Diversity Is Key For N.M. Design Firm
Bohannan Huston is a regionally focused firm cemented in New Mexico. But the firm, which performs civil, structural, construction, mechanical and electrical engineering services, has recently extended its reach throughout the Southwest. The firm puts an emphasis on advanced technologies and the ability to perform a variety of engineering and design services, ranging from surveying and mapping to preconstruction and on through to the end of the job.
Serving in a variety of capacities on a variety of project types, Bohannan Huston's most high-profile start in 2013 was the $450-million El Cabo wind farm in Torrance County, N.M., for Iberdrola Renewables. Some of the specific civil engineering and surveying services they are supplying to the project include nine miles of roadway, about 30 arroyo crossings, a minimum of four access points to a regional highway and an electrical substation.
Mike Strickler, senior project manager for Iberdrola Renewables, says Bohannan Huston's ability to make a strong first impression and follow up with a performance that breaks no promises is worthy of praise.
"Bohannan had approached us several years back at a county meeting. We did some research and went out and visited with them and they talked to us the right way—as a team," Strickler says.
Growth Flows In Many Directions
Bohannan Huston ranked seventh in the ENR Southwest 2014 Design Firm Survey, up five spots from 2013. They are in the top 10 of several categories including civil engineering, surveying and mapping, water supply, sewerage/solid waste and entertainment.
Their work is heavily focused in New Mexico, where they are the No. 1 design firm. While the firm's Arizona and Nevada rankings are in the bottom half of the lists for those states, they are looking to move up in the future. Outside of Albuquerque, they have an office in Englewood, Colo., that stems from an eight-year contract with CDOT.
Founded in 1959 by Jerry Bohannan and Bob Stevenson, Bohannan Huston began the transformation into its present identity when Stevenson left the firm and Larry Huston joined in the early 1960s. Huston was a well-known photogramacist, and the new firm benefited from his surveying and mapping clients.
"That combo is not that common" for a firm with mapping and civil engineering specialties, says Brian Burnett, president of Bohannan Huston, "Our integrated model has been very effective."
In the survey of design firms, Bohannan Huston ranked second in the surveying and mapping category, which also includes spatial data and photogrammetry.
The firm also ranks seventh in water project revenue. Recent projects in this sector include the Pueblo of Laguna Water System and Lagoon Replacement; Phase 1 of the Alamogordo Wastewater Reclamation Facility; and the city of Moriarty Wastewater Treatment Improvements Project.
The expansion and upgrade performed on the city of Alamogordo wastewater treatment plant included construction of three 65-ft by 180-ft intermittent-cycle extended aeration system treatment concrete basins, replacement of the existing bar screen and grit removal systems, and complete reconstruction of the power distribution and control system to meet current code requirements. A new site lift station, also required as part of the plant upgrade, receives water from the ICEAS basin drains, scum line, telescoping valve and waste activated sludge line.
Burnett says Bohannan Huston's capacity to compete and prosper in a variety of market sectors allows the firm to compete against older, larger and more established firms.
"I am highly respectful of our peer group," he says.
Focus on Innovation
Part of the firm's success is based upon a model devoted to staying on the cusp of technological innovation, Burnett says.
"We are constantly addressing where we should be. We are also always trying to find better ways to work," Burnett says. In addition to using commercially available off-the-shelf tools, the firm also employs programmers to provide task-specific, custom software. "We do a lot of different things and that requires a broad level of expertise."
Being on a constant quest to improve and reinvent processes is easier when the team is not only skilled but has also been working together so long that respect and trust come easily, Burnett says.
"The important thing is the leadership team has stayed intact," he adds. "That stability has been important, especially during the last six years or so."
Bert Thomas, senior vice president for traffic and transportation at Bohannan Huston, is one of firm's leaders who has a long tenure; he joined the company 30 years ago after graduating from college. He says another distinct advantage of the firm is how they keep senior leaders involved in the projects that drive the firm.
Currently, Thomas is serving in such a capacity on the I-25/Paseo del Norte Interchange Reconstruction in Albuquerque. Bohannan Huston is working on this project with Kiewit New Mexico and Terracon. The project includes construction of a free-flow ramp and a flyover ramp to improve traffic movement during peak travel times, as well as bicycle and pedestrian improvements and mainline improvements designed to improve safety and traffic flow.
Bohannan Huston was tasked with taking preliminary designs by NMDOT and making sure they stayed within the maximum budget amount of $75 million. Thomas says the team was able to meet that cost level primarily through making modifications to the interchange, including structure, earthwork, retaining walls and other refinements.
A design-bid-build project, the I-25/Paseo del Norte Interchange construction began in October. At the time, only a smattering of design packages had been completed. Thomas says more than 53 separate and integrated design packages were needed to finish the design of the project.
Thomas says almost four years have passed since the firm targeted the project. The official contract selection took place late last year. Work is planned to be completed in December.
Growth Flows in Many Directions
On a regional scale, the 175-person firm served on several notable projects, including the $18-million Chinle Judicial and Safety Complex in the Navajo Nation and renovations of Las Lunas High School in Albuquerque.
The firm also shared recognition in the ENR Southwest Best Projects contest for the Albuquerque Public Schools Westside Sports Stadium, for which Bohannan Huston provided civil engineering services. The general contractor was Shumate Constructors Inc., and Albuquerque-based SMPC Architects handled lead design responsibilities.
The first high school football stadium to be built in the city in more than 45 years, the complex includes a 7,000-seat stadium, a 2,600-seat track and field facility, parking for about 1,450 vehicles as well as a shared field house with team rooms, a conference area, officials area and maintenance storage.
The majority of the concrete used on this project was a self-compacting concrete mix that required no vibrating after placement and achieved 75% designed strength after 24 hours. The set time allowed vertical formwork panels to be quickly cycled to the next vertical wall placement.
Looking ahead, Thomas says the time will soon arrive when the current senior management team will relinquish control over the firm. However, the next generation will take the company to new levels, he says.
"We have a young group that wants to continue to provide these services," he says.
