FirstCash – 6th Floor Remodel
Fort Worth, Texas
Expertise
- Commercial
Services
- mechanical / plumbing engineering
- electrical engineering
Size
- 14,000 SF
BHB provided MEP engineering services to the 6th floor remodel at the FirstCash corporate office in downtown Fort Worth. Our team was familiar with this building, as they had previously renovated the 8th floor.
This 14,000 SF renovation includes an open office space with a break room/kitchenette area, bathrooms, and 22 enclosed glass offices located on the perimeter.
A cost-saving measure used in this project was the utilization of a high-pressure duct system from the floor above. This allows the air handling unit to split up the supply air and be able to feed supply air on both the 6th and 7th floors.
Another way the renovation saved on costs was leaving the ductwork, air devices, and equipment exposed with paint over it, to give a more industrial look.
The office renovation was finished in late September. The views, modernized space, and close proximity to the trinity river and West 7th make this building a desirable spot for Fort Worth workers.
Key People
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Richard J. Watters, PE
Richard J. Watters, PE
Principal | Senior Mechanical Engineer
Richard Watters came to BHB after working with a design-build contractor in the area for two years. As an active member of BHB’s leadership team, Richard manages some of the firm’s multiple long-term engineering projects, including healthcare, commercial, oil and gas, retail, and municipal. He is experienced in sustainable design, energy studies/audits, design-build, hospitality, data centers, critical environments, medical gas systems, and construction administration.
Richard has been named one of the Top 40 Engineers Under 40 in the country by Consulting-Specifying Engineer Magazine and one of the Top 20 Engineers Under 40 in our region by Engineer News-Record magazine.
In the office, his hands-on style has helped him successfully find solutions for clients and mentor young engineers. Outside of the office, Richard has been past president of the Fort Worth Chapter of ASHRAE and has been active with various student organizations as a guest speaker or project sponsor; he also travels back to Texas A&M to guest lecture and has sponsored projects for the construction science department at Texas A&M.
With his wife Yesenia, he enjoys being outside with their kids, traveling, working on multiple home improvement projects, and helping others. They have sponsored scholarships for children in El Salvador, his wife’s native country, who would otherwise not have access to advanced education. In addition to these, they also have four annual scholarships locally at TCU and UNT. Expanding on this desire to provide resources and forward momentum for everyone, Richard is also a founding board member of the Paul Schulte Foundation, a non-profit organization with a goal to empower, inspire, and facilitate individuals with disabilities.
Project Experience
Arlington Animal Services Center
Doss Heritage and Culture Center
Ott Cribbs Public Safety Center
Star-Telegram Building
Texas Wesleyan University Jack and Jo Willa Morton Fitness Center
Education
Texas A&M University:
Master’s Degree/2001/Mechanical Engineering
The University of Texas at El Paso:
Bachelor’s Degree/1997/Mechanical Engineering -
Mark Arnold, LEED AP
Mark Arnold, LEED AP
Associate | Electrical
Mark Arnold started working at BHB in 1998 as an electrical drafter. After realizing how much he enjoyed the field, Mark decided to major in electrical engineering at UTA, where he was previously studying architecture and accounting.
Over 25 years later, Mark now serves as an Associate at BHB. He is a LEED Accredited Professional and is involved in the Texas Society of Professional Engineers. Outside of work, Mark enjoys spending time with his wife, Carrie, and his son, Caleb. The three of them enjoy spending time with their canine family members: Laila and Millie, both Australian Shepherd rescues. Mark also enjoys woodworking in his free time.
Project Experience
Bob Bolen Public Safety Complex
Glade & Pool Road Roundabout
Star-Telegram Building
Tarrant County Northwest Sub-Courthouse
Tarrant County Sub-Courthouse
Weatherford College Professional Services
Education
University of Texas at Arlington:
Bachelor’s Degree/2010/Electrical