Insights

Varo and Salas O’Brien have more than 100 years of combined experience serving clients in a variety of markets, with each firm bringing strengths in new industries to the table. More than ever before, we almost certainly have specific expertise in the area that you need. Here’s a quick summary of what we can now do […]

Salas O’Brien is an excellent design partner for many reasons—not least of which is our diverse experience across a multitude of markets and industries. From highly technical critical environments to beautiful, extravagant interiors, our seasoned professionals have a proven track record of excellence that spans traditional divides. Our firm’s broad experience and versatility made us […]

For more than 40 years, Salas O’Brien has proven time and again that clients can expect a difference, from our organization-wide emphasis on quality to the individual passion, zeal, and focus of each teammate. Through the recent merger with Varo, this difference will be amplified. Before joining forces with Varo, long and careful consideration was […]

Salas O’Brien is committed to producing designs that are reliable, efficient, and cost-effective. When our clients come to the table with unique challenges and obstacles, we rise to the occasion and deliver excellent results. Our work with the County of San Bernardino is no exception. San Bernardino’s West Valley Detention Center is one of California’s […]

We have some exciting news to share with you: Salas O’Brien is expanding to Ohio! We have merged with Varo Engineers, creating a combined firm with 16 offices and 460 employee-owners. The merger was shared late last week with the Varo and Salas O’Brien teams. Because Salas O’Brien is a 100% ESOP company, owned by […]

In the northwest corner of the country, rough terrain and inclement weather keep residents on their toes. Washington’s Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management employees are in the business of predicting, preparing for, and responding to not only environmental disaster situations, but also accident, crime, or terror incidents. This planning for the unknown requires engineering […]

Whether it’s hosting the Silicon Valley Auto Show or legendary Stan Lee and Steve Wozniak’s latest conference merging pop culture and technology, the San Jose McEnery Convention Center is a stunning venue for community, business, or non-profit events in downtown San Jose—the “city center” of California’s technology hub, Silicon Valley. When the 372,754-square-foot convention center […]

As an employee-owned firm, Salas O’Brien has employee ownership at its core. But what does ownership mean here? We answer that question with Salas O’Brien’s “Ownership Values.” These values describe, under the headings of “Expect Leadership, Expect Results, Expect Relationships,” what it means to be an owner of Salas O’Brien. And though we’re not perfect, […]

With over 200 unique properties across the country and around the world, the Embassy Suites brand fills an upscale niche in Hilton Worldwide—one of the largest hospitality companies in the world. When Embassy decided to develop its next high-end hotel in one of downtown Louisville Kentucky’s historic landmark structures, they knew they needed a partner […]

Salas O’Brien would be nothing without its amazing team members, the relationships they keep with clients and each other, and the quality of the work they perform. Each year, we take an opportunity to honor exceptional team members for both their accomplishments and their commitment to our values of Leadership, Results, and Relationships. “The team […]

When lives are on the line, flawless reliability and efficiency aren’t luxury—they’re necessity. Salas O’Brien’s outstanding track record in healthcare, our commitment to excellence, and our passion for the community made us the ideal engineering partner to complete renovations in one of Southeast Texas’ premier neonatal intensive care units (NICU) at St. Elizabeth Hospital.

From its earliest days as an energy consulting firm, sustainability has been at the heart of Salas O’Brien. That’s why we were excited to partner with Plumrose USA to create a design that would dramatically increase efficiency at their new Iowa processing plant. Founded over 85 years ago as a sliced ham company, Plumrose USA […]

You’ll find welcoming streetscapes and walkways, public green space, and outdoor courtyards in Baton Rouge’s grandest mixed-use urban village: Perkins Rowe. This pedestrian-friendly environment blends shopping, dining, entertainment, office, residential, and grocery in a way that serves both local residents and visiting tourists. Salas O’Brien was the perfect choice for this large, complex project—one that […]

Salas O’Brien maintains a staunch commitment to client service and to adapting to the unique needs of each project. In the case of the De Anza Visual and Performing Arts Center (VPAC), this meant making special provisions in planning to ensure minimal impact to the beauty and acoustics of a facility that sits on an […]

Resort-style amenities, dramatic living spaces, breathtaking panoramic views: RiversEdge is a property that demands of its partners a deep expertise in multi-story luxury developments. Salas O’Brien was just such a partner, rich in the necessary resources and talent, and with a culture that values completing tasks with unparalleled thoroughness and exactitude. Minutes from Manhattan and […]