Despite all the buzz around building information modeling, it is really a reintroduction of traditional practices, with technology added. Throughout the history of architecture, scale models have been valuable tools. Before beginning construction, great architects such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Wright all built mock-ups to uncover potential design issues and check constructability. That’s what BIM is all about. Our company began using BIM architecturally in 2003 and started using BIM for our MEP work in 2006. By 2007, we made the commitment to produce all of our major projects using BIM. To date, we’ve invested in excess of
Many contracting companies across the nation are watching with dismay as their accounts receivable climb out of the normal comfort zone. For any business, every penny counts whether times are good or bad. Probably nowhere is this mindset more prevalent than in the construction industry, where low profit margins require contractors to protect working capital any way they can. Their success, however, often depends on whether they have an effective billing and collection system. Without one, a contractor’s cash flow can quickly turn sporadic and unpredictable. That almost always leads to a siphoning of cash reserves, which in turn leaves
Because purchasing a home is typically the largest purchase a person makes in their lifetime, it quickly becomes a roller-coaster ride of excitement and emotions, encompassing hours of research, projections and financial analysis. So it should be no surprise that the thrill can quickly disappear and turn to anger if a homeowner discovers any problem with his or her substantial investment. All of a sudden, happiness turns to recrimination where a contractor is sure to be on the receiving end of what may be unwarranted accusations. But there are a few things a contractor should keep in mind in order
The Brookwood is a 19-story, 430,000-sq-ft, 212-unit condominium tower in Atlanta. It features street-level retail, a one-acre green deck amenity level—with a clubhouse, swimming pool, lawn and garden—secure underground residential parking and above-grade retail parking. Photo: R.J. Griffin & Co. Related Links: Southeast Construction’s Best Of 2009 Awards Best Of 2009 Slideshow When the original design exceeded the owner’s budget, R. J. Griffin & Co. and architect Smallwood Reynolds Stewart Stewart & Associates, both of Atlanta, modified the design and used alternative materials to reduce the cost by about $2 million. The project encountered difficulties during the foundation process due
The University of Miami Central Energy Plant represents one of the largest facilities of its kind in South Florida. Among its features: three high-efficiency, variable-flow 3900-ton chillers piped in parallel and each discharging into a 36-in chilled water piping/distribution system; three cooling towers; three variable-flow 500-hp chilled-water pumps; three constant-flow, 600-hp condenser water pumps piped in parallel; 36-in chilled water piping distribution system; three air separators in the return chilled water piping systems; one chilled water piping bypass; 42-in condenser water piping distribution system; seven chilled-water air-handling units; and a 12,000-gallon fuel oil system, among others. Photo: John J. Kirlin
The renovation of the Peachtree Presbyterian Church consisted of five distinct phases. These included the relocation of the Senior Pastor and administration offices; the addition of the main sanctuary to add pre-function gathering spaces and additional classrooms; a new youth building that includes two worship areas for middle- and high-school students; a 360-space parking deck; and a pedestrian tunnel that was bored under Roswell Road to connect the main campus to the youth building and the parking deck. Photo: New South Construction Co. Related Links: Southeast Construction’s Best Of 2009 Awards Best Of 2009 Slideshow Despite challenges, all five phases
When the School District of Palm Beach County and Florida Atlantic University teamed up to place an elementary school on the edge of the college’s 150-acre natural pine habitat and build a new educational center for the university, the partners aimed for LEED certification and pursued every possible point, eventually exceeding goals and earning LEED-Gold status for both structures. Photo: Pirtle Construction Co. Related Links: Southeast Construction’s Best Of 2009 Awards Best Of 2009 Slideshow The result was the $29.3-million Pine Jog Elementary School and FAU/Pine Jog Environmental Education Center in West Palm Beach. “From a design, construction, mechanical, health
The $200-million Raleigh Convention Center is built from a mix of traditional and unique materials: limestone, granite, buff-colored brick and glass. Located in downtown Raleigh, the facility’s design locates the center’s sizable service requirements and its large exhibit hall out of site, below grade and under two city streets. Photo: TVS Design Related Links: Southeast Construction’s Best Of 2009 Awards Best Of 2009 Slideshow The project was the largest building project ever attempted by the City of Raleigh and the County of Wake. More than 100 public meetings were facilitated by the design team during the project’s development. The joint
Under a contract valued at nearly $25 million, the BE&K Building Group provided design-build services for Randolph Hospital’s Outpatient and Cancer Center. The BE&K Building Group served as the design-build team leader and construction manager. Photo: BE&K Building Group Related Links: Southeast Construction’s Best Of 2009 Awards Best Of 2009 Slideshow The 66,626-sq-ft building addition is comprised of two levels, with the outpatient center on one level and the cancer center below. The single-level 37,117-sq-ft outpatient center houses comprehensive diagnostic imaging services, including expanded radiographic, CAT scanning, ultrasound, MRI and PET scanning capabilities, a women’s center, laboratory and facilities for
Taking self-storage to the next level, Miller Construction Co. of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., built the $22-million, high-tech, hurricane-fortified RoboVault, also in Fort Lauderdale. Photo: Miller Construction Co. Related Links: Southeast Construction’s Best Of 2009 Awards Best Of 2009 Slideshow RoboVault features 456 storage containers, biometric recognition and private access to storage areas with continuous monitoring, back-up power generation, fully automated container retrieval, climate-controlled wine storage and safe-deposit boxes. Miller began construction of the 155,000-sq-ft center in May 2008 for developer Marvin Chaney of Fort Lauderdale and completed the project in June. Miller structural engineers and Gustavo Carbonell Architects of Fort
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