Forward-Thinking Mechanical Engineering Solutions for Every Industry
Mechanical engineering is at the heart of VBFA’s past and present. With a focus on cost-consciousness, innovation, and reliability, our team provides cutting-edge concepts — for leading brands across the country — that come to life through powerful mechanical solutions.
Utah Mechanical Engineering Firm
Purpose-Driven Mechanical Engineering Solutions, Since 1972
We first started as a mechanical engineering firm more than 50 years ago. While much has changed, our focus on developing innovative mechanical system solutions has not. The critical systems that power your facility, whether it’s a comprehensive HVAC system, specialized medical gas system for a hospital, or air quality control for a laboratory, are unique challenges our engineers excel in solving. As one of Utah’s largest and most accomplished mechanical engineering teams, VBFA’s licensed engineers guarantee purpose-driven mechanical solutions that deliver efficiency and lasting performance for your next project.
Read on to learn more about the many solutions our team offers within the discipline of mechanical engineering.
What Makes VBFA an Industry Leader in Mechanical Engineering
Architectural firms and owners turn to VBFA’s extensive mechanical engineering team to help create the critical infrastructure of cutting-edge facilities on time and on budget. Here’s why VBFA’s legacy continues to position us as a leader in our field:
Extensive Service Area
Licensed across the United States and in several international regions, our expertise goes wherever your project takes us.
Innovation
Our commitment to innovation runs deep. HVAC Solution, a system building software for HVAC design, was first developed in-house here at VBFA. Many of our engineers learn custom development skills to further enhance and customize our modeling software, helping us push what’s possible with the leading industry tools.
Collaborative Approach
When partnering with architecture and construction firms, we lead with curiosity, asking questions to better understand the design and purpose of the project. We then apply that same open line of communication to our internal process. Not only does it help us explore and test all possibilities in order to achieve the best solution, but it allows us to maintain the highest level of quality control across our own team as the project progresses.
Commitment to Excellence
The majority of engineers at VBFA have their Professional Engineer (PE) license — a time-intensive process that requires on-the-job training requirements, formal testing, and ongoing competency assessments. Our commitment to ensuring excellence in our industry ultimately benefits our clients with superior work and a guarantee of the latest best practices.
Energy Efficiency
As our clients become increasingly invested in incorporating highly efficient systems into their projects, so have we. Our engineers understand that designing energy-efficient buildings can not only help reduce operational costs for building owners but also contribute to a healthier environment. We strive to incorporate the latest technologies and techniques into our designs to maximize efficiency and positive impact.
Proven Experience
Our firm has built a portfolio of mechanical engineering work for more than 50 years. In addition, our team includes senior engineers and project managers who hold decades of experience. If proven experience is critical to your project, VBFA’s track record is hard to beat.
VBFA’s Utah-based mechanical engineering team has worked in nearly every state in the USA. And, because of our international work, we also carry licensure in several other countries. No matter where your project takes you, we make sure the necessary codes and regulations in your area are being met or exceeded.
Arizona
California
Colorado
Georgia
Idaho
Kansas
Kentucky
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
North Dakota
Ohio
South Carolina
Utah
Wyoming
“We appreciate being on the forefront of engineering, where we push our limits and explore design possibilities for mechanical systems in order to build a better tomorrow.”
– Don Bradshaw, Principal/CIO
Mechanical Engineering Projects
Explore some recent projects from our mechanical engineering portfolio.
Hyatt Regency Hotel
View Project –
Hale Center Theatre
View Project –
Alta View Hospital
View Project –
Snowbird Power Systems
View Project –
Sustainability
How We Achieve Sustainable Engineering Solutions
Because we call one of the country’s most beautiful and environmentally diverse states “home,” we value projects where we can develop sustainable solutions. Through a variety of applications, we contribute to advancements in engineering technology that are critical to building a greener, brighter future in Utah and the world. Our firm is committed to matching our clients’ passion for sustainability — whether it’s increasing the social and economic impact of a project or minimizing its long-term environmental impact. Project by project, the forward-thinking engineers at VBFA are building a brighter future while leading the way for others to do the same.
Mechanical Engineering Services
Our mechanical engineers meet every design challenge with thoughtful expertise and innovative solutions. We handle even the most complex systems, including:
HVAC (including packaged rooftops, indoor air handlers, (CV) VAV)
Medical Gas
Central Plants
Plumbing
Sanitary Systems
Clean Rooms
Water Systems
Steam Systems
Value Engineering
Energy Modeling
Air Quality
Storm Drainage and Automatic Temperature Control
Energy Systems
Positive displacement air systems
Cogeneration systems
Passive and active solar designs
3-stage evaporative cooling systems
Ground-source heat pump systems/geothermal
Energy conservation systems
Ammonia refrigeration systems
About VBFA
Engineering Excellence for More Than 50 Years
Our years of experience and proven track record are invaluable when it comes to the success of your project — especially when your facility involves alternative solutions that require specialized engineering expertise.
VBFA’s ongoing commitment to progress and professionalism is what allows our team to step up and deliver impressive and unconventional projects other firms can’t. Thanks to the creativity and courage of our newest generation of engineering professionals, we are sustaining the hard-earned VBFA reputation as a prominent industry leader.
Exceeding Your Expectations is What We Love to Do
Lewis (Wong) can easily communicate to clients and is very knowledgeable about electrical engineering. He is always willing to brainstorm creative ways to meet budgets and schedules on projects. He is considerate of the client’s budget and works hard to make the project successful.
– Stacy Hamm, UVU
The creation of a healing environment excels when there is an integrated team to push boundaries and challenge everyone to strive to do better. Since 2000 I have had the pleasure of collaborating with Jeff on nearly a dozen such healing environments in Utah. Jeff has proven to be an instrumental leader and collaborator in the creation of environments that reflect the community in which they serve and stand the test of time.
– Todd Tierney, HDR
For many years VBFA has been a vital part of Intermountain Healthcare’s design team. Their rich experience combined with an expert’s eye for engineering detail have helped deliver state-of-the-art healthcare facilities in the communities we serve throughout Utah. When challenges arise, as they inevitably do in large and complex projects, VBFA has been instrumental in helping us find and resolve the causes.
– John Ellis, Intermountain Health
VBFA was chosen for the job because of their reputation for excellent service and quality work. Throughout the project, from concept through construction documents and final punch, I was quite satisfied with our decision to work with VBFA.
– Florence Hawkinson
I appreciate the engineering skills of Jeff Watkins and David Baranowski and their VBFA teams and their ability to provide constant and timely input to the design and construction team. Precision engineering expertise and systems were both critical to the success of our project and the team delivered.
– Russ L. Bachmeier, AIA
One of the most remarkable features in the building (Syracuse High School) is the geothermal heating and cooling systems. This is one of the largest projects that has used the thermal mass of the earth to heat and cool the building. This is a very efficient system that results in significant energy savings.
– Dennis Forbush, Hogan and Associates
VBFA was a very important team member, of a very successful design of one of the most uniquely designed theatres in the world…They helped to provide a constant “actor” in every play, which is the building and its systems that in so many ways participate in every production.
– Lyle Beecher, AIA
VBFA provided insightful, practical, creative, and responsible design to each of their disciplines from concept phases through construction documents, always in support of our architectural design objectives.
– Stephen Dayton
I personally appreciate VBFA’s expertise and teamwork. For twenty-five years this team has been my first choice mechanical consultant, and they have continued to push the envelope of what is possible in mechanical systems design.
– Jeanne Jackson, VCBO Architecture
Jeff (Watkins) has always been a very technically sound and trained engineer and has been an amazing partner in helping us solve some very complicated projects and situations. His attention to detail and knowledge of our buildings and their systems is crucial to the success of treating thousands of patients safely and effectively.
– Jerry North, U Health
Jake (Beck) demonstrates skill levels in engineering, problem solving, and interpersonal relationships generally evident in engineers with many more years’ experience. We recently worked together on two Net Zero Energy fire stations for Salt Lake City. These award-winning fire stations are the first two Net Zero Energy fire stations in the United States, and we are proud of that accomplishment and thankful for Jake’s role in our success.
– Brian Backe, AIA
Jared (Smith) is an integral and invaluable component of the design/construction team. His ability to visualize and address complex mechanical issues/assessments/solutions in an expeditious manner has proven his capabilities beyond his years.
– Gary Lukaszewski, HDR
Scot (Muir) is knowledgeable, efficient, and trustworthy in his design and management of his mechanical engineering team. He has always met timeline schedules, been respectful of budget constraints while providing innovative mechanical designs and is an eager participant during value engineering or problem solving if needed.
– Mike Vela, AIA
Energy costs are monitored very closely by the Davis School District. Money saved in energy costs goes directly back into the classroom. At the same time, school buildings must be comfortable for student learning to be at its peak. Wade Bennion has been very successful balancing between comfort and energy efficiency. He is an integral team member with the District. Due to Wade’s leadership, the District regularly uses, with great success, several innovative HVAC systems such as, ground source heat pumps, thermal air displacement, and indirect evaporative cooling in many buildings.
– Bryan Turner, FAIA
VBFCx took their responsibility as Owner’s Representative to heart. We were kept in the loop through the whole process and their persistent communication with the entire team is key to the success of the project today.
– Weston Weeks, Davis School District
You can and should choose a commissioning team based on evidence of performance, and I whole-heartedly recommend VBFCx. I’ve had the good fortune to work with them on projects with significant size, scope, and complexity, projects like Adobe Phase II and the Rehabilitation Hospital at the University of Utah, and their constant and proactive presence contributes to our success.
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