2013 40 Under 40: Adam Carlson, 39

Adam Carlson, PE, LEED AP, 39

Associate / Senior Mechanical Engineer, Interface Engineering, Portland, Ore.

Oregon State University, 
BS Mechanical Engineering

Having grown up in Eugene, Ore., attending Oregon State University, and now residing just outside of Portland with his wife and four children, Adam Carlson is a true Oregonian. He grew up hiking and camping in the Pacific Northwest forests and applies his appreciation of nature to his energy-efficient designs. Carlson meets the rapidly changing demands of the HVAC industry through successfully integrating new and old technology in creative ways. He designs heat-recovery chillers to both heat and cool a building and adapts common series fan-powered terminal units for under-floor air distribution systems, serving as just one example of his innovative designs. Carlson’s project achievements highlight his sustainability initiatives. He led and designed the East County Courthouse in Gresham, Ore., which earned LEED Gold certification for establishing a heat-recovery chiller system that simultaneously provides heating and cooling water. Carlson’s work on the Providence Office Park II in Portland, Ore., a 6-story, 250,000-sq-ft office building, also earned LEED Gold certification for its under-floor air distribution system that makes reconfiguring the HVAC system for various office layouts more flexible. Carlson also takes pride in his ability to connect with young designers and spends much of his working day helping junior staff with design issues. He is the current chapter president of ASHRAE, leading the approximately 600 members while creating scholarship opportunities for its student members.

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