TEAC Structural Engineering
Integrity Extends Beyond their Structures
By Deborah Teramis Christian
For Perry and Allison Tabor of TEAC Structural Engineering, value begins for the client even before the project is off the drawing boards.
"We start with a client bio," notes Allison, describing a profile that details assembly preferences, lines of communication and other technical details specific to how a given client likes to work. This tool enables TEAC to tailor their recommendations to a client's specific needs and preferences. From there, ongoing design-team dialogue is the order of the day. Unlike many engineering firms who become involved in the project only after the architectural phase is complete, TEAC provides predesign consulting, so that engineers can collaborate with architects on best solutions for particular challenges faced by the project.
An increasing trend is for many residential developers to request "double engineering designs:" one in traditional wood and another in light-gauge steel (LGS). This way, clients can evaluate which design may be most desirable for their project.
TEAC is uniquely qualified through their extensive experience with both types of residential assembly options as represented by an attached housing project designed in LGS for Ryland Homes, and a traditional wood assembly community for William Lyon Homes.
(Photo by Mark W. Tabor)
"There are certain cost-savings that can be brought into a project just by preliminarily looking at the drawings and having dialogue," notes Perry. This collaborative approach is central to TEAC's style of consulting on structural engineering. "It is essential that we are partnering up with the other experts," he says, for ultimately, "we are part of the design team, not just riding on the coattails of the project."
Allison S. Tabor and Paris (Perry) A. Tabor make an excellent team, in which Allison focuses on all business-related aspects of their company, and Perry is the technical leader and mentor. Together, they share and implement a common vision, work in their independent roles, and come together to form a successful and admirable duo, respected by many in their industry. (Photo by Chi Fang)
TEAC Structural Engineering has played a collaborative role with numerous architectural design and construction teams since 1987. This Bay Area company with a staff of 18 specializes in residential development; primarily new design for production housing, high-end custom homes and light commercial properties. Providing consulting services for about 2,000 units a year, they are registered in California, Colorado, Arizona, Utah and Nevada. They also do seismic risk assessment studies along the West Coast and have registrations pending in Oregon and Washington. This is the culmination of a life-long passion for Perry, who started work in the construction trade as a young teen, continuing while earning his structural engineering degree from Oregon State University, and the subsequent founding of Tabor Engineering Architectural Consultants (TEAC). To TEAC, then a one-person company, Allison brought her business management experience to the table, and between them, they have put together a fully staffed structural engineering firm that gives balanced attention to both the technical and business sides of consulting services.
Project Manager Tom Desmond, Ph.D., P.E., who has more than 25 years of structural engineering and seismic experience, and Perry Tabor, president, share their ideas and feedback, while an extremely bright project engineer, Chia-Wang Yeh, MS, P.E., discusses his proposed project design. TEAC's engineers regularly collaborate on their project designs to bring value engineering to their clients. (Photo by Chi Fang)
The partners' management approach includes special attention to infrastructure and depth of engineering resources. An independent staffer is dedicated to reviewing completed project plans, bringing a fresh eye to the work and significantly reducing later plan review comments and clarification needed in the field. A key technical resource for in-house use is an extensive detail library that considerably reduces design and development time. Catalogued by product type and location (such as wood assembly-foundation, podium-floor framing, tilt-up-roof framing etc.) the detail library ensures that TEAC's engineers don't have to "reinvent the wheel" for each new project. It's an innovation that results in faster, more cost-effective work. Engineers learn from peers with complementary skill sets, and are intentionally assigned challenging work intended to hone and expand particular design skills. Staff training and mentor- ship is ongoing, the company pays for continuing education in technical specialties. Many firms are reluctant to put money into these areas, which are traditionally viewed as expensive resource-sinks rather than productive billable hours. TEAC, however, considers this an investment which builds in economy for the client, and ensures better quality service and product that pays for itself in the long run.
Ronaldo Guimares, a former architect, uses his experience and unique perspective by assisting TEAC in his role as their Drafting Department manager and quality control liaison. Here, he is updating TEAC's extensive library of details, a key technical resource for in-house use that considerably reduces design and development time. Their library is catalogued by product type and location (such as wood assembly-foundation, podium-floor framing, tilt-up- roof framing, etc.). The detail library ensures that TEAC's engineers don't have to "reinvent the wheel" for each new project. (Photo by Chi Fang)
This concern for value is reflected in the company's motto: "Where Integrity Extends Beyond Our Structures." The Tabors insist that both their company and their client are mutually clear on precisely what is expected on a project, and what will be delivered. "We always do our best to take the most economical approach that does not compromise the structure," notes Allison.
Allison Tabor (far left), as the current Women's Council vice chairman and program chair for the HBANC (Home Builder's Association of Northern California), was very involved with the recent Spring Basket Charity event, which benefited many women and children of local HomeAid-selected shelters. In a predominately male industry, TEAC boasts several female engineers and support staff who were enthusiastic participants as well. Starting from her left are: Thanh-ThuyTran, Denise Liu, Cheryl Gentry, Zahra Fattah, Ruth Cranston and Suzanne Moreno. (Photo by Chi Fang)
This high standard of professionalism is reflected in the Tabors' professional lives, where they are active participants in industry associations and take leadership roles in creating positive change in the building trade. Allison is current vice chair of the Women's Council of the HBANC (Home Builder's Association of Northern California), recent recipient of the President's Award for outstanding contribution to the council, and client-nominated finalist for Service Provider Award for the G.R.E.A.T.S. (Grand Recognition of Exemplary Achievement in Teamwork and Service). Perry is president of the California chapter of the Light Gauge Steel Engineers Association (LGSEA), member and past chair of the Associates Membership Committee of the HBANC and has been leading the newly created local chapter of the HBANC Multifamily Committee, working proactively to facilitate multifamily housing initiatives: change insurance liability regulations, prevailing wage and building code issues.
Production housing in wood assembly and steel are very familiar projects to TEAC. They have assisted many production builders throughout the western states, including Lennar, Standard Pacific, Ryland, William Lyon, Warmington, Ponderosa, Richmond American, Delco and many others. (Photo by Mark W. Tabor)
Castlewood Country Club Building project located in Pleasanton. In addition to providing structural engineering for residential housing projects within many communities, they are often enlisted to assist with the neighboring recreation buildings for their communities in the western states, including Nevada, where they proudly assisted Dahlin Group Architects in engineering their Del Webb Sun City Recreation Facility in Summerlin. (Photo by Mark W. Tabor)
In addition to their contributions to the professional community, they've encouraged company-wide participation in a variety of building industry charities, including Habitat for Humanity, Christmas in April, HBA Hunger & Homelessness Food & Gift Drive and Spring Basket Charity event, benefiting many women and children of the HomeAid- selected Shelters. They also regularly donate to charitable organizations and have been Adopt-A-Highway volunteers for more than 10 years, helping to keep a two-mile section of 680-N clean.
Low-rise hospitality structures in wood and LGS are some of the various light commercial projects that TEAC enjoys being involved with. (Photo by Mark W. Tabor)
Retail buildings, such as this bank in Danville, and various strip centers are also typical light-commercial projects for TEAC. (Photo by Mark W. Tabor)
As the industry grows, so does this consulting firm. The Tabors have plans for controlled expansion in the future. They are considering adding staff and perhaps expanding into some additional geographical markets in the coming years. "We're open to possibilities," says Perry, "but growth has to be managed carefully, so it's not to the detriment of our clients." TEAC intends to maintain the high quality of service, value and integrity their clients have come to expect of them.
Retail buildings, such as this bank in Danville, and various strip centers are also typical light-commercial projects for TEAC. Retrofit project: Unreinforced hollow clay masonry building in Walnut Creek, in which innovative engineering saved the owner tens of thousands of dollars in construction by collaborating during the architectural design and "thinking outside of the box" in the structural design approach. (Photo by Mark W. Tabor)
This particular project located in Alamo, CA, was a Golden Nugget Award Finalist, and is representative of the thousands of custom homes ranging from 3,000 square feet to more than 14,000 square feet that TEAC has designed since 1987. (Photo by Mark W. Tabor)
May 2005 Builder Architect Edition Issue