Insights: Using Lean for Fast-Track Project Success

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By Matt Nicholson Any successful project starts with a good plan. In construction, as the projects we work on become increasingly complex, the necessity of detailed planning has never been more evident. It’s important to live by the principles of Lean construction — meaning looking for ways to maximize value and minimize waste in every stage of the building process. The older methods of construction design result in an inherent amount of waste, so it’s crucial for contractors to stay ahead of the curve and constantly look for ways to be more efficient in the way they work. In Turner … Read more

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Multi-Trade Prefab Shaves Time, Cost for Clinic

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The University of California, Davis had clear construction goals for its new on-campus health clinic requiring an innovative approach. The 4,000-square-foot clinic, site utilities and site improvements had to be finished in seven months in time for the university’s open enrollment scheduled for November 2020. The budget for the primary care clinic was fixed and perhaps at odds with the timeline. And, just as construction started, the nation was in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. For The Boldt Company and Design-Build partner Boulder Associates, the solution was a highly collaborative environment that made extensive use of prefabrication. This allowed … Read more

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Routine Maintenance during COVID-19 Shutdowns Helps Extend Sports Stadium Life, Prepare for Fans’ Return

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Large crowds and the elements can make any sport played in a stadium that much more exciting. But while stadiums remain vacant due to current COVID-19 restrictions, now is an ideal time for facility managers and owners to perform maintenance on these important structures in preparation for the fans’ return. Most sports stadiums in the United States are made up of reinforced concrete with steel seating supports and railing. Unfortunately, an even more universal characteristic is their openness and vulnerability to the elements — in addition to the wear and tear they receive from fans. All of these forces combine … Read more

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Do You Have a 5-Star Rating? Tips to Protect the Hotel Guest Experience During Construction

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By Ricky Calderon Hospitality properties undergo renovations, expansions or upgrades often every 3-5 years. Whether it’s to stay competitive in a changing market or because the property is reflagged under a new brand, the goal of the improvement project is usually to attract new guests and maintain established customer loyalty. Simply put, our hospitality clients’ top priority is always guest experience. So, when we begin a renovation or expansion of an existing and operating hotel property, the greatest challenge is planning the work in a way that will deliver the project on time, while also allowing our client to deliver … Read more

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Developing Adaptability, Well-Roundedness: How Seasoned Superintendents Can Help

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By Barry Thomas We all have our professional comfort zones. We can thrive in these safe havens because we’re able to settle in and perform competently with relative ease, all things considered. That said, our willingness to engage unfamiliar experiences, acquire new skills and develop new areas of knowledge and expertise is part of ongoing professional development. For younger superintendents — and the seasoned superintendents who work with them and support their long-term career success — this is worth reminding ourselves. Today’s competitive marketplace and the demand for multi-faceted leaders invite us to think more purposefully about supporting junior superintendents … Read more

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