1. Single-Point Accountability
Using the design-build model, Ausland manages both design and construction under one roof with our own staff. This eliminates inefficiencies, streamlines communication, and ensures clear accountability—so there’s no finger-pointing, just results.

2. Budget & Scope Alignment from Day One
Ausland integrates cost analysis into the design process, ensuring projects stay within budget without last-minute cuts or surprises. We take full ownership of cost control from concept to completion.

3. Built-In Flexibility for Expanding Scope
For projects with phased funding, Ausland incorporates well-defined design alternates, allowing additional features to be seamlessly integrated as funding allows—without delaying the core project.

4. Early & Proactive Permitting
Our team engages regulators from the outset, treating them as partners to navigate approvals efficiently. We anticipate and resolve potential hurdles before they become roadblocks.

5. Phased Permitting for Faster Starts
We break the permitting process into strategic phases, such as securing “foundation-only” approvals early. This allows construction to begin while final design details are completed, significantly reducing overall timelines.

6. Real Schedule Management
A fast-tracked project demands more than a rough timeline—it requires a critical path schedule with defined milestones. Ausland delivers precise planning and proactive execution to ensure every deadline is met.

Fast-tracking a project demands expertise, clear planning, and proactive execution, best delivered through a fully integrated team.  With the right team, your goals can be achieved quickly and more efficiently. Don’t compromise on your vision, engage the right team.

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The challenge was clear: how to transform basic office space in a historic building into an exciting, modern, functional academic space – in less than a year, while meeting the University’s budgetary and quality goals.

Ausland Group was engaged for the design-build remodel of the Vick Building. To meet the ambitious timeline, Ausland accelerated programming (determining what goes where), design, and regulatory approvals. This enabled construction to commence within just five months. By serving as a single point of contact, Ausland ensured streamlined communication between the entire team and efficient decision-making. Regular constructability and value engineering reviews throughout the design phase allowed for flexibility and creativity of the design while keeping the project schedule and budget on track.

Completed in time for the fall term, the remodeled space utilizes the tall ceilings and open floor spans to its advantage. The sensory lab includes an array of apparatuses hanging from the ceiling.  The remodel also provides modern technology for a fast paced and changing educational landscape, boasting two digital cadaver tables and an OT lab that provides the ideal environment for hands-on learning. WOU’s new doctoral Occupational Therapy teaching program is state of the art, while also being completed economically and efficiently built. Fast project delivery does not have to break your budget, it just takes the right team.

This project serves as a beacon in the Salem community, reflecting the University’s mission to expand access to higher education and support the transformative field of Occupational Therapy.

The post WOU in Salem – A Purpose-Built Space for Excellence appeared first on Ausland Group.

For over 24 years, Ausland has refined its integrated design-build model, prioritizing alignment and innovation. “Removing the silos between architects, engineers, and builders is key to achieving efficient and successful projects,” says Aaron Ausland, CEO of Ausland Group.

Ausland’s fully in-house team of architects, engineers, and builders collaborates daily, ensuring shorter timelines, precise budgeting, and tailored solutions for every client. This seamless process minimizes inefficiencies and delivers predictable, high-quality results.

Breaking Down the Silos
Traditional project delivery often suffers from communication gaps and misaligned goals. Design-build eliminates these issues by fostering collaboration from the outset.  At Ausland, every decision is informed by both design intent and constructability, thanks to our integrated team structure. This approach consistently delivers efficient, innovative solutions while enhancing client satisfaction.

What to Look for in a Design-Build Team
When evaluating a design-build team, consider these key factors:

• Collaboration History: Long-standing partnerships ensure consistency and coordination.
• Organizational Integration: Fully integrated teams improve accountability and efficiency.
• Specialization: Extensive design-build experience and a strong portfolio are must-haves.
• Innovation: Teams that leverage technology like BIM and lean practices save time and costs.
• Problem-Solving: A proactive, solutions-focused approach is essential for smooth delivery.

Why Ausland Stands Out
Ausland’s commitment to integration and innovation sets us apart. “Integration isn’t just a process; it’s a mindset,” says Aaron Ausland. “It’s about leveraging expertise across disciplines to create solutions that are efficient, innovative, and built to last.”
If you’re considering a design-build team, choose one that combines collaboration, precision, and expertise. Let Ausland Group bring your vision to life.

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As we celebrate this milestone, we’re reflecting on the incredible first responders and soldiers who have trusted Ausland with their projects this past year. Critical infrastructure projects are a perfect fit for Ausland’s design-build model. Our integrated, in-house team delivers turnkey solutions with efficiency, precision, and minimal disruption to occupied facilities—just what’s needed for these mission-critical projects.

Here’s a look back at some of the impactful projects we’ve had the privilege of working on this past year:

Pleasant Hill Fire Station:  A $7 million project delivering a modern, efficient facility for first responders just outside of Eugene, designed to meet the demands of today’s emergency services. The design is being completed next week and construction will begin in the New Year!

Ashland Armory Renovation:  A $6.5 million transformation to provide a modern, resilient home for the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment of the Oregon National Guard. The upgrades focused on enhancing both community preparedness and support for our soldiers—just in time for the holidays.

State of Oregon Facilities Renovation (The “Salem Shuffle”):  We successfully completed a $17 million, 350,000 sq. ft. renovation, all while keeping operations running for the Oregon Military Department, ODOT, and other state agencies. It’s a testament to precision planning and seamless execution.

McKenzie Fire Disaster Relief Center: A turnkey project delivering a modern Emergency Operations Center was completed that has strengthened the region’s response during disasters—providing critical support when the community needs it most.

Prospect Fire Station Seismic Retrofit: Ausland is transforming a worn-out rural fire station into a safer, functional facility for first responders leveraging state seismic grant dollars. Construction begins soon!

Stay tuned for more updates on active projects in 2025!

The post Blueprints for Heroes: Supporting First Responders appeared first on Ausland Group.

Every great project requires more than just a good architect, engineer, or builder to deliver the vision. It takes an integrated team of professionals, committed collectively to the project vision. The best results are delivered when all these professionals work together from the early stages of a project to optimize the design and execute the construction. You don’t need millions of dollars to hire this team. Ausland Group’s vision is to bring World Class Development Services, Locally Scaled to our Communities. Our team has the engineers and builders you need, “right-sized” for your project. Whether you are in the early stage of project development or getting ready to begin construction, it is never too late to align your team together toward the project goals for better outcomes.

The post The Case for Designers & Builders Working Together appeared first on Ausland Group.

Senior Civil Engineer, Charlie Kroning, PE brings over 30 years of experience in Land Development Engineering to Ausland’s team. Approximately half of Charlie’s work is for design-build projects where he trains his eye on the constructability – finding the best solutions to deliver on your goals within your budget. The other half of Charlies’ work is civil engineering services directly for the design of subdivisions, parking lots, streets, and campgrounds.

Unique to Ausland is how our Civil Engineering team engages in Value Engineering efforts for our construction projects. President Kelsy Ausland, PE, loves finding ways to save clients’ money through engineering solutions. She explains, “Clients will always rather have money in their pocket than in extra storm water pipes or structural fill on a site.” With engineers and builders working site by site, engineers create value through effectively designing sites. Kelsy elaborates, “I enjoy looking at plans clients bring to us and finding ways we can make small adjustments to save significant dollars. The first place I look is verifying whether cuts and fills are balanced. Identifying unnecessary materials expenses are other ‘low hanging fruit’ to help save clients’ money. It may sound strange, but value engineering is actually exciting and fun, if you love finding solutions.”

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Structural Engineer, Scott Metzler, SE, PE has been engineering structures in Oregon for over 3o years and is known for his eye for constructability. Senior Project Manager, Tom Jordan, explains, “I’ve worked on projects valued over $500 million with engineers from all over the country. Scott Metzler is hands down the best for engineering structures that are safe, efficient, and easy to build.”

Scott just completed the engineering of two seismic retrofits for Oregon Military Department Armory Facilities. Just as easily, he provides the design for ground-up, new building projects such as office buildings or breweries. “Engineers and contractors working side-by-side provides so many benefits,” explains Kelsy Ausland, PE. “Over a cup of coffee the engineer can get assistance with cost-analysis and the contractor can better understand the purpose of design. The sum is much greater than its parts.”

Ausland’s engineering services are offered to outside developers, architects, and builders.

The post Engineering for your Next Project appeared first on Ausland Group.

What does that mean? This integrated structure gives Ausland the unique ability to take projects from initial concept to completed reality. We provide a full range of planning, design, and construction services, executed by a talented collaboration of architects, engineers, designers, and construction professionals.

More importantly, it means that the Ausland Team is able to bring the benefits of its expertise to bear during all phases of a project. With our full range of in-house services, we are uniquely positioned to help our clients navigate the complex regulatory and technical issues that are encountered during construction projects.

To give you an idea of how our innovative, integrated team functions in the real world, let’s look at the design-build projects executed for a single client, the Oregon Military Department (OMD). Ausland has been privileged to partner with OMD to provide integrated design build services for the remodel and renovation of several buildings at OMD facilities in Grants Pass and Salem.

The essence of the Grants Pass Readiness Center Armory Service Life Extension Project was to extend the life of the facility by twenty-five years. The stated goals included bringing the facility into compliance with accessibility requirements, upgrading the structural system to current code, improving energy efficiency, remodeling interior areas to better serve the unit mission, renovation or replacement of building systems and components, and the accomplishment of deferred maintenance. Working with OMD, Ausland helped identify the highest priorities based on the building condition and their objectives. Working within the project budget a final project scope was defined.

Design of the project scope was performed by Ausland’s full-service Design Team, highlighting the value of close collaboration between the Team’s civil, structural, and architectural components. Early involvement of our Construction Team helped to identify and overcome technical challenges early in the process before they became problems in the field. Likewise, active involvement of the Design Team during construction allowed issues during construction to be quickly and efficiently addressed.

The Salem Area Regional Enhancement Project includes work at two different OMD facilities in Salem and OMD again decided to find solutions using the Ausland design-build services.

The goals and process for the Salem project were similar to those at work in Grants Pass. Following an extensive survey of existing facility conditions and discussion of OMD goals and priorities, Ausland recommended project scopes for both facilities based on available funding. This initial scoping effort involved the Design and Construction teams working in close concert to balance competing needs and priorities within a fixed budget.

The Salem work included a second, discrete project, the seismic retrofit of a facility to allow it to fulfill its essential purpose as the home of several State of Oregon Emergency Operations Centers in the event of a significant seismic event.

The design of the work for all three OMD projects was executed by the Ausland Design Team and consultants, with support from the Construction Team. In turn, the Design Team continues to support the Construction Team as the work in the field progresses.

This integrated business model featuring the construction and design services under one roof allows Ausland to streamline delivery to clients and provide a process that succeeds through collaboration and innovation. We are one team, start to finish: providing world class development, locally scaled.

The post Why Ausland is a Leader in the Design Build Industry appeared first on Ausland Group.

When the Covid-19 pandemic swept through the United States in early 2020, it brought business to a halt specifically indoor dining at all eating establishments. The restaurant industry was forced to adapt by operating to go service only. The restriction of in-house dining led to a massive resurgence of the drive thru option. As several major brands shifted and innovated their operations, The Human Bean was already set-up with an efficient business design to maneuver the restrictive landscape and capitalize on consumer needs.

Originally started in Ashland in 1998, The Human Bean has grown to 300 locations in 25 states garnering a reputation for friendly, convenient, and quality service. This high standard of operation combined with the dual drive thru style and various existing locations catapulted the company to record sales and further expansion opportunities.

Ausland Group partnered with The Human Bean in 2021 to build new storefronts in Grants Pass and Eugene. The Ausland construction team managed the project development and completed structure build. This collaboration brought new life to two tired properties and today consumers are flocking to these attractive drive thru locations. Both projects located a Human Bean stand in what would have been considered excess property.

The success of The Human Bean is driving national growth creating new structures or remodeled locations, each putting drive thru service at the forefront. As we work in a hybrid business world post pandemic, the evolving style of drive thru operations will continue to have the advantage in the restaurant industry making it a sound investment in commercial development. Ausland is excited to play a role in the development of a concept that maybe nearly 100 years old but feels as fresh and dynamic as ever.

The post The Human Bean ahead of the Game with the Resurging Drive Thru Business appeared first on Ausland Group.

Ausland is an attractive company for any professional. You see it immediately when you walk into headquarters and are amazed by the state-of-the-art facility. However, it is the rewarding culture that make it one of the top companies to work for in Oregon.

Katie Johnson, who is an integral part of our finance team, has been with the company for seven years. She has found her professional home with Ausland and is often at the center of many lunch parties and unscripted get togethers. However, it is the Winter Celebration that ranks as her favorite as described in the following quote,

“I enjoy the company annual party each year because it gives us an opportunity to hang out with co-workers we don’t get see very often. Sharing a drink and a laugh around a bon fire is the best!”

The Winter Celebration is a beloved annual event and a time when the entire Ausland team gathers to enjoy each other’s company. It is an opportunity to break bread with teammates, meet their families and catch up by the fire while roasting a marshmallow for that delectable smore. And it is a time to celebrate and recognize our most valuable colleagues.

This year we honored John Ervin and Tevah Jones for embodying the values of Ausland. Their vital contributions and selfless teamwork has led to remarkable success for them and the Company. John was excited not only for himself, but for his colleague Tevah as he said, “I’m so happy to share this honor with my ‘brother’ Tevah.” Tevah shared his appreciation by stating, “Being recognized by my team members around me for a job well done is powerful motivation. Best team I’ve ever been a part of!” We congratulate John and Tevah on this well-deserved recognition.

Now we invite you to join our team. Be a part of this incredible Company and discover for yourself why Ausland is one of the best places to launch, build or conclude your career!

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