The Scroll - Summer 2026
Atriax Group debuts as exhibitor for SAME SBC 2026
We are excited to announce that Atriax Group will be attending the SBC 2026 conference in Charlotte, NC. This year's destination is close to our Hickory office, making it an easy decision to join the action. Not only will we be in attendance, but we will also be participating in the Small Business Scavenger Hunt. It will be a great opportunity for us to catch up with old friends and make some new ones within the AEC industry. See us at booth 1908!
Project Updates
Atriax's Biggest Project to Date: $38M Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) project in Albany, NY
This is EHRM Project #9 for us
In June, the Atriax/DLR Group JV received an award from the Department of Veterans Affairs to upgrade the infrastructure of 10 buildings on the campus of the Albany VA Medical Center to support electronic upgrades to storing and accessing veterans' medical records. This nationwide EHRM Program follows strict site infrastructure requirements to ensure patient records are secure and retrievable at all times. Senior Project Manager Steve Collar is heading up this infrastructure update. The construction cost limit is $38 million. Our team is rounded out by subconsultants Wiley Wilson, PEC, STR Partners (a NY affiliate of MBJ), GHD and OCMI. Design is scheduled for completion by August 2027.
Atriax/DLR Group Wins First Healthcare Project in Ohio
Atriax/DLR Group JV won its first project at the Louis B. Stokes VA Medical Center in Cleveland Ohio. It is a multi-phase project to renovate 8,000+SF of existing clinical space to create a new post-anesthesia care unit and pre-op recovery suites, a cardiac cath lab, electrophysiology lab and support spaces. Design is expected to be complete by July 2027.
Atriax/DLR Group Wins Parking Lot Project in Oklahoma
In our first project at the VA's Lawton Outpatient Clinic, in Fort Sill, OK, our team will be repairing the clinic's existing parking lots and constructing an additional lot. Design should be complete in early 2027.
Cajah's Mountain EMS Base is Open for Business!
This 24/7 Emergency Medical Services (EMS) facility for Caldwell County was opened in March 2026 and features (pictured above) a three-bay garage, ambulance training area, and kitchen and lounge areas. The project took a former medical office, repurposed it, and added extra space to create the $4.5M facility. The design/build project was run by Atriax Building Solutions (ABS). The state-of-the-art facility was recognized through these local media outlets (click their name to read the article): The Paper; WHKY; and the Hickory Daily Record.
Reserve at the Falls Will Provide Single-Family Housing in Hickory
Atriax Group will be serving as the design-builder for this 18-unit real estate development in Hickory, NC. The triplex modern farmhouse townhomes come in two-bed and two-bath configurations where homeowners can choose between three interior options: rustic farmhouse, traditional farmhouse and modern farmhouse.
Homes at Reserve at the Falls are available for sale now. Atriax Group expects to break ground by the end of the year. For more information, contact Simon Lucas at [email protected].
It's Official: Atriax Embarks on its 25th Year in Business
Ed Henson and George Auten founded Atriax in April 2001. In April 2026, we gathered at our 5th company headquarters to celebrate the occasion.
New Designations
ABS and Atriax are now both listed as North Carolina Small Business Enterprises (SBEs)! Additionally, Atriax received the HIRE Vets Award from the US Department of Labor for excellent attraction and retention of US Military Veterans. This is Atriax's third HIRE Vets award.
The NC Small Business Enterprise (NC SBE) designation positions our firm for more local and state projects where hiring small businesses is a priority.
The US Department of Labor recognized Atriax as one of the 887 nationwide recipients of the 2025 HIRE Vets Medallion Award for our exemplary efforts in recruiting, employing and retaining veterans.
Personal Announcements
Atriax Welcomes & Congratulates
"For the majority of my life, I lived in Southern California. I worked for a general engineering contractor for a time, learning the basics of construction and project management. From 2019-2023, I attended California State University, Fullerton, graduating with a BS in Civil Engineering. By 2024, my family and I decided it was time for a change. We packed our bags and relocated to Morganton, North Carolina where my wife Emily had accepted a position at the North Carolina School of Science and Math.
For a time, I worked for a firm in Asheville where I continued to develop my skills in civil design. Then in May, I began my journey with Atriax Group in Hickory, bringing me a little closer to home. When I’m not applying my civil design skills, I enjoy spending time with my daughter, finding new trails to hike in the vibrant North Carolina landscape, or relaxing at home with a warm drink and a cozy game."
"Two things influenced my career: I was around construction at an early age and my Art teachers also were amazing women who pulled and pushed my creativity. My Uncle Gary was a paving and excavation contractor, and my cousins and I would perform general labor during the summers to earn extra money. His aunt was a home builder in Chattanooga, who gave me experience in design and construction. My art teachers tapped me to paint murals around the school and other special projects. I was exposed to painting, still life drawing, sculpture, and many other graphic mediums, inspiring me to pursue architecture.
Years later, my role as Director of Architecture at Atriax is centered on leading with purpose—advancing design excellence, strengthening our technical rigor, and empowering our team to deliver meaningful, high-impact solutions."
New mentorship role
Our co-founder, Ed Henson, was promoted to Senior Architect Licensing Advisor with the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). He’ll help guide future architects through the licensure process while advising NCARB on reimagining pathways to registration.
Happenings in the Atriax Community
Thriving
Atriax CEO, George Auten, Jr., PE, has resuscitated the Hickory Chapter of Professional Engineers of North Carolina (PENC). Since Fall 2025, the group meets one Wednesday a month for lunch and a speaker. Some sessions have been field trips to venues such as the new Hickory Aviation Museum while other months the group meets at Atriax headquarters for lunch and a speaker. Contact George Auten if you would like to join this group. [email protected]
Like what you see?
Interested in joining our Hickory-based team? Visit our Careers page to see our available positions.
