Terracon tops out new Olathe headquarters

Terracon "topped out" the frame of its new headquarters at Ridgeview Avenue and College Boulevard on Tuesday, less than six months after the $21 million project was announced. Completion is set for March of 2018.

The new 65,000 square foot office building will accommodate about 200 existing employees and will emphasize collaborative spaces, including a new training conference center and expanded amenities. 

"Terracon's new headquarters reflects our continued growth strategy, as well as our commitment to remain part of the Olathe business community," said Terracon President Swaminathan Srinivasan. "Our goal is to inspire our employees while we focus on our future and serve our clients in new, innovative ways."

The new building is a business retention win for the City of Olathe and the State of Kansas; Terracon has been headquartered in Olathe for more than 10 years and sought several locations on both sides of the state line before deciding on new construction near its current location.

ME Group launches consulting division

Pete Jefferson

M.E. Group has started a new division within the firm that will help its clients drive innovation and create solutions to building challenges. Called Forte Building Science, the division will provide the firm’s building physics, commissioning, occupant experience, and certification services.

Led by local team members and long-time principals and owners Nate Maniktala and Pete Jefferson, the group consists of a diversity of expertise, including architects, professional engineers, social scientists, TAB and controls professionals and sustainability consultants. Together, they hope to overcome challenges related to energy performance, health and wellness, resiliency, and sustainability.

“Building science is an evidence-based approach to understanding the physical behavior of the building as a system,” Jefferson said. “We work side by side with project teams to use this understanding to inform decision-making throughout conceptual design, construction or occupancy. We believe that implementing a scientific approach brings greater certainty and therefore greater sustainability.”

Nate Maniktala

Forte Building Science has already landed a handful of clients including HKS, Perkins Eastman, Kansas State University, Prologis, University of Nebraska, and CHI Health.

“At Forte Building Science, our goal is to make delivering innovative buildings easier for designers, builders and owners,” Maniktala said. “Whether by facilitating design with our analysis, preventing building failures through commissioning, or validating goals with industry certifications. We are able to leverage our unique skills to help our clients achieve the results they seek with greater ease.”

For more information on the new division, click here.