5 Ways 2020 Changed the Way We Build

  • Posted on

By Rachael Farr At the onset of 2020, construction firms felt optimistic for the year ahead. Demand for construction was high, and industry challenges seemed predictable. Construction leaders were confident, until COVID-19 spread across the nation. While “pandemic” may have been Miriam-Webster’s 2020 Word of the Year, it was “flexibility” for construction teams. In many ways, the pandemic changed building by accelerating innovation, requiring a greater reliance on technology and adding a new dimension to workplace safety. General contracting and construction management firm Robins & Morton was among the many companies that had to quickly develop procedures and protocols in … Read more

Filed under: eNews, Means & MethodsTagged with: , , , , , ,

From the Field: 5 Big Challenges to Mountain Building

  • Posted on

By David Hanen Everyone is fascinated by mountains, with their rugged, majestic heights and sweeping vistas, but mountain construction projects face challenges of weather, transportation, labor and resources that don’t always arise in the flatlands. Here are some down-to-earth issues a savvy construction manager must consider when planning a high-altitude project. Expect harsh, unforgiving weather Mountain weather conducive to building projects is no guarantee at any time of year. Summers are brief, with monsoon rains and snowfall not unheard of; and winters are long, with extended periods of bitter cold punctuated by frequent bouts of heavy snowfall. That means if … Read more

Filed under: eNews, Means & MethodsTagged with: ,

Insights: Using Lean for Fast-Track Project Success

  • Posted on

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

Filed under: eNews, Means & MethodsTagged with: , , , , ,

Multi-Trade Prefab Shaves Time, Cost for Clinic

  • Posted on

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

Filed under: eNews, Means & MethodsTagged with: , , ,

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

  • Posted on

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

Filed under: Means & MethodsTagged with: ,