An unforeseen site condition uncovered shortly after construction threatened to disrupt the schedule from the start. While initial tests revealed that groundwater quality would be challenging during construction, the actual quality defied historical data and the contractor’s prior experience in the same area.

Photo courtesy Brandon Huttenlocher

To meet building codes, the project needed a much more intensive water treatment system, and the state required that a permanent dewatering system be added to the scope. Although the design and schedule had already been set, the new dewatering plan required that all water coming through the site be run through a complete filtration process. Through detailed planning and collaboration, the team was able to achieve these targets without impacting the schedule.

As each residence was purchased, the team got a new owner/stakeholder, each with their own style and expectations. Each residence became its own microproject, with different finish packages and risk of potential changes. The team worked closely with all parties to ensure that each owner’s vision was realized, even if it was purchased after finishes began.

A new technology integrated into the project is the Piranha thermal energy recovery system, which recovers thermal heat from wastewater. Wastewater can carry about 25% of a building’s energy consumption, as it is naturally hotter than other regenerative energy systems such as well water or geo-exchange.