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Recent Articles from Steve Cook
Rehabilitation projects transform aging hospital, warehouse into award-winning rehab icons
Two Oregon projects have won awards for transforming outdated buildings into vibrant centers of excellence in two very different markets. Both projects showcase creative ways to sustainably transform older structures into reinvigorated contributors to the community.
Philosophies that motivate green building ethos
There’s much talk in architectural circles about the nuts and bolts of “integrated project delivery.”聽 But in an Oct. 24 presentation, IDC Architects Director and Design Principal Jeff Murray took […]
Amazon adventure inspires architect鈥檚 vision for community-wide eco ethos
CH2M HILL Urban Designer and Infrastructure Architect James McGrath recently savored a bucket list adventure 鈥� a week exploring the phenomenal biodiversity of the remote Amazon jungles of Brazil. This […]
The mistake of confusing poor communication with poor character
John Strickland has over 25 years of experience leading major design-build and construction management projects, is an active member of a Construction Industry Institute (CII) research team and serves as […]
Stakeholder-based solutions smooth technology park planning
Roger Pearson, Director of Planning for CH2M HILL’s IDC Architects, has spent a lot of years (37+) as a master planner for industrial, commercial and technology manufacturing sites around the […]
Like peppers, some of the best data centers are green and hot
A 鈥渉ot server鈥� is a more robust device built to tolerate higher heat levels. An average data center using hot servers could reduce its electricity consumption by a third 鈥� a very significant savings in energy and cost.
Can Oregon ride the sustainable/renewable energy data center wave?
Fresh from late July鈥檚 Data Center Investment Conference in Washington, DC, CH2M HILL VP & Global Director of Sustainable Solutions Jeff Cross is seeing how global changes in the booming data center marketplace 鈥� including green energy and clean energy initiatives 鈥� are poised to play to Oregon鈥檚 favor.
Getting lean between the ears
Achieving lean success in design and construction projects such as the China plant isn鈥檛 just about bricks and mortar. It starts with getting people on a project team lean between the ears.
The value of hands-on experience with design-build
Nathan Clark Corser, Design Principal with IDC Architects (a CH2M Hill company) led an architectural design studio for the University of Oregon, Portland Program with Karl Burkheimer of the Oregon College of Arts and Crafts. This effort brought together students from both institutions along with the participation of Anderson Anderson Architecture of San Francisco for their first design/build proje[...]
Skipping commissioning can put your project out of commission
The construction business presents myriad circumstances that can either bedevil or delight an owner. A scenario that falls into this category is the contractor鈥檚 turnover of a project to the owner. Whether a facility is industrial or commercial, there are inevitably items that require expertise and training to be transferred to the owner through a prudent commissioning process.
The sweet spot between mindreading and micro managing
As businesses grow, they need to expand. But constructing new space brings many owners outside their comfort zones. Suddenly they鈥檙e bombarded with the multiple risks of construction cost, schedule and quality. That鈥檚 in addition to the risks they face in their regular day jobs.
News
- Multnomah County commits up to $101.6M for Moda Center
- Portland code changes to take effect in November
- Los Colibris project approved for Portland’s OMSI District
- Pacific Northwest projects totaling $9.9 million in top bidders | Aug. 7, 2026
- Oregon opens infrastructure grant program
- Ex-TV host claps back at Detroit officials in blight case
- 31-unit multifamily project in Portland land use review intakes | Aug. 3, 2026
- $2.4 million office renovation in Portland building permits | Aug. 3, 2026
- Transportation commission weighs ODOT budget cuts
- Lam Research planning $1.7 billion investment in Tualatin
- Pacific Northwest projects totaling $10.6 million in top bidders | July 31, 2026
- Many Oregon counties struggling to maintain their fairgrounds
Commentary
- Beware of when the debt collector comes calling | Opinion
- Assembly of a future workforce begins with an invitation | Opinion
- Beware of overlooking legal requirements for remote workers | Opinion
- Become a critical thinker and transform a workplace | Opinion
- Managing construction risks with international suppliers | Opinion
- A rally with many engines: the lesson of 2026’s first half | Opinion
- Oregon housing challenges persist despite sound and fury | Opinion
- When does an employee’s bullying become harassment? | Opinion
- Ditch disorganization 鈥� the cost of deferred decisions | Opinion
- Consider 10 common risks for healthcare construction projects | Opinion
- Clarifying the reach of a law regarding prevailing wage | Opinion
- Adjust to legal changes now to ensure compliance later | Opinion
