Company History
Craig Olson, PE., the founder and president of Madrona Engineering, received a Bachelor’s of Science Civil Engineering degree in 1990 from the University of Washington. For the next 5 years, he worked at a design firm and obtained his Professional Engineering license in 1994.
He worked at a structural firm for an additional 3 years before starting Madrona Engineering in 1997. It was while at the structural firm that he first learned about post frame buildings. The appeal of post frame was immediate! Lower-cost building system, ease of construction, proven durability and unlimited design options.
In the 20+ years since then, we’ve provided structural analysis for more than 1,000 post frame buildings of all shapes and sizes, from a 16′ x 20′ shed to commercial and agricultural buildings of more than 120,000 square feet. We’ve had the good fortune to work with many wonderful builders, architects, and owners over the years and we’re grateful for the opportunity.
Message from Craig (the Engineer):
“It’s been my pleasure to work with many great builders, Architects, and designers over the years. Most of them have been honest and competent, hard-working folks who just want to get the job done right. I’ve also known some Engineers who could design a skyscraper but would probably need help to build a dog house! <grin> I’ve seen Engineers telling builders what to do when the builders clearly know more about it than they do.
So I like to get out of the office to swing a hammer, pack lumber, and climb a ladder on a regular basis. I’ve personally built 3 different houses and numerous other projects from the ground up, including a post-frame/straw bale home, and remodeled several others. I’ve run an excavator, tied rebar, set forms, installed floor joists, T&G sub-floor, framed walls, done plumbing and electrical for entire projects, insulation, roofing, you name it. I’ve hung and painted drywall, but I can’t finish it. (That’s truly an artist’s job). I will admit that I’m not an expert builder, but I AM an expert Engineer with substantial, real-world, building experience.”
So you know we have some “real world” construction experience as well as Engineering and design expertise. That’s where the “Common Sense Engineering” tag line comes from.
Please get in touch so we can discuss how Madrona Engineering can help you get your project designed, permitted, and built!
Madrona Engineering, LLC
4202 Meridian Street, Suite 105-197
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 510-0480 text/cell
craig at madronaengineering dot com
Licensed in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho