Jim Houlette has extensive professional experience in structural engineering design. His expertise ranges from post-tensioned slab design to wood structures for multi-family housing to commercial projects which employ concrete, steel and CMU block. With a background in geotechnical engineering as well, he provides temporary and permanent soil shoring design of a wide range of retaining walls. Jim is a Principal Director of EVstudio’s Structural Engineering Department.
Jim started out in the industry by working in the field while attending college by inspecting soil and asphalt compaction, rebar placement, and concrete testing. Upon graduation, Jim worked in design and then quickly rose through the ranks into project management. He joined EV in 2009 to start and grow a structural team to support the in-house work and continue working with many other clients and architects. The structural engineering team has grown from 1 to over 30. As a result, EVstudio made the largest Denver Business Journal Denver area engineering firms starting in 2023.
In recent years, Jim has designed post-tensioned foundations, residential multi-family and single-family homes, commercial buildings, retaining walls and projects for the Army Corps of Engineers. He enjoys challenging projects and a wide range of project types. This helps his team become more well rounded engineers.
A couple fun things he has been a part of include his 10 seconds of fame for an appearance on My First Place show, episode Kitty and Karl S16E9. Jim was hired by the homeowners to inspect the foundation before they made the home purchase. Consequently, they bought the home and Jim was hired again by the homeowners to help with their remodel and fix the foundation repairs. Jim has also been credited in a book, Cantilever Architecture by Kyoung Sun Moon for the cantilevered stairs EVstudio designed for a Mountain Modern custom home. Fun fact, Jim is not a fan of cantilevers, so having a small credit in a book about cantilevers makes him smile.
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Science Structural Engineering, Purdue University
LICENSES:
Licensed Professional Engineer in Colorado, Texas, Arkansas, Arizona, Georgia, Nebraska, Ohio, Utah, and Washington
National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Record Holder
AWARDS:
Rising Star of the Year – 2014 MAME Awards Denver