A Chat with Bruce Flatness, Senior Superintendent at hardison/downey construction, inc.

By Chris Maday Schmidt

For over a quarter of a century, Bruce Flatness, senior superintendent, has been employed at hardison/downey construction, inc., a fully owned subsidiary of Kitchell. With four decades under his tool belt in the construction industry, Flatness began his career in Iowa working as a carpenter for a master craftsman. Eventually, he moved to the Southwest, became a superintendent and has been a part of the industry growth in Arizona since the early 80s. According to Flatness, what he likes the most about working in the industry is “working outside—you can’t beat Arizona weather!” Join Construction Superintendent as this issue’s seasoned professional talks specifics about building in the Valley of the Sun, his most challenging project to date and what it takes to be a standout superintendent.

(Q) What do you feel are the biggest challenges of a LEED project from a field perspective?

Space and site logistics are always challenging, and educating the subs on proper disposal.

(Q) What has been your most challenging project to date?

Logistically, a solar project at Arizona State University that was built during the ASU football season. It was a five-acre parking lot, outside Sun Devil Stadium, encompassing four separate 57,000-square-foot shade structures that generated more than 2.2 MW of energy. The structure sits 25 feet above ground and provides coverage for roughly 800 parking spaces. Keeping the students and football fans safe around a construction zone was a priority, of course. During the project we had 5,000 linear feet of fence to take down, clean up, make the area safe and then reinstall for seven home football games.

(Q) How did you overcome the challenges?

Advance planning the details was critical. Working around key times of day—figuring out what the schedule was with the students and athletics department. The last six weeks of the project were seven days a week and 10-plus hour days.

(Q) Over the past four decades, what has been your most memorable and/or rewarding project you’ve been involved with, and why?

A business park in Chandler more than 10 years ago, which included three tilt-up concrete office buildings in a six-building master-planned development. It was developed by Douglas Allred, a San Diego, California-based developer, and they were great to work with. When I reflect on a job that took place only a decade ago, it doesn’t seem very long. But things have changed so drastically in terms of labor availability and technology. This was a job that was on time, on budget, tenants were able to occupy on time (so we not only had one owner, but several end-users to satisfy) and the owner was very happy with what we accomplished within a limited time frame.

(Q) What are the most significant changes you’ve seen in the industry in the past 40+ years?

The change and challenge of the skilled labor force—there just aren’t as many people going into the trades despite a potentially lucrative career. And after more than four decades in this business, tight budgets and tight schedules are always an issue.

(Q) What would others on your team say is your strongest attribute as a project superintendent?

I would like to be remembered for my integrity—with owners and city officials… AND a sense of humor on the job!

(Q) What is your advice—or the best guidance you’ve received on the job—that you’d like to share with aspiring superintendents?

You will learn something new every day. Be honest and develop good relations with people. Also, it is all about running a safe site and getting people home at the end of the day.

(Q) Can you talk a little about any specifics to building in Arizona, especially when dealing with the heat?

The summer heat is a challenge. It involves smaller pours of concrete at midnight, and jobs start with the sunrise. We are constantly mindful of heat and its impact on our field guys, and incorporate summer safety messages beginning in May—what to do to avoid heat-related illness like exhaustion, cramps and heatstroke—and how important it is to monitor yourself and your coworkers.

(Q) How do you balance personal and work life?

It becomes harder to balance with the demands of the job. There are long days. I do try to remember to always have my next vacation planned.

(Q) What do you do for recreation? How do you relax?

I like to golf. I relax spending time with my family and enjoying a nice bottle of wine with my wife.

(Q) Any other aspects of your career you think would be important to share with our readers?

It has been great to have the opportunity to be with hardison/downey for 28 years. I am proud of the work I have done with them.