In West Cumbria, we’re working with Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) to deliver social value commitments through its Integrated Design and Engineering Framework (IDEF). While the work is still at an early stage, the focus has been on setting strong foundations – shaping the plan collaboratively, targeting support where it can have the greatest impact and working closely with organisations across the programme.

Here, Tracy Badham, Social Responsibility Manager at NWS, and Nicola Gorrill, Social Value Lead at ArchTam, discuss how that approach is taking shape.

Tell us about how you came up with the social value plan.

How does having someone embedded locally strengthen the partnership?

How has collaboration shaped the way social value is delivered in practice?

Nicola, how has your experience on other programmes influenced your approach here?

How are you setting the social value plan up for success going forward?

The post Setting up for success: partnering to deliver social value in West Cumbria appeared first on Blog.

During disasters, disruptions rarely affect just one system. A power outage can shut down water pumps. Flooded roads can delay emergency response. Communications failures can slow down recovery. What begins as a localized incident can quickly cascade across multiple lifelines.

This reality underscores a critical shift in how we must think about infrastructure. Power, water, transportation, communications and buildings are not independent assets. They are community lifelines — deeply interconnected systems that sustain public safety, economic activity, healthcare and daily life.

To effectively protect communities, we must move beyond siloed infrastructure management and adopt a whole-systems approach — one that integrates reliability, resilience, and service continuity into planning and investment decisions.

Power, water, transportation, communications and buildings aren’t just technical systems. Since these lifelines keep communities functioning, the operators managing them face a host of complex challenges, including aging assets, frequent weather-related risks, regulatory scrutiny and budget constraints.

The good news is that there’s a growing shift in the approach to infrastructure management. Organizations are moving away from reactive repairs after failure to proactive planning that enables continuity through disruptions. The question is no longer whether to invest in resilience, but how to translate the value of prioritizing these investments for regulators, customers and communities.

Infrastructure planning has historically focused on individual assets or sectors. In practice, however, no lifeline operates alone.

• Power feeds water and wastewater systems
• Transportation enables emergency response and repair crews
• Communications connect first responders and public services
• Buildings house critical operations and healthcare facilities

When one system fails, the impacts rarely stay contained. The most severe losses from disaster often aren’t from the initial event, but from the chain reaction of failures that follow.

Reliability and resilience: Why both matter

Infrastructure performance has long been measured by reliability — keeping services running under normal conditions. Reliability investments focus on asset condition, routine maintenance and preventing predictable failures. They improve baseline performance and customer satisfaction.

But reliability alone is not enough.

A system can perform flawlessly every day and still fail catastrophically during extreme events. This is where resilience becomes essential.

Resilience determines how systems perform under stress — during wildfires, floods, extreme heat, cyber disruptions, or other high-impact events. It shapes whether outages last hours or weeks and whether communities can stabilize quickly.

The strongest infrastructure programs integrate both:

• Reliability keeps services running on good days
• Resilience means communities can function on their worst days

A reliable system without resilience can still collapse under stress. A resilient system without reliability creates unnecessary daily disruption. Communities need both.

Three practical ways to strengthen reliability and resilience:

1. Prioritize the service outcomes that matter most

Focus on protecting the services with the highest consequences if disrupted: public safety, health, economic continuity and essential operations.

This means identifying and reinforcing critical interdependencies such as:

• Electrical supply to water and wastewater pump stations
• Power and access routes to hospitals and emergency operations centers
• Transportation corridors that enable repair crews and supply chains

By prioritizing these crucial service nodes, decision makers invest where failure would cause the greatest harm. This reduces both everyday disruption and the risk of cascading failures during crises.

2. Translate resilience into measurable performance outcomes

Resilience can sound abstract. To gain support from regulators, governing boards and stakeholders, it must be framed in terms they already use. Instead of presenting a project as “resilience,” operators can describe concrete outcomes, such as:

• Reducing service restoration times from weeks to days
• Protecting power supply to critical facilities (e.g., hospitals or water utilities)
• Maintaining water quality during extreme weather
• Improving recovery time for essential services

When resilience is tied to measurable performance metrics — like outage duration, time to restore critical customers, or continuity of essential services — it becomes an accountability-driven investment, not a discretionary upgrade.

3. Embed resilience into routine capital planning

Resilience should not compete as a standalone initiative. It should be integrated into regular maintenance, modernization and lifecycle planning.

Practical examples include:

• Elevating or hardening equipment already scheduled for replacement
• Incorporating future hazard projections into standard design criteria
• Updating asset management strategies to reflect intensifying risks

Embedding resilience into planned upgrades reduces incremental costs and avoids creating isolated projects that are harder to fund or approve.

Build resilience before disaster strikes

Communities often coordinate effectively during emergencies. The larger opportunity lies before disasters by integrating whole-systems thinking into long-term planning and capital investment.

Formal frameworks and emergency management structures support cross-sector coordination. The next step is connecting those frameworks directly to investment decisions, so communities are not just responding better but investing smarter. Infrastructure is more than steel and concrete. It is the foundation of public safety, economic vitality and daily life. By adopting a whole-systems approach and investing in both reliability and resilience, communities can reduce cascading risk, accelerate recovery and strengthen the systems we rely on every day. This way we are not just coordinating during a crisis but investing ahead of time.

See Jordanna discuss this topic with other panelists at the Building for Tomorrow Conference:

The post Breaking the cascade: Three keys to establishing reliable, resilient community lifelines appeared first on Blog.

Eva Kleinert is Associate Director for social impact research at ArchTam with a strong focus on research and evaluation, and commitment to sustainability. Eva leads our Social and Equality Impact team in the UK, and is the technical lead for the monitoring and evaluation of social impacts, design and delivery of primary research, and integration into social research reports and assessments for our Energy and Environment business lines. In addition to her experience at ArchTam, she has five years of experience as a team lead and analyst for the Scottish Government, including as lead analyst for international, Europe and Brexit and senior research manager for the rural economy. She has designed and managed numerous research projects.   

Eva has four years of research experience in gender labor market inequalities, family policies and policy evaluation, applying both quantitative and qualitative methods. She holds a doctorate in comparative social policy from the University of Kent.  

Tell us about what inspired you to join the industry.

I’ve always had a strong interest in people’s lives, communities and local economies — how they are affected by policy changes or local developments. My career started as a freelance journalist in Germany, reporting on local issues. That involved many conducted interviews and group discussions, trying to understand how people were impacted on the ground with my recorder and notepad. That experience sparked my curiosity about evidence-based impact assessments.

After completing my master’s degree in the York, UK, I pursued a doctorate in Labour Market Studies at the University of Kent. As an academic, I wanted to look more methodologically into evidence-based impact assessment at a cross-national scale. My research focused on labour market inequalities, particularly how women are less represented in managerial positions. This academic foundation led me to work for the Scottish Government, where I led on research to understand and evaluate Scotland’s rural economy and analysed the impacts of national and European policies on communities. I really enjoyed applying my academic knowledge at a national and regional level and gaining experience as a government social researcher.

Joining ArchTam felt like the perfect next step. I wanted to investigate infrastructure projects — like energy developments and new road networks — shape the lives of people and local communities. I was particularly motivated to contribute to the transition to net zero by assessing social impacts thoroughly. Today, our work involves extensive primary research with community members and a wide range of stakeholders, using structured methodologies. It’s a long way from relying solely on a notepad and a recorder. This approach allows us to produce evidence-based reports, and it’s given me the opportunity to combine my methodological expertise with my passion for community engagement.

What is your favorite ArchTam project that you’ve worked on and why?

I tend to have two types of favourite projects. First, I love projects with a strong emphasis on primary research. As much as I enjoy desk-based research, I find that the most valuable insights we get are from speaking directly to those affected by new energy infrastructure, road schemes or policy changes.

This can include speaking to businesses, community members and public sector organisations. We conduct a lot of interviews and focus groups, and I find those projects the most interesting because they allow us to test what we learn from literature and evidence reviews against real experiences on the ground. Right now, for example, we are conducting a large research on public attitudes towards energy infrastructure across Great Britain. We’re running a high number of focus groups and backing our findings with representative surveys, ensuring a robust evidence base.

The second type of project I love is the kind that lets me dive deep into spreadsheets, logic models and impact assessments. I try to pin down exactly what is driving a particular impact, determining how best to measure it, and then designing a monitoring framework from the ground up. This involves identifying indicators, creating data collection tools, and analysing the data to measure impacts. It’s a different kind of work, but I find it equally rewarding.

Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community.

Improving social outcomes is at the heart of everything we do. Whether we’re assessing how policies affect groups with protected characteristics — such as women or ethnic minorities — through equality impact assessments, or examining how new energy infrastructure will shape the lives of coastal communities in Scotland, our work always centres on people and place. These examples illustrate how community impact is the foundation of every project I’m involved in.

We go beyond simply documenting activities, funding or job creation. Instead, we focus on the long‑term effects — asking what meaningful, lasting difference an initiative has made or is likely to make. Using systematic research and evidence‑based methods, we uncover how communities truly experience change.

For instance, in recent research for a client, we engaged directly with coastal communities to understand how new offshore wind developments could affect them. We captured both positive and negative impacts and presented clear, balanced findings in the final report.

When our research highlights that particular groups may be disproportionately affected, we provide targeted, actionable recommendations to address those impacts. A recent project examining proposed changes to bus routes is a good example. We explored how shifts in schedules could affect people from different socio‑economic backgrounds or demographic groups. For example, older adults or others more dependent on public transportation might face greater challenges. By identifying these nuances, we can help clients design fairer, more inclusive solutions.

Share a piece of career advice

My main advice is twofold. Firstly, have confidence in your abilities. Whether you’re tackling a challenging project or navigating a complex situation, trust in your skills and determination to succeed.

Secondly, ask for help when needed. At ArchTam, teamwork is a cornerstone of our success. There’s always someone who can help you get a project over the line or provide guidance on specific aspects. Don’t hesitate to reach out — it’s not a sign of weakness but a way to strengthen your work.

The post People Spotlight: Meet Eva Kleinert appeared first on Blog.

Ken Myers has built a nearly five-decade career dedicated to federal water infrastructure, dam safety and flood risk management — spending more than 20 years with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Sacramento District and over 30 years supporting major civil works programs in the private sector. After graduating from Chico State University in 1978, he joined USACE through its two-year Junior Engineer Training rotational program. His early assignment as a construction inspector on the New Melones Dam — completed while he was onsite — sparked a long-term commitment to complex dam and flood control projects. Upon completing his rotations, Ken landed in the District’s Levees and Channels Section, where he spent many years advancing urban flood protection work and gaining deep knowledge of the federal project development and delivery process.

After more than two decades of federal service, Ken transitioned to the private sector, where he continued to support USACE and its non-federal partners across California. Over the past 14 years with ArchTam, he has remained closely aligned with the USACE Sacramento District, working with regional flood agencies and joint power authorities to deliver major dam, levee and flood system improvements. In his current role, Ken helps guide ArchTam’s partnership with USACE and advance critical water infrastructure programs that protect communities and support long-term resilience.

Tell us about what inspired your career in dams.

I attribute my interest in dams and flood control to my dad during my childhood, even though he likely had no idea he was influencing my future career path. When I was growing up in the 60s, a large dam was being built on the Feather River, not far from the small agricultural town where I was raised. My dad used to take us up to the overlook where you could see the dam under construction. It seemed like we went there every single weekend, and I remember seeing it slowly rise and take shape, bit by bit.

That river had flooded the year I was born, in 1955, and the Oroville Dam eventually alleviated a lot of that threat. Before the dam was fully completed in 1970, there were still moments when high river stages created real concern. I remember one Christmas when I was about seven or eight, the Feather River was running so high it was almost up to a bridge crossing in town. Even though the Oroville Dam wasn’t fully functional yet, there was enough of the embankment built to help buffer that flood risk. Our family left home for a few days because of the threat, and when we returned, we discovered that my dad and grandfather had moved things up off the floor — including the big console TV — to try to floodproof the house. Looking back, I had no idea how much all of that was sinking in. When you are a kid, it is not a conscious thought that you are going to become a civil engineer because of dams and flood control projects. But looking back, I’m sure those experiences shaped me — even if I didn’t realize it at the time.

What is your favorite ArchTam project that you’ve worked on and why?

One of my favorite projects at ArchTam has been the Folsom Dam Raise. The goal is to raise the perimeter of the reservoir by six and a half feet. Folsom has the main concrete dam with the spillways and tainter gates, but then around the perimeter there are these low spots, including embankment wing dams, eight earthen saddle dams, and the mile-long Mormon Island Auxiliary Dam (MIAD). ArchTam was awarded the work on Dikes 7 and 8 and MIAD, and we have been working on this project for about seven years now.

At the project kickoff, USACE let us know they wanted Dike 8 completed on an accelerated schedule, and we worked closely with them to make that happen. As we continued with the designs for Dike 7 and MIAD, project priorities evolved, and we supported USACE through an alternatives analysis to determine the best approach moving forward. Originally everything was going to be a full earthen raise, but through that process the decision was made to go with parapet walls on top of several of the embankments instead. That meant reworking some of the designs, including Dike 7 from final design and MIAD from about 65 percent, but it was the right solution for the project.

Construction of the MIAD raise has just been completed, with Dike 7 construction planned to follow. It has been a complex, multi-year effort with changing needs and fast-track milestones, but it has been incredibly rewarding. Working side by side with USACE, adapting as the project developed, and helping move a major flood risk management project forward has made this one especially meaningful for me.

Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the communities in California.

A lot of the work I am most proud of has been in the Sacramento region and up through the Yuba City/Marysville area. These are places where communities were directly affected by flood risk, to the point where flood moratoriums were put in place. One example is the Natomas area, just north of downtown Sacramento. At one point, no new development was allowed, and it was very difficult for people to get flood insurance. Through the flood improvement work in Natomas, and in the Yuba River Basin as well, we were able to help demonstrate adequate progress to FEMA. There is a whole process behind that, but once the region met those requirements, the moratorium was lifted and you could start to see infill development return.

This flood protection development made a real difference for people living there. I live in a floodplain myself, and because of the work that local flood agencies have done in partnership with USACE, I believe the risk of flooding has been reduced. I still carry flood insurance, but at a much more affordable, preferred risk rate. Without these improvements, my insurance bill would be sky high. Knowing that our work has helped lower that burden for entire communities — and reduced their flood risk at the same time — is something I feel really good about.

Share a piece of career advice.

My advice is to make sure you become technically proficient in your field. A strong technical foundation really does carry you through your career. When I first started doing design work, I was drawing on mylar with a T-square and calculating quantities with a planimeter. Now technology is completely different, from digital design tools to modern surveying equipment, and it continues to evolve. It has been remarkable to see how much things have changed and how much more precise the work has become. Building solid technical skills early on will help you adapt to those changes and set you up for long-term success.

The post People Spotlight: Meet Ken Myers appeared first on Blog.

Next week, I’ll be joining industry leaders and trusted colleagues from Type One Energy and Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) on stage at FusionX Global in Munich for a dynamic conversation about “partnerships in fusion.”

As someone who’s spent their career at the intersection of energy innovation and delivery, I know that the path from first-of-a-kind (FOAK) pilot to real-world deployment is never straightforward. It’s a journey that demands technical excellence, trust, transparency, and a willingness to learn, grow and collaborate with others on our collective path to a resilient energy future.

The power of partnerships

No single organization can take on the monumental task of delivering power at the scale, speed or certainty that our current and future energy needs demand. At ArchTam, we’ve learned that our greatest impact comes when we act as an integrator: bringing together manufacturers, distributors, regulators and communities to orchestrate the complex dance of delivering clean energy to those who need it most. Our goal is to interconnect all the moving pieces into one harmonized system, helping all our clients turn promising pilots into scalable, profitable programs.

At FusionX, I’ll be sharing the stage with Charlie Baynes-Reid, general counsel and CFO of Type One Energy, Tony Williams, vice president for the Sequoya Nuclear Plant at TVA, and moderator Amy Roma, partner and nuclear energy specialist at Hogan Lovells. Together, we’ll explore what it really takes to accelerate fusion’s path to commercialization. We’ll explore how wide-scale adoption is about more than adopting new technologies and building resilient infrastructure. It’s about strengthening frameworks for partnership that shorten timelines, reduce risk, and give investors and communities the confidence to believe in fusion’s promise.

Scaling from pilots to programs

I’m especially excited to talk about our work with Type One Energy and TVA on the Infinity Two fusion stellarator project — an auspicious collaboration that’s already demonstrating how utilities, innovators and integrators can move faster by working together. Pending continued development and regulatory approvals, the preliminary design of this fusion power plant has the potential to supply TVA with reliable, carbon-free power. We’ll discuss lessons learned and why speed-to-permit is the new currency in energy infrastructure.

As preliminary design engineering partners, out role is to translate fusion ambition into practical, site-ready infrastructure. Our teams guide clients through regulatory mazes, align diverse stakeholders and sustain project momentum even when conditions are challenging.

Building the pathway to the future of fusion energy

Our specialists bring deep engineering expertise and work side-by-side with innovators like Type One Energy and TVA to:

• Translate early-stage fusion concepts into actionable engineering plans. We help take the Infinity Two fusion power plant from theoretical design to site-ready specifications, ensuring every technical requirement is mapped to real-world constraints.
• Lead site selection and environmental assessments. Our engineers and scientists evaluate potential locations, model environmental impacts and develop permitting strategies that anticipate regulatory hurdles — supporting a clear path through the approval process. 
• Integrate complex systems. Fusion projects require seamless coordination of civil, mechanical, electrical and control systems. We manage the interfaces between disciplines, aligning power, controls and safety systems into a coherent, unified design.
• Develop project controls and risk management frameworks. We implement digital project management tools, schedule controls and risk registers that keep delivery on track and transparent for all partners.
• Support first-of-a-kind (FOAK) licensing and compliance. Our regulatory specialists work with clients and authorities to prepare safety cases, licensing submissions and compliance documentation, helping de-risk the path from pilot to commercial operation.

We have made tremendous strides with our partners on our path towards turning fusion’s promise into practical, scalable energy. Follow along with us on our journey as we continue to bridge the gap between innovation and implementation and deliver a better, more resilient world.

If you’re attending FusionX in Munich, I hope you’ll join our session and connect with me afterward. Let’s keep pushing the boundaries, together.

The post From pilots to programs: Shaping the future of nuclear fusion partnerships at FusionX, Munich appeared first on Blog.

Vinoth Manoharan has 19 years of experience in water and wastewater infrastructure, including 12 years leading major initiatives from our Houston office. He specializes in the planning, design and delivery of complex water and wastewater treatment plants and pump stations across Texas, with a strong track record of managing multi-disciplinary teams and navigating regulatory and funding challenges. Vinoth also leads our water and wastewater treatment team in Houston, partnering with offices across the country to deliver resilient, community-centered solutions.

Tell us about what inspired you to join the industry.

Growing up and seeing the effects of untreated water on public health and safety motivated me to become a water and wastewater engineer. I carried that motivation into my education, earning a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and then a master’s degree in environmental engineering, where I focused specifically on water and wastewater treatment. That path shaped my entire career and continues to drive my commitment to preserving water resources for all.

What is your favorite ArchTam project that you’ve worked on and why?

My favorite project is the 360-million-gallon-per-day (MGD) City of Houston East Water Purification Plant. It was the first project I was assigned to when I joined ArchTam and I’ve been involved in various aspects of its design and improvements ever since.

The project began with a Sustainability Evaluation Study to assess and recommend strategies for long-term plant sustainability. Over more than a decade, it has evolved into a series of impactful improvements that have strengthened the facility and its operations. Throughout this time, I have built strong relationships with the operations and maintenance staff, and the engineering team — everyone who keeps it running. Being responsive and accountable to the client has been key, and it’s rewarding to know that our work is helping Houstonians access safe, clean drinking water.

When Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, our team’s foresight and preparation ensured the East Water Purification Plant stayed operational, keeping safe water flowing to millions despite record-breaking rainfall. Planning ahead for vulnerabilities and implementing critical improvements made all the difference. Most recently, we completed a condition assessment of the plant facilities and developed a facility master plan to address deficiencies and create a blueprint for future capacity expansion. A recommendation was made to decommission Plants 1 and 2 to make way for a more resilient treatment facility. This recommendation will provide long-term reliability and redundancy with a focus on producing clean and safe drinking water sustainably.

Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community.

I’m working on three different projects for the City of Port Lavaca, a historically underserved community. One of the key initiatives involves expanding their wastewater treatment plant, significantly improving infrastructure to support future growth and environmental resilience. The challenge was that they didn’t have the financial capability to fund the expansion.

We explored different grant options, but they didn’t qualify for any at the time. After extensive research into alternatives, we were able to secure a loan for them through the Texas Water Development Board. We applied on their behalf and successfully obtained funding, which will reduce impact and help the city and its residents move forward.

It felt rewarding to be involved from the very beginning, helping build the project all the way through and truly making a difference for the community.

Share a piece of career advice.

Starting your engineering career strong is essential. Early on, focus on earning the trust of senior colleagues and clients by consistently showing initiative and accountability. Demonstrating a willingness to take ownership not only builds credibility — it sets the foundation for long-term career growth.

The post People Spotlight: Meet Vinoth Manoharan appeared first on Blog.

Nik Carlson is a principal economist based in Oakland, California with several decades of experience performing economic and financial analyses for a wide range of water, wastewater, renewable energy, transportation and natural resource infrastructure projects across the United States. Nik routinely supports project planning for our clients’ large infrastructure projects. His analysis of economic benefits provides the basis for better decision making, including the evaluation of project alternatives and justification to secure project funding. His expertise in feasibility, benefit-cost, environmental justice and impact analysis help achieve more beneficial, equitable and sustainable long-term project outcomes. Nik’s experience has ranged from supporting multi-billion water/wastewater programs, public-private concession evaluations for the National Park Service, providing grant funding assistance to cities and successful water-right litigation settlements for small tribal governments in rural Montana and Oklahoma. As a certified ENVISION Sustainability Professional, Nik led the sustainability analysis and application that contributed to the US 101 Managed Lanes project receiving a Silver award from the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure.

Tell us about what inspired you to join the industry.

During my gap year before university, I worked for a grassroots environmental group in Massachusetts as a community organizer and door-to-door fundraiser. Our leading issue was advocating and organizing for the clean-up of groundwater pollution from a neighboring military base. I saw firsthand both the environmental effects and the bureaucratic challenges in addressing complex and sensitive issues. But more importantly, working with local residents and public officials showed me the vital and effective role that informed public engagement, stakeholder commitment and collaboration can contribute to achieving effective environmental solutions. This formative experience encouraged me to earn a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government where I gained the analytical skills and tools I needed for a career as an environmental economics practitioner.

What is your favorite ArchTam project that you’ve worked on and why?

Over the last 14 years, I have been involved in planning and development of Sites Reservoir in Northern California. Once completed, it will be California’s largest new reservoir project in over 50 years and will provide off-stream storage of up to 1.5 million acre-feet of water — enough to serve 7.5 million people. The project is an ambitious and expensive collaboration between the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the State of California, and more than 20 regional water agencies. It has been an interesting, challenging and personally rewarding experience supporting the project’s evolution from initial conceptual alternatives to its forthcoming project delivery during a period of shifting political contexts, regulatory requirements and evolving future water demand and availability projections.

As a complex and multi-benefit water project, there is a multitude of interrelated resource and operational issues. Determining the project’s lifecycle costs and benefits has been an important component of the work. My work also included the analysis to identify the most beneficial approach to water management for urban water demand, agricultural, ecosystem, recreation, flood protection, water quality, emergency supply and hydropower generation. My analysis has supported the evaluation and selection of project alternatives, justified over US$1 billion in federal and state funding, and assisted sensitive negotiations between agency partners to secure public benefits. As a result, this project has greatly expanded both my understanding and ability to perform comprehensive and rigorous economic feasibility evaluations.   

One of the most rewarding achievements was helping the Sites Authority apply and advocate for state funding. This effort required intensive collaboration with the team’s hydrologists, engineers, cost estimators and environmental experts to quantify and document the reservoir’s expected long-term performance.

Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community

I recently helped the Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMVA) in Reno, Nevada win US$30 million in federal grant funding for its groundbreaking wastewater reuse project. This ambitious initiative will convey wastewater from the City of Reno to the City of Sparks for advanced treatment and groundwater replenishment to provide critical benefits to the entire watershed. The project not only increases dry-year water supplies for Sparks’s residents and businesses — it is also a forward-thinking solution that allows the neighboring City of Reno to avoid a costly expansion of its wastewater facility. The recycled wastewater supply is not only vital for supporting the City of Sparks’ future growth and economic development but also important for maintaining local agricultural use and protecting the Truckee River’s ecosystem. By addressing both water scarcity and infrastructure challenges, TVMA is taking a major step towards more sustainable watershed management that also ensures a more reliable and resilient future water supply and wastewater service for the region’s residents and businesses.

Share a piece of career advice.

My advice is to try daily to maintain a growth mindset as best you can. Try to stay curious, open and flexible to new ideas and opportunities. Embrace continuous learning, challenges and occasional mistakes. Actively collaborate and learn from your colleagues. A growth mindset approach will not only help your personal growth and make your professional life more rewarding but can also keep you more youthful and engaged in your day-to-day tasks and relationships. It can also enable you to better collaborate and contribute to innovative problem solving to improve the world around us.

The post People Spotlight: Meet Nik Carlson appeared first on Blog.

Jack Brunton is a chartered member of the Institution of Civil Engineers and the Institution of Structural Engineers, with over 16 years of experience within the industry. As Structural Sustainability Lead for ArchTam’s Buildings + Places Structures practice in the UK and Ireland, Jack is committed to embedding sustainability and resilience into our structural engineering service delivery.

Jack co-authored Eco.Zero Concept and Eco.Zero Measure, tools we use to reduce and monitor carbon in our designs. Eco.Zero Concept provides instant embodied carbon, design, material and cost data for varying building uses and structural frame typologies. Eco.Zero Measure assesses structural carbon in Revit models and has been mandated across the region, ensuring carbon monitoring and reporting across all projects with BIM models.

To drive cultural change across the practice, Jack has developed a comprehensive knowledge-sharing platform and launched systematic upskilling initiatives including monthly newsletters and standardized sustainability goals. His commitment to the field is underscored by his appointment to the IStructE Sustainability Panel.

Tell us about what inspired you to join the industry.

My path into structural engineering was shaped, in part, by family influence. My ancestor William Brunton was a Scottish engineer and inventor who became a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers in 1826, just a few years after its formation. He made significant contributions to steam navigation (Google “Stem Horse locomotive”!) and developed important innovations in metal manufacturing and mining machinery.

More directly, my uncle Michael Norton instilled in me the importance of the work done by engineers and their benefit to the community. Michael is a civil engineer who served as chair of the Institution of Civil Engineers water panel and received the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire recognition for his services to the water industry and international trade.

Engineering runs in the family, stretching back nearly two centuries, and seeing how engineers contribute meaningfully to society helped guide my career choice. Combined with my strong interest in maths and physics, a passion for painting during my school years, an aptitude for problem solving, and a love for beautiful buildings, these influences all guided me toward a career in structural engineering.

What is your favourite ArchTam project that you’ve worked on and why?

Queen Mary School of Business and Management stands out to me. This was my first opportunity to put the theory I’d learnt whilst developing Eco.Zero Concept into practice on a real project.

The project involves civil and structural engineering design for a new seven-storey campus building and high-tech teaching space in central London. I led ArchTam’s delivery of services on the project, and we previously developed the scheme to RIBA Stage 4 technical design in 2019. Unfortunately, the project was refused planning permission based on the loss of locally listed building. When we were reappointed in 2021, we saw this as an opportunity to significantly reduce the embodied carbon of the structure and use the previous design as a baseline against which reductions could be measured.

The pause in project activity coincided with the development of Eco.Zero, and we’d gained valuable insights from key industry publications such as IStructE’s How to Calculate Embodied Carbon and company net zero training. We set a baseline against the previous design, then used Eco.Zero Concept to undertake optioneering studies of different frame arrangements and typologies, systematically identifying opportunities to reduce material volumes and associated embodied carbon across the structural frame.

The site presented significant challenges including London Underground Central Line tunnels, Regent’s Canal boundary and substantial level changes. Despite these constraints, we were able to achieve significant carbon reductions. We collaborated with the architect and facade engineer to identify appropriate column grids, changed vibration mitigation measures to remove twin basement slabs and retaining walls, optimised structural serviceability criteria and foundation arrangements, and wrote product stage carbon targets for concrete and rebar into the material specifications.

At the end of RIBA Stage 2, our revised assessment identified an embodied carbon intensity of 274 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent per square meter, representing a 32 percent reduction against the baseline, equivalent to about 1,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent saved overall. Whilst I handed over control of this project when I moved into my new role, we have continued to monitor and reduce carbon into the latter stages.

The project is currently on site and due for completion in 2027.

Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community.

Before moving into my role as Structural Sustainability Lead, I worked in our Healthcare & Science team. Delivering that sort of work is exceptionally gratifying as the benefit to communities is so immediately tangible.

One such project, the Radcliffe Primary Care Building for Oxford University, stands out as a good example of how adaptive reuse can deliver both environmental and community benefits.

Completed in 2016, the project involved the extension and retrofit of a Grade II listed building to provide accommodation for the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences. We retained 80 percent of the original 1911 fabric and structure whilst adding a new basement, three-storey atrium and new mezzanine floors hung from the existing structure.

Whilst it is a stunning building, what makes this project particularly meaningful is understanding the work that happens inside.  The Nuffield Department is the UK’s largest academic centre for primary care, leading research that reimagines healthcare delivery in general practice and community settings. In the past five years alone, its work has shaped clinical guidelines across multiple areas. From identifying effective COVID-19 treatments in the community and improving NHS approaches to weight management, to enabling early detection of serious illness in children and refining diagnostic pathways for diabetes, heart failure and hypertension, the work has also advanced stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation and influenced national policy on smoking cessation.

By adapting and reusing this heritage building, we preserved an important piece of Oxford’s architectural history and minimised embodied carbon whilst creating a fit-for-purpose facility for researchers who are improving healthcare outcomes for millions of people. The project was shortlisted for the IStructE Awards 2016.

Share a piece of career advice.

Mark Twain said, “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” Whilst that might be a cliché, I believe that to get the most out of your career, it’s important to find something that invigorates you and to make the changes necessary to pursue it.

Don’t wait for the perfect role to be handed to you. If you see a gap or an opportunity to make a difference, pursue it. My transition into this position wasn’t via a predetermined path. I recognised a need within our practice, identified the requirement for a Structural Sustainability Lead role and wrote my own job description. I’m grateful that ArchTam supported my vision, created the role and gave me the responsibility to facilitate change in the practice. 

It still feels like work, but it’s work that I’m very glad to be doing.

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Leighton Wong manages the Comprehensive Long-Term Environmental Action Navy (CLEAN) contract for the Pacific Region. He holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree in environmental engineering science. With more than 45 years of experience in environmental restoration and engineering that includes senior leadership roles at Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Pacific, he has helped advance the United States Navy’s environmental mission. Following his retirement from NAVFAC Pacific, Leighton served as Senior Project Manager and Business Development Lead at CH2M, working with Navy, Army, Air Force, and federal agencies across the Pacific. At ArchTam, he brings a unique perspective shaped by having served as both a client and contractor.

Tell us about what inspired you to join the industry.

I originally joined the environmental industry because it was a growing field that interested me, with opportunities right out of school. I interned on a hazardous waste project in Waterloo, Iowa, and they could see the pending environmental regulations and had me help to start their program. That experience directly led to my next step: when I applied for a job with the Navy, they brought me on to work in hazardous waste just as regulations were coming into effect. I got in on the ground floor, and it was a great opportunity to make a real impact and improve the quality of life for everyone.

 I still remember my second day working with the Navy. I was asked to join two University of Hawaii researchers on a boat. As we entered the harbor, debris floated around us and the water smelled. It was a clear sign that work needed to be done.

Nearly 20 years later, I returned to that same harbor — this time with the Regional Commander, hosting a congressional staff member. As the boat moved, water splashed on my face. I looked down and saw something remarkable: clean water and fish swimming below. I even ate my lunch right there, despite the splashing. That moment stayed with me. It was truly full circle to witness how much progress had been made, as the Navy’s cleanup efforts had transformed the harbor and returned property for productive use by both the Navy and other organizations.

What is your favorite ArchTam project that you’ve worked on and why?

A project that stands out to me is one of my first after joining ArchTam, during the pandemic. We had teams sent to Guam for fieldwork, but there was a 14-day quarantine. That meant arriving, staying in a hotel, and not being able to leave. It was challenging, not just logistically, but for keeping projects moving. We pushed our teams to think differently, asking if some could remain longer on Guam to take care of follow-up work so we wouldn’t have to send new personnel and restart the quarantine. It was about keeping work going and minimizing costs for the client, and it took a lot of problem solving.

Eventually, I reached out to a contact from my Navy days to ask if exemptions to the quarantine were possible. While none had been granted to date, when we discussed the specific project, he told me, “That’s on my radar. It might be the most important project right now in the entire Pacific.” We solved the problem together and got the project done successfully. That experience taught me the value of thinking outside the box, solving problems creatively and building strong relationships.

What makes working on the Navy’s CLEAN program unique compared to other projects you’ve been part of?

I worked with the Navy’s CLEAN program for many years, and even after retiring from the Navy, I’m fortunate to continue that work now with ArchTam. It’s rewarding to keep contributing to a program that makes a real difference and to support the Navy’s mission of environmental stewardship. The Navy has always felt like part of my family, and being able to continue advancing their work is something I truly value.

The CLEAN program began around 1990, when Congress began funding all the services to investigate and clean up environmentally challenged sites. Prior to that date, there were no environmental laws like we have today. Now, we understand how contamination affects people, wildlife and the environment. The Navy is committed to meeting today’s environmental standards and properly managing hazardous waste. CLEAN funding allows us to return to those older, potentially contaminated sites, investigate them and clean them up, so they are safe for the environment and for the people who live and work there.

For me, CLEAN is about more than compliance. It is about leaving a lasting, positive legacy. We’re always learning about new emerging chemicals and constituents. The good news is that as technology evolves, we can deliver cleaner air and water to everyone. Every generation gets better at improving quality of life and providing safer water and air for all. I’m proud to have worked on it for decades and honored to keep contributing to it today through ArchTam.

Share a piece of career advice.

My advice is to embrace every opportunity. This work is fantastic because it allows you to contribute to something bigger — helping improve the standard of living for everyone in the world.

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A civil engineer with seven years of combined experience, Larry Wade previously worked for the Virginia Department of Transportation, where he focused on environmental design for transportation and infrastructure projects. That experience paved the way for his current role as a stream restoration designer on ArchTam’s team, where he continues to apply his expertise in environmental engineering.

Larry resides in Roanoke, Virginia with his wife and their dog. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, hiking, running and exploring the outdoors, activities that reflect his love for nature and adventure.

Tell us about what inspired you to join the industry.

Growing up, I was drawn to the outdoors and spent my free time outside, typically hiking, fishing, biking or running. At the same time, I loved STEM subjects like math, physics, chemistry and biology, and I dreamed of finding a career that could combine my passion for nature with my interest in science. That’s what led me to study environmental science and engineering in college, where I discovered how conservation and recreation could intersect with solving engineering problems.

Over the years, my career has evolved from focusing on environmental science to working on engineering and design projects. What keeps me inspired is seeing how infrastructure can create meaningful benefits for both communities and the environment, all while advancing sustainability goals.

What is your favorite ArchTam project that you’ve worked on and why?

My favorite project at ArchTam so far has been the College Lake Dam removal in Lynchburg, Virginia. The dam, classified as a high-hazard structure, posed a significant safety risk to the surrounding community. Its removal was necessary to eliminate the potential for dam failure and to restore the ecological integrity of Blackwater Creek.

Since construction began last January, I’ve been supporting construction oversight and administration for the City of Lynchburg. The project involves removing the dam, restoring more than 4,000 feet of stream and creating floodplain wetlands, all of which will deliver long-term safety, environmental and community benefits.

One of the most rewarding aspects of this project has been collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders. This includes the City, the contractor, our subcontractors, the neighboring university and technical teams across ArchTam, from dam engineers and construction specialists to environmental experts. Each group brought unique expertise that helped make this project a success.

Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community.

The College Lake Dam removal project is such a standout example of how a project can have a meaningful impact on a community. The project has significantly improved water quality in the river and eliminated the risk of dam failure. In addition, the restored river will provide a much higher aesthetic value and offer recreational opportunities in the future.

Beyond this project, many of our stream restoration efforts in the Mid-Atlantic, particularly within the Chesapeake Bay watershed, are driven by the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Program. These projects focus on reducing erosion by stabilizing streams, which improve watershed quality, but they also often enhance the aesthetics, and the recreational value for the communities they are located in. As civil engineers, we’re deeply committed to serving the public by improving infrastructure but it’s incredibly rewarding to work on stream restoration projects that frequently provide multiple other benefits to the public.

Share a piece of career advice.

My advice, both for life and career, is to make learning a lifelong commitment. A dedication to continual learning not only helps you build a career that is interesting, challenging and rewarding, but also enables you to create meaningful benefits for your community. Achieving this requires asking lots of questions, seeking out the right mentors, and always striving to educate yourself and grow through training and new experiences.

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