New York, NY AKF Group LLC (AKF) provides MEP/FP engineering leadership, integrated services, and innovative solutions to clients around the world. As the firm recently introduced its new organizational structure and vision for the future, the New York Real Estate Journal interviewed Mark Richter, PE, LEED AP, an AKF partner who was recently promoted to his current position as national residential and hospitality practice leader.
participating in the American Heart Association’s
annual Wall Street Run with the rest of the AKF Team.
Q: You have spent 20 years at AKF. How did your career evolve to your current position?
A: In my 26 years in the industry, I have worked with only three engineering firms; this is my second term at AKF. I have been very fortunate, at this stage of my career, to have been involved in the mechanical design, and to a broader sense, the project management of many project types, including corporate, transportation, education, multifamily, hospitality, retail, cultural, and industrial. Exposure to projects in these sectors has given me a lot of knowledge and experience, but over time I naturally gravitated to the hospitality and multifamily residential sectors because of my fascination with the intricacies of designing for healthy living environments. I always felt that the long hours spent each day, often at my family’s expense, proved my resolve to succeed and do my best. I was proud to be offered partnership into AKF Group in 2008. Understanding that AKF’s partners recognized my abilities and felt I could help the firm at a higher level was a rewarding point in my career.
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Q: Explain AKF’s new organizational structure.
A: As I mentioned, this is my second term at AKF. When I initially left the firm in July of 2001, AKF had approximately 150 staff members over four offices. After my return in December of 2006, the firm had dramatically grown in personnel as well as geographically and services offered. Today we are 500 people strong in 10 offices across the USA and Mexico.
A few years ago, the AKF partnership developed a new strategic plan to address our growth as a full-service consulting engineering firm and the complex demands of our growing client base. The plan embraces a new organizational structure, focusing operations on two key environments – campus (includes healthcare, higher education, and science and technology) and commercial (includes workplace, residential, hospitality, and mixed-use).
Both environments are supported by the firm’s integrated services and technical core.
In addition to our core engineering services (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing/fire protection), our integrated services include analysis and testing, architectural code consulting, building controls, central utilities, cogeneration, commissioning, critical systems, energy and sustainability, fire and life safety, IT/AV/security, lighting design, and special inspections.
Q: Tell us about your new role as national residential and hospitality practice leader.
A: The development of firm practice leaders was one of many organizational re-structuring practices the firm underwent as part of our strategic vision initiative. My role as national practice leader for residential and hospitality sectors was identified based on my experience over recent years in these two market sectors. The role is expansive and allows me to manage two of our most active sectors, providing structure and responsibility to meet new clients and re-connect with existing clients. I enjoy working with clients and colleagues in the early stages of a project to explore options and vet the economics of each to strategize the best solution to meet design and operating goals. I’m involved in providing early design concepts and maintaining oversight as projects progress through design and construction. I also appreciate the opportunity to work with my colleagues in all of AKF’s offices to maintain our engineering leadership in these fields.
Q: What are some of your most notable projects and client relationships?
A: A very special project AKF worked on with Extell Development is One57, a 1,005 ft. tall mixed-use hotel and condominium tower in Manhattan. It features 94 ultra-luxury condominiums above a five-star Park Hyatt hotel providing residents with complete, unobstructed views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline. The MEP/FP systems and the engineering behind them were complex and truly tailored to each building program. As the project manager for the MEP/FP design, I feel a level of accomplishment to have helped the client achieve a well-engineered building. Following the success of that project, we’re thrilled to be working with Extell on other high-rise residential projects, including Central Park Tower.
AKF worked with The Related Companies to provide MEP/FP engineering services for the ultra-luxury, 159,000 s/f condominium building at 520 West 28th St. designed by Pritzker prize-winning architect Zaha Hadid. The 11-story building, with an iconic façade, accommodates 39 residences overlooking Manhattan’s High Line, and residents have access to gallery space and an impressive suite of amenities, including a full-floor wellness facility, a private automated parking garage, landscaped gardens, a private, 12-seat IMAX screening room, and a 75-ft. long pool bathed in natural light.
We are currently working on Echelon, a 40-story condo tower at 316 Fifth Ave., for developer Cottonwood Management.
Q: How do you think the engineering field has changed over the past 26 years?
A: Over the past decade alone, I have seen some dramatic changes in the design engineering community. In particular, just as AKF did, many other engineering firms are pursuing the goal of providing more engineering services under one umbrella, often through mergers or acquisitions. Also, the advancement of technology in our industry has moved at hyper speed. Today, with the integration of 3D design tools and administrative programs, efficiency is at an all-time high.
Q: What extracurricular activities do you enjoy?
A: As time allows, I enjoy spending more time with my family and friends and recently our family’s new arrival—my granddaughter. On the recreational side, I enjoy staying healthy, so exercise, including running, is a passion.
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