I Am AIA:

Dave Johnson

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I have been with Hoffman Construction for over 24 years, and building public projects in WA state for the last 17 years. I've had the opportunity to work on region-defining projects such as the Brightwater Treatment Plant, Seattle Central Library, and the expansion of Sound Transit's Link Light Rail. I'm active in regulatory and advocacy groups helping to improve the construction industry and am deeply involved in workforce development as a member of the King Co. Priority Hire Program Advisory Committee and the PACE Pre-Apprenticeship Advisory Board. I also sit on the board of Safebuild Alliance of WA.

What is the value of AIA to you?

AIA as given me a great connection to the design community, a venue to learn about industry best practices, and a place to meet new design partners and reconnect with existing ones. I also appreciate the advocacy for the AEC industry in our state and locally.

What relationships have you created?

The great part of this business is that it is a small, close-knit community. On every project that I have worked on, I have developed relationships with architects, engineers and owners that carry on to this day. People are always willing to share ideas and help solve problems.

What project are you working on now?

Right now, I’m currently working on a number of projects for Sound Transit’s Link Light Rail expansion, including the E130 East Link Extension, N140 U District Station, N150 Roosevelt Station, and L200 Lynnwood Extension. I’m also working on two new middle school replacements for Shoreline Public Schools and an integrated design-build project for the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business.

How do you explain what you do for a living?

I describe my job to my kids as a problem solver. Our job as builders is to take a design vision and turn it into reality, so that our owners and the public have a building that they love and can be proud of. To do that, we have to help fill in the blanks and connect the dots to collaboratively solve challenges and problems that come up in the process. The better we can anticipate, plan and get in front of these items, the more successful the project is.

Where is the field of architecture, engineering or construction headed?

We’re consistently seeing a move towards more collaborative delivery models, where we’re involved earlier in the design process. Especially with public projects, there is an increased pressure on schedule and budget. We need to do more with less, faster. We’re also delivering smarter buildings, utilizing more advanced construction processes that optimize BIM and prefabrication to make construction more efficient.

What do you hope to contribute from your work?

I hope to leave our city with buildings and structures that my kids and the public can enjoy for a lifetime. I also want to play a role in advocacy for our industry, contributing to a safer, more efficient and vibrant construction workplace.