In his Green Report, reporter Michael Schlesinger highlights SSOE's efforts in alternative energy. SSOE's Jerry Carter, Business Leader of Sustainable and Renewable Solutions; Tim Bolbach, PE, Master Engineer; and Glen Blohm, CFM, Facility Manager are interviewed. Continue Reading →

This article profiles SSOE's recent growth, hiring outlook, and use of technology based on an interview with SSOE Senior Vice President Dave Sipes, PE. Continue Reading →

Thousands felt his influence. With the passing of our founder, Alfred (Al) Samborn, we’re losing the kind of individual many of us want to be—someone whose actions benefit thousands. During his 36-year tenure as CEO, he saw his vision of creating a world-class engineering and architecture firm materialize. Then he was on to his second successful engineering career as a professor. Al earned a civil engineering degree from The University of Toledo in 1939 and completed graduate study at Case School of Applied Science in Cleveland. He started his career as a structural engineer for a Detroit firm in 1941. During WW II, he enlisted in the military and was part of the V7 Program as an apprentice seaman, advancing to the rank of lieutenant in the Civil Engineering Corps (Seabees) of the United States Naval Reserve. Al’s skills as an entrepreneur guided the firm to its current ranking as the eighth largest E/A firm in the country. He recognized the growth potential in adding architecture to the firm’s growing list of services. In the late 50’s, he and his then partner Jack Steketee invited architects Erwin Otis and John Evans to join the firm’s leadership team. This set the stage for the debut of Samborn, Steketee, Otis and Evans, Engineers and Architects, later SSOE. Al was also the driving force behind his firm’s early application of computers to engineering design and authored many technical papers and articles. His contributions to the engineering profession far exceeded growing a prestigious international Continue Reading →

New Approach Leads to Cost Reduction and Greater Efficiency The challenge of healthcare reform is that there is so much to reform. Every facet of the industry presents opportunities for chipping away at the system’s daunting costs. To name just a few: electronic medical records, wellness programs, group purchasing, consumer insurance reform, and a relatively new addition—lean design, construction, and operations. “Lean” has its origins in Toyota’s successful lean manufacturing and management processes. Many industries, including healthcare, have adapted its tenets in an effort to cut costs. The essence of the lean approach is seeking to create value by eliminating waste, increasing efficiency, reducing errors, working collaboratively, improving communications, and standardizing operations. When applied to healthcare, it acknowledges that medical practice and procedures have defined processes and share, at a macro level, basic similarities to moving parts down an assembly line. SSOE has first-hand experience in transferring the lean ideology from automotive to healthcare. Having designed Toyota’s last three U.S. facilities, we’ve been true participants in its “gold standard” lean approach. At the same time, our healthcare clients are asking us to help them deliver leaner facilities and operations. We’re putting our Toyota lessons to work in hospitals and clinics. To get a clear understanding of lean healthcare, think of it as having two distinct but interrelated facets. One focuses on design and construction of facilities; the other relates to improving ongoing operations. Continue Reading →

Military Retailer Is One of First to Seek Prestigious LEED Silver Certification When it comes to creating a good shopping environment, the military base exchanges of the 21st century are in step with the latest retail trends. They’re even leading the way in terms of environmentally friendly design through a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) initiative from the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES). The Randolph Air Force Base Exchange (BX), located in San Antonio, Texas, is one of the first in the AAFES system to comply with the guidelines required for Silver LEED® certification. SSOE is spearheading the design and certification process. When completed, the 153,000 square foot exchange will serve more than 50,000 active, reserves, dependents, and retired military personnel and include a Starbucks, military clothing store, food court, interior mall, and loading dock. SSOE’s strong LEED credentials were one key qualifying factor in being selected to head up the design. We designed the first Gold LEED certified building in Ohio, and the first Gold LEED certified central utility plant in the U.S. Continue Reading →