For its projects, Ondrei Poliak, Hunt�s BIM/VDC coordinator, developed a phasing plan including utility relocations prior to excavating 60 ft for the cast-in-place, post-tension-concrete parking garage.

�Through our BIM process, we were able to develop a variety of scenarios quickly for us to determine the cost and schedule impacts for each option we were considering,� says Brent Leif, Hunt�s construction manager.

�We worked though each option with the subcontractors as well as the owner to arrive at the most cost-effective and aggressive solution and were able to perform almost 11 months of construction before utility relocations were complete.�

Leif�s team for Cityscape I includes Bob Aylesworth, project executive; Mark Abraham, project manager; and Rodger Vincent and Larry Blake, general superintendents.

While utility relocation progressed, Hunt built temporary shoring walls to allow for the accelerated tower schedule. �This has led to some unconventional solutions to excavation and shoring that would not normally been seen without these challenging conditions,� Leif says.

Hunt also worked closely with the structural engineer to develop a highly efficient system of concrete post-tensioned elevated slabs for the tower. �By developing a system of larger and more uniform tables, we were able to safely increase the speed of the construction of the concrete frame and ultimately top out the structure faster than originally contemplated,� Leif says.

In addition, the unitized curtain-wall system, by the Gilbert office of subcontractor Walters and Wolf, was designed for speed of construction as well as engineered to a higher pounds-per-square-foot standard for withstanding water infiltration than most buildings in Phoenix.

Most recently, Hunt has completed 75,000 sq ft of tenant improvements on the top 3.5 floors of the CityScape I office tower � the new home for the local office of the Squire, Sanders, Dempsey LLP law firm. That LEED silver project is utilizing full 4D BIM modeling, coordination, clash detection and implementation.

At CityScape I, Hunt also became the first contractor in the U.S. to use ArtrA, a 3D BIM software that embeds 6D facilities-management information electronically, including as-built drawings, operations and maintenance manuals and documentation, according to Steve Dales, director of business development at ArtrA Inc.�s Phoenix office.

Key Players

Owner/Developer: RED Development

General Contractors: Hunt Construction Group; The Weitz Co.

Architect: Callison

Engineers: PK Associates; David Evans and Associates; KPFF Consulting Engineers

Subcontractors: Buesing Corp.; Suntec Concrete; JEN Electric; HACI; W.J. Maloney Plumbing; Walters and Wolf; Stafford Tower Cranes; Able Steel