Bio:

The great designer, Graduating from the University of Nebraska with a Master of Architecture in 2011 and a desire for a deeper understanding of how buildings behave, Alexa extended her education for a degree in Civil Engineering while also serving as a structural team member within Olsson. As a dual professional, Alexa brings to the table a comprehensive understanding of the architectural and engineering ideologies in order to bridge the gap in collaboration and unite the skeletal structure with its skin.

​

How did you first learn about architecture and when did you decide that built environment profession was an area of interest for you?

My father opened my eyes to the effect the built environment can have with subtle shifts in detail through antiques and beveled glass windows. I would dance in the rainbows coming in on the floor as we talked about the craft put into creating them.

 

What do you do?

Like all in this profession, I collaborate, iterate, analyze, assess, resolve and document; I serve as a structural engineer for architectural clients and focus mostly on PreK-12 Educational, Post-Secondary, Community and Commercial Facilities.

​

What excites you in the work you do?

My team. It is a great honor to work alongside a group of individuals who are incredible at what they do and who challenge me to think differently when I need perspective. With them, I develop a deeper understanding of our profession daily.

 

Who or what inspires you professionally?

My family continually inspire me to have the fortitude to give it everything I have every day. I love to work on libraries and schools out of an emotional connection to the environment, empowerment, and safety I want my own children to experience.

​

What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?

This one is tough for us perfectionists always seeing in hindsight how we could have done it better. I am proud that I chose to dip into a creative profession which challenges me and will continue to challenge me throughout the length of my career.

​

Featured Project Name: 

Crete Public Library (Partner with BVH Architects)

 

Featured Project Location: 

Crete, NE

 

Featured Project Completion Date: 

Spring 2020

​

Role in Featured Project: 

Lead Structural Engineer

 

Featured Project Description:

In 2017, the City of Crete aspired to bring a deeper sense of unity and belonging into their community by creating a third-space for families and residents to gather. The overall architectural intent was to create a canopy of safety to foster learning and creativity. The structure is embedded into the landscape to integrate outdoor education and recreation into the complex grades of the site and provide a FEMA rated storm shelter for residents to seek refuge in the event of natural disasters.

​

Photography Credit:

Dana Damewood Photography

 

Featured Project Name: 

Olsson Headquarters South Expansion (Oscar 2.0)

 

Featured Project Location: 

Lincoln, Nebraska

 

Featured Project Completion Date: 

Fall 2020

​

Role in Featured Project: 

Structural Engineer

 

Featured Project Description:

In 2018, Olsson and SHA broke ground for a $19 million, four-story office building directly south
of our existing headquarters. The unique challenge in the structural design of this building was the torsional tendency in behavior induced from the overall geometry of the architecture, the desire to tie in two sky bridges into adjacent structures not designed for the additional load and attachment, and the addition of a multi-seasonal enclosure on the roof garden of the existing headquarters.

​

Photography Credit:

Olsson / Sinclair Hille Architects

​