The new Applied Underwriters Headquarters building, nestled in the expansive Heartwood Preserve development in Omaha, Nebraska, is a stunning example of modern architectural innovation and meticulous craftsmanship. As the anchor of this 500-acre mixed-use development, the 270,000-square-foot facility showcases cutting-edge features and a commitment to environmental sustainability, all while maintaining strict safety standards.
Safety First: A Collective Commitment
At Miller Electric, safety is not just a priority, but a core value integrated into every aspect of our operations. As Adam Elsasser, field operations manager, emphasizes, “Lock out tag out is a huge part of our electrical safety program. Every new hire gets a lock specifically assigned to them. We use that day-to-day to lock things out so no one can turn it on while we’re working on it. It keeps us safe and prevents anybody from being electrocuted on the job site.”
Zach Sands, a general foreman with 17 years of experience at Miller Electric, adds depth to this safety-first approach.
“Every morning, we do daily stretch and flex exercises with the whole crew and go through a job hazard analysis (JHA). We talk to the crew about potential safety hazards they may see throughout the day,” Sands explains. “Once a week, we do a job site safety walk, grabbing someone from the crew to identify and address potential safety issues before they become problems. It’s a team effort, and we all work together to achieve it.”
A Team Effort in Excellence
The scale and complexity of the Applied Underwriters project demands a combination of field experience, cooperation and innovative solutions. Project highlights include:
- 270,000 square feet.
- 560,000 square feet of parking.
- High-end concepts and cutting-edge lighting features, including electrochromic glass, are incorporated throughout.
- Glass on all sides of the building illuminates interior design, brings outdoor elements in and provides ample amounts of natural sunlight.
- Three floors of office space, two levels of underground parking and a five-story atrium with parking that is connected to the office.
- Project Design Partner: STUDIOS Architecture.
- GC: JE Dunn.
- Architect: Holland Basham.
Interestingly, the largest crane ever used on a building project in Omaha came into play for the Applied Underwriters building. At more than 400 feet tall and weighing more than 1.3 million pounds, the type of crane is typically used on large wind farm projects. In this case, it was used to help construct the uniquely open, column-less, three-story atrium, which was the vision of Steve Menzies, chairman and founder of Applied Underwriters and creator of Heartwood Preserve.
All that unique construction required careful coordination, including scheduling between the various trades involved in the project. Zach Sands played a crucial role in overseeing project coordination, scheduling and ensuring the overall safety and productivity of the crews.
“We oversee prints, help with project revisions and make sure we have prints, materials and tools at the ready,” he says. This coordination ensures that everyone on the job site can perform their tasks efficiently and safely.
Apprentices and Journeymen Contribute to Project Success
Weston Olsen, a third-year apprentice electrician, highlights the significance of hands-on experience and mentorship in his journey.
“My role changes daily. This week, I’m doing material handling and helping out journeymen with various electrical tasks,” Olsen shares. Reflecting on his involvement in the project, he says, “My first year on this project, I got to help construct the main service switchgear and rack in 4000-amp breakers. Just me and one other guy brought in all the main power to the building, which was incredibly rewarding.”
Olsen attributes his growth to the mentorship he received from experienced journeymen.
“I’ve been lucky to work with guys like Ron Karnett and Aaron Foster, who have been in the trades for over 15 years. Their willingness to teach, and my desire to learn, has really helped me out.”
Lighting the Way: Specialty Fixtures and Finishes
Ethan Schambach, electrical lighting foreman, focuses primarily on the complex lighting needs of the Applied Underwriters headquarters.
“We have a lot of different light fixtures, many of them specialty fixtures,” Schambach explains. “We are responsible for all the rough-in for these fixtures across various areas, including the installation of conduit, boxes and specialty back boxes.”
One of Schambach’s most rewarding accomplishments was hanging lights on a three-level scaffold and completing the in-grade lighting around the building’s perimeter.
“It was a real challenge, but we got it all knocked out and turned on last year,” he shares. Schambach also highlights the dynamic team environment, noting, “Everyone shows up open-minded and gathers information quickly. Zach is a great general manager to have on-site, and I couldn’t ask for a better team.”
Cutting-Edge Features: A Blend of Innovation and Design
The Applied Underwriters building is a truly innovative application of modern engineering and design. The structure features electrochromic glass, which automatically tints to minimize heat gain and control glare while preserving unobstructed floor-to-ceiling views of the surrounding landscape. This innovative glass is part of the largest installation of its kind in the United States.
As impressive as the windows are, Adam Elsasser thinks the building’s electrical system shouldn’t be overlooked. Likening it to a tree, Adam says, “The utility is like the roots, the bigger gear is the trunk, and the end users, through outlets and light fixtures, are like the leaves or branch circuits.”
The facility also includes a sophisticated generator system designed to power the building in case of a utility power outage, with provisions for future expansion.
A Visionary Project
The Applied Underwriters headquarters is more than just a building; it is a vision realized. As WOWT notes, the structure features 16-foot and higher ceilings, and an 80-foot tall atrium that invites natural light and integrates seamlessly with the natural beauty of Heartwood Preserve.
Steve Menzies, chairman and founder of Applied Underwriters, described the project as “high-minded” and a “visionary approach” that respects the natural environment. In an interview with WOWT, Menzies described the Preserve as “a city within a city” that will feature homes, retail space, restaurants, hotel rooms and entertainment for the “good, hard-working people of Omaha.”
Wrapping it Up
The Applied Underwriters headquarters is a shining example of what can be achieved when innovative design, cutting-edge technology and a steadfast commitment to safety come together. Miller Electric is proud to contribute to this landmark project, continuing to show that safety, quality and excellence are at the forefront of everything we do.
A Big Shout Out
To everyone who contributed to this landmark project, thank you. Your hard work, dedication and adherence to safety standards have made this possible.
AARON J CAWTHON
ADAM B ELSASSER
ALEESHA B GAMBLE
ALEXANDER G WILTERDINK
ALEXIS J URBINA DEGANTE
ALLAN D VILLELLA
ALYSSA M HALLENBERGER
ANDREW J CHRISTENSEN
ANDREW J DESANTIAGO
ANDREW K CLINE
ANDREW M MARTINEZ
ANDREW M NIELSEN
ANDY L KROUPA
ANGUS A MILLER
AUSTIN J MUNYON
AZIZAQA ATAYE
BLAKE E GARBER
BRADLEY C MINARD
BRANDON R DASHER
BRANDON T IVERSON
BRANDON T THELANDER
BRENDEN M FOOTE
BRENT M CABRERA
BRETT J. MENARD
BRETT R TERRY
BRIAN J. MCANDREW
BRIAN L MARKEL
BRIAR A GALE
BRYAN M THOMAS
BYRON G ROENFELD
CAIDEN L LOSEKE
CAVAN W SHORT
CHAD E REINER
CHERYL R SINNETT
CHRISTOPHER J BOCHTLER
CHRISTOPHER L NIGHTSER
COLE J HIEMER
CONNOR E GOLDEN
CORBIN S SEWING
COREY D SWANTEK
COREY J KACZMAREK
CURTIS S SIEVERS
DAVID A HERNANDEZ
DAVID L STEPHAN JR
DEREK J MUNYON
DERRICK J DAY
DONOVAN PATCHIN
DOUGLAS M STEWART
DUSTIN F PUTNAM
DWAYNE D SHAW
DYLAN M FISCHER
EITHAN B LUDWIG
ERIC M FRAHM
ERIC M LYNN
ERIN P FOSTER
ETHAN T SCHAMBACH
FRANCIS J BUGLEWICZ
FRANK J ZAKRZEWSKI
GABRIEL A WILKE
GABRIEL R QUANDT
GARRETT O SNYDER
GAVIN R DOLBEE
GEORGE M O’CONNELL
GLENN M LEPERT
GRIFFIN V TRUDE
HARLEY G CARABANTES
HEATH J HARGENS
ISAAC N ARMENDARIZ
ISAIAH T JEFFERSON
JACK W SPIELMAN
JACKSON W HOESSLER
JACOB D GATES
JACOB M GARDNER
JACOB R FISHER
JADEN R COLLINS
JAMES C HANSEN
JAMIE C PARKS
JARVIS R STANDIFER
JAY R HENSON
JAYDEN A ELSASSER
JEFFERY L KORB
JEFFREY T KOEBEL
JEREMIAH D NICHOLAS
JEREMIAH T ELLSWORTH
JEREMY D FISHER
JEREMY D KAHL
JEREMY R HENDRICKS
JEROME A KAWECKI
JERRY P KELLER
JESSE J WHITE
JOEL S MORALES
JORDAN A ELSASSER
JORDAN M MATHENY
JOSEPH D ROTOLO
JOSEPH H MUNCH
JOSEPH P WILDT
JOSH E HANSEN
JOSHUA C SCHMID
JOSHUA D JUSTESEN
JOSUE GOMEZ
JULIO C PONCE
JUSTIN L ROZMUS
KEELON L RIGBY
KENNETH R MADISON JR.
KENNETH W RICHMOND
KEVIN P O’NEILL
KEVIN T WANEK
KYLE D KUEHN
LANDIS L CARTER
LINCOLN F TRIPP
LIVAN D PYFROM
LUIS D CHAVEZ JR
MARCUS J BRYSON
MARK A GARNER
MARK T WHANNELL
MARK W BURKETT
MATTHEW A BLAKE
MATTHEW A VANHAITSMA
MATTHEW T PRICE
MAX M VANCLEAVE
MICHAEL C HEGER
MICHAEL J MATTHEWS
MICHAEL P HEATHERLY
MICHAEL R GATES
MIKE A BROWN
MIKE S TOMASEK
NATE R GRAVES
NICHOLAS V SALAMAN
NOAH J PEARSON
REID DASHER
RICHARD T BALDWIN
RICKY LR ROBINSON
ROBERT E TWEED
ROBERT E PEKLO
ROBERT L WHEAT
ROBERT P BRODHAGEN
ROBERT S FREILINGER
RONALD J KARNETT
ROY L CHRISTENSEN
RYAN A WILKINSON
RYAN J HANSEN
RYAN M MCMAHON
SAMUEL L BECKER
SETH A CONROY
SETH C QUACKENBUSH
SHAWN M GRAALFS
SHAWN P KECK
SOPHIA A GRAVES
TANNER M OFE
THOMAS A BAKER
THOMAS E DUSCHANEK
TODD J PFEIFFER
TOM J HANRAHAN
TRE A FRIZZELL
TRENTON J HEWITT
TREVIN J RUTT
TROY W PRELL
TRYSTON D HANNAN
TYLER J INCONTRO
TYLER M BROOKS
WESTON E OLSEN
WILLIAM A WOEHLER
ZACHARY A SANDS