• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Nevada Business Magazine

The Decision Maker's Magazine

Subscribe Now!

  • Subscriptions
    • Print
    • Mobile App
    • Email
    • Nevada News & PR Wire
  • Features
    • New This Month
    • View Issues
    • Cover Stories
    • Feature Stories
    • Industry Focus
    • Building Nevada
    • Special Reports
    • Meet the Decision Maker
    • Press Release Wire
    • Nevada Industries
  • Departments
    • A Matter of Opinion
    • Around the State
    • Business Indicators
    • Commentary
    • Commercial RE Report
    • Crossfire
    • Expert Advice
    • Face to Face
    • Free Market Watch
    • Inside Politics
    • Power of Attorney
    • Profit & Loss
    • Speaking for Nevada
    • Tech.knowledge.me
    • The Last Word
    • Vital Signs
  • Planning Calendar
  • Advertising
    • Advertising Info
    • Advertising Staff
    • Submission Requirements
    • Online Advertising
  • Events
    • NBM Events
  • About
    • About the Magazine
    • Contact the Staff
  • Connect
    • Business Directory
    • Press Release Wire
    • Business Calendar
    • Submit Listing
    • Post Press Release
    • Add Your Event
    • Sign Up
    • Log In
You are here: Home / Features / Building Nevada / Strong Design

Strong DesignArchitects and Engineers in Nevada

June 1, 2019 By Pat Evans Leave a Comment

Even as the Las Vegas economy recovered from the Great Recession, Ed Vance and his architecture firm survived almost solely on the business from the Lucky Dragon. For two years during the project, Vance said projects were relatively hard to come by as developers weren’t quick to pull the trigger.

Vance is adamant that all changed with the 2016 election. Since the election, Ed Vance & Associates Architects has been inundated with projects. In the quarter following the last presidential election, Vance said he had four major office building projects and two more since then.

“Since the election we’ve been over the moon,” Vance said. “It seems like since 2016, everybody pulled their thumbs out of the damn.”

The work has provided Ed Vance & Associates enough revenue to build a new office out of cash flow.

Chris Lovett, owner of Revolution Engineering, has similar sentiments when it comes to the steady stream of business coming in to his firm. Lovett left the Valley for several years before returning to Las Vegas in 2014.

“The last couple of years, to me, has been increasing,” Lovett said. “When I came back, things were still kind of, not scarce, but there was some hesitation to pull the trigger on projects. You’d hear about something, but no one would push forward. Now, I don’t see that as much in the last two or three years.”

Lovett believes developers seem to be anxious to get projects off the ground and said the push forward appears to be following the massive Las Vegas Stadium and Las Vegas Convention Center expansion projects. Likewise, the reemergence of the Resorts World and The Drew projects on the Strip have had a similar impact, Lovett said.

The overview provided by Lovett and Vance is a perfect synopsis of the Nevada architecture and engineering industry, said Jennifer Turchin, president of the American Institute of Architects – Nevada and principal of Coda Group.

“If you’re not busy, you’re doing it wrong,” Turchin said. “Resorts World, The Drew, the convention center, the Raiders stadium, there are tons of big projects in and of itself, but the office and industrial market is booming. Houses are being built everywhere.”

Nevada’s architecture and engineering industry will welcome a boon this month when Las Vegas hosts the AIA Conference on Architecture. With more than 500 sessions and 750 exhibitors, Turchin is happy the nationwide architecture community will get a fresh look at the community.

“We’re really excited to get the folks to Las Vegas,” she said. “We haven’t held it here since 2005. A lot of things have changed since then, so we have an opportunity to show 20,000-plus architects that there is more than just the Strip.”

Steady Streams of Work

Office buildings are what Vance has been most excited about, but he said the projects are coming from all segments of the real estate industry. Along with the six office buildings, Vance said he’s had a pair of $100 million projects, including a 13-story mixed-use project and university housing and the $80 million World Market Center convention center expansion.

Even the Lucky Dragon came back to Vance for some renovation work that started this spring. CreditOne Bank, which opened a new headquarters in 2018, is already expanding and Vance said his firm is fortunate to have been called for the new 150,000 square-foot project. Likewise, there’s plenty in the pipeline at the 122-acre UNLV Gardner Tech Park.

“Gardner is really stretching their legs,” he said, mentioning 10 to 12 buildings in the park coming along in the near future. “They seem really excited about our market.”

For Ed Vance & Associates, the works has come from pretty much every line of commercial, including retail, light industrial and healthcare, he said. Vance doesn’t do much in the way of single-family residential, but said apartments are booming. Apartments and condos fall under the hospitality banner, according to Vance.

Ed Vance & Associates currently has 1,000 units in design, with another 400 in Reno.

At Revolution Engineering, a mixture of projects are also coming through the door. Lovett said he’s seen a large influx of custom residential projects in the $3 million and above range, but commercial projects of all varieties are incoming as well.

“Commercial, that’s really booming,” he said. “We’re seeing more of everything.”

Lovett also mentioned several public projects underway including multiple ones in the Clark County School District and UNLV. Vance said he’s mostly stayed out of the public projects aside from bridges, which have brought him an interesting influx of projects.

From the AIA perspective, Turchin said there’s a solid mixture of what Vance, Lovett and their firms are working on. She mentioned industrial, and specifically distribution centers, as a strong growing sector in the state, from North Las Vegas to Reno’s outer areas. “It sure feels like every sector is busy,” she said.

The steady stream of work doesn’t stop at individual firms but also includes the statewide AIA chapter and both local chapters in Nevada. Turchin said there are two major initiatives being pushed by the state’s AIA chapters.

The first is a legislative mission to change the lien laws for architects. “What happened before, we were one of the last ones to be paid,” she said.

The other major industry initiative is working with other industries on how to address homelessness and low-income housing, Turchin said.

“Our whole year is working together with other industries and cities to see what we can do to address the issues,” she said. “Some of that is legislative and some is on us and figuring out what we can do as an industry.”

Changing Technology

Technology changes nearly every industry constantly in the digital age, and architecture and engineering is no different.

A major shift has been an expectation of 3D modeling, Lovett said. While the modeling technology has been around for years, clients now expect it. The best advantage the technology brings to the industry is it brings up potential conflicts before they appear as projects are well underway.

“Before it was on 2D and it would look good on paper and then in the field you realize a beam runs through a duct,” Lovett said. “Now, we can see before that happens so we minimize conflicts in the field and what it costs. Questions slow projects down and time is money. “Hopefully this speeds up the process,” he added.

When 2D drawings were the norm, the architecture and engineering industries would go through reams of paper. Now, as 3D models can easily be distributed to clients and other involved parties it’s helping the industry become more sustainable.

“It seems like we’re getting away from 6,000 copies of some set of documents that go into last week’s garbage,” Turchin said. “We’re all on our computers all the time anyway, we should take advantage of that technology.”

Beyond the movement away from paper, Vance said the amount of technology expected within buildings has added many layers to his operation. He said buildings now are all expected to have smart thermostats, smart locks and audio/visual technology integrated everywhere.

At times, electrical consultants were enough, but projects now require a slew of experts to help plan out building specifics.

“All buildings are just smarter,” Vance said. “You can’t walk into a room without the lights turning on. These high-tech office buildings have server rooms that will blow your mind. These buildings basically run themselves.”

Where Does It End?

There doesn’t seem to be a clear path to the end of this economic expansion.

Turchin said most economic prognosticators are suggesting there’s two more years of economic expansion. She agrees and doesn’t believe there’s any significant signs of a slow down in the stream of activity in Nevada.

A solid indicator is how nearly every firm is hiring, as Turchin pointed toward the AIA website.

“People can’t get enough talent,” she said.

A positive of the current growth is Las Vegas further defining its own aesthetic architecture style, Vance said. For years, the Valley was a mixture of Southwestern styles as an extension from New Mexico and Arizona and California’s mission style. Now, Vance said Las Vegas design has secured a footing of its own and defining its own place in design.

Beyond developing its own style, Las Vegas will continue to build, as the city tends to be a “copy cat” community, Lovett said. Once a building like the Raiders’ new stadium, there will be retail space and redevelopment all around the site.

“Resorts World is new and exciting, things we haven’t seen before,” Lovett said. “It’s a copy cat valley. When one hotel sees another one is successful, they want to mimic it.

“There will be some residual development once the Drew and Resorts World open and we see some of their new experiences.”

As the economic growth continues in Nevada, Lovett believes the economy has diversified plenty since prior to the Great Recession. When he first started in the industry in 1998, the city was hospitality oriented, continuing beyond resorts and hotels with high-rise condos.

“When the bubble busted, everyone started to realize they can’t focus on hospitality,” Lovett said.

Following the tough fall Nevada took in the Great Recession, Vance said it seems the state has fewer real estate flippers and the major developers are more resilient and building for the long-term and making fundamentally stronger decisions, particularly those like Howard Hughes Corp. and Gardner.

Vance mentioned how some economists might be quick to remind people a downturn is inevitable, he’s confident of the current climate with a climbing stock market, strong employment numbers, low inflation rates and steady interest rates. He said, “You couldn’t order an economy any better.”

“The clients are seeing the same things we see, and they’re coming and they’re bullish,” Vance said. “We’re steaming along by every metric and everyone seems to be doing better along all party and demographic lines.”

Filed Under: Building Nevada Tagged With: American Institute of Architects - Nevada, Chris Lovett, Coda Group, Ed Vance, Ed Vance & Associates Architects, Jennifer Turchin, Las Vegas business, Nevada business, Reno business, Revolution Engineering

Paul Krakovitz: Intermountain Healthcare

Edward Vance: EV&A Architects

Scott Arkills: Silver State Schools Credit Union

Tonya Ruby: Cox Media Las Vegas

Online Advertorials

Online Advertorials

Roseman’s College of MedicineAddressing the Physician Workforce Shortage while Being a Positive Economic Driver

Groundbreaking LawRequires Businesses Replace Decorative Grass

The Southern NevadaEvaporative Cooling Issue

New Law Targets Turf in Southern NevadaWill Save 10 Percent of Water Supply

Advertise With Us

Advertise With Us. more details ►

Primary Sidebar

Get important updates from Nevada Business Magazine, directly to your inbox.
Subscribe

Keep WatchFinancing in Nevada

Industry FocusProperty Management

Transportation in NevadaChallenges and Opportunities

Nevada Business Awards2022

Nevada News & PR Wire

  • CSN Awards More Than 4,200 Degree at 50th Annual Commencement Ceremony

  • Bank of Nevada, First Independent Bank, Green Our Planet and Nevada Department of Education Make Financial Literacy Curriculum Available to Every Nevada Student

  • Fort 137 Designed by Daniel Joseph Chenin, Ltd. Recognized as Finalist in International 2022 A+Awards for Architecture and Interior Design

  • De Castroverde Law Group Expands Service With Henderson Location

  • CALV Attracts Record Interest in Spring Mixer

  • Owner of Emerald Island and Rainbow Club Casinos Receives Prestigious Accolade by The Silver State Awards

  • Charlie Palmer’s Pigs & Pinot Returns to the Grand Sierra Resort June 11

  • The Nevada Dairy Farmers Culinary Scholarship Deadline Extended

  • Trosper Public Relations in Nevada Promotes From Within

  • Nathan Adelson Hospice’s Annual “A Flair for Care” Fashion Show & Luncheon Raised More than $500,000 for the Hospice’s Uncompensated Care Program

  • Optum Care to Hold On-Site Hiring Event May 17

  • The Discovery Introduces New Exhibition: Energy/Energía

  • Grand Sierra Resort and Casino Makes Major Contribution to the Children’s Cabinet

  • What’s New for the 2022 Reno Rodeo

  • CALVPresident Angelina Scarcelli Honored by GlobeSt.com Women of Influence

  • Henderson Professional Fire Fighters, Henderson Hospital and City of Henderson Kick off “Safe Pools Rule!” Campaign

  • Applied Analysis Announces Management Promotions and Returning Team Member

  • May 26 NAIOP Southern Nevada Breakfast Presents “Nevada Elections and Politics: Midterm Update”

  • Henderson Chamber of Commerce Promotes Events Manager

  • Tee Off for a Great Cause at United Way of Southern Nevada’s 65TH Anniversary Golf United Tournament

  • Attorney General Ford Cautions Nevadans to Be on the Lookout for Credit Union, Bank Imposter Scams

  • Cox Donates Laptops to Intermountain Healthcare’s Medical Assistant Training Program

  • Nathan Adelson Hospice Announces Staff Promotions

  • Las Vegas-Based Social Issues Theatre Hosts Fundraiser to Support Mental Wellness and Community Unity

  • State Child and Family Services Issues Discount Cards in Honor of Foster Care Month

  • CSN Celebrates Its 50th Commencement Ceremony

  • More Prizes Added to Golden Ticket Raffle for Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada — Six Fabulous Packages, May 31 Drawing —

  • Local Businesses Partner with Project 150 to Launch After School Program, ‘A Fighting Chance,’ for Homeless, Displaced and Disadvantaged High School Students

  • Helix Electric of Nevada to Host Charity Spring Golf Tournament

  • Camp Rhino Trainers And Members To Transport Heavy Equipment Manually To New Location

  • LP Insurance Names Marsh HR Director

  • Crovetti Orthopaedics Welcomes Board Certified Jennifer D’Andrea, APRN to Medical Team

  • Nevada Donor Network &Latin Chamber of Commerce of Nevada Launch ‘Corazon de Esperanza’ Latino Donor Outreach Campaign

  • Local Diver to Appear on the Problem Solver Show to Discuss the Search for Human Remains in Lake Mead

  • Calv Presents June 2 Class on Land Sales

  • Ira Gostin to Lead Creative Innovation Workshop at PRSA Counselors Academy in Scottsdale, Ariz.

  • Touchstone Living Breaks Ground On Independence Offering Attainable Homes For First-Time Homebuyers

  • aha! On Course to Complete 1,500 Flights

  • FirstMed Health and Wellness Center Partners with Transit Centers to Combat Human Trafficking in Southern Nevada

  • Rudy Ruettiger to Speak at Northern Nevada Italian Association Annual Fundraising Dinner May 19

  • Southwest Medical Adds Two New Health Care Providers

  • Optum Care Cancer Care Adds a New Provider

  • Elko REALTOR® Greg Martin Appointed to Key 2023 Position With National Association Of REALTORS®

  • Local Dentists Provide Free Care to Uninsured Children at Give Kids a Smile Event

  • Laine Blackmon Joins Blackmon Home Loans and NV Capital Corporation as Loan Officer

  • Cross Creek, a 197-Home Community at the Historic Lompa Ranch, Opens in Carson City

  • Dr. Catherine Prato Introduces NuseMuse a New Web-Based Study Platform Is Built for Nursing Students by Nurses!

  • UNLV Engineering Students Showcased Inventions With Commercial Potential at Senior Design Competition on May 5

  • Tom Clark Solutions Chosen as Reno + Sparks Chamber of Commerce Lobbyist of Record

  • Southern Nevada Home Prices Keep Climbing While Sales Start to Slide

  • Lipson Neilson Partner Jessica A. Green Appointed Interim Hearing Master for the Las Vegas Municipal Court

  • The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges To Hold 85th Annual Conference in Northern Nevada

  • United Way of Southern Nevada Welcomes New Director of Fund Development and Donor Relationships

  • Henderson Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Wins U.S. Small Business Administration Award Recognition

  • Taurean Consulting Group Promotes Brianda Barrett to Technical Recruiter

  • Sunset Montessori Community Announces 2022 Summer Camps

  • OurFamilyWizard Joins National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges With Corporate Sponsorship

  • Natalie Gulbis Golf Classic to Benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada — Foursome and Sponsor Opportunities Still Available for May 16 Event —

  • Celebrate Mother’s Day at Emerald Island and Rainbow Club Casinos

  • aha! Announces New Non-stop Service Between Reno and Santa Rosa

  • Henderson Chamber of Commerce Announces Two-Year Rate Lock for Association Health Plans During 2022 Open Enrollment

  • Pro Football Hall of Fame & SilverSummit Healthplan Focus on Student Mental Health & Suicide Prevention at ‘Strong Youth Strong Communities’ Youth Summits

  • Siena Italian Now Taking Reservations For Mother’s Day Brunch and Dinner

  • Mariposa Cocina And Cocktails Launches Cinco De Mayo Celebration!

  • Is Your Business Prepared for Cyber Attacks? iTernal Networks’ Free Upcoming Webinar “Why Your Company Needs a Cyber Security Risk Assessment” – May 12th 1 pm PDT

  • Cox and Manheim Nevada Help Launch Cox “34 by 2034” Social Initiative

  • Southern Nevada Senior Law Program Spreads Awareness of Older Americans Month

  • Asset Tracking Maker, SeeID Wins $200,000 Investment From AngelNV

  • Broadbent & Associates, Inc. Awarded 2022 Nevada Wastewater Circuit Rider Contract

  • CAMCO Promotes Tabitha Gerken to Division Director of Its Southern Nevada Portfolio Division

  • LVGEA President & CEO Tina Quigley Joins the Workforce Connections Board

  • Six Nevada-Based Startups to Vie for $200,000 AngelNV Investment This Saturday Afternoon at Las Vegas City Hall

  • Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas’ Sandy Ridge Campus Ranked in the Top 5 of Best High Schools in Nevada by U.S. News & World Report

  • Nevada State Bank Branches Collecting Feminine Hygiene Products and Gently Used Purses for Local Nonprofit

  • Celebrate Older Americans Month ‘The Reno Way’ Throughout May

  • Pro Football Hall of Famers & SilverSummit Healthplan Visit Metro Police Officers

  • Nevada Donor Network and Clark County Commission: Welcome to Las Vegas Sign Turns Blue and Green to Celebrate National Donate Life Month ‘Blue and Green Day’

  • Tonopah High School Students in J4NG Discover Career Paths at Kinross Nevada

  • Chicanos Por La Causa Celebrates Grand Opening of New Las Vegas Office and Minority Business Development Agency Center with Local Leaders

  • SafeNest Spring Soiree Will Celebrate Kentucky Derby Day, Raise Funds for Critical Survivor Services and Programs

  • Dunkin’® Debuts Vibrant Flavors, Delicious New Ingredients & the Return of Fan Favorites to Make the Most of Sunnier Days Ahead

  • Thrive Wellness Expands Specialized Mental Health Treatment Centers

  • Kara Harris Joins Business Banking Team at First Independent Bank

  • SR Construction Named Design-Build General Contractor For The Hyde Park Commercial Redevelopment Project

  • Angels of Las Vegas Receives $7,000 Grant From Walmart!

  • Great Chef Run Adds Attractions for April 30 Las Vegas Event

  • Rockefeller Group Acquires 6-Acre Parcel In Clark County, Nev. For $4.26 Million; Will Develop 134,100 SF Distribution Center

  • REMSA Health Announces Promotion of Six Leaders Within the Organization

  • BPL Supplies Announces New Customer Service Manager and In-House Art Director

  • LUXUS Design Build Appoints Project Manager

  • Jarrett Seegmiller Joins Ascent Multifamily Accounting

  • KPS3 Announces Michael Lindsey as Art Director

  • Southwest Medical Adds New Health Care Provider

  • Google Announces Plans to Invest Over $30 Million in Nevada This Year

  • KPS3 Announces Julie Ardito as Vice President, Public Relations

  • Nevada Women’s Fund Announces Event Chair, Keynote Speaker for 2022 Salute to Women of Achievement Luncheon

  • Chris Lacey Designs 2022 Reno Rodeo Limited Edition Commemorative Print

  • KPS3 Adds Liz Seang to Search and Digital Media Team

  • Celtic Celebration Ceilidh and Concert To Be Held on May 21st

  • Celebrate the Mother in Your Life With One of Reno’s Most Decadent Brunches!



 
Submit Your News & PR | Subscribe
Submit Your News & PR

Business Connection

Business Connection Portal

Log In Sign Up

Business Connection Portal

Log In Sign Up

Nevada Business Calendar

  • TEDxReno
    May 21, 2022 8:00 am

    More details...
  • Golden Ticket Raffle
    May 31, 2022 12:00 am

    More details...
View Full Calendar ►

Nevada Business Directory

Featured Businesses
Find a Nevada-Based Business Submit Your Business Subscribe to the Nevada News & PR Wire

Nevada Industries

Architects & Engineers
Arts & Culture
Banking
Commercial Real Estate
Construction
Credit Unions
Economic Development
Education
Financial Management
Healthcare
Human Resources
Insurance
Law
Manufacturing
Marketing
Media
Mining
Philanthropy
Residential Real Estate
Rural Nevada
Sports
Tax Planning and Accounting
Technology
Telecom
Tourism
Transportation
Utilities

Footer

Subscriptions

  • Print Subscription
  • Mobile App
  • E-mail Subscription

Editorial

  • Features
  • Departments
  • Events

Advertising

  • Advertise
  • Submission Requirements

Connect

  • Contact
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2022, Business Link LLC dba Nevada Business Magazine and Nevada Business Journal. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions
Nevada Web Design services by Nevada Central Media using Genesis Framework by StudioPress

    *Your Name

    *Your Email

    Phone Number

    Company

    *Subject

    *Your Message

      *Your Name

      *Your Email

      Phone Number

      Company

      *Subject

      *Your Message

        *Your Name

        *Your Email

        Phone Number

        Company

        *Subject

        *Your Message

          *Your Name

          *Your Email

          Phone Number

          Company

          *Subject

          *Your Message

            *Your Name

            *Your Email

            Phone Number

            Company

            *Subject

            *Your Message

              *Your Name

              *Your Email

              Phone Number

              Company

              *Subject

              *Your Message

                *Your Name

                *Your Email

                Phone Number

                Company

                *Subject

                *Your Message

                  *Your Name

                  *Your Email

                  Phone Number

                  Company

                  *Subject

                  *Your Message

                    *Your Name

                    *Your Email

                    Phone Number

                    Company

                    *Subject

                    *Your Message