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. 

Q&A with Nathan Goodrich

By UC&D • August 1, 2025
Nathan Goodrich

100 Years & Five Generations

By Brad Fullmer • August 1, 2025
Paul founded Paulsen Construction in 1925 after immigrating from Norway 16 years prior. Sprague Library in Sugar House was originally built by Paul, and then restored nearly 100 years later, led by current President John Paulsen.

State of Industry; State of Progress

By Utah C&D • August 1, 2025
West Valley City Veteran’s Memorial Expansion Owner: West Valley City Architect: EDA Architects GC: Okland Construction Estimated Completion Date: September 2025

Showroom Showstopper

By Taylor Larsen • August 1, 2025
Commercial office is not dead. The market is alive and well, according to the design pros at HB Workplaces team. Their new office and showroom in Draper, and what it has done for employees and clients, is a case in point. All it took was a change in scenery. Transitioning from the B'Nai Israel Temple, built in 1890, to a new space was a welcome change for the team. "I just remember working between 2015 and 2020, and it was just," Keilian Meyer trailed off as he described the former office, a historic religious building converted into an office and showroom in 1987. Minimal natural lighting, rooms and layouts misaligned for team needs—their space wasn't bringing out anyone's best work. Meyer, Marketing Director for HB Workplaces, said going to work didn't engender a sense of engagement. "It was kind of punch in and punch out." But everything coalesced with their move. "The timing aligned perfectly," Meyer said of the June 2024 move and their rebrand from the year before from Henriksen/Butler to HB Workplaces. Dual Purposes Come to Life It aligned with every real estate broker's favorite word: location. Planting the HB Workplaces flag in the award-winning Baltic Pointe made perfect sense, especially with its epicenter locale between the booming economies of Salt Lake and Utah counties. HB Workplaces CEO Dave Colling summed it all up succinctly: "Our new headquarters is not just another building; it's a statement of our appreciation and stewardship of design, built upon decades-long heritage of our own, along with MillerKnoll, underscoring our commitment to excellence." The mass timber ceilings in HB Workplaces' first-floor office in Baltic Pointe—the first of their kind for a commercial building in Utah—are part of that commitment. Everything seems warmer, healthier, and better under the all-lumber ceiling. "We've always been drawn to inspiring architecture, and the natural warmth and intentionality of this structure made it a natural fit," said Meyer. HB Workplaces sought to make their mass timber home a showpiece for the beautiful and wide-ranging possibilities of today's commercial interiors, serving as an office for the HB Workplaces team and a showroom for interior designers and architects looking to envision their next project. That dual nature comes through perfectly across the space, with the showroom piece especially highlighted in the "Living Room" and its 382 SF of mid-century modern glory. The unforgettable Eames Lounge chair catches the eye, but closer inspection reveals some nods to the B'Nai Israel Temple's stained glass windows and other homages to the deep histories of the Herman Miller and Knoll brands. The room's mid-century-style lounge chairs, couches, ottomans, and side tables—all MillerKnoll line, of course—combine with gentle lighting to create the perfect spot for hosting. Brit Badger, HB Workplaces' VP of Client Development, explained how the Living Room is ideal for getting to know their design partners and clients, especially for a first meeting. "It's not all the same seating everywhere, like it would be at a conference room," she explained of how the varied seating choices—the Nelson Coconut Lounge Chair is often first dibs—help to create a relaxed and comfortable environment. "It's cool to see who chooses what. It's a fun way to start."

ASCE 2025 Report Card For Utah

By Brad Fullmer • August 1, 2025
Bragging about a “C+” might seem gauche, but Utah is one of only four states to earn that high a grade, according to the May 28 release by the Utah Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) of the 2025 Report Card for Utah’s Infrastructure. The cumulative “C+” for the Beehive State is the highest mark ever given by ASCE to any individual state—the report card itself spans 12 categories of infrastructure and is virtually unchanged from 2020 (ASCE issues report cards every four years). Utah's grade is also one step higher than the national infrastructure average grade of “C” in the ASCE 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, which dropped in March. Roads (B+) and Bridges (B) remain the stars of the class, as the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) continues to receive consistent state funding in furthering its aggressive program of building new projects to meet ongoing demand, while diligently maintaining existing infrastructure. “Our transit and transportation are doing fabulous," said Anna Lisonbee, President of ASCE Utah and an Engineer-in-Training at South Jordan-based Hansen, Allen & Luce. “UDOT and UTA are lauded as some of the most efficient [organizations] nationwide, so we’re doing very well in that category.” Aviation infrastructure was the only category to see a grade increase—somewhat predictable given the sheer amount of capital investment made over the past decade at Salt Lake International Airport, Provo Airport, and other regional airports statewide. Three categories—bridges, s tormwater, and transit—saw grade decreases. The remaining eight categories held steady from 2020. "Utah is one of the fastest-growing states in the country, and state leaders have taken steps to ensure the reliability of infrastructure systems as more people move here to enjoy Utah's thriving communities, amazing outdoors, and high quality of life," said Craig Friant, Utah Civil Practice Lead for South Jordan-based Wilson & Company and Chair of the 2025 Report Card for Utah's Infrastructure. Utah grades per category: Roads: B+ Bridges: B Drinking Water, Solid Waste, Transit: B- Aviation, Dams, Hazardous Waste: C+ Stormwater, Wastewater: C Canals: D+ Levees: D-

Toward The Promised Land

By Taylor Larsen • August 1, 2025
"What gets you out of Egypt doesn't take you to the promised land." The quote, as I first heard it, came from Ron Dunn, Founder of Salt Lake structural engineering firm Dunn Associates. While he was talking about the differences between founding and growing a company, the same principle holds true in developing a robust transportation infrastructure. In other words: "What got us here will not take us there." What has taken us here has been development dedicated to personal vehicles and last-mile freight—a stellar network of roads and highways from massive investments in horizontal construction. But what will get us "there" to the promised land? What will bring us to a future where Utahns can have the freedom to move without a car? Unified Plan for a Connected Utah? We'll certainly wander in the West Desert without a plan. Lucky us, we have hundreds of agreed-upon proposals across metropolitan planning organizations, cities and towns, counties, and even the Utah Department of Transportation. The Beehive State's guiding document toward long-term transportation plans, whether for cars or not, is found in the Utah Unified Transportation Plan, also known as the Unified Plan. The visionary document aims to prioritize funding across multiple transportation options and give residents choices, ranging from personal vehicles to mass transit and active transportation. Residents and metropolitan planning organizations across the state have added their input to further unify the state's trajectory. Key in Utah's Unified Plan, as documented, is analyzing and ultimately determining how transportation projects in Utah should be funded between 2023 - 2050. With projected needs across that timeline estimated at $153 billion in today's dollars, current revenue sources generating just under a projected $95 billion, and future revenue streams projected to generate just over $18 billion, we're going to be short. But where is that money going? Most often, it's funding roads. According to the Unified Plan, transportation needs from road capacity, maintenance, preservation, and operations project at a whopping $110 billion between 2023 - 2050, with a $29 billion funding gap in revenue. Funding future mass transit capacity ($14.8 billion) and operations ($19.8 billion) over the next 25 years costs a fraction of the projected costs for roads and highways. It's an apples-to-oranges comparison, admittedly, as massive funding for highways and freeways has created so much, but where do state priorities lead? Budget at a Glance Utah continues to tread the asphalt and concrete highway to prioritize highway funding. UDOT's FY2026 funding document shows $2.5 billion in funding. Estimated Transportation Investment Fund (TIF) expenditures, primarily used for improving or optimizing capacity, are projected at $1.2 billion. Within the TIF, Class B & Class C Roads, county roads and city streets, respectively, will receive $261 million, Highway Systems Construction $205 million, and Operations/Maintenance $254 million. It makes sense when $883 million in projected revenue for FY2026 comes from user-based fees, permits, and gas tax revenues (set to be 40 cents per gallon in 2026). On the other hand, UDOT-funded mass transit receives a bulk of its budget from the above-mentioned Transportation Investment Fund—35% of the index fuel tax sales tax goes into the Transit Transportation Investment Fund. For FY2026, transit and commuter rail projects will receive $103 million. John Gleason, UDOT's Sr. Public Information Officer, said there is a major shift happening within UDOT over the last decade-plus to give some "gas" to other forms of transportation. "All transportation is important to us. For every project we undertake, we are looking at the different components across all modes—cars, transit, bikes, trails," Gleason said. "We need to keep an eye on how the entire transportation system can function across the state." The words and shift in priorities are welcome, but what "Keeps Utah Moving", will not be more highway lanes or highway construction that receives the lion's share of transportation funding. Utah highways, like those in so many other states, are the victims of induced demand. The phenomenon is a matter of economics. For vehicle transportation, each lane added, highway developed, or road widened helps to expand capacity on these newly modified transportation corridors. However, expanding capacity does not mean solving traffic concerns. While capacity expands, more people are "induced" to use these freshly expanded corridors, lanes fill back to capacity, and commutes return to their sluggish nature. This never-ending quest to meet our transportation needs is set to play out again on I-15. UDOT is set to add another lane on I-15 from Farmington to Salt Lake, and do so at a multi-billion-dollar price tag. Surely this lane will be "The One" that fixes the traffic problem on Utah's busiest transit corridor? Utah may still be adjusting to roundabouts, but will we ever get out of this circle?

Limitless Sky

By Brad Fullmer • August 1, 2025
Standing atop the now-tallest building in Utah—the dynamic 451-foot, 680,000-SF Astra Tower in downtown Salt Lake City—Lance Shields was succinct in describing the otherworldly, 360-degree views available from the 41st-floor rooftop patio. “Pretty amazing, isn’t it?” mused Shields, a Principal with Salt Lake-based HKS Architects and one of a half-dozen architects on HKS’ team who contributed to the design of Astra Tower, which features 377 total units, two levels of penthouse suites, and more than 40,000-SF of top-shelf amenity space. Peering southeast to majestic views of the Wasatch Mountains, Shields referenced the striking cantilever structure gracing the building’s southeast corner—a concession that preserved the breathtaking view by eliminating what would have been a structural column. Adding this approximately $2 million change to the bottom line only further illustrated the owner’s desire for a world-class luxury apartment tower. “The uninterrupted views of the valley are really breathtaking at the top floor and is the one thing that visitors I have taken through the project consistently comment on as the best experience they have had,” said Shields, adding that it would have been easy to justify a column in that corner. “I have to hand it to the vision of our team and the owner to see the value of the views and taking steps to preserve it.” Indeed, Boston-headquartered Kensington Investment Company (KIC) had been eyeing the Salt Lake market since 2017, ready to make a splash. In 2018, it purchased the site once home to Carl’s Jr. and hired HKS in 2019 to get the ball rolling on the design side. The pandemic forced KIC to pause its timeline, with construction formally kicking off in January 2022, led by Salt Lake-based Jacobsen Construction. “We were taking an enormous risk and writing a massive check while making sure we had as many people with experience on our team as we practically could,” said Ed Lewis, CEO of KIC. “We asked ourselves if Salt Lake City was ready for this kind of product—with no [like-building comparisons] to look to—while making the project financially successful. Putting together the capital stack with no comps in the state, and ensuring the team knew what they were doing, was challenging.” Engagement with the community was a priority from the start, said Shane Rensmon, President of Real Estate Development for KIC, as was finding local A/E/C firms with the moxie to take on a unique hybrid design-build project of this magnitude, a delivery method “not common in Salt Lake City, but common across major markets,” he said. “Ownership wanted to utilize local consultants and vendors as much as possible to get the community involved and engaged with the project, which presented new challenges in designing and constructing Astra Tower,” said Rensmon. “We leveraged [KIC’s] skills and experiences to help guide the design and construction teams on issues that they have not seen before or had little to no experience in.” Hotel-like Vibe with Unmatched Amenities Emir Tursic is no stranger to massive projects, having cut his teeth in the hospitality realm as a draftsman-turned-project architect for HKS on Block A of the enormous $10 billion MGM City Center project in Las Vegas from 2007-2008, which included the 61-story, 600,000-SF Aria Hotel. “It was a project I grew up very quickly with,” recalled Tursic, Office Director for HKS’ Salt Lake office, who ended up managing part of the project before it ended. “After this, I could go to the moon and not be scared of anything.” Even amidst the challenges for Tursic and his team, Astra Tower proved to be one of the most exciting, generational opportunities in the realm of world-class residential high-rise design that—ho-hum—also sets a record as the state’s tallest-ever building. “We wanted to create a sustainable urban community that focuses on wellness and sustainability,” said Tursic. “Sustainability is not just about energy and carbon footprint, it’s also [about] health and wellness and the environment. We have this huge amenity program—40,000 SF of indoor and outdoor amenities space focused on physical and mental health.” Tursic said dispersing major amenities across three building levels was a key functional design consideration. Level 8 kicks things off with an expansive club lounge that includes a demonstration kitchen and entertainment area, a state-of-the-art fitness center where views overlook Gallivan Plaza, a remote office space with a conference room and meeting rooms, and what Tursic calls “The bonus space”—an expansive 10,000 SF outdoor urban park. “Instead of a roof on top of the eight-story parking structure, we created a space with an outdoor lawn, hammocks, fire pits, grills—it’s a great social space for Astra’s residential community,” he said. Level 23 includes the outdoor pool and indoor spa, highlighted by a wellness center, steam room, sauna, recovery spas, treatment rooms, and private locker rooms. The pool deck overlook offers excellent views of the Oquirrh Mountains to the west. Level 41 tops the amenity spaces—literally—with an outdoor kitchen, entertainment area, and a spacious outdoor viewing deck that looks down on Salt Lake’s adjacent tallest buildings. “We wanted to provide a variety of experiences,” said Tursic. “The 41st floor is meant for quiet and solitude.” ROAM Interior Design of Los Angeles provided interior design on every level. "With Astra Tower, we set out to design interiors that reflect both the soul and natural beauty of Utah, infused with the energy of modern city living," said Deanne Teeter, Design Director at ROAM. “Every amenity—from the tranquil spa on the 23rd floor to the rooftop lounge with panoramic views—is intentionally crafted to foster wellness through biophilic connection and a true sense of home in the sky." “Astra Tower was purposefully designed to exemplify KIC's commitment to o perating market-leading apartment buildings, featuring state-of-the-art amenities and an unwavering dedication to service excellence,” said Joe Bird, Vice President of Real Estate Development for KIC. “This intentional design ensures an unparalleled living experience, blending sophisticated facilities with exceptional resident-focused service to set a new standard for urban residential excellence in Utah.”

One for the Ages

By Brad Fullmer • August 1, 2025
Ralph L. Wadsworth watches demolition activity on the I-80/1300 East Bridge Slide in August 2023 with granddaughter, Bradynn Wadsworth (Tod’s daughter), illustrating his genuine passion for construction. (all photos courtesy RLW Construction)

Community First

By Taylor Larsen • August 1, 2025
First. Best. Leader. These are some of the many positive ways people described the late Marshall White, the civic hero and namesake of Ogden's past and future community centers. Marshall White is remembered as the first black police officer in Utah killed in the line of duty after being fatally shot in 1963. Equally important was his dedication to other causes outside of police work: the loving father of seven children; veteran and military doctor who helped establish a clinic at Hill Air Force Base post-WWII; youth mentor who partnered with the Elk's Club to establish the Wall Avenue Recreation Center; President of the Ogden chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Marshall White embodied community, and the original Marshall White Community Center, constructed five years after he died in 1968, was its physical manifestation. The building became a safe haven for youth, especially those with darker skin and different ethnicities from those of Utah "pioneer" ancestry, to learn to swim, take art classes, and participate in sports. But as time passed, the building fell into disrepair as Ogden's population shrank from the 1970s through the 1980s. Structural issues in the building appeared before a crack in the pool grew into a metaphorical chasm as COVID and its effects further disconnected society. Ogden needed champions who would follow in White's footsteps to bring people together, and create a space that would continue his community-building legacy. New Center; Relit Community Beacon Salt Lake-based VCBO was hired in 2020 to evaluate the old facility and propose future alternatives. It began, as VCBO Principal Brent Tippets described, "to replace a failing pool and building. […] It quickly became apparent that this community revolved around the Marshall N. White Community Center as both a gathering space and a historical icon for all minorities and people of humble circumstances." "Budget is always a challenge, but perhaps meeting all the affected parties' expectations was more so," said Tippets. "What was originally a pool and gymnasium replacement became a versatile destination with a plethora of participation options. He and the VCBO team worked with an Ogden City-appointed steering committee of passionate residents who provided valuable input on the importance and utilization of recreation and community spaces. "The Mayor, City Council, and City administration were committed to funding the project at the required level to achieve the grander vision for the facility," said Tippets. The Ogden City Council initially set aside $18 million and later increased the budget to $32 million for a new, 68,900-SF community building, doubling the size of the previous structure. Construction Challenges But challenges arose as soon as excavation commenced. Construction teams led by Vernal-based BHI encountered a dark, organic-looking soil that was previously undiscovered in geotechnical test borings. The surprise soil raised immediate concerns due to its lack of stability and reliability in compaction. BHI's history as an industrial contractor, where safety and lightning-fast communication are treasured, escalated the soil problems immediately. They collaborated and aligned with ownership, geotechnical engineers, and designers amidst evolving conditions to create a plan. Instead of utilizing native soils as initially planned, excavation teams removed the unsuitable material and imported structural fill from Ogden and nearby Plain City to meet compaction and bearing requirements, all while maintaining oh-so-important project momentum. "Working with Ogden City involved a different set of communication and coordination protocols than our typical projects," said BHI Superintendent Scot Marrot. "There was a greater emphasis on public transparency and adherence to specific city regulations. However, it was incredibly fulfilling to collaborate with the city officials who were passionate about providing a valuable resource for their community. The partnership fostered a strong sense of shared purpose and pride in the final outcome."

Daybreak: Then and Now

By Taylor Larsen • August 1, 2025
Thoughtful consideration on Oquirrh Lake transformed the initial idea for the water feature into a community and ecological asset. The 67-acre lake weaves around the 130-acre recreation space, residential area, and wildlife habitat. (Main rendering and photo pictured courtesy LHM)