August 3, 2020

Pasquini Engineering: Where It All Began

With 30 years of experience in the engineering realm, many projects that have left the Pasquini Engineering company were not only enhanced with new innovative ideas, but also captivated by Pasquini’s personal touch and keen eye on design. Each and every project is carefully created with attention to detail to structure unlike any other engineering firm.    

But what’s the story behind Pasquini Engineering’s success? How have they been able to deliver projects year after year? It goes deeper than just building plans and permits. Our CEO, Marc Pasquini, shares his heart-felt story of where it all began, including a tribute to an influential man who encouraged it all, his father Adrian Pasquini.  

“Growing up, my dad worked for an architectural firm that specialized in schools and hospitals. My family and I would visit his office often, and as a young boy, I found it incredible how everything that went into constructing a building was put down on paper first. You would have to completely envision the building and all of its components in your mind, put it all down on a piece of paper, and then someone else would build it.

I went to multiple construction sites with my dad and would just take it all in––watching his drawings all come to life before my very eyes. He would speak of the various design concepts, but would also show me the structural, mechanical and other aspects that go into the building as well. In his office, he was in charge of coordinating all of the various aspects of the project and making sure they all worked together.  At one point, he had several architects under his supervision.

At 10 years old, he immigrated from Italy in 1939, just before the second world war. Later, he served in the Korean War ​and, because of his service, earned his United States citizenship​. He never finished college or obtained his ​architects ​license, but he worked hard and learned the trade. I had a fellow engineer tell me once that he never worried about his plans if my dad was the project captain and was reviewing them. He had spent the time to learn all aspects of the building design, what aspects might conflict with another and understood all of the concepts that it took to make a building work. I helped him with ‘old school’ physical true 3d models complete with buildings, hills, trees and cars. He was so skilled at drafting that he could make drawings simply with a pencil and a credit card that were nice enough to be enjoyed as a piece of art. 

pasquini engineering history bakersfield pasquini engineering blog article 1 - Pasquini Engineering: Where It All Began - news

I know this seems like it has little to do with me, but actually it has everything to do with me. As a freshman in high school, I was asked what I wanted to do when I grew up. Not really knowing all the different professions, I said that I wanted to be an Architectural Engineer––primarily because I didn’t really know what that meant, and then having taken a drafting class, I knew I would never be able to draft as good as my dad. I was really good at math, so it seemed like the way to go. I attended Bakersfield Junior College in California because we couldn’t afford anything else, but as I later found out how good of a school it was for engineers at that time. I had to take drafting classes, and was even more convinced that I couldn’t make a living as a pencil draftsman. I finally transferred to San Diego State and absolutely flourished in that environment––graduating fourth in my class. The professors were experienced, both educationally and professionally.

After graduating, I decided to stay in California and work for a couple Bakersfield engineering firms. Then one day, my dad came to me and told me about Raymond (Mike) Stene. Mike was a local Bakersfield engineer who had worked plan-checking buildings and then started his own engineering practice doing structural, civil and building design. He did exactly what I had wanted to do! He was extremely knowledgeable and experienced and could analyze a truss with a drafting table, compass and a scale, as well as having short cuts on how to analyze beams using calculations in a way that I had never seen before. While working with Mike, we designed homes, commercial buildings and even a hotel. I truly was doing ‘architectural engineering’ as I had thought of it in high school. 

Unfortunately, the Architects Board will not allow engineers to advertise that they do architectural plans––rather engineers can only state that they do building design. This is why we use the term “building plans” and not “architectural plans” even though they have the same definition.  

After working for Mike for several years and obtaining my civil engineering license, I started my own engineering firm––Pasquini Engineering in Bakersfield, California––and was able to work with my dad on multiple projects as he was working with a large local construction company. I started my engineering firm in 1990, and my dad passed away in 2005. Happily, I had 15 years of being able to pick up the phone and call my dad to ask him about what he thought of certain projects that I was working on. I still occasionally find myself picking up the phone to call him only to stop myself, realizing he’s no longer on the other side of the phone. However, he continues to be the influential force of the work we do––hoping to measure up to his level of expertise each and every day. 

With everything I’ve learned and experienced through the years of owning my own engineering practice, our firm has completed approximately 9000 projects. Our engineering firm has done everything to do with home improvements from garage additions, to 10,000 square foot homes, multi-family projects, including basic multi-family duplexes and even a 400 unit apartment complexes. We also have engineered and designed many commercial projects, such as tenant improvements and shopping centers. In addition, we’ve completed industrial projects from grading plans to tank design and cofferdams for the California Aqueduct.

We often get asked two things: 

  1.  “How can you design a building as an engineer and not as an architect?” 
  2. Where did you get the experience to do so?”  

Now you know my story and the answers to these common questions. The California Building Code requires a Licensed Design Professional (RDP) to sign off on your building plans, which includes: (1) a licensed civil​ engineer and (2) an architect. Over the years having worked on numerous projects with a friend of mine who happens to be a mechanical engineer, I picked up on how to design mechanical, plumbing and electrical plans. I continue to utilize his services even on larger projects to this day. 

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Furthermore, we’ve done concrete tilt up, masonry, steel stud, steel frame, wood frame, ICF, hay bale and just about any other system that is out there. Rammed earth, because of its lack of rebar, is more than difficult to permit in the state of California. We’ve also done private dams that had to be approved by fish and game, as well as the United States Army Corps of Engineers, or at least waiver. We’re also proud to have been acknowledged as a client of ours was awarded from a reader’s poll as one of the Best Selected Designs in Architectural Digest: Open Audition California. With this incredible recognition, we have been made very flattered having been a part of the building and design process and completely motivated to continue our path of providing ingenious design and structure for all we come into contact with. 

As our business location in Bakersfield, California provides a centralized location for all California business, we are in great standing with conducting business in other states as well. We take our engineering services all over the state of Oregon, Florida, Arizona, Nevada and Texas.

But how can you work in places other than Bakersfield, California when that’s the location of your business​?” you may be wondering. Well, my passion for engineering syncs famously well with my other passion, flying. Flying has been another passion for me since I was young. I never​ thought I’d be able to fly a plane, but after my dad passed, and at the urging request of a draftsman/client who is also a pilot, I started taking pilot lessons in 2005. I now have my own multi-engine instrument rating with over 1,300 hours of flying experience. In saying that, I’m able and willing to fly to another city or state to meet with prospective clients, as well as check on Pasquini Engineering’s out-of-town projects. In utilizing my plane, I can be in most places in California in less than an hour, and anywhere else in California in 2 hours or less, so the limiting factor of work location for others does not apply to Pasquini Engineering. I feel truly blessed to be able to live out my passions of working in the field of engineering and flying simultaneously.

With all of this history and explanation, I want my clients to take from this an understanding of me personally, as an engineer, and the importance we place on listening to our clients and helping them to achieve their goals in building their dream––providing a safe and cosmetic design that has good bones and is easy on the eyes. I like to picture each project as if it was my own, and how we could build of the highest quality and cost effective manner. That’s what sets us apart!”

Another trait that sets us apart is my personal philosophy of properly ‘training up’ our associates. We are committed to our associates long-term with our training programs and beneficial compensation system. Our associates have decades of experience and continue to stay dedicated to us for the long haul. By elevating their skill set, it gives them the ability to work with our clients in a friendly, efficient and professional manner. We emphasize customer service as a primary concern with our clients, not secondary as other firms may do.”

To learn more about Pasquini Engineering and the other locations we conduct business, refer to Pasquini Engineering: Who We Are And Why You Need Us, and please feel free to contact us with any of your questions or comments.

 

DISCLAIMER: Pasquini Engineering is licensed to work in the following states: California, Oregon, Florida, Arizona, Nevada and Texas. All the information on Pasquini Engineering is published for general information purposes only, and will not be liable for any losses and/or damages in connection with the use of our website. By using our website, you hereby consent to our disclaimer and agree to its terms. 

 

References:

https://pasquiniengineering.com/about-us/

https://www.dgs.ca.gov/BSC/Codes

https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/open-audition-california-052008

https://pasquiniengineering.com/testimonials/

https://pasquiniengineering.com/contact-us/

https://pasquiniengineering.com/

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