About Erin Alders

Erin Alders, MS, PE

I bring a blend of fine arts training, hands-on construction experience, and advanced engineering expertise to each project, offering a distinct perspective to structural design. My mission is to deliver streamlined solutions which optimize materials, integrate sustainable technologies, and balance cost efficiency with long term resilience.

With 30 years in the building and construction industry, and 15 years dedicated to structural engineering, I’ve built my approach on craftsmanship and technical rigor. My journey began in my family’s design-build business where I spent over a decade immersed in residential construction. Working alongside my stepfather, a master craftsman and builder, I learned the value of sustainable materials and environmentally sound practices. From stacking insulated concrete forms on job sites to restoring century-old Victorian homes in Nevada City’s Historic District, I gained early experience still shaping my work today.

My Unique Skillset

I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Arts from the University of California, Santa Cruz, with a background in drawing, painting, photography, and visual design. While studying abroad in Cortona, Italy, I deepened my understanding of art and experienced the intersection of art and architecture. I went on to earn a Master of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering, with a focus on structural engineering at the University of California, Davis. This dual foundation allows me to approach engineering as both an exact science and a creative process, crafting solutions optimized, low carbon, and aligned with each client’s vision.

My Commitment to Sustainability

Environmental stewardship is at the core of my engineering philosophy. I am committed to material optimization and sustainable design practices, and I serve on ACI Committee 332, Residential Concrete, contributing to guidance on concrete construction for homes. I collaborate directly with architects, contractors, developers, and fabricators to align structural solutions with design intent and construction efficiency.

My Engineering Approach

I create custom solutions for each project by integrating sustainable concrete mix designs, optimized structural systems, and fire-resilient assemblies such as cast-in-place concrete and insulated concrete forms. Depending on the project, this approach reduces material quantities by 5% to 25% while maintaining structural integrity and durability. The result is durable, cost-effective structures built for long term value, designed to meet emerging carbon standards, and positioned to support a climate aligned future.

If you’re seeking a partner for high performance, low carbon structural solutions for residential, commercial, or landmark projects across California and Nevada, I invite you to connect with me today.