DESIGN AND ENGINEERING EXPERTS
ABOUT US
OUR MISSION
Crown Jade Design & Engineering’s mission is to help people achieve energy efficient, unique, and affordable housing. We do this by channeling our professional training, combined with extensive construction experience, into producing clear and fully detailed construction documents, including all architectural and structural plans necessary to obtain a building permit.
We are able to engineer all alternative and conventional methods of construction while strictly adhering to all local building codes. Buildings in America use 40 percent of our available energy, and we at Crown Jade Design and Engineering, endeavor to work consistently toward increasing energy and resource efficiency. We do this by assisting homeowners and building contractors to reduce extreme overuse of our earth’s finite resources.
Our Principle Guiding Beliefs:
- 40% of the energy in the USA goes into building; this can and must be reduced.
- Too many resources are excessively used due to poor or over-elaborate designs.
- Housing should be affordable, easy to construct, durable, energy-efficient, and unique.
- We believe consumer education should be part of our contribution to your building project.
- We believe we should be available for questions, adjustments, inspections, and consultations.
MEET OUR TEAM
MARK BENJAMIN
President, Principal Engineer
My favorite job duty to perform is to sit undistracted and run a complete structural analysis on a project. I start at the roof and work down, being sure all members are large enough to support the loads, and that all the loads get transferred to the ground. Beyond that, my main passion is to provide complete plans for projects that are affordable and meet my client’s needs.
I am currently restoring a 1971 VW Super Beetle for fun. I have added a 1974 VW bus to that restoration collection. I also have a collection of over 600 vinyl records and hope to have the time someday to just sit and listen to them. I have built a Man-Retreat in the basement of my wife’s home (she graciously allows me to live there with her) that has an office, bar and media room, with two pairs of authentic theater seats from The Lincoln Center, Ft. Collins.
I would urge my clients to be sure the firm they use has fully experienced structural engineers for whatever building system they are using; that the firm can provide all of the architectural and structural plans needed to obtain a permit and build it; and that the members of that firm have actually worked in construction and use that knowledge to your benefit.
EDUCATION:
2010
- Passive House Institute US, www.passivehouse.us/consultants.php
- Certified Passive House Consultant
2008-2010
- Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO
- Master of Science, Structural degree, graduated 12-2010
1991-1994
- Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ
- Civil Engineer BS degree program
- Deans Honor List, Gold Key Honor Society
- Graduated May, 1994
1988
- Associated Builders and Contractors, Grand Rapids, MI
- Construction Planning and Scheduling, Timeline, and Blueprint Reading
- 1976-1978 Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO
- Engineering Science
WORK EXPERIENCE:
2005-present
- PHI-D&E Inc. dba Crown Jade Design and Engineering
- Structural Engineer, Owner, President
2001-2004
- J.C. Moore, P.E., P.C., Broomfield, CO
- Structural Design Engineer, P.E. obtained 6-30-2004
1999-2001
- Landmark Engineering Ltd., Loveland, Co
- Civil/structural Engineer (EI), Project Manager
1995-1999
- Lobar Inc., Ft. Collins, CO
- Project Engineer, Project Manager
1994
- Albrecht Companies, Ft. Collins, CO
- Estimator, Engineer (Intern)
1991-1994
- USDA, Coconino National Forest, Flagstaff, AZ
- Engineer (Intern)
- Western Technologies, Flagstaff, AZ
- Materials Technician
1989-1990
- Paradise Leisure Living Center, Grand Rapids, MI
- Operations Manager, Construction Coordinator
1987-1989
- Owen, Ames, and Kimball, Grand Rapids, MI
- Assistant Superintendent, Carpenter, Commercial and residential construction
1979-1987
- Operations Manager, Crew Supervisor, Carpenter, Comm. and residential construction
1969-1979
- Carpenter, Commercial and residential construction
DAVE BENJAMIN
VP Drafting
My name is David and I co-founded Crown Jade with my father Mark. I am head of drafting at the company. Before starting the firm, I worked in construction from my teenage years doing everything from framing, finish work, tile, drywall, building steel buildings and log homes. Of course, being the son of a carpenter, we have been building and working from a young age, my brothers and I built a two-story fort as children. When I was age 14 my father, brothers and I built the family home. Having that hands on experience with all types of building & building materials gives me an advantage when it comes to drafting, design work and being able to see how a house comes together.
Through our company I get to see people realize their dream of building the home they always wanted or making the home they already own perfect for them. Helping that happen is very rewarding by providing a complete, competent and aesthetically pleasing set of Architectural & Structural plans to take to the building department to get a permit.
I live in the Buckhorn Canyon outside of Fort Collins, CO with my wife, 6 children and our Saint Bernard & Pug where we enjoy all sorts of outdoor activities like hiking & biking our land, swimming in the Poudre Canyon and riding the many bike trails around Fort Collins. We also enjoy a homemade pizza and movie night every Friday. I like to have them help on our projects around the house to instill that work ethic I learned as a child and to make sure they start their own adult lives with knowledge that most are not able to learn nowadays.
EVAN CHEADLE
Drafter II
My name is Evan Cheadle, and I am a Drafter at Crown Jade Design and Engineering. I’ve lived in Colorado my whole life, and I enjoy hiking, camping, and snowboarding in this beautiful state.
I’ve always had an interest in design, and I love using that creativity to create structures that improve people’s lives.
I earned a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Fort Lewis College in Durango, which taught me abstract problem-solving and how to look at a situation from all angles. I studied drafting at Front Range Community College, where I learned how to use several cutting-edge drafting and 3D modeling programs.
In the two years I’ve spent with Crown Jade, I’ve gained experience with all manner of building techniques and materials. I look forward to using this knowledge to help you design a project that fits your unique needs.
TARA BARGAS
Office Manager
My name is Tara Bargas, and I am the Office Manager at Crown Jade Design and Engineering. I am a native of Colorado and love the outdoors. I have had extensive experience in office and administration with various industries and love the learning process.
I have learned quite a bit about this industry and thrive on the connections with our clients and helping them get the most out of their experience with the projects they have envisioned.