Design Detailings: Shannon & Wilson and Fujitani merge

Fujitani Hilts, a Portland-based geotechnical and environmental firm, recently merged with Shannon & Wilson, Inc. Fujitani Hilts is still practicing from its Canyon Road offices, but has changed its name to Shannon & Wilson.

Frank Fujitani, vice president and Portland branch manager, said the merger will allow better client services by adding technical specialists.

In addition to having similarities in expertise, the two firms have worked on similar projects. Fujitani’s firm has been involved in several portions of Portland’s Tri-Met including the Hillsboro extension and Westside light rail and has provided services to airports, schools and universities and transportation projects. Shannon & Wilson has been involved in many major transportation projects, including Sound Transit facilities, Alaskan Way Viaduct studies and bridges throughout Washington state.

Shannon & Wilson has 220 professionals located in Alaska, Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, Oregon and Washington. The corporate headquarters is in Seattle.

Engineering Council honors 4 engineers

The Puget Sound Engineering Council honored several local outstanding civil and electrical engineers at its recent Annual Awards at Seattle’s College Club. The annual banquet is the concluding event of National Engineer’s Week. The award recipients were as follows:

Charles W. Roeder was honored as 2002 Academic Engineer of the Year. As a University of Washington Civil and Structural Engineering professor, he has mentored hundreds of professional engineers both locally and nationwide. He worked on a steel materials team in connection with a seismic rehabilitation project. He served as team leader for evaluating the failure of special steel moment resisting frame structures in the 1994 Northridge earthquake. He has served on several ASCE technical committees including the Seismic Effects Committee and the Dynamic Effects Committee and is leading the 2003 ASCE Structures Congress organizing committee for the 2003 Seattle conference.

Col. Ralph H. Graves is 2002 Government Engineer of the Year. Graves is the 44th commander and district engineer of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Seattle District, responsible for military construction and civil works programs throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. He taught civil engineering at West Point and is president of the Society of Military Engineers.

Edward R. Schild is 2002 Industry Engineer-of-the-Year. Schild is director for Energy Production and Storage for Puget Sound Energy where he has implemented Total Quality Management principles.

Roger C. Young was honored as 2002 Professional Engineer of the Year. He spent two years working for Aramco in Saudi Arabia. He returned to Seattle to start and develop Elcon Associates to a 22-employee electrical engineering firm. He assisted in the design of electrical and control systems for the Sea-Tac Airport expansion as well as performing systems engineering for the light rail system. He has served as president for the Washington Society for Professional Engineers.

Jon Magnusson of Skilling, Ward, Magnusson, Barkshire gave the keynote address on several of the city's unique structures, including Freeway Park, convention center, Bank of America Tower, Safeco Field, Experience Music Project and the new Central Library.

Puget Sound Engineering Council (PSEC) represents more than 30 different engineering societies throughout Puget Sound.

Panel looks at how to boost engineers' image

Are engineering services perceived as a value-added service or a commodity? What is the current perception of the engineering services industry? What are the key roadblocks to increasing the perceived value of design professionals in the marketplace? How can engineers overcome these roadblocks?

These questions will be addressed at a panel discussion tonight from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Rock Salt Steak House, 1232 Westlake Ave. N.

One of the critical issues facing engineers today and in the future is whether their services are perceived as a value-added service or as a commodity. Panelists will discuss the importance of changing industry perceptions to retain and attract design professionals.

They will also address the need to understand the value of engineering services, how engineers can impact the value of services and how engineers can manage and enhance industry perceptions.

Panelists include Jack Locke, city of Auburn, past president ASCE Seattle Section, past board of directors APWA, and previously principal of Gardner Engineers; Steven Haluschak, RoseWater Engineering, Inc., surface water team manager, Northwest regional director of ASEM; and Lynn Guttmann, head of management consulting services for HDR Northwest Region. The facilitator is Timothy Lowry, King County Metro.

Cost is $30. For information, call (206) 695-6670, or write lkd@shanwil.com.

Design Detailings: Quake experts speak tonight at UW

Hiroo Kanamori, geophysics professor at the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, and one of the world's most highly regarded seismologists, will speak at 7 tonight in Kane Hall, Room 210, University of Washington.

Kanamori will deliver the Mindlin Lecture just weeks after the first anniversary of the Nisqually earthquake that shook western Washington. Though it registered at magnitude 6.8, the effects of the Nisqually earthquake were relatively modest by comparison to what could happen in a quake on the Cascadia Subduction Zone, which lies off the coast of Washington, Oregon and northern California. The Cascadia zone is where the Pacific tectonic plate dives beneath the North American plate.

It was Kanmori's work in the 1980s that first quantified the size and likelihood of a future subduction zone earthquake here. His lecture will review progress made in understanding the basic physics of earthquakes that allows seismologists to forecast the overall long-term seismic activity and lets policy makers anticipate damage in order to formulate response plans.

The event is free. For information, contact the UW at (206) 543-6505.

NY Port official looks at 9/11 impact

The Fast Start Program and FEMA luncheon on Tuesday will include guest speaker Achille Niro, P.E., assistant chief engineer for program management for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Niro will discuss what worked, what didn’t, and what operational impacts to emergency response programs are being implemented by the port in light of recent events, such as 9/11. John Pennington, director of FEMA Region 10, will speak on FEMA’s Regional Readiness Program. Luncheon price is $15 (cash or check) at the door; $10 for military/government. The luncheon will be held at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Office, 4735 East Marginal Way.

Quake experts discuss Olympia

The Seattle Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers holds its section meeting 5:30 tonight at the Ballard Yankee Grill, 5300 24th Ave. N.W. The program will feature Mike Wright of Swensen Say Faget, Bill Perkins and Bob Mitchell of Shannon & Wilson speaking on the Legislative Building Seismic Rehabilitation.

The presenters will be discussing the seismic aspects of the $90 million rehabilitation of the Legislative Building in Olympia which sustained substantial damage during the Nisqually earthquake. Damage required that the building be red-tagged,and the State Legislature temporarily vacate the structure. The presenters assessed the short-term risk to the structure prior to repair work, assisted with emergency repairs and provided design for the long term seismic rehab. Tasks ranged from ground motion studies to detailed structural evaluations and design of anchorages for the massive exterior stones. Cost: $21 per person. For information, call (206) 926-0482.

Arts Commission seeks indie artists

The Seattle Arts Commission is accepting applications for a new funding program, Arts Projects. Arts Projects funds the presentation of finished work by an independent, individual artist or collective of individual artists, in any discipline, based in Seattle. Application materials are available at the Arts Commission Web site atcityofseattle.net/arts/funding/calls.htm.

MulvannyG2 moving its Seattle staff to Bellevue

MulvannyG2 Architecture has moved its Seattle office staff to its new headquarters at the One Twelfth @ Twelfth office campus in downtown Bellevue.

"It's a positive step forward for the future growth and success of our firm, and our clients," said Mitch Smith, MulvannyG2 president.

Several factors contributed to the firm's decision to make this move. The firm's new headquarters at the One Twelfth @ Twelfth campus has ample additional expansion space. This space allows MulvannyG2 to merge the two offices and combine architectural, space planning, and interior design services in one central location. The economics of having one Puget Sound location also played a role in this move.

The 480,000-square-foot One Twelfth @ Twelfth office campus, designed by MulvannyG2, has three six-story buildings and opened in April 2001.

Design Detailings: Duncan named AIA honorary member

The American Institute of Architects Washington Council has named Sparling CEO James R. Duncan an honorary affiliate member, the highest honor the council can bestow on someone outside the profession of architecture. The award was given in recognition of Duncan’s outstanding service to AIA Washington to promote and further the highest standards of the profession.

The council’s board of directors made particular note of his valuable contributions to the Architects, Engineers & Agencies (AEA) Committee, whose mission is to foster working relationships between the A/E consulting community and state's contracting authorities.

A member of the AEA Committee since its inception over 10 years ago, Duncan has served as its chairman since 1995. Duncan has served as chairman and CEO of Sparling, the nation’s largest specialty electrical engineering and technology consulting firm, since 1991.

AIA addresses architects' frustration

The American Institute of Architects Southwest Washington Chapter is hosting a series of informal lunch discussions for architects.They are held on the second Friday of every month, noon to 1:30 p.m. in the meeting room of Johnny's Dock Restaurant in Tacoma. The second in the series will be held this Friday.

This month's topics are: further discussion on the erosion of architects' traditional role; and minimum performance standards. The chapter said there has been a general frustration that owners -- generally private sector owners/developers -- are asking architects to provide services that are less than adequate in the context of the health and safety (licensing) obligations that architects have to the public.

This practice is borne out of the desire to minimize architectural and engineering costs. Although most firms decline to participate in such "low ball" design services, some firms will do so. Although potentially fraught with legal and financial implications, some architects want to develop an action plan.

The chapter will also be meeting periodically in Olympia at a yet-to-determined venue. Prior to each meeting, a proposed topic will be e-mailed to AIASWW members and other interested parties, along with a summary of the previous month's discussion. Non-AIA members are encouraged to attend. For information, contact Karin Poppy McCarthy, executive director, AIA Southwest Washington Chapter, (253) 627-4006, or at karin@aiasww.org.

"BAM As Built" closes Sunday

John Stamets' exhibit, "John Stamets: BAM As Built," at Bellevue Art Museum, closes Sunday. Stamets captured the 14-month-long construction of the art museum from groundbreaking to completion with over 500 large-format photographs. The exhibit includes more than 45 of these photographs, showing the building’s unique structures and spaces. The photographs are installed in locations and groupings that will encourage museum visitors to make connections between the images and the spaces they find themselves in. An accompanying selection of Stamets’ work documenting the construction of other significant public buildings is also included in the exhibition. BAM is located at 510 Bellevue Way N.E., at the corner of Northeast Sixth and Bellevue Way.

KPFF responds to NW Harvest challenge

KPFF just completed the Northwest Harvest Challenge, which was coordinated by Debra Dawson and Raina Borak. Employees were divided into groups of seven to 10 people and competed to gather the most items of food for Northwest Harvest. In this time-frame, KPFF raised 5,688 items plus $500. Ron Leimkuhler's transportation team alone raised more than 1,000 items. Food banks are always in need of contributions, so this was a way for KPFF to have a team-building exercise while being a responsible corporate citizen and giving back to the community.

Dion at SAM: chaos of nature

Mark Dion, an artist who merges the roles of ecologist, scientist, archaeologist, detective and educator, will discuss his work and unique perspective at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Seattle Art Museum. His lecture is part of an ongoing public program series to encourage dialogue related to SAM's future Olympic Sculpture Park.

As a conceptual artist who often performs the functions of both scientist and artist, Dion creates his own installations of laboratories, classrooms, field stations and "cabinets of curiosities," containing assemblages of strange and eccentric items. In many of his works, he is both fascinated by and critical of the classification systems of scientists, who attempt to systematize the chaos of nature.

"I consider myself a visual artist with a keen interest in the science of life," says Dion. "My work is mostly about exploring questions around the representation of nature, which means that rather than being about nature, it is concerned with ideas about nature."

Dion's work has been featured in international exhibitions at museums including London's Tate Gallery, Museo de Arte Moderna in Rio de Janeiro and MOMA in New York. He attended the School of Visual Arts in New York and received his BFA in Fine Arts from the University of Hartford School of Art in Connecticut.

The Seattle Art Museum, at 100 University St., is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday until 9 p.m. For general recorded information, call (206) 654-3100. The box office, at (206) 654-3121, is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visit the Web site at SeattleArtMuseum.org.

Design Detailings: Building performance talk on Thursday

Jim Whytock, building performance executive at Johnson Controls, will speak on "Creating and Maintaining High-Performance Buildings" at noon Thursday in Gould Hall 100 at University of Washington.

The presentation is about building design, operations and maintenance as well as the technologies needed to ensure sustainability. Faculty respondents will be Vikram Prakash, Ian Robertson and John Schaufelberger. For directions go to washington.edu/home/maps/northwest.html. For other questions, e-mail Vikram Prakash, associate dean for external affairs, vprakash@u.washington.edu.

SMPS scales the heights of leadership

The Seattle Chapter of the Society for Marketing Professional Services on Thursday examines leadership and management principles through the context of high-altitude mountaineering. The luncheon, "Mountain as a Metaphor: Leadership and Management Lessons in the Himalaya," will be held at the Washington Athletic Club from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The event will feature Rob Ziegler, a 20-year mountaineer, who has climbed the world’s toughest ranges, including the Himalayas. Ziegler will share how his expedition experiences parallel the workplace. His experience also includes conducting motivational business seminars.

The cost is $30 for SMPS members, $35 for member firms and $40 for non-members. To register, contact Tosha Vandegrift at Berger/ABAM Engineers, (206) 374-9795 or visit www.smpsseattle.org.

AWA celebrates 5th anniversary

AWA Electrical Consultants of Lynnwood recently celebrated its fifth anniversary. With 10 employees, AWA's main client base consists of architects working in the educational, medical, retail and public works areas.

March marketing series by SMPS

Hiemstra

The Seattle Chapter of the Society for Marketing Professional Services in March will host a four-session education series titled "Marketing Dynamics for a Fast Changing World: Senior Marketers as Leaders, Change Agents and Innovators." The series includes:

• March 6. "Thinking in the Future Tense." Glenn Hiemstra, futurist.

• March 13. "Shortcuts to Useful, Strategic Planning." Ed Edelstein, management consultant.

• March 20. "Pre-emptive Public and Media Relations." Leslie Meagley, director of client development, Preston Gates & Ellis; Karen Courtney, marketing director, NBBJ; Valerie Williams, principal, Notkin Engineering.

• March 27. "Reinvention through Innovation," Amy Wirtanen, marketing manager, new product development, Starbucks/Pepsi. Also speaking will be Felix Banel, deputy director, Museum of History and Industry; and Brent Ballbach, senior director of marketing and events, Seattle Sonics and Storm.

• April 17, bonus session. "Start Managing Change Before it Happens," Richard C. Bevan, C2K Consulting.

The cost for SMPS members is $70 per session or $280 for all five sessions; for member firms $75 per session or $300 for all five sessions; and for non-member $80 per session or $320 for all five sessions.

For more information about the Education Series, contact Norm Schwab at Triad Associates at (425) 821-8448.

ACEC links with Web conferencing

American Council of Engineering Companies of Washington recently announced a partnership with CSG Interactive Web Conferencing, which provides live, interactive Web conference training for the architecture, engineering and construction industries.

The partnership provides ACEC/W members access to CSG Interactive Web Conferencing's 40 live, interactive Web conferences on contract negotiation, risk management, project management improvement and design/build. ACEC/W has more than 200 member firms in the engineering profession, representing more than 6,000 employees.

Since its launch in January 2001, CSG Interactive Web Conferencing has provided live, interactive Web conference programs to meet design professional training requirements. Training is designed to supplement existing in-house and professional liability insurer/broker training. Programs are designed to meet all state relicensing requirements for professional engineers.

Per connection pricing allows large groups to participate in Web conferences at low costs. Archived programs are also available. For more information, log on to contractsolutionsgroup.com or contact program director Terri Lindow at (206) 463-7487.

Roth Hill wins workplace award

The Association of Washington Business recently honored Roth Hill Engineering for going the extra mile in creating and maintaining better workplaces.

Roth Hill’s award for an Innovative Benefit/Compensation Program was presented during AWB's board meeting at the Marriott Hotel in SeaTac. Roth Hill received the award in the 26-to-100 employee category.

The annual awards program recognizes AWB member companies that create workplaces that are family-friendly, promote safety and enable employees to achieve their best. The awards also draw attention to workplace policies that boost morale, increase productivity and reduce training costs.

Design Detailings: Lecture on "BAM As Built" photos

John Stamets' photos are on display at BAM. He will speak Thursday at 7 p.m. at the museum.

Seattle photographer John Stamets will present a slide lecture at Bellevue Art Museum at 7 p.m. Thursday, in conjunction with his "BAM As Built" exhibit at the museum. Stamets was the museum's artist in residence during construction of the new building, amassing an archive of 550 large-format photographs of the building as it formed.

A lecturer in photography at the School of Architecture, University of Washington, Stamets has compiled more than 20,000 photographs that exhaustively document construction and destruction of major architectural projects.

The slide lecture will include similar photographs of the Henry Art Gallery under construction in 1995-1997 (Charles Gwathmey, architect) and the Milwaukee Art Museum under construction in 1999-2001 (Santiago Calatrava, architect). A comparison of the construction photographs of these three buildings of the same type yields insights into the spaces today. No charge for the event. Bellevue Art Museum is on Bellevue Way and Northeast Sixth Street. Parking is free in the mall parking lots.

Accessories make the home

Seattle Design Center's Third Thursday series presents: "The Art of Accessorization." Discover how to use accessories to accentuate home designs and bring interest and personality to a space. The event will be held at 9 to 10 a.m. Guest speaker is Warren Echternkamp. He has 36 years of experience teaching designers how to use finishing touches and accessories in their design. The event will be held at Seattle Design Center, 5701 Sixth Ave. S.

Patkau on NW home design

John Patkau, Hon. FAIA, and a jury will offer observations on the state of the art and craft of Northwest residential design, as illustrated by homes featured in the 2001 Times/AIA Open House program. The event will be held at University of Washington's Kane Hall at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Cost is $18. For more information, go to aiaseattle.org.

UW offers project management program

The College of Architecture and Urban Planning Continuing Education program at University of Washington presents "Scope Management and Project Planning" Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The seminar is designed to teach practical skills that can be used immediately on active projects. With these skills, project managers can understand and leverage relationships between the project scope, project schedule, team members' tasks and client's goals. The seminar will be held at the Mountaineers Building, 300 Third Ave. W. Cost is $300. For information, call Lyn Firkins at (206) 685-8222.

Degenkolb opens Seattle office

Degenkolb Engineers, a 61-year-old West Coast structural engineering firm, has opened a Seattle office. Located at 701 Fifth Ave., the firm offers structural design of new buildings and shoring systems, as well as rehabilitation, seismic analysis and strengthening of existing structures.

Stacy Bartoletti, a licensed structural engineer in California, Oregon and Washington moved from Degenkolb’s Portland office to head the firm’s new Seattle venture. Bartoletti has experience developing structural systems that secure existing buildings against potential earthquake damage and has worked with Hewlett-Packard to seismically strengthen manufacturing and office facilities in Washington, Oregon, California and China.

Following the Nisqually earthquake last February, Degenkolb was hired by Travelers Insurance to perform evaluations of more than 40 buildings in the Seattle area, including the Starbucks Center. The Degenkolb team also assisted the Port of Seattle on various marine buildings and structures.

Joining Bartoletti in Seattle are David Gonzalez, designer, and Sarah Bradford as the Seattle office coordinator. Engineers and CAD specialist based in the Portland office will join the Seattle staff as needed.

This week is Engineers Week

Founded in 1951 by the National Society of Professional Engineers, National Engineers Week runs through Saturday and is celebrated by thousands of engineers, engineering students, teachers and leaders in government and business. The National Engineers Week consortium includes more than 100 engineering, scientific and education societies, and major corporations dedicated to increasing public awareness and appreciation of engineering. Co-chairs for 2002 are the American Society of Civil Engineers, celebrating its 150th anniversary, and DuPont, celebrating its 200th anniversary. For more information, go to eweek.org.

Chinese Lantern Festival on Sunday

The Seattle Chinese Garden and the Seattle-Chongqing Sister City Association will celebrate the Chinese New Year with a traditional Chinese Lantern Festival on Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Brockey Center at South Seattle Community College, 6000 16th Ave. S., south parking lot entrance. Chinese New Year lasts 15 days and begins on the first day of the new moon. The Lantern Festival signals the close of New Year festivities.

Festival activities will begin at 3 p.m. A lion dance and lantern procession through the Seattle Chinese Garden site to the Song Mei Pavilion will take place at 4:30 p.m. (weather permitting). The cost for the event is $3. The festival will feature refreshments and traditional Chinese delicacies, a lantern display and lantern-making demonstration, tea ceremony and Chinese calligraphy. For more information, contact the Seattle Chinese Garden at (206) 282-8040 ext. 100.

Rice Fergus to design fire station

Rice Fergus Architects of Bremerton has been selected by the city of Renton to design Fire Station No. 12, a new fire station and emergency operations center for the city. The 15,000-square-foot station is located in the Renton Highlands at 1209 Kirkland Ave. It will include four double-deep apparatus bays, house the SCUBA team, and have office areas for on-duty personnel. The overall project budget, including property acquisition, is $5 million.

Rice Fergus Architects’ expertise includes designing emergency service facilities for Bremerton Fire Department, Bainbridge Island Fire Department, Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue, Pierce and Kitsap Counties.

Otak expands to Tempe

Otak has added a Tempe, Ariz., office, joining offices in Kirkland and Vancouver, Wash.; Lake Oswego, Corvallis and Bend, Ore.; and Carbondale and Denver, Colo. Ken Nelson, one of Otak's founding principals, opened the first office outside the Lake Oswego headquarters in Kirkland in 1987, and has moved to Tempe to manage the Arizona operations.

Otak expanded to Arizona to serve public and private clients throughout the Southwest in fields such as light rail transit, transportation, planning, public works and residential/commercial development. Projects already underway in the Tempe area include the Tempe comprehensive transportation plan, the Tempe regulatory code re-write and residential development in Phoenix.

Design Detailings: Rice Fergus to design fire station

Rice Fergus Architects of Bremerton has been selected by the city of Renton to design Fire Station No. 12, a new fire station and emergency operations center for the city. The 15,000-square-foot station is located in the Renton Highlands at 1209 Kirkland Ave. It will include four double-deep apparatus bays, house the SCUBA team, and have office areas for on-duty personnel. The overall project budget, including property acquisition, is $5 million.

Rice Fergus Architects’ expertise includes designing emergency service facilities for Bremerton Fire Department, Bainbridge Island Fire Department, Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue, Pierce and Kitsap Counties.

Otak expands to Tempe

Otak has added a Tempe, Ariz., office, joining offices in Kirkland and Vancouver, Wash.; Lake Oswego, Corvallis and Bend, Ore.; and Carbondale and Denver, Colo.

Ken Nelson, one of Otak's founding principals, opened the first office outside the Lake Oswego headquarters in Kirkland in 1987, and has moved to Tempe to manage the Arizona operations.

Otak expanded to Arizona to serve public and private clients throughout the Southwest in fields such as light rail transit, transportation, planning, public works and residential/commercial development. Projects already underway in the Tempe area include the Tempe comprehensive transportation plan, the Tempe regulatory code re-write and residential development in Phoenix.

UW hosts green panel Feb. 19

The College of Architecture and Urban Planning, University of Washington at noon Tuesday hosts a panel discussion with Evergreen State College Olympia design team. The seminar is sponsored by Praxis 2.

Anne Schopf, principal at Mahlum Architects; Robert Axley, vice president at Wood Harbinger (mechanical engineer); and Karen Kiest, senior associate at Murase and Associates (landscape architect) will be among the speakers.

They will address the topic: "Green Goals: establishing, evaluating and implementing for a successful outcome," using the Evergreen State College Seminar II building as a case study. The seminar, held in Gould Hall 100, will discuss the tools used to set targets for green performance and their implementation within a large design team.

For more information, go to the Praxis Web site caup.washington.edu/praxis/.

IIDA deep-discounts fabrics, furnishings

The Washington State Chapter of International Interior Design Association will host its 5th Annual Interior Design Market 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 16 at the Miller Community Center on 330 19th Ave. E. Admission is $1. Open to the public, this year’s "rummage sale" features deeply discounted designer furnishings, fabrics, lighting and building supplies, as well as a silent-auction, live music, and a kids’ activity table. Partial proceeds will benefit Rebuilding Together, a non-profit organization that coordinates home repairs for the needy.

The event will include a raffle for two specialty designer items: a Haworth X-99 task chair valued at over $1,500, donated by Haworth and NuMark Office Interiors, and a Pucci Maple Stool, donated by Business Interiors Northwest and valued at over $2,000. Raffle tickets can be purchased at the market Saturday, March 16 for $2 and can be pre-purchased by contacting Paula Munson at (206) 577-7020. Ticket-holders need not be present to win.

For more information on the event, contact Paula Munson at (206) 577-7020 or paula.munson@numarkoffice.com. Those interested in donating items to the sale can contact Lorraine Kitsos at (206) 615-9285 or lkitsos@binw.com.

Library seeks A/E teams on 4 projects

The Seattle Public Library is seeking architect and engineering teams to provide design services for four neighborhood library projects. Interested firms are invited to an information conference scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, at the Temporary Central Library, 800 Pike St., second floor board room.

A public notice on the request for qualifications ran in the Feb. 2 edition of the DJC.

Architect/engineering teams are being sought to design new library buildings in Montlake and South Park, renovation of the Fremont Library and expansion of the existing Southwest Library.

The current 1,574-square-foot Montlake Library, a converted retail store, is Seattle Public Library’s next-to-smallest neighborhood branch, yet it is heavily used by children, working parents, retirees and University of Washington students. The new 5,000-square-foot library will have an expanded collection of 18,700 books and materials, more seats, a meeting room, upgraded technology services and equipment, and parking. The $2.57 million library will be located at the northwest corner of 24th Avenue East and East McGraw Street. It is scheduled to open in 2004.

South Park’s new 5,000-square-foot branch will have 18,700 books and materials, a special area for children, modern computer work stations and instructional spaces, a meeting room and parking. The $2.53 million project is being funded out of the Opportunity Fund, a special fund created as part of the Libraries for All bond measure to be used for new or unanticipated neighborhood library capital needs for underserved areas of Seattle.

The 6,060-square-foot Fremont Library, 731 N. 35th St., was built in 1921. The Carnegie-funded branch is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been designated as a Seattle landmark. The $554,000 renovation includes converting some storage to public and staff space, more seats, an expanded book collection, more computer work stations, improved parking and more efficient lobby, circulation desk and work areas. The renovation is scheduled to be finished in 2004.

Southwest Library, which opened in 1961 at 9010 35th Ave. S.W., is 7,557 square feet. The $4.3 million expansion will add 7,443 square feet of space and feature an expanded book collection, new seating and shelves, expanded program, service and work areas, new computer work stations and study areas, a meeting room, upgraded technology services, connections and equipment, better lighting and mechanical systems, improved seismic safety and improved parking. The expansion is scheduled to be finished in 2004.

Architect/engineering teams must deliver their proposals by 2 p.m. Friday, March 8, to Capital Program director Alexandra Harris, Seattle Public Library, 800 Pike St., Seattle, WA 98101-3922. For more information, interested firms may check the Library’s Web site at http://www.spl.org, select Libraries for All, or call the Capital Program Office at (206) 386-4624.

Design Detailings: Renton hires Rice Fergus

Rice Fergus Architects of Bremerton has been selected by the city of Renton to design Fire Station No. 12, a new fire station and emergency operations center for the city. The 15,000-square-foot station is located in the Renton Highlands at 1209 Kirkland Ave. It will include four double-deep apparatus bays, house the SCUBA team and have office areas for on-duty personnel. The overall project budget, including property acquisition, is $5 million.

Rice Fergus Architects’ expertise includes designing emergency service facilities for Bremerton Fire Department, Bainbridge Island Fire Department, Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue, Pierce and Kitsap Counties.

Lighting projects up for awards

The Puget Sound section of the Illuminating Engineering Society is accepting submissions to the 2002 International Illumination Design Awards. Each project is reviewed on its individual merit.

Submissions are due March 4. Contact Gloria Koch of ERW at (206) 767-7722 or Susan Rhodes of Lightwire at (206) 292-8177 for entry forms and program guidelines.

Swenson Say boosts Web visibility

Swenson Say Fagét, a Seattle structural engineering and consulting firm, is launching a new corporate image this month, marking its sixth year of business in the Seattle area. The firm’s new Web site features a new corporate logo and provides information on projects, news and employment opportunities.

Future plans for the site include interactive capabilities with a password-protected section, allowing clients to download and upload structural drawings and other documents. The site can be accessed at swensonsayfaget.com. The four-color logo and Web site were designed by Seattle-based Gage Design.

How to win projects at WSU

Find out about future Washington State University projects and what it takes to win them at the Feb. 14 program and luncheon meeting of Marketing Associates of Spokane. Jerry Schlatter, executive director, WSU Capital Planning and Development, will talk about upcoming capital projects and discuss the process WSU uses to select architects, engineers and contractors.

The meeting will be held at noon at Luigi’s Italian Restaurant, 245 W. Main, in Spokane. The cost is $15 for MAS members and $25 for non-members. Reservation deadline is Feb. 11. For membership information or to make a reservation, contact MAS vice president Richard Myracle at (509) 459-9220.

Library seeks artists for projects

The Seattle Arts Commission and the Seattle Public Library invite artists to apply for two different artist rosters for upcoming library public art projects. Applications for the Small Art Project roster and the Public Art Roster must be at the Seattle Arts Commission office by 5 p.m., March 1. (This is not a postmark deadline.)

There is particular interest in artists who want to explore, through their work, the meaning of a library as a democratic repository of information and an icon of community identity.

Small Art Projects is open to artists residing in Washington. Over the next three years, up to seven smaller art projects will offer emerging Seattle artists an opportunity to work in a public setting. The library is seeking artists working in one of the following ways: architecturally integrated work in permanent materials such as metal or glass; non-visual media including literary arts and sound, in collaboration with a visual artist or fabricator; new media such as video, digital work, light, or web-based work; artist-made building parts; and surface treatments including etching, murals or mosaic.

The library and Seattle Arts Commission seek additional artists in all media for their roster for five branch library public art projects. Those selected will be added to the existing roster of artists pre-qualified for library projects. Artists already on the library roster will remain part of the roster and should not reapply.

Applications are available online at cityofseattle.net/arts/funding/calls.htm or at the Seattle Arts Commission offices or branches of the Seattle Public Library. For more information, contact Lisa Richmond at 206-684-0998 or lisa.richmond@ci.seattle.wa.us.

Seattle Public Library is improving library facilities as part of a $196.4 million "Libraries for All" bond measure Seattle voters passed in 1998. The plan calls for expanding or replacing all 22 existing branch libraries, building five new branches and building a new central library.

Design Detailings: Weber + Thompson's recipe for chic dining

SeaStar Restaurant will have rich woods combined with sophisticated fabrics and wall coverings.

Weber + Thompson has teamed with chef John Howie III to create a new seafood restaurant in downtown Bellevue. SeaStar Restaurant and Raw Bar will be located in the Civica Office Commons on the corner of Second Avenue and 108th.

The team developed a vision for the restaurant combining the elements of water and earth. Specialty lighting, custom glasswork, commissioned artwork and curved walls blend to capture the energy and transparency of the sea.

Weber + Thompson has created three dining experiences within one restaurant. The design of each area takes advantage of windows that wrap 270 degrees around the space.

The main dining room features a lighted, communal chef’s table and custom art glass wall. The textured wall screens the exhibition cooking area, while allowing patrons to experience the activity of the kitchen. The SeaStar Restaurant and Raw Bar is expected to open in spring. The project team consists of Bargreen Elllingson, kitchen design and equipment; Lease Crutcher Lewis, contractor; Hermanson Corp., mechanical engineer; SME Electric, electrical engineer; Specialty Wood, millwork contractor; and Schnitzer Northwest, building owner.

How will we handle the next quake?

An earthquake symposium, "Return to Long Beach: Origins, Development and Future of Earthquake Engineering," will be held Feb. 6-9 at the Westin Hotel, Long Beach, Calif.

There will be about 400 attendees, including earthquake professionals, seismologists and geologists, earthquake researchers, geotechnical, structural and lifeline engineers -- along with students, government officials, emergency response managers and seismic safety advocates They will ask: Are we ready for a significant earthquake? The event is sponsored by the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute.

Seismologists and engineers will review knowledge gained and progress made since 1933 in research, building performance, laws and codes. There will be updates on "real time" ground motion sensors that enable rapid response during an earthquake, and FEMA’s Hazus software for projecting earthquake vulnerabilities and potential losses. A full meeting program is available online at eeri.org/news/Meetings/02am. For information, contact Victoria Costello prior to Feb. 6 at (510)451-0905 or by e-mail at victoria@eeri.org.

2 sites eyed for Northgate library

The Seattle Public Library board of trustees has narrowed to two the potential sites for the new Northgate Library. At its Jan. 22 meeting, the board agreed to focus on: the Bon Tire Center site at Fifth Avenue Northeast and Northeast 105th Street, and the commercial site a block north; and the south parking lot of the Northgate Mall at Fifth Avenue Northeast and Northeast 103rd Street.

The vote clears the way for the library to negotiate and buy the Fifth Avenue parcels, while retaining the south lot as a possible library site. In recent months, library staff members have pursued options to buy the Fifth Avenue properties. The next step is for the library to negotiate a purchase and sale agreement with the owner.

The Fifth Avenue sites are in the heart of the retail and commercial core of Northgate and also are close to residential areas. They have good access to transit and are highly visible. The Seattle Parks and Recreation Department also is exploring locating a community center and park adjacent to the library. The $5.1 million branch is scheduled to open in 2004.

The 10,000-square-foot branch will have a new collection of 40,200 books and materials, reading and homework areas for children and youth, computer work stations and instruction areas and a meeting room.

42-volt expert speaks Tuesday

Norman Traub, director of the Society of Automotive Engineers Strategic Alliance 42-volt Initiative, will speak Tuesday evening about new vehicles that offer greater safety, better fuel efficiency and environmental controls. The event, at 7:30 in Seattle University's Room Bannon 102, is sponsored by the Northwest Section of the Society of Automotive Engineers.

New automotive systems are quickly approaching the maximum capacity of traditional 14-volt power systems. To solve this problem, engineers from around the world are busy developing 42-volt electrical systems. Traub will discuss the challenges and benefits in developing, and implementing the new technology.

According to Traub, transition to 42-volt systems will take an unprecedented, collaborative effort by the global vehicle industry. "Hundreds of components will need to be re-engineered to become 42-volt adaptable," he said. "Batteries, circuit protection devices, switches, wiring harness -- you name it -- will need to be redesigned."

Vehicle manufacturers worldwide have been working for over five years to develop a cost-effective process to provide the higher amounts of energy being demanded. They have agreed on a global standardized 42-volt system. As a member of several 42-volt groups, Traub will speak on the different aspects regarding the new power system.

For information, call (206) 365-7513.

Design Detailings: UW seeks architecture professor

The Department of Architecture at the University of Washington seeks a part-time tenure-track assistant professor of architecture. The department focuses on the areas of lighting, design/build, furniture and urban design.

Primary selection criteria will be the ability to teach design studio effectively, while maintaining an active architectural practice in the region. The ability to offer an occasional lecture/seminar course in another curricular area will also be viewed positively, as will the commitment to participate in faculty meetings and committees.

Applicants must hold a master of architecture or equivalent degree. The appointment is for nine-months at 50 to 75 percent and carries voting rights, as well as health and retirement benefits. It is scheduled to begin in the 2002-2003 academic year.

For further information, e-mail to: archsrch@u.washington.edu. See also http://depts.washington.edu/archdept. Send completed applications to Faculty Search Committee, Department of Architecture, Box 355720, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-5720.

Tuminello to speak at SMPS

The Society of Marketing Professional Services holds the January luncheon program on Thursday at the Washington Athletic Club, 1325 Sixth Ave., beginning at 11:30 a.m. Randy Tuminello, of TrustBuilders International, is speaking on "Developing Client Focused Cultures." The interactive presentation will focus on winning jobs rather than clients, developing the skill and sense to profitably connect your corporate culture with your customers' culture and how to effectively relate to clients and peers. For information, call Jody Burroughs at (206) 842-1041.

ARC Architects look back on 25 years

ARC Architects recently celebrated its 25th year in business. In November, an open house was held at the Capitol Hill offices, an early 20th century building designed for sales and promotion of the now classic Chandler and Maxwell automobiles. In 1976, Gene Gudger and Dave Rutherford, designed their new firm's first project, the Northwest Center. ARC began with three principals. Today founding partners Gene Gudger and Dave Rutherford have been joined by partners Rex Bond and Stan Lokting. ARC has recently undergone a growth spurt and has a staff of 20.

UW seeks architecture professor

The Department of Architecture at the University of Washington seeks a part-time tenure-track assistant professor of architecture. The department focuses on the areas of lighting, design/build, furniture and urban design.

Primary selection criteria will be the ability to teach design studio effectively, while maintaining an active architectural practice in the region. The ability to offer an occasional lecture/seminar course in another curricular area will also be viewed positively, as will the commitment to participate in faculty meetings and committees.

Applicants must hold a master of architecture or equivalent degree. The appointment is for nine-months at 50 to 75 percent and carries voting rights, as well as health and retirement benefits. It is scheduled to begin in the 2002-2003 academic year.

For further information, e-mail to: archsrch@u.washington.edu. See also http://depts.washington.edu/archdept. Send completed applications to Faculty Search Committee, Department of Architecture, Box 355720, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-5720.

$1M for PSU's architecture program

The Department of Architecture at Portland State University has received a pledge of $1 million to fund an endowment for new faculty and distinguished visiting faculty.

The pledge is the largest gift ever to the PSU architecture program, and one of the largest in PSU history. The pledge will be paid over the next five years by a Portland philanthropist.

"This gift provides us with a powerful leap forward in the development of a professional architecture program," said L. Rudolph Barton, chair of the Department of Architecture. "We have 200 students in an undergraduate program who are anxiously awaiting such an opportunity, and this gift now gives us the means to achieve our mission."

The PSU Department of Architecture is seeking to develop an accredited professional graduate degree program. PSU hopes to offer the region's first five-year Masters in Architecture degree. Despite the field's increasing importance to the area's economy, there is no comprehensive accredited program for architecture students in the Portland region.

Barton said that the gift will allow PSU to appoint local and international architects to the PSU faculty, integrally linking the PSU program with the professional architectural community. "This will allow us to create a new model for teaching," Barton said. "By more closely engaging our full-time faculty with distinguished practitioners/teachers, we will create a vibrant relationship that extends beyond the borders of the university."

Commission seeks artists for Portable Works

The Seattle Arts Commission invites artists to apply for Seattle Collects 2002, a purchase program for the city of Seattle Portable Works Collection. Deadline for applications is Friday. This competition specifically honors artists who live and work in Seattle. Selected work from the awarded artists enters the Portable Collection.

The Seattle Arts Commission will grant purchase awards to as many as 16 professional artists working in all media. Awards will be made in two categories: emerging and sustaining artists. Following the award announcement, artwork equal in value to the award will be selected for inclusion in Seattle's Portable Works Collection. The competition is open to professional artists either residing in or maintaining a working studio in the city limits of Seattle. These prints will join more than 2,500 artworks already in the city's Portable Art Collection. These works were acquired over the last 25 years through funding established by the city’s One Percent for Art ordinance, primarily from Seattle City Light.

The Seattle Arts Commission's Public Art Program was established by municipal ordinance in 1973, and specifies that one percent of city capital improvement project funds be set aside for the commission, purchase and installation of artworks. A portion of the City’s One Percent for Art funds is allocated for the purchase and maintenance of artworks that are exhibited as the city of Seattle Portable Works Collection, specifically in public areas of Seattle city buildings.

Applications may be downloaded from the Seattle Arts Commission Web site at cityofseattle.net/arts/funding/calls.htm or artists may request an application via e-mail from beth.sellars@ci.seattle.wa.us. For more information about Seattle Collects 2002, contact Beth Sellars at (206) 684-7312.

Design Detailings: Freheit completes new Albertson's

Designed by Freiheit & Ho Architects, Albertson’s has a new store in Federal Way that is scheduled for completion this month. The single-story retail store is 52,310 square feet and located at 31020 140th Ave. S. on Pacific Highway, at the old Albertson’s site. The new store is a full service grocery store and pharmacy. The general contractor is Aecon Buildings, Inc. The structural engineer is Advanced Structural Concepts, CSHQA is the electrical engineer and McClure Engineers is doing the mechanical work.

Fire protection forum Jan. 18

Fire protection engineering will be the topic of a 4 p.m. forum Friday at Capital Center, 18640 N.W. Walker Road, Beaverton, Ore. The lecture, sponsored by the Oregon Center for Advanced Technology Education, will help facilitate a Portland-based fire protection program and subsequent educational efforts.

The forum will provide an overview of the fire protection engineering discipline, and how you can use fire protection engineering analysis to impact building design, investigations and product research and design. James Milke, an associate professor and associate chair of the Department of Fire Protection Engineering for University of Maryland, will be the speaker. His principal area of expertise involves analyzing the response of building systems to fires. He is participating in analysis of the WTC collapse.

Engineers look at ESA effects

The Jan. 23 meeting of the Management in Engineering Committee of the American Society of Civil Engineers, in partnership with the American Society for Engineering Management, will cover how the Endangered Species Act may affect infrastructure project planning and construction. The presenter is Will Stelle of Preston Gates. Neil Thibert will facilitate. The event will be held 5 to 7:30 p.m., at Rock Salt Steakhouse, 1232 Westlake Ave. N. Cost is $25 for members and non-members. For information, contact (206) 937-5380. Reservations are requested three working days prior to dinner by contacting Shannon & Wilson at (206) 695-6670, or lkd@shanwil.com.

SAME hosts excellence awards Jan. 25

The Seattle Post of the Society of American Military Engineers will host the annual Design Excellence Awards from 6 to 10 p.m. on Jan. 25, at the Washington Athletic Club, 1325 Sixth Ave.

The event recognizes sustainer member projects in design-build. This year’s keynote speaker will be Gen. David Fastabend, commander and division engineer of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Northwest Division.

The cost is $60 for non-military and $20 for military, retired military or public agency employees not currently working for a consulting firm. Contact Kim Smith at Tetra Tech Infrastructure at (206) 443-3570 or ksmith@kcminc.com for more information or to reserve seating. Make checks payable to SAME and mail to: Kim Smith, Tetra Tech Infrastructure, 1917 First Ave., Seattle 98101 by Sunday.

UW seeks architecture professor

The Department of Architecture at the University of Washington seeks a part-time tenure-track assistant professor of architecture. The department focuses in the areas of lighting, design/build, furniture and urban design.

Primary selection criteria will be the ability to teach design studio effectively, while maintaining an active architectural practice in the region. The ability to offer an occasional lecture/seminar course in another curricular area will also be viewed positively, as will the commitment to participate in faculty meetings and committees.

Applicants must hold a master of architecture or equivalent degree. The appointment is for nine-months at 50 to 75 percent and carries voting rights, as well as health and retirement benefits. It is scheduled to begin in the 2002-2003 academic year.

For further information, e-mail to: archsrch@u.washington.edu. See also http://depts.washington.edu/archdept. Send completed applications to Faculty Search Committee, Department of Architecture, Box 355720, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-5720.

Carlson wins Utah student center

Carlson Architects of Seattle has been selected by the Wasatch Academy in Mount Pleasant, Utah, to design a new student center and to renovate a historic building, built in 1915, for a performing arts center. Carlson was selected after a nationwide search by the academy.

Construction of the 25,000-square-foot student center is expected to begin in the fall. The renovation for the performing arts center will begin immediately thereafter, subject to funding. Wasatch Academy is a private co-educational boarding school with 160 students from North America and around the world. Carlson Architects has worked with private schools in the Seattle area including Lakeside School, Overlake School and the Jewish Day School.

Bainbridge architects form BAC

The architectural offices of Sean Parker Architect and William Isley Architect have merged to form the Bainbridge Architects Collaborative (BAC). The new firm is locating in Winslow on Bainbridge Island in the new Seaboard Building at 435 Ericksen Ave., Suite 250.

The objective is to combine the talents of local Bainbridge architects to create an experienced design team for significant regional and international projects. Other team members include tenured architects Peter Watson, Dana Webber and Henry Laxamana as well as staff experienced in all types of design and construction.

Parker and Isley are both graduates of the University of Washington. Parker brings 14 years of experience in commercial and residential design. Isley brings 34 years of experience in urban design, master planning and architecture. The firm is designing Harbor Square, a large mixed-use residential/commercial project adjacent to the Winslow ferry terminal, the Winslow Town Center mixed-use project and projects throughout the Northwest.

Barrentine.Bates.Lee celebrates its 25th

Architects Barrentine.Bates.Lee recently celebrated 25 years in business. To mark the milestone, the firm will host an open house from 4 to 7 p.m. at its new expanded location on Jan. 24, at 1101 Broadway, Suite 215, Vancouver.

Barrentine.Bates.Lee provide architecture, interior design, planning and research services to public and private sector clients throughout the Northwest.

"Our design philosophy has never wavered," said partner Rob Barrentine on his firm’s success. "Good design addresses function, form, economy and time. We believe in focusing on what our clients need."

With offices in Washington and Oregon, the firm maintains a strong presence in Vancouver and Clark County. Design projects include the Clark County Public Service Center Complex, the new Cascadia School and the expansion and renovation of the Clark County Juvenile Justice Center.

WSU joins Subsurface Science Institute

With the support of a $4 million federal grant to the Inland Northwest Research Alliance, Washington State University will be among a group of universities developing a new collaborative doctorate education and research program, the Subsurface Science Research Institute.

Subsurface science is the study of the processes that occur in the uppermost part of the earth's crust.

The alliance includes WSU, Boise State, Idaho State, University of Idaho, Montana State, University of Montana, Utah State and the University of Alaska, Fairbanks.

Students will receive doctorate degrees in established disciplines such as chemistry, chemical engineering, microbiology, environmental engineering, geology or soil science, while interacting with colleagues from the other alliance institutions and participating in cross-cutting coursework.

They will also have access to equipment at the laboratory, including the Subsurface Geosciences Laboratory, a new $150 million laboratory planned to house subsurface science research in Idaho Falls by 2007.

"This institute will enhance our training of the next generation of engineers and scientists, helping us to provide them with tools to tackle the difficult environmental management and restoration issues of contaminated sites, especially in the West," said Jim Petersen, associate dean of research/graduate programs in the WSU College of Engineering and Architecture.

The alliance's eight member universities help set direction for scientific research in contaminant cleanup performed at the Department of Energy's Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory. The alliance is a partner with Bechtel and BWXT in the management of this laboratory.

Design Detailings

NWCCC honors Harris/TIC project

Worthington Peaking Power Plant

Harris Group Inc. and TIC-The Industrial Co. received an award from the Northwest Construction Consumer Council (NWCCC) for their joint venture design-build of the Worthington Peaking Power Plant in Worthington, Ind.

Recognized in the Private Project Over $10 million category, the Worthington project was completed for Worthington Generation LLC in June 2000. A 180-megawatt simple-cycle power plant, the project went from mud to megawatts in seven field months -- it was completed on time and under budget.

Working on a tight schedule, the project's success depended on teamwork. Harris Group, a consulting engineering firm, provided design of the project. TIC, a national heavy-industrial contractor, provided construction services and constructability input in the conceptual phase of the project to make certain that all time lines could be met.

NWCCC's awards program recognizes cost effectiveness in engineering, design and construction of capital and maintenance projects by or for NWCCC members. Safety is included in the evaluation.

Headquartered in Seattle, Harris also serves the forest industries, industrial manufacturing, microelectronics and telecommunications markets. Its specialty services include financial consulting, process development and systems integration. TIC's team in Portland, provided construction services for the Worthington Peaker Project. For more information, see www.harrisgroup.com.

ZGF wins Denver $400M hospital

Denver's Children's Hospital announced it has hired Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership as principal designer of its hospital on the Fitzsimons campus. ZGF was chosen from seven firms. Groundbreaking on the $400 million project is scheduled for 2003.

"ZGF's proposal emphasized an ethic for honoring the quality of the environment," said Denise Brown, vice president for campus development at the hospital. ZGF has designed children's hospitals in Portland and Los Angeles.

The 900,000-square-foot hospital will be on 37 acres at the Fitzsimons biomedical campus being developed by the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. It will house 270 inpatient beds, diagnostic and surgery facilities, outpatient clinics, research space, medical staff and administrative offices.

ASCE meeting on Korea's airport

The Seattle Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers invites ASCE members and interested civil engineers to the January section meeting to be held 5:30 tonight at the Ballard Yankee Grill, 5300 24th Ave. N.W. The technical program will feature Paul Riemann and James Chae, who will be speaking on South Korea’s new International Airport. For information, call (206) 926-0482.

Riemann and Chae were part of the construction management team between 1997 and 2000, and supported approximately $1 billion of construction.

The presentation will focus on airside construction activities including construction of the hydraulically filled reclaimed site, large underground structures, airfield pavements, storm drainage facilities and more. The program also includes an overview of project challenges and cultural issues such as working and living in a foreign setting.