Joe Scaglione P.E. is a mechanical engineer at Wold with nearly a decade of experience. He works closely with our in-house and out-of-house consultants to ensure client’s goals are achieved. Applying a culture of responsiveness and communication to the engineering process, he elevates our commitment to the client’s experience.
A New Jersey native, he attended Stevens Institute of Technology and earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in mechanical engineering in four years.
How does your personal experience influence the planning and design of education, government, and healthcare environments?
My background as an electrician apprentice in my family's electrical contracting business deeply influences how I approach planning and design. Working in the field provided me with firsthand experience of the importance of removing communication gaps between the owner-stakeholders, design team and contractors. This experience taught me the value of having well-coordinated drawings and effective communication to ensure that the final product not only aligns with the client's needs, but also ensures that building systems remain maintainable over their entire lifespan. My early experiences have translated into a more practical and holistic approach as a designer. As a result, I create solutions that are not only functional but also take into consideration the realities of construction and installation.
How did you first become interested in the architecture and engineering industry?
My interest in the architecture and engineering industry was sparked during my sophomore year of college. I was taking a solar engineering course, which led to an introduction at a local architecture and engineering firm. I was lucky enough to land an internship with this company and eventually started designing all types of solar thermal and photovoltaic (PV) systems. The experience I gained there opened the door to other opportunities after graduation.
Tell us about one of your proudest projects you’ve worked on at Wold.
One of my proudest projects at Wold was the Manzanola Pre-K-12 School located in the Arkansas River valley in the eastern plains of Colorado. The renovation portion of the project involved preserving portions of a century-old historic building that meant a great deal to the community. The engineering design proved to be quite a challenge, integrating the old with the new. In the end, the community was very pleased with the final product, and the project was even awarded the Educators’ Choice Award and the Summit Merit Award by the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE).
Where do you go to find inspiration and get your creativity flowing?
Being based in Colorado, I find the most inspiration in Mother Nature. When I am in the office, I often gather my team to take a walk to the pedestrian bridge over the South Platte River. We look at the water, mountains and sky to gain a new perspective and clear our heads for more productive thinking.
What gets you excited about the future of the engineering industry?
I thrive on learning and overcoming challenges and often find the current state of the engineering industry incredibly exciting. New technologies and construction practices are constantly emerging that are aimed at reducing energy consumption and using more sustainable materials. Embracing these new products and systems requires constant learning and adaptation, and being a part of those early adopters who will invest the effort to understand and successfully implement these really excites me.
If you weren't an engineer, what would you be doing?
If I weren't an engineer, I would likely pursue a career in the outdoors, combining my passion for wildlife and the mountains. I've been fascinated by wildlife and ecology since I was young, and as a kid, I was very active outdoors, running cross country, participating in swim team and playing lacrosse. At one point, I even had dreams of being a professional snowboarder!
I also have a strong inclination towards teaching. Perhaps I would have become a wildlife biologist or an ecology teacher to continue exploring and sharing my love for the natural world.
I come from a close-knit Italian-American family, most of whom still live in New Jersey, including my parents and younger sister. Last year, I proposed to my now fiancée, Allie. We have a Weimaraner named Archie and love spending time with family and friends, cooking, traveling, playing pickleball and seeking out remote areas to hike and camp for our mini adventures.
What advice would you give to your 21-year-old self?
Your surroundings are your measuring stick. Get out and experience as much as you can as soon as you can. Traveling and meeting people from different backgrounds helps put the life you live into perspective. When we limit ourselves to a single set of surroundings, we risk developing a narrow perspective that may not accurately reflect the complexity and diversity of the world around us.
To learn more about Joe, his experience and insights, visit here. Our Focal Point series provides a behind-the-scenes look at the talented team members that bring our work to life.
