We have been in the preconstruction phase of a brownfield project for about 18 months. In the process, we have been using a relatively new and still evolving set of technology tools, called ground penetrating radar (GPR). This geophysical method uses radar pulses to image the subsurface. Knowing what is underground is particularly important for the job …
Lately, there has been much talk about the future of office space–its size, shape and relevance. In this semi-post-recession time, where technology makes connectivity possible from almost anywhere, is a physical office still necessary? On Monday, I visited with the head of property development for a major national company and the topic came up. What …
I’ve recently been working on a project with one of our customers. Everyone is in a hurry to complete the submittal before a real estate committee meeting. All parties are doing their best with limited time, trying to meet the deadline. There has been a lot of stress in the process. Sound familiar? Last week, …
Over the years, I’ve learned that the ability to relate is just as important as being knowledgeable. In my book, likability–making that personal connection–is one of the ingredients to success. Whether it’s at the beginning of the selection process or at the end, I’ve found that when quality, value and price are equal, it’s often the likability quotient that drives a transaction. We all …
We are just finishing our first total BIM designed project, a 2-story, 130,000 sf building. Our experience has taught us that BIM is: An excellent design tool. Using 3-D modeling allows the customer to understand the project much more efficiently than flat plans. A way to bridge communication gaps. Consultants, contractors, subcontractors and material vendors have one …
Time is what we want most, but what we sometimes use the worst. Time is also our greatest commodity. In business, there are some fields where this is more obvious, like “service professionals” including accountants, marketing firms and IT folks who charge by the hour. Lawyers break their actions into billable segments of .1, or 6 …
Steel driven piles have been around since the early 1900s and continue to be used effectively. With steel piling, one uses HP steel shapes. HP is so named because, looking at the end of the steel shape, it is in the form of the letter H. P stands for pilings, hence the HP. These sections can …
In the world of social media and Web 2.0 (or 3.0, depending on your stance) it often seems the world is speeding past us. Some of the bad business habits that might have slid by a few years ago are getting called on the carpet, and with good reason. A recent conversation with Marc Corsini, …
In Texas, we are closing out a unique institutional project. This former skating rink has been made over to become an educational facility designed and built for LEED certification. Many progressive techniques and products were utilized in the construction. Perhaps one of the more interesting is the Alerton Building Automation System, which controls and monitors …
Charles Portis penned the novel True Grit in 1968. It was subsequently made into a movie in 1969 and a remake was released in 2010. The story is of a 16-year-old girl, an aging U.S. Marshall and a Texas Ranger. The trio overcame an endless succession of challenges to the avenge the murder of the …
We are about to start a project that has been in the pre-construction stages for two years. We’ve used of a couple of relatively new tools during this planning period: BIM (building information modeling) and IPD (integrated project delivery). It seems both initiatives are slowly working their way into real estate, design, and construction in one way …
Recently, I participated in a working panel concerning urban growth and development. Led by Roger Millar of Smart Growth America, it highlighted the Portland Streetcar Initiative, with the idea of bringing something similar to our city. The smart growth concept is intended to combat the idea of suburban sprawl “building urban or suburban and rural communities …