Architects and Engineers: Designing Nevada’s Future

by Jennifer Rachel Baumer

Construction was one of the industries considered essential during the pandemic shutdown in spring 2020. That included architects and engineers, who social distanced, worked remotely and wore masks, but kept working.

That doesn’t mean the pandemic didn’t affect these industries. Both fields were already changing when COVID hit. Like it did for many industries, the pandemic simply accelerated changes and challenges.

Supply Chain Challenges

Supply chain issues stem from the pandemic, with changing demand and labor and material shortages, and it’s taking a toll on construction. From price increases and everyday materials becoming scarce, to projects facing delays or starting dates pushed back, construction has been impacted.

“To me, it’s just a change, not that much different from other changes that could happen,” said Eric Roberts, president and CEO, Knit Studios, a southern Nevada architecture firm.

“Right now it’s supply chain issues,” he said. “At different times prices fluctuate because we have natural disasters in certain parts of the country. Wood prices spiked for a period last year and for that period we were looking at doing buildings differently. The same building, but is there a different way we can do it that saves us money and time because wood is short? As far as the world of architecture goes, I think that’s life. There’s the aesthetic beauty and function of our buildings, but it’s really about partnering with an owner and getting the project done on time and on budget, and there’s always going to be challenges. Always.”

That being said, in December 2021 stainless steel became so difficult to get that kitchens in new developments were being delayed.

“There’s usually times for construction materials that lead times are delayed,” said Brent Wright, CEO, Wright Engineers, a southern Nevada structural engineering firm. “We get requests from our clients to look at alternative ways to frame buildings, for example, on big industrial buildings.”

Read the entire article in Nevada Business Magazine: https://www.nevadabusiness.com/2022/01/architects-and-engineers/