LOCAL ARCHITECTS On the Drawing Board

When architects have plans on the drawing board, the entire construction industry can look forward to starting their engines.

After the last few years were excited about any projects that come our way...and anything that passes through our office and subsequently into the hands of the local construction crews improves the Central Oregon economy, says Neal Huston, AIA, IIDA, ASID LEED AP of Neal Huston & Associates Architects Inc. Huston adds, 2013 was clearly a better year for design / construction activity in Central Oregon than the most previous years. Based upon word on the street and the commissions and inquiries weve had come though our office in recent months, it seems that 2014 should be another step forward, even though this is clearly not big foot walking. The cautious optimism expressed by many members of our regional communities would seem to support this expectation of a reasonably active and positive year ahead.

The newly elected president of the Central Oregon Builders Association (COBA) is a veteran in the building industry. Chuck Schermerhorn of Neil Kelly Design Build has spent 40 years working in the building industry and concurs with Huston, 2013 has seen a robust rebound in new construction and remodeling and I definitely see continued growth in 2104.

Neal Huston & Associates Architects Inc. finished a large brewery project in 2013 (Worthy Brewing) and final construction is nearing completion for the Honda of Bend renovation project. However, over the last five years opportunities for commercial work, other than remodels and tenant improvements, have been far from strong, offers Huston. Our office thrives on variety, so we are very pleased to see a more varied mix of projects ahead including custom residences, merchant housing, industrial facilities, stand-alone office buildings, resort and hospitality work, commercial and retail tenant improvements...and both commercial and residential remodel / addition projects.

Steele Associates Architects believes 2014 is shaping up to be a strong year in terms of design and construction, which is great news for all. Toward the end of 2013 we started seeing a distinct increase in activity, explains Scott Steele, president and founder, Steele Associates Architects. It appears that private developers are feeling confident enough to move forward with new projects and there are great public educational projects beginning.

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LOCAL ARCHITECTS On the Drawing Board