Prefabrication + the New Frontier

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Yesterday, today and the future of mitigating jobsite challenges By Kyle Davis The construction industry has a problem: skilled labor is at an all-time low. However, the part of the story that’s particularly alarming, but rarely surfaces, is it’s also not in a position to recover. In 2004, the Brookings Institute published a white paper titled “Toward a New Metropolis.” The conclusion 15 years ago was that half of what will exist in the built environment by 2030 didn’t exist yet. The construction industry uses 29% of the craft apprentices enrolled in apprenticeship programs, equating to just 144,000 apprentices and … Read more

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We Should Talk: Committing to Meeting of the Minds with PMs

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By John Rowlett One strong indicator of a top-performing construction project is vigorous interaction and communication between the superintendent and the project manager. While it may be common for the two roles to intersect, the argument here is for a heartier, more cohesive relationship, one in which the two parties are fully in sync and clearly understand each other’s expectations and needs. Nowadays, owners expect even their most complex projects to be delivered faster, cheaper and with value-added services. In this environment, what’s called for is not an isolationist “I’ll-do-my job; you-do-yours” relationship between superintendent and project manager. To win … Read more

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Breaking Down Demolition Basics

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By Chance Warren Before you can build your client’s vision, it’s sometimes necessary to deconstruct what is presently on the property. Generally, this involves one of two types of demolition: major demolition, meaning bringing the entire structure down, and selective demolition, wherein the super-structure remains intact but demolition takes place within the building. MAJOR DEMOLITION Work on a major demolition project begins well before the building comes down. Although the details covered in this article refer to a demo performed with machinery, many of the same principles would apply to an explosive or implosive demo situation. Planning is an essential … Read more

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Soft Skills Training: Next Step in Evolution of Project Culture

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By Bruce Worcester For many of us who have spent our careers in the field, there’s no place we’d rather be. Each time I’ve wrapped up a big project and spent a few weeks in the office starting up a new one, I always find myself eager to get back to the field. As we aim to attract more talent into the trades, never has there been a better time to invest in our people to provide them with the meaningful careers they desire—in the field or in the office. In the trades, training tends to focus on technical building … Read more

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5S Makes Jobsites Safer, Cleaner and More Productive

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By Mark Jagiello The 17-story Home2 Suites by Hilton hotel, under construction in downtown Chicago, Illinois, recently topped off six weeks ahead of schedule and with 293 days and 90,000 work hours without an injury. While Mortenson implemented an array of innovative techniques to reach this milestone safely and ahead of schedule, the Lean approach known as 5S played a critical role. We use 5S to maintain neat, clean, orderly project sites and work areas improving safety, quality and efficiency. 5S was originally based on five Japanese words: seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu, and shitsuke. It has been adapted in English … Read more

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