In the past year, Seattle's Abacus Engineered Systems has grown to a staff of 90, expanding geographically with satellite and field offices in Honolulu, Portland, San Diego and Boston. The firm provides services in mechanical, electrical, and energy engineering; lighting design; performance contracting; and commissioning and testing and balancing.

Recent projects of note include Seattle University U School of Law, UW Oceanography Building, and W Hotel. Upcoming projects include Tacoma Art Museum and the Seattle Municipal Courthouse. The lighting design group recently completed work on the remodel of the Cinerama Theatre and is currently providing design for the intramural recreational facility expansion at the University of Washington.

In recent years, Abacus has built a reputation as an "ESco" or energy service company. ESco services involve retrofitting mechanical, electrical and other building systems with the intent of using future energy cost savings to pay for the project. This year, Abacus built on its reputation providing performance contracting services in the state of Washington by opening an office in Boston and has secured contracts in New York state.

Meanwhile, the Seattle office provides ESco services for Washington state clients including CWU, Highline Community College, Kennewick School District and Everett Community College. A team in Hawaii works with Hawaiian Electric Co. to develop projects at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard.

Trends affecting the firm's future, according to business development associate Doug Petty, include increasing use of design-build delivery methods; the necessity of providing commissioning as a service essential to successful long-term operation of building systems; and energy savings projects under performance contracting not only for public sector clients but in private facilities as well.