemann said that one client type—data centers—utilize these intelligent controls to scale. Owners have grown smarter by using more virtual servers, denser server racks, and better storage options to bring down costs. Less power, fewer materials, and a higher degree of efficiency are promising solutions for reducing energy and materials consumption.


Equipment is also better suited to function at peak capacity. Wesemann said that more data centers are running at higher temperatures—80–90 degrees Fahrenheit—instead of the precedented 60 degrees Fahrenheit, which requires a massive amount of cooling resources to maintain. Cooling towers in data centers are getting better, too. HVAC equipment is better equipped to handle extreme temperature differences and bring the hottest possible air to move through the system and cool the data centers.


Wesemann said that everyone, both inside and outside of the industry, needs to learn what systems and solutions are out there to create a sustainable built environment. There must be a willingness to educate inside the industry, and a willingness from owners and occupants to learn new processes and systems once the building enters their hands.


How will that be achieved? “Make [the systems] smarter and simpler,” said Weisman. “Make it where anyone can use it.”


Re-centered on What Matters

Laura Smith

Project Architect, CRSA


Laura Smith sees sustainability as a concept where location, health outcomes, accessibility, and more fit into a cohesive whole.


“We started to recognize that the [individual] building is a more integral part of the neighborhood,” Smith said. No longer would a building be a monolith, but as a key part of the neighborhood where it resides. “What’s happening outside the building is as important as what’s going on inside.”


According to Smith, the desire to construct sustainable buildings and communities comes from lifestyle choices made by residents and tenants. It is something she has witnessed as the pandemic has entered into its third year.


“People are embracing a more sustainable lifestyle,” she said. Ask anyone stuck in traffic how long they want to “sustain” that. Residents in Utah want walkable communities, access to the outdoors, and less dependence on cars to get there. 


Her work on the Three Creeks Confluence Park on SLC’s west side is a prime example, where she and her team helped to daylight the streams and their confluence with the Jordan River. The park and the nearby Jordan River Parkway, a 45-mile paved trail, are amenities that add to the sustainability of the neighborhood. Who wouldn’t want to enjoy nature in the bustling city and the positive health effects of a biophilic environment?


The pandemic has also informed how we view building interiors from a sustainability lens. She complimented the effects of the WELL Building Standard, which includes building interior components in its grading system, prioritizing things like glare control, maximum noise levels, and air quality. Smith was most appreciative of how WELL seeks to promote ideas like community support for parents and civic engagement with WELL-Certified buildings. 


The many parties looking to hone in and prioritize sustainability are a win on all fronts. Whether it is LEED, Energy Star, WELL, Living Building, or others, Smith sees each focused on bringing out the most sustainable practices. “It’s wonderful that they can compete and learn from each other.”


But, she warned, just because the A/E/C community at large is jumping aboard the sustainable building train does not mean it is the only group with the right solutions.


“We can’t have these homogeneous groups making decisions,” she said. “We need to engage industries outside of our own—finance, healthcare—to see their ideas on sustainability and work together for the best solutions."New Paragraph

How Sustainability Has Changed

Garth Shaw

Principal and Director of Sustainability, GSBS Architects


When it came to discussing sustainability, Garth Shaw was most passionate about one thing: data.


“No one had been able to tell [building owners] how much carbon and greenhouse gas they save from renovating instead of rebuilding” until a few years ago. But now the data is out. “We’re finally seeing all of our choices before us,” said Shaw.


The data to make decisions, the data to know that those decisions are correct—that’s where Shaw feels sustainability is about to make bigger inroads, as what were once toss-up decisions now have data to inform them. 


Shaw mentioned how the University of Utah’s Browning Building was a perfect case study of how data should drive sustainability. The choice to renovate will avoid 8,870 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, according to a GSBS study. Choosing to maintain and improve the building shell, lighting, and HVAC systems immediately improve operational usage, instead of waiting 15 years for the energy savings to pay back the deficit created via demolition and new construction. 


With savings like these displayed in hard numbers, more and more people are curious to learn and experiment with the breadth and depth of sustainability and its benefits.


“Five to eight years ago, all the big commercial developers would be getting pressure to increase sustainability,” Shaw said. “Today, every entity is driving sustainability”


As architects and engineers gain more experience designing within the goalposts of sustainable systems, form, and materials, developers and owners don’t have to compromise on aesthetic qualities to achieve a beautiful, sustainable building. 


The Weber Basin Water Conservancy District Building is a great example of how best practices can all be combined. Passive design from careful site selection takes a massive weight off the shoulders of the HVAC systems. The beautiful wood elements throughout are a biophilic touch that only gets overshadowed by the splendid view of the nearby Wasatch Range. 


As data improves, demand increases, and beauty flourishes, Shaw says that the industry continues to distribute these solutions to as many as will hear the message. The best practices in energy and water conservation, design, and sustainable materials are shared instead of siloed. “The fight is for something bigger,” said Shaw. 


The fight is to utilize this data to its fullest and preserve a livable future for all. 

Black Desert Oasis

By Brad Fullmer • October 15, 2025
When Lehi-based Reef Capital Partners (Reef) initially announced plans in 2018 to build a sprawling, estimated $2 billion mega-resort with a championship-caliber golf course on 600 acres covering parts of Ivins and Santa Clara—small towns with just over 15,000 combined residents at the time—it was difficult to fathom what a project of that magnitude might look like. Fast forward seven years, and Black Desert Resort is indeed a shining oasis amidst Southern Utah's famed red rock cliffs, sitting atop an ancient lava field, with buildings strategically carved into the land to produce a resort unlike anything else. "This is the biggest project we've ever done—we feel really good where we are," said Brett Boren, President of Real Estate for Reef, acknowledging the general completion of the $290 million, 806,000-SF resort center, along with significant ongoing work—including a 1,298-stall parking garage, condominiums, and a private water park. As of September, all aspects of the main resort center were open and fully complete, with the hotel celebrating its first official year in business after partially opening in September 2024 as it hosted the inaugural PGA Black Desert Championship October 10-13. The second installment of the tournament—now dubbed the Bank of Utah Championship—is slated for October 23-26, with a third tournament signed for 2026.

Calder Richards Celebrates 20 Years of Sustainable Evolution

By UC&D • October 1, 2025
In 2005, Calder Richards Consulting Engineers formed after the merger of two smaller structural consulting firms who, interestingly enough, both started in 1986. Calder Richards has provided a steady structural support for Utah’s built environment ever since. As the firm celebrates its 20th anniversary, UC+D spoke with Managing Principals Shaun Packer and Nolan Balls to look back over the company’s history and celebrate what has helped their firm stand out to deliver solid projects in Utah and beyond. Their responses were edited for clarity and brevity. UC+D: What have been some catalytic moments for Calder Richards since that initial merger? SP: Winning the Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona is the first one. The big reason for the merger between Richards Consulting Group and Calder Consulting was to build a large enough company to go after bigger projects like that.” NB: That was my first project when I was hired straight out of college. We helped design the 17-story hotel and casino, a conference center, as well as parking structures, a central mechanical building, and a pool building. Talking Stick helped get us through the downturn a few years later. UC+D: What have been your key market sectors you all have targeted over the last 20 years? NB: We were breaking into K-12 along the Wasatch Front soon after the Talking Stick Resort and it’s been our bread and butter since then. SP: Absolutely, but I credit our firm for always adapting to the current environment. We’ve been fortunate to do so much K-12, but we used to do a lot of office work, and now we are working on conversions like the Ebay Headquarters to CTE/Innovation Center for Canyons School District as the market has shifted away from commercial office. UC+D: Schools have certainly evolved over the last 20 years, how has your work as structural engineers evolved? SP: We are seeing more creative design on the architectural side, certainly. We see many more two-story designs; more windows and daylighting. But we’re utilizing more powerful tools and continually building our understanding of the structural materials that are in use more than ever—tilt-up concrete, steel columns and beams, especially—to be the architect’s trusted partner. NB: Schools have definitely changed, and we’ve had better experience in helping projects move forward successfully when we are involved earlier in the design process. As we got involved early on in West High School’s schematic design, we were able to provide structural solutions and options to accommodate the architects’ design intent. UC+D: How has company growth changed Calder Richards? SP: It’s certainly changed the number of people in our office. We started with around 10 people when we merged, and today we have 27. But we often say that we don’t want to grow just to grow—we want to grow sustainably. We don’t lay people off when works slows down, and we have an expectation that sometimes there will be overtime work, and other times you may be waiting for our next project to begin.

The (Epi)Center of it All

By By Taylor Larsen • October 1, 2025
Nested in the middle of the University of Utah (U of U) campus sits the aptly-named Impact & Prosperity Epicenter, the second living learning community (LLC) project designed on campus by Los Angeles-based Yazdani Studio of CannonDesign. After nearly a decade since their first LLC project, the award-winning Lassonde Studios (UC+D’s 2016 Most Outstanding Public Building over $10 million), Mehrdad Yazdani, the design firm’s Principal and Studio Director, said their work on a sequel was an exciting prospect for the firm, and enlisted Salt Lake-based MHTN Architects and Okland Construction to serve as the respective local architect and general contractor. Today, the Epicenter serves as a striking piece of architecture and construction, one whose curvilinear shape asks users and visitors plenty of questions. But moving from idea to execution has been a work in progress. One query from Yazdani stood out as it relates to students and the built environment, and helped begin the journey to create the Epicenter: “How does your living environment as a student impact your success as a student and as a changemaker?” A Project for an Evolving Campus Katie Macc, CEO of the Sorenson Impact Institute, said LLCs like the Epicenter and Lassonde Studios next door have been massive steps forward in advancing entrepreneurship and social impact. But both play a major role in creating “college town magic”—a phrase coined by University President Taylor Randall that invokes a vibrant campus where students can find community and have one-of-a-kind experiences. With more on-campus student housing in the works, the state’s flagship university is hoping to shed the “commuter school” label and deliver a level of desirability that matches the resources students commit to higher education. “There is some soul searching going on across university campuses,” said Macc of the challenge at hand. “We have to be convincing that going to college matters.” She said overall university enrollments across the nation are decreasing as students grapple with tuition costs, COVID and its isolating aftershocks, and a different perspective on higher education. Universities are no longer a place where students come to learn what they couldn’t learn elsewhere—remote learning and the internet have opened a fissure in that idea that will never close. Instead of that educational transaction, being at a university must include building community and creating in-person experiences only available on campus. Macc said that the Epicenter helps steer the campus experience toward the future, with design goals to create a base of operations for two changemaking organizations and a living and learning home for 778 students. The three-story commercial portion of the building, known as the “Changemaker Pavilion”, includes office space for The Center for Business, Health, and Prosperity (second floor) and the Sorenson Impact Institute (third floor). While each organization has a different focus, both are firmly invested in helping students access and create the resources needed to change the world. Each entity works hand-in-hand as owners of the Epicenter to host events and “create a full spectrum of ways for students to get involved,” said Chad Salvadore, Chief Financial Officer for the Sorenson Impact Institute. “We’re dialing in the programming to energize the student body,” said Salvadore of the work done at the Epicenter. With over 60 majors represented among the 778 students who live there, he said that the diversity of students is less a reflection of their chosen major and more a desire to reside in a space built for students to work their entrepreneurial muscles. “Living here is a mindset—you can engage across many different paths you choose.”

Goal!

By Brad Fullmer • October 1, 2025
Front view of the bleachers, press box, and suites. (photos courtesy SIRQ Construction)

Four Decades of Transformation

By Brad Fullmer • October 1, 2025
Over the course of its 40-year history in Utah, WSP's Salt Lake office—originally founded as Parsons Brinckerhoff in 1985—has morphed from primarily a transportation design firm to one that successfully operates in multiple civil engineering markets. The results of WSP's transformation the past decade into a more diverse outfit speak for themselves, with the 128-person Salt Lake office (with locations in Cottonwood Heights and South Jordan) posting three consecutive years of revenues over $50 million, including a record $70.1 million in 2023, and a robust $59.9 million in 2024—good for the No. 2 ranking in UC+D's 2025 Top Utah Engineering Firms rankings.

Good Career? Start Here

By Taylor Larsen • October 1, 2025
Lucio Gallegos vividly remembers the workforce development meetings he attended during his time at Ogden-Weber Tech. These career and technical education (CTE) discussions consistently focused on one thing: young people were not entering construction, and the industry needed a new approach to attract them. Gallegos recalled one member of the workforce development team, a training director with a prominent general contractor, saying, “We have been trying this for over 10 years, screw it, we’re just gonna hire them.” The Long Road Those conversations occurred nearly 10 years ago, and workforce development concerns continue to permeate the industry. The National Center for Construction Education & Research estimates that 41% of the construction workforce will retire by 2031, leading to potential gaps in skill and safety and decreases in productivity and project quality. While stakeholders have aligned on the overall goal of providing students a foundation for future success through career development, the means to achieve the ends were seemingly at odds. High schools, trade schools, colleges, and private industry took different paths to achieve their goals, with some moving in opposite directions. “I’m gonna be honest with you,” Gallegos recalled one school administrator saying, “If I promote what you’re telling me to get them over to the tech college, I lose head count. And then I lose teachers. I can’t have a school without teachers.” Jobs that took away student learning experiences, according to federal guidelines and child labor laws, made the idea a non-starter. However, after years of lobbying the Utah Legislature for a compromise between industry and education, H.B. 055, passed in 2023, provided a catalytic change in how younger people can engage with construction and other industries. High school students could participate if they were involved in a school-sponsored work experience and career exploration program. Private industry finally had the compromise it wanted. It was time to act. Big-D Charts New Path Gallegos, now the Workforce Development Manager from Big-D, joined the company in 2023 with the express purpose of creating a program that fit within the new guidelines. Gallegos said he sees career development through the lens of the immigrant experience, one he knows personally as a Mexican immigrant with a father who worked in commercial construction. “I was 9 years old and busting pins out of concrete forms with a hammer that was as big as I was,” he laughed. “I’ve got the cliché immigrant story.” That story has a theme familiar to many immigrant families, he said, one where parents say, “I want my kids not to have to work as hard as I do. I want them in school.” Add to that, it’s a law—children must attend school. Gallegos was unfazed by those obstacles. As he began planning how Big-D’s internship program would operate, he knew that engagement had to start at the elementary school level and build on personal relationships between private industry, school administrators, students, and their families to succeed. “We want to be the solution, not the obstacle to get into this industry,” said Gallegos. So Big-D removed the barriers. Students can still attend school, work towards graduation, and be available in the afternoon for sports, extracurricular activities, and the high school experience. But working was another significant part of the immigrant experience, Gallegos said, and internships needed to be paid to alleviate the family concerns. “We asked what we would pay somebody fresh out of high school who worked at Big-D,” Gallegos said. Interns have earned those same wages ever since.

It's A Knockout

By Brad Fullmer • October 1, 2025
On January 2, 1957, Gene Fullmer, a scrappy, underdog fighter from West Jordan stunned the boxing world with a 15-round unanimous decision over the legendary Sugar Ray Robinson at New York’s fabled Madison Square Garden. Fullmer captured the world middleweight championship and established himself as one of the best pound-for-pound boxers during the late 50s and early 60s. Since then, the Fullmer name has been synonymous with boxing in Utah, with brothers Gene, Jay, and Don establishing the Fullmer Brothers Boxing Gym in 1978, and offering free boxing instruction and life mentoring to thousands of youths—carrying on a tradition they learned from their trainer, Marv Jenson. Their legacy of community giving will live on in the new Fullmer Legacy Center in South Jordan, a 16,500-SF facility that will serve as a permanent home to the boxing gym—after years of bouncing around to various temporary facilities—along with a museum, snack bar, and gift shop. “The Fullmers are the first family of boxing in the state of Utah—that’s well understood,” said Dave Butterfield, a founding board member of the Fullmer Legacy Foundation. Butterfield served as Chairman of the Board from June 2016 to early 2025 and was influential in helping raise money—nearly $6 million via donations to date, which includes $2 million from the Utah Legislature. Project Driven by Vision to Find a Permanent Home for Fullmer Brothers Gym It was Jay Fullmer who led the charge to teach boxing in the community. By 1978, the Fullmer Brothers Boxing Gym had formally opened at the Butterfield farm chicken coop in South Jordan, recalled Larry Fullmer, Don’s oldest son and the man who spearheaded the efforts for the Fullmer Legacy Center. From there, Larry said the facility moved to Riverton Elementary, an old church house in West Jordan, a sugar factory, a former fire station, and the Salt Lake County Equestrian Park in South Jordan, where it had resided since 2011. When they got word that Salt Lake County planned to transfer ownership of the park to Utah State University, Fullmer knew they needed to find a long-term home for the boxing gym. Fullmer met with Butterfield and Robert Behunin—who at the time was a Vice President with Utah State University—in 2016 and told them he just wanted a “tin shed of our own” for boxing. Behunin countered by saying, “If you want people to donate money, you need something better than a tin shed!” They quickly formed the Fullmer Legacy Foundation (FLF), and by 2018, the wheels were in motion on a building. Doc Murdock, a long-time trainer at the gym, connected Larry with his former roommate at Brigham Young University, Vern Latham, who is a Principal at Salt Lake-based VCBO Architecture. VCBO offered pro-bono services initially while helping FLF put together an RFP, while North Salt-based Gramoll Construction provided value engineering and other services in an effort to get the project launched. Larry expressed sheer gratitude for the contributions of both firms in helping make the project a reality, especially for many generous donations from various foundations and individuals. “[VCBO] believed in us early on and did our first phase of planning at no charge—they have been amazing and so professional to work with,” said Larry. “Gramoll helped us get the budget done as tight as it could be. This project had the absolute tightest budget. We met weekly with architects and the general contractor to see the progress—I’ve never seen such an amazing process. Construction started in November ’23, and every time I would come to the jobsite in the first six months, I’d get emotional.” “We leaned on our relationships with contractors for flooring, ceiling, tiles, donated furniture and got deep discounts and a lot of in-kind donations,” said Phil Haderlie, Principal-in-Charge for VCBO. “To me, the story of this project is the grassroots effort of people seeing the value—this is something that came from their heart. It will have a long-lasting impact on the community.”

Significant Buzz

By Brad Fullmer • October 1, 2025
The first season is in the books for the Salt Lake Bees in its spectacular new home—the Ballpark at America First Square, the exciting new heart of Downtown Daybreak and certainly one of the premier Triple-A stadiums in the country. "It's a really cool stadium—the field looks so good!" gushed Eric Barton, Project Director for Salt Lake-based Okland Construction, while surveying the spacious 280,000 SF, 6,500-seat (8,000 capacity) ballpark. Barton said his team faced an extremely difficult construction schedule with the mandate the project had to be sufficiently ready for Opening Day 2025 on April 8, less than 18 months after the formal October 20, 2023, groundbreaking. Barton said Okland knew it was going to be a grind, with long hours and tight windows to get various milestones accomplished. "When we bid this to our trade partners, we had them bid it with the expectation of it being six days a week," he said. "We want not only your best guys, but you have to be adaptable to the plan. It was gangbusters from the start.” Up to 300 workers were onsite during peak construction activity, requiring meticulous coordination throughout. Okland even brought in Fred Strasser, a legendary project director who came out of retirement to shepherd the project through. "Fred is the genius behind getting this whole thing done," said Barton. The project was designed by Salt Lake-based HOK, who worked closely with the owner, Sandy-based Larry H. Miller Real Estate (LHMRE) and Miller Sports + Entertainment (MSE) to bring about a project that would add even more buzz to its wildly popular, 4,000-acre master planned Daybreak development in South Jordan, making it a true entertainment destination. The design weaves together best-in-class baseball experiences with year-round public amenities, including a recently opened Megaplex theater, a performing arts center, a large amphitheater, along with retail, restaurants, and apartments, with buildout continuing through 2027. Walking paths and open spaces create natural connections between The Ballpark and the surrounding neighborhood, making the area an iconic community asset and a true sports and entertainment district. Downtown Daybreak is slated to host more than 200 annual events—including the Bees’ 75-game regular season. Supporting this entertainment destination, the venue’s prominent location just off the Mountain View Corridor freeway makes it highly visible to passing traffic while providing easy access. The stadium is also connected to multiple transportation options, easily reached by walking, biking or light rail across the Wasatch Front, and by car from the new freeway corridor. The Ballpark site drops 20 feet from the loading dock to the plaza, managed through terraced spaces that echo the region’s mining heritage. Though the slope stays gentle at under 5%, carefully placed stairs and planters make walking comfortable while honoring the industrial past. The center field main entrance connects to light rail, while a formal plaza at home plate serves as a second entrance, primarily for VIP access. The street design follows Daybreak’s established standards for lighting and tree spacing. Bike racks at the light rail station and plaza make cycling to games convenient. Utah’s Landscape Shapes Design The Wasatch Mountains, visible from every angle of the ballpark, directly influenced the ballpark's design. Throughout the venue, carefully planned viewpoints frame these mountain vistas. The structure resembles this mountainous setting in its form, transitioning from solid brick and concrete at its base to lighter materials—metal and expansive glass—as it ascends. Working with Kansas City-based architectural metal fabricator Zahner, HOK and MSE created a distinctive facade using perforated metal panels that suggest Utah mountain peak silhouettes from Ben Lomond Peak in Weber County to Mt. Nebo, the southernmost and highest mountain in the Wasatch Range of Utah. These panels transform into a glowing display at night, serving as a lantern on The Ballpark’s ‘front porch’ and welcoming visitors. This connection to Utah’s landscape flows throughout the site. Angular planters guide visitors along pathways, while public spaces are arranged in terraces that echo the mountainside. The copper colors and stepped surfaces of the nearby Kennecott Mine inspired the ballpark’s materials and layout. Inside, the decor features warm copper, gold and honey tones, with textured materials that blend the natural landscape with the Salt Lake Bees’ team colors.

Firms Making Moves

By Brad Fullmer • October 1, 2025
Horrocks CEO Bryan Foote (left) shakes hands with Matt Hirst, former President/CEO of CRS Engineering & Survey. Horrocks acquired CRS a year ago in a move that has proven to be a seamless fit for more than 60 CRS employees.

Q&A with Nathan Goodrich

By UC&D • August 1, 2025
Nathan Goodrich