Design Detailings: Yantis gives talk on quiet hospitals

Michael Yantis, principal of Yantis Acoustical Design, will give a talk on Oct. 14 in Portland on how to design quiet hospitals. The AIA Washington Council asked him to speak on acoustics for health care facilities, and how to plan early in order to reduce noise and vibration control costs.

Yantis is a division of the Seattle electrical engineering consulting firm Sparling. It focuses on building acoustics and vibration, environmental noise and sound reinforcement systems.

Building envelope, condos topic of seminars

Washington's new Condominium Act and building envelope issues are the topics of upcoming seminars by AIA Seattle Continuing Education. They will be held be Oct. 13-14 in Seattle and Nov. 10-11 in Portland.

There will be interactive workshops with designers and consultants on emerging issues in envelope design and technology. Presenters will include people from GGLO, NBBJ, Callison, Mithun, Walsh Construction and LMN Architects, as well as other consultants talking about case studies in condo projects and in civic and institutional buildings. They will look at envelope design and the ways the Condominium Act affects design and construction administration. For more information, see http://www.aiaseattle.org/event_051013_its_in_the_details.htm.

Bill Broz starts a new firm

Broz

Engineer William R. Broz has started WRB Engineering, a Seattle-based mechanical engineering firm. Broz co-founded and was a principal at McGowan Broz Engineers.

His new company will focus on forensic investigations and litigation support. Broz's areas of expertise include HVAC and plumbing design, and lifecycle cost analysis.

Stantec of Canada buys Keen

Canadian company Stantec recently acquired Keen Engineering, which specializes in sustainable mechanical, electrical and plumbing design. Keen has 275 employees in 10 offices in Canada, as well as offices in Seattle and San Francisco.

Stantec and Keen collaborated on projects such as the Vancouver International Airport and a student center at the University of Toronto. Stantec's focus is engineering, architecture, surveying and project management work.

Preservation award winners are picked

The National Trust for Historic Preservation recently named 22 winners of its 2005 National Preservation Awards. The Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit works to keep historic places.

It recognized these local groups: the Washington Heritage Caucus in Olympia for creating a forum for people to talk with legislators about preservation; the Umpqua Community Development Corp. of Roseburg, Ore., for preserving historic structures in southwestern Oregon; Portland's Bosco-Milligan Foundation for restoring the city's historic West's Block Building; and Oregon Department of Transportation for keeping a historic bridge.

Suzuki selected to ASID board

The American Society of Interior Designers selected Seattle-based interior designer, Christine Suzuki, to its board of directors. She took office this week and will serve a one-year term.

As the ASID Chapter Support Team representative to the board, Suzuki will help develop the strategic vision of ASID.

Suzuki is a principal of Christine S. Suzuki & Associates. Founded in 1996, the award-winning firm specializes in residential and commercial remodeling, space planning, design development and project management. She recently received first runner-up, bathroom category, honors in the 2005 Southern Accents/ASID National Residential Interior Design Competition.

Design Detailings: Portico honored for jaguar zoo exhibit

Photo by Mike Teller The Jaguar Cove at Woodland Park Zoo features a waterfall and underwater viewing of the jaguars.

The American Zoo and Aquarium Association recently honored Woodland Park Zoo with a Significant Achievement Award in the exhibit category for Jaguar Cove.

The Portico Group of Seattle designed the exhibit, as well as the zoo's award-winning tropical rain forest exhibit. The general contractor was Synergy Construction of Woodinville.

A 28-foot-high kapok stump is the entry to Jaguar Cove, the first zoo exhibit in the world with underwater viewing of a jaguar. More than 1,900 plants inside and outside the enclosure mimic the tropical rain forests of Central and South America, which is the natural habitat of jaguars.

The zoo's Deputy Director Bruce Bohmke said, "Woodland Park Zoo worked hard to design and build an exhibit that is interesting and educational, highlights conservation projects in both the zoo and in the wild, and provides a naturalistic and stimulating environment for a jaguar to live in."

Woodland Park Zoo has two jaguars: a 5-year-old male, recently imported from Bolivia, and a 10-year-old male.

Callison, Cole Haan create new prototype

Callison Architecture and Cole Haan have collaborated to create a Cole Haan women's prototype store, showcasing footwear, handbags, accessories and outerwear.

The 1,800-square-foot store opened in February at South Park Mall in Charlotte, N.C. Callison developed exterior, interior, fixture and furniture design.

The exterior includes Hollywood Regency-style vertical windows with ebony frames, contrasting a limestone facade. Large entry doors have an interlocking symmetrical circle motif. A custom tripod display table anchors the front of the store, and is lit overhead by a white chandelier. Multi-level mannequin platforms provide a focal point within the store to display merchandise.

In the front and back of the store are accessory displays in ivory lacquer, with gold leaf detailing and grasscloth backdrops. The custom furniture is residential-style, including slipper chairs, a daybed and side chairs.

"The store's Hollywood glamour style is refined and elegant, and envelops the customer in a very feminine and modern atmosphere," said Cindi Kato, Callison director.

Swope talk Tuesday on ‘Classic Houses'

Caroline Swope, author of the new book "Classic Houses of Seattle," will present a slide show at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Ballard Library, 5614 N.W. 22nd St. Swope will discuss dozens of homes from around the city that exemplify the area's architectural styles.

She teaches art and architectural history at Seattle Central Community College, and holds a doctorate in American art and architectural history from the University of Washington and a master's in historic preservation. The book is published by Timber Press. The presentation is free.

She will also speak at 5 p.m. Oct. 11, at the Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave.

Oct. 20 deadline for landscape awards

The Washington Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects is accepting submissions for the 2006 WASLA Design Awards Program. The biennial awards program showcases landscape architecture from throughout the state.

Submissions are accepted in five categories: design; residential garden design; landscape planning and analysis; research and communications; and works in progress. All landscape architects in Washington are eligible to submit. Projects may be outside the state.

Deadline for submissions is Oct. 20. The entry fee is $175. For information, call the WASLA office at (206) 443-9484.

Design Detailings: UW, WSU look at changes in design

Vikram Prakash, chair of the University of Washington Department of Architecture, and Greg Kessler, director of the Washington State University School of Architecture and Construction Management, will host a discussion about changes in architecture on Sept. 28.

Prakash and Kessler will present "Future Focus: New Dynamics of the Architecture Profession," focusing on changes in architecture and the role of architecture schools in helping to direct the profession.

The event will be held at 6 p.m. in the College Center Building at Pierce College's Puyallup campus, 9404 112th St. E.

The event, sponsored by American Institute of Architects Southwest Washington, will begin with a tour of the recently completed College Center Building, led by MSGS Architects of Olympia and Pierce College officials.

Cost is $30 for AIA members and $40 for non-members. For reservations, complete the registration form at http://www.aiasww.org or call Janet Matkin at (253) 627-4006.

Historic Seattle holds online auction

Historic Seattle's 2005 online auction runs through Oct. 12. The catalog includes vacations, ballet and symphony tickets, antiques, fine crafts, and tickets to Mariners and Seahawks games.

Proceeds help fund Historic Seattle, which has saved 45 buildings in its 30-year history. The organization is currently rehabilitating the 1889 Cadillac Hotel Building in Pioneer Square. For information, go to http://www.historicseattle.org.

Planning board has three open spots

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels want to fill three positions on the Seattle Planning Commission, beginning in January 2006. The terms are three years, and the unpaid commissioners must live in Seattle.

The 16-member commission advises officials on citywide planning goals, policies and plans. Candidates should have experience in transportation planning, comprehensive and land-use planning, housing development, and/or small business.

Send a letter of interest and a resume by Oct. 14 to Mayor Greg Nickels c/o Barbara Wilson, executive director, Seattle Planning Commission, city of Seattle, Department of Planning and Development, P.O. Box 34019, Seattle, WA 98124-4019.

Preservation help for Gulf Coast

The National Trust for Historic Preservation recently launched a campaign to help preserve historic buildings, neighborhoods and communities in the Gulf Coast region affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Currently, the campaign includes three primary components: assessment; federal, state, and local tools for preservation; and public education.

The National Trust is assembling survey teams with expertise in architecture, construction, history and preservation, and will send them to the region.

To support the campaign, the organization created the National Trust Hurricane Katrina Recovery Fund. For more information, go to http://www.nationaltrust.org.

WSU prof studies psychology of design

Janetta McCoy, an expert in the effects of design on performance, creativity and stress, has joined the interior design faculty at Washington State University in Spokane. She was most recently an associate professor at Arizona State University.

McCoy examines workplace design and its impact on the mind and body, using social psychology, and environmental and behavioral studies.

In the next phase of her research, she will investigate places for creative leadership, including university faculty, corporate CEOs, university presidents and governors. She also examines design issues for children with autism and developmental disabilities.

The interior design program at WSU was ranked eighth in the nation in 2005 by Design Intelligence magazine in its annual survey of design professionals.

Design Detailings: AIA Seattle seeks entries for awards

AIA Seattle seeks entries from Washington architects for its 2005 Honor Awards. There are two categories: completed and not-yet-built projects. The deadline for entering is Sept. 29, and completed submission packets are due Oct. 13. For more information, see http://www.aiaseattle.org/news_0504_honorawards05_preview.htm.

IIDA holding Oregon competition

The Oregon chapter of the International Interior Design Association is seeking entries for its design awards. Entry packets are available through Oct. 7. Fees are $60 for Oregon chapter members, or $120. To receive a packet, call IIDA at (503) 546-1280. See http://www.iida-or.org for more information. Winners will be recognized at a ceremony is set for Oct. 20 at the Crystal Ballroom in downtown Portland.

Carlos Jimenez at SAM Sept. 27

Rice University School of Architecture professor Carlos Jimenez will give a lecture on his work Sept. 27 at Seattle Art Museum at 6:30 p.m.

Born in Costa Rica, Jimenez moved to the United States in 1974 and set up a private practice in Houston in 1982. Harvard Design Press published "Carlos Jimenez, House and Studio, Reflections" in connection with his appointment as a visiting design critic at Harvard Design School.

Space.City, Seattle's art and architecture forum, is presenting the event. For $12 advance tickets, go to Peter Miller Books or see http://www.brownpapertickets.com. Tickets are $15 at the door. For more information see http://www.space-city.net or call (206) 842-2283.

New firm: Tran Tech Engineering

Khashayar Nikzad and several others have formed a consulting engineering company called Tran Tech Engineering in Bellevue. The firm will initially design bridges, highways and traffic signals, and later plans to offer comprehensive planning and engineering services in transportation.

Nikzad got a Ph.D. in structural engineering from University of Illinois and was with Alpha Engineering Group of Tukwila, which was purchased by Harding Lawson & Associates and then by MACTEC Engineering and Consulting. He has 20 years of structural design and project management experience and won awards for a bridge replacement design in Mount Vernon.

Jim King, who has 35 years of experience in bridge design, is a partner in the firm. Other staff members are Theo Trochalakis, senior structural engineer, Alan Gage, traffic engineer, and Prakash Limaye, principal engineer for quality assurance.

Tran Tech is working as a subconsultant a bridge inspection and rehabilitation for the city of Bellingham, and was also picked as a subconsultant for a two-year on-call transportation design contract with the Washington State Department of Transportation. For more information, see http://www.trantecheng.com or call (425) 453-5545. The office is at 626 120th Ave. N.E., Suite B100 in Bellevue.

Help Philly fill 40,000 vacant lots

Two Philadelphia groups are seeking submissions for a long-term vision for 40,000 vacant properties in the city. Together the empty lots represent nearly 1,000 acres.

Suburban sprawl has led to abandonment of these properties. The groups are holding a competition called "How can a city respond to the crisis of vacancy?" It is sponsored by the Van Alen Institute and a city parks association.

Jurors will include Diana Balmori, James Corner, Jerold Kayden, Mary Miss, Anne Spirn and Cathy Weiss. Register before Nov. 14. Submissions are due Jan. 6. For more information, see http://www.vanalen.org/urbanvoids.

Design Detailings: RE Store to hold reception

SEATTLE — A reception for an exhibit on recycled materials will be held Thursday at the Seattle RE Store, 1440 N.W. 52nd St., from 7 to 10 p.m. The RE Store will show how it reuses and recycles materials. The event is part of an art show in Ballard. Other sponsors are Arts Ballard, Habitude, Allied Arts of Whatcom County and the Wild Buffalo. The art will also be on display through the end of this month at the New York Fashion Academy, 5201 Ballard Ave. A reception will be held there on Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. The RE Store is a nonprofit center for used building materials, and offers salvage, building deconstruction, green building education and pickup services. It has retail stores in Bellingham and Seattle. The store will also hold a fundraising event on Sept. 23 from 6 to 11 p.m. For more information, see www.re-store.org.

Tour Fifties, Sixties houses

A walking tour of six post-World War II houses will be held on Sept. 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The houses were designed in the 1950s and 1960s, and are located along a small creek and lake in the Hidden Lake neighborhood, north of Seattle.

The tour is organized by DoCoMoMo_WeWA, or Documentation and Conservation of the Modern Movement, Western Washington. A map will be provided and interiors will be open to view. Cost is $10.

For more information or to reserve a ticket, e-mail momowewa@yahoo.com.

Arcade launches autumn issue

Arcade magazine will hold a launch party for its autumn issue Thursday at Winston Wächter Fine Art, 203 Dexter Ave. N., from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. DJ and guest editor Charles Mudede will spin original music commissioned for this issue by producer Specs One.

The gallery's architect Tom Kundig, and owner Stacey Winston-Levitan will be at the party to answer questions about the gallery space. Arcade is a quarterly magazine on architecture and design in the Northwest.

KPFF adds an owner

Schwartz

KPFF Consulting Engineers named David E. Schwartz an owner. His civil engineering practice includes work on parks, urban infill, higher education and municipal projects, as well as commercial and retail developments, design-build and transportation projects. His design of the Sakai Intermediate School civil improvements won a Kitsap County Earth Day Award for being a green design. Schwartz is working on the Sammamish Civic Center, Merrill Gardens Senior Living Facility on Queen Anne and a project at the Naval Station Kitsap-Bremerton. KPFF is a structural and civil consulting engineering firm with 15 offices around the country.

IIDA holds Oregon competition

The Oregon chapter of the International Interior Design Association is seeking entries in a design competition. Entry packets are available through Oct. 7. Fees are $60 for Oregon chapter members, or $120 for others. To receive a packet, call IIDA at (503) 546.1280. See http://www.iida-or.org for more information.

An awards ceremony is set for Oct. 20 at the Crystal Ballroom in downtown Portland.

Design Detailings: Yantis honored for corporate ID

Alley

Yantis Acoustical Design took second place in a national competition for corporate identities. The Society of Marketing Professional Services recognizes professional service firms in the design and building industry.

Kristy Alley, director of marketing, accepted the award on behalf of Yantis at the SMPS National Marketing Conference in New Orleans. Yantis created a corporate identity package earlier this year when the firm changed its name to Yantis Acoustical Design.

Yantis worked with Seattle graphic design firm Maestri to develop a new logo, business papers and marketing packages.

Upcoming tour of Scandinavia

International Sustainable Solutions has announced its next Urban Sustainability Study Tour to Sweden and Denmark will be from Oct. 1-7. Participants will include developers from Portland's Gerding Edlen as well as Grace Crunican, director of Seattle's Department of Transportation.

For more information, contact Patricia@i-sustain.com.

Preservation conference Sept. 27 in Portland

The National Trust for Historic Preservation will hold a conference in Portland Sept. 27-Oct. 2. The conference is expected to be attended by more than 2,000 preservationists, educators and students. This year's theme, "Sustain America," will explore historic preservation's role in real estate development, affordable housing, tourism and smart growth.

Speakers will include Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Donovan Rypkema of Historic Strategies International and Phillip W. Grone of Defense for Installations and Environment.

For more information, see http://www.nthpconference.org or call (202)-588-6296.

I-405 drainage study wins an award

The American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials (AASHTO) recently recognized Eric Meng and Stacy Trussler for their work on a drainage study for Interstate 405. Meng is with Meng Analysis, a Seattle research consulting firm specializing in value engineering. Trussler is the Washington State Department of Transportation's I-405 project engineering manager.

The project will cost between $25 million and $75 million. One challenge will be to control and treat stormwater runoff where the freeway crosses prime salmon habitats, watersheds and wetlands surrounding I-405.

Design Detailings: Upcoming events at SAM and SAF

Tomorrow at Seattle Art Museum a group of local architects and designers will talk about Isamu Noguchi's "sculpture of spaces" exhibition. Panelists will be: Jim Olson, Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects; landscape designer Jennifer Guthrie, partner with Gustafson Guthrie Nichol; public artist Buster Simpson. Moderator Guy Michaelsen is a principal with The Berger Partnership. The free public event will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Seattle Architecture Foundation will offer two tours on Aug. 27. "The Roaring 20s, Northwest Style" will look at art deco design in lobbies and commercial buildings. The other tour will show people what downtown Seattle's Metropolitan Tract might have looked like had a grand plan to create a garden in the city gone ahead. For information, call (206) 667-9184 or see www.seattlearchitecture.org.

Callison opens in LA

Callison Architecture recently opened a Los Angeles office to serve its growing southern California client base. The office is located at 1453 Third Street Promenade, Suite 400, Santa Monica CA 90401. The telephone number is (310) 394-8460, fax is (310) 394-4970.

The Los Angeles office will work for clients such as the Macerich Co., Westfield, Madison Marquette, Somera Capital Management and Washington Mutual.

AIA: Salaries going up

The AIA says architecture firm salaries are rising in a report on compensation in the industry. AIA's economics and market research department found that average salaries have climbed more than 10 percent since 2002. That's about a 3.3 percent annual compound growth rate.

Here are other findings from the report:

More than 40 percent of firms offer higher salaries for master's degree holders

Two out of three firms offer a salary increase upon completion of the Architect Registration Examination

For more information, see www.aia.org.

Design Detailings: 'Art and Architecture' talk Aug. 25 at SAM

A panel discussion titled "Creating Public Spaces: When Art Meets Architecture," will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25, at Seattle Art Museum.

Panelists include Jim Olson of Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects; landscape designer Jennifer Guthrie, a partner with Gustafson Guthrie Nichol; public artist Buster Simpson and moderator Guy Michaelsen, a principal with The Berger Partnership.

They will discuss what sculptor/designer Isamu Noguchi called the "sculpture of spaces" — living canvases and open spaces that are designed to engage the community and showcase art. There is no charge. For information, call the Seattle Architecture Foundation at (206) 667-9184.

Nominations wanted for ASCE awards

The American Society of Civil Engineers is seeking nominations for its 2006 Outstanding Projects and Leaders Awards and 2006 Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award.

The OPAL awards honor professional civil engineers for lifelong contributions in five categories: public works, construction, management, design and education. The OCEA Award recognizes projects for their contribution to the well-being of people and communities, resourcefulness in planning and design challenges, and innovations in materials and techniques.

The awards will be presented at the OPAL awards gala on April 26 in Washington, D.C.

For more information about nomination criteria, procedures and entry forms, go to www.asce.org/opal/index.cfm.

Third Thursday: 'Color and Design'

Seattle Design Center's Third Thursday series will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow at the center, 5701 Sixth Ave. S.

"The Impact of Emerging Lifestyle Trends on Color and Design" will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Designer, colorist and trend forecaster, Sandra Imre, a member of the International Color Marketing Group, will provide a visual presentation on lifestyle trends, and how these trends relate to color and design.

"Pulling it all Together by Maximizing Your Design Options" will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Janet Thomas from Lark, a handweaving studio, will share tips on ordering custom area rugs, and how designers can create something unique for their clients.

"Design Your Own Custom Ceiling Pendants" will be from 3 to 4 p.m. Designers will discuss how to create an original hanging piece to complement a variety of design projects.

The event is free to design professionals, but registration is required. For more information, call (800) 497-7997 or go to www.seattledesigncenter.com.

Otak to design prototype store

Otak, Inc., a planning, architecture, design and engineering firm, has been selected for three projects in Washington and Arizona. The projects are a flagship retail store, engineering on a $5 million arterial roadway in Scottsdale, and water-resource engineering for the $68 million Salmon Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion in the Hazel Dell Sewer District.

The Environmental Home Center chose Otak's Seattle office to design its flagship store as the prototype for a series of stores on the West Coast. Otak will establish store layout, product displays and fixtures, and a strategy for lighting, graphics and signage.

It will be the first new store for the Environmental Home Center since its previous store burned in 2004, forcing the outlet to re-open in a temporary location on First Avenue South.

Design Detailings: Monorail forum: What's next?

A monorail forum, titled "What Do We Do Now?," will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. The moderator is Seattle Channel's C.R. Douglas, and panelists include Kristina Hill, acting chair of the Seattle Monorail Project; Bob Klein, chair of the Municipal League's Monorail Committee; state Sen. Ken Jacobsen; and Tom Till, co-director of the Cascadia Project, an effort to establish a transportation system that connects Washington, Oregon and British Columbia.

Cost is $5, and the event will be held at Town Hall, at Eighth Avenue and Seneca Street.

Design Commission seeks new member

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels is looking for a new member for the Seattle Design Commission. The member can serve in one of the following positions: urban or environmental landscape architect, site engineer or urban planner.

The position begins in the fall. Candidates with transportation planning expertise are strongly encouraged to apply.

Design Commission members serve renewable, two-year terms. The commission has 10 members. It was established in 1968 to advise city officials on design and environmental aspects of capital improvement projects. The commission reviews projects over several design phases.

Send a letter of interest and resume by Sept. 9 to Layne Cubell, coordinator, Seattle Design Commission, Department of Planning and Development, city of Seattle, P.O. Box 34019, Seattle 98124-4019. For information, call Layne Cubell at (206) 233-7911, or e-mail layne.cubell@seattle.gov.

Varney new owner at KPFF Consulting

Greg Varney has been named an owner at KPFF Consulting Engineers in Seattle. Varney is working on a high-rise mixed use project in Seattle, projects for Boeing and projects for public clients including the University of Washington, Coast Guard, Navy and Army Corps of Engineers.

Varney is responsible for design-build work including historic renovation of bachelor officers quarters at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif., a new dining facility for enlisted personnel at Twentynine Palms, Calif., and a new bachelor enlisted quarters at Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton.

KPFF is the largest structural and civil consulting engineering firm in the U.S., with 15 offices nationwide.

Design Detailings: Otak opening Yakima office

Knutson

Otak, a planning, design and engineering firm with headquarters in Lake Oswego, Ore., will open a Yakima office this month.

Engineer John Knutson, who managed surface water and flood control for Yakima County for five years, will set up the new office. Otak will work with central and eastern Washington clients on stormwater planning, regulatory compliance, and flood and drainage programs. The company has eight offices, including ones in Seattle and Kirkland.

Local team to study in Europe

A local team has won a fellowship to study in the Netherlands in the spring of 2006.

Artist Claudia Fitch, landscape architect Barbara Swift and architect John Fleming will focus on ceramic cladding at the European Ceramics Work Centre Art + Architecture program in Hertogenbosch. The goal of this program is to give international artists and designers a chance to work together on ceramics projects.

Barker will plan Olympia boardwalk

The city of Olympia Public Works Department recently awarded a contract to Seattle-based Barker Landscape Architects for the Percival Landing waterfront boardwalk visioning plan.

Jay Burney is project manager for the city on the plan.

Architecture critic wins Harvard fellowship

The Oregonian newspaper's architecture and urban design critic Randy Gragg won a fellowship to study at Harvard University's Graduate School of Design for the 2005-2006 academic year.

The Loeb fellowship is for mid-career professionals in fields related to the built and natural environment. Gragg has covered Oregon's land-use planning system, major infrastructure projects and buildings.

Design Detailings: Sparling's Duncan on executive committee

Duncan

The group enterpriseSeattle recently named Sparling Chief Executive Officer Jim Duncan to its executive committee. Duncan was an active board member for five years.

The group aims to work with businesses and individuals to attract new companies to King County. Its board of directors and executive committee offer free services to companies relocating or expanding in the area.

Elcon Associates buys Power System

Portland electrical engineering firm Elcon Associates has acquired Tigard, Ore.-based consulting company Power System Engineers.

Michael Unger, former president of Power System Engineers, will be one of Elcon's principal electrical engineers and manage the firm's transmission and distribution group. Amit Sinha, who has been a principal electrical engineer with Elcon for 12 years, will keep overseeing its electric utility division.

Power System Engineers does transmission and distribution planning and design work, and Elcon offers planning, design and construction management services.

Elcon's clients include utility, transit, marine and wastewater treatment plants throughout the West Coast.