Equilibrium Engineers LLC

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Equilibrium Engineers LLC Equilibrium Engineers LLC offers full service structural engineering consulting to architects, developers, contractors and building owners.

Since 2003, Equilibrium Engineers has been providing structural engineering design and services on a wide range of new and existing structures in the Pacific Northwest. We specialize in structural engineering and design. We work with both architectural firms as well as owners and developers directly. We are located in Lake Oswego, Oregon, 8 miles south of downtown Portland. We are a small firm with a diverse client base. Our small size and diverse projects combine to create a dynamic work atmosphere.

Looking ahead.Sustainable structural engineering is not just about the decisions we make today. It’s also about continui...
10/10/2026

Looking ahead.

Sustainable structural engineering is not just about the decisions we make today. It’s also about continuing to ask how those decisions will shape the buildings and communities of the future.

“As engineers, I think part of our job is helping clients understand the environmental impact of the decisions we make today.”
- Liam Sheff, Project Designer

In the future, Liam hopes to see more focus on lower-carbon and renewable materials where they make sense.

“Concrete and steel have built up much of the world around us, but they also come with a significant carbon footprint. I’d love to see our industry continue exploring materials like wood and having more conversations about how our material choices affect future generations.”

This week, we’ve looked at sustainability from five different perspectives:

Structure.
Material choices.
Efficiency.
Longevity.
The future.

There isn’t one solution to sustainable building. It’s an ongoing conversation about how we design, what we build with, how efficiently we use materials, and how we think about the future.

Thanks for following along with us for Sustainable Building Week.

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What if one of the most important parts of sustainable design is simply making something that lasts?“Engineers can promo...
10/08/2026

What if one of the most important parts of sustainable design is simply making something that lasts?

“Engineers can promote durability and adaptability by designing their structures with the future in mind. Using materials that are meant to last can mean a longer life span for the structure. A longer life span for a structure could also mean less maintenance costs and reducing overall costs. Taking a long-term approach can not only allow a building to thrive for longer periods, but it can reduce waste and cost.”
- Jared Lazar, Project Designer

A building’s needs can change over time. Its occupants can change, the way a space is used can change, and the building itself needs to continue performing.

Thinking about those possibilities during design can help create structures that last longer, require less maintenance, and reduce the need for replacement or rebuilding.

Sustainability isn’t only about how a building is built. It’s also about how long it can continue to be useful.

Sustainable Building Week | October 5–9

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“Using less doesn’t mean doing less. It means designing smarter.”- José Sánchez, Project DesignerFor structural engineer...
10/07/2026

“Using less doesn’t mean doing less. It means designing smarter.”
- José Sánchez, Project Designer

For structural engineers, that can mean optimizing spans, sizing members properly, and creating efficient load paths that reduce material use while still meeting the requirements of the building.

Thoughtful engineering isn’t only about reducing the amount of material in a structure. It’s about finding the right balance between material use, safety, performance, constructability, and cost.

Using materials efficiently can also help reduce embodied carbon, making structural decisions an important part of creating more sustainable buildings from the ground up.

At Equilibrium Engineers, we believe good structural design is about finding the right amount of structure for the job, not simply adding more.

Sustainable Building Week | October 5–9

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Material choices matter.A structural engineer’s material knowledge is a little like having a full toolbelt. The more we ...
10/06/2026

Material choices matter.

A structural engineer’s material knowledge is a little like having a full toolbelt. The more we understand about the materials available to us, the better equipped we are to help make thoughtful decisions during the design process.

“Having a thorough knowledge of the sustainability characteristics of each primary building material or building product is like having a full toolbelt. It equips structural engineers to be a valuable partner in the advancement of environmentally responsible building design, especially if we are involved in the early conceptual phase of the design process.”
- Ed Quesenberry, S.E., Founding Principal

Holgate Library in Portland is one example of how those decisions can come together.

The 21,000-square-foot library uses a hybrid mass timber structure with glulam and CLT, paired with steel bracing. The structural system was designed to balance the heavy loads of the library’s book stacks with the longer spans and open spaces of the upper level.

The project also demonstrates how material choices can contribute to broader sustainability goals. Holgate’s design incorporated FSC-certified mass timber, low-carbon materials, and strategies focused on reducing both operational and embodied carbon.

Sustainable structural design isn’t about choosing one material every time. It’s about understanding the options, considering their impacts, and knowing where they make sense for the project.

Sustainable Building Week | October 5–9

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Sustainability starts in the structure.“I had heard long ago that anyone can make a building stand up, but it takes a st...
10/05/2026

Sustainability starts in the structure.

“I had heard long ago that anyone can make a building stand up, but it takes a structural engineer to make it barely stand up.

I’d like to think that is not only about strength and durability, but also in the choice of materials we use and how we need to be responsible with the resources we have.

We are constantly striving to find that balance as we act as stewards for the resources we have been gifted with here on earth.”
- Leif Erickson, S.E., Managing Principal

For Leif, sustainability is about more than simply making a building stand. It’s about finding the balance between strength, durability, material choices, and responsible use of the resources available to us.

This week, we’re sharing five perspectives from our engineers on what sustainable building means to them and how it shows up in structural engineering.

Sustainable Building Week | October 5–9

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Making the most of our time at AZA! 🐻We’re here, we’ve got stickers, and today is your last chance to come say hi at the...
09/30/2026

Making the most of our time at AZA! 🐻

We’re here, we’ve got stickers, and today is your last chance to come say hi at the EE booth.

If you’re at AZA, come find us and let’s talk zoos, design, structures, and all the ways we can help bring great spaces to life.

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A little look from the field this week. 🦺Always good to get out there and see the work coming together.-
09/18/2026

A little look from the field this week. 🦺

Always good to get out there and see the work coming together.

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📅 September at EEWe’ve got a busy few weeks ahead! Here’s where you can find the Equilibrium Engineers team this month:🎙...
09/15/2026

📅 September at EE

We’ve got a busy few weeks ahead! Here’s where you can find the Equilibrium Engineers team this month:

🎙️ Sept. 15 | Powered By Trust: A Customer Spotlight - Zoo Design that Makes a Difference
Leif will be joining Data Pros LIVE today at 10 AM to talk about zoo design, engineering, and the ways thoughtful design can make a difference.

🦁 Sept. 18 | Oregon Zoo Rendezvous
We’re heading to the Oregon Zoo for Rendezvous, an evening celebrating the zoo and its work supporting animal well-being, conservation, and education.

🦒 Sept. 28–Oct. 3 | AZA Annual Conference
Next stop: Portland for the AZA Annual Conference! We’ll be there throughout the week and would love to connect with fellow zoo, aquarium, and animal care professionals. Come find us at the EE booth!

Three events. One very busy September. We’ll see you out there!🌲

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Love seeing this space come to life! It was such a unique project to be part of, and we’re excited to see students enjoy...
09/11/2026

Love seeing this space come to life! It was such a unique project to be part of, and we’re excited to see students enjoying Hammock Grove and the natural timber columns. 🌲

Twenty-five years ago, the events of September 11 changed our nation forever. For many in the structural engineering pro...
09/11/2026

Twenty-five years ago, the events of September 11 changed our nation forever. For many in the structural engineering profession, it was a profound reminder that our work extends far beyond calculations, drawings, and building codes.

"9/11 reinforced that my job is much more than sizing beams and columns. It is about people. It is about community. It is about resilience. To this day, I try to look at every project through this lens.”

- Ed Quesenberry, S.E., Founding Principal

While the collapse of the towers remains one of the defining tragedies of that day, their ability to remain standing long enough for thousands of occupants to evacuate is a testament to indelible link between structural engineering and life safety. The lessons learned from September 11 sparked critical conversations throughout the structural engineering profession about resilience, emergency preparedness, and how buildings perform under extreme conditions. Those discussions continue today and have influenced advancements in structural design, disaster response, and community recovery planning.

Today, we remember those who lost their lives, honor the bravery of first responders and recovery teams, and reflect on the lasting lessons that continue to shape our profession and the communities it serves.

Never Forget.

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Address

8625 SW Cascade Avenue Suite 605
Beaverton, OR
97008

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+15036368388

Website

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