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It’s a small world after all, right?
The news really doesn't come as much of a surprise. Ikea was just another in a list of retailers that have been rethinking their store footprints. With the game plan of its Planning Studios format three years into motion, the furniture retailer opened two locations in California—Los Angeles and Long Beach, respectively. The locations join previously opened formats in New York City, Moscow, Paris and Toronto.
The concept is simple: to reach shoppers living in areas where big-box stores are not present. The 8,000-square-foot to 9,000-square-foot stores focus on items essential for city life, i.e., bathrooms, bedrooms and kitchen. On the horizon are more Planning Studio stores in San Francisco, Tokyo and Rome.
The Best Buys, DSWs, Kohl's, Macy's, Publixs and Targets of the world also have been toying with the smaller-store format.
One of the decisions behind these moves can be found in the strategies created during the pandemic, where many stores struggled with smaller sales and traffic. A recent report by Placer, "Going Big by Going Small: The Small-Format Advantage," found that smaller format stores can help retailers target specific audiences, experiment with new brand concepts and maximize reach while minimizing overhead.
The Placer reports also found that small-format stores can serve as fulfillment centers for click-and-pay shopping, as well as a location for returns (we all have taken advantage of this option), all while fostering brand awareness and customer engagement.
Target stores boast a typical store format of around 130,000 square feet. Of the 150-plus small-format stores it has opened recently, 25 are near college campuses. Catering specifically to students, these campus-oriented stores range from around 13,000 square feet to 40,000 square feet. Walk down the aisles and you will find everything a college student might need, from grab-and-go food, dorm room furnishings, toiletries and school supplies. The campus stores also serve as ecommerce pickup points for students.
In a time of unprecedented change, being able to change with the changes continues to be a boon for the commercial construction industry. Take the GreenWise Market by Publix stores, which have become a community hub by inviting shopping experiences that encourage longer visits and communal engagement.
By helping provide today's consumers on every level a better shopping engagement experience, brands continue to show their ability to not only be resilient, but how to survive when the odds can stack against you.
From SoHo to Rodeo.
We’ve expanded to the West Coast Bringing decades of experience building high profile retail and office environments for the world’s largest brands.
We’re ready to build for you.
Tom Fenton, Business Development Manager (914) 244-9100 x 322
tfenton@schimenti.com
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RETAILERS
AARON ANCELLO Facilities Asset Management
Public Storage
DEDRICK KIRKEM Facilities Director Fragracenet.com
BOB MEZA Senior Construction Project Manager Target
JOHN MIOLOGOS Director, Store Standards Store Design and Planning Walgreens Company
LAURA GROSS Retail Facilities Manager American Signature Furniture
RESTAURANTS
RON BIDINOST Vice President of Construction Bubbakoo’s Burritos
DAVID SHOTWELL Construction Manager Atticus Franchise Group
RON VOLSKE Development Director Focus brands
HOSPITALITY
JOHN COOPER
Principal Executive Vice President
Stormont Hospitality Group LLC
SAMUEL D. BUCKINGHAM, RS AMS CMCA President of Construction Devco Development
GARY RALL Vice President of Design and Development Holiday Inn Club Vacations
ROBERT RAUCH CEO RAR Hospitality Faculty Assoc. Arizona State University
JOE THOMAS Vice President Engineering Loews Hotels
LU SACHARSKI Vice President of Operations and Project Management Interserv Hospitality
ANDY BRIGGS, CHA Managing Principal A14 Capital Management
GENERAL CONTRACTOR
DAVID THOMPSON Vice President TCB Construction Group LLC.
MATT SCHIMENTI President Schimenti Construction
JOHN STALLMAN Marketing Manager Lakeview Construction
JEFFREY D. MAHLER RCA Advisory Board Member
DEVELOPMENT/PROJECT MANAGEMENT
KAY BARRETT NCIDQ, CDP Senior Vice President Cushman & Wakefield
CLINTON “BROOKS” HERMAN, PMP Construction Project Manager Hill International, Inc.
PAM GOODWIN Goodwin Advisors, LLC Goodwin Commercial The Pam Goodwin Show
PERMITTING
VAUN PODLOGAR
CEO, Owner, Founder State Permits, Inc.
ARCHITECTS/ENGINEERS
MICHAEL MAGEE
Studio Leader Retail, Store Design Senior Associate Little
FRED MARGULIES Director of Retail Architecture Onyx Creative
STEVEN MCKAY Managing Principal, Global Design Leader DLR Group
STEVEN R. OLSON, AIA President CESO, Inc.
ADA BRAD GASKINS Principal The McIntosh Group
ACADEMIA
BOB WITKEN Senior Project Manager Fox Restaurant Concepts
REAL ESTATE ROB ADKINS, LEED AP CDP Senior Tenant Coordinator, Retail Peterson Companies
MEGAN HAGGERTY Founder Legacy Capital Investment
GINA MARIE ROMEO Senior Consultant, Key Accounts Rarefied Real Estate Partners
JIM SHEUCHENKO President Property Management Advisors LLC
CHRIS VARNEY Principal, Executive Vice President EMG
STEPHEN HEKMAN Executive VP Kingsmen Retail Services US
KEN DEMSKE Vice President Jones Lang LaSalle
DR. MARK LEE LEVINE Professor Burns School/ Daniels College University of Denver
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AroundtheIndustry
HOSPITALITY
Hilton/Temp
A new lifestyle hotel, Tempo by Hilton Brand, is set to open in New York City. The 661-room hotel at TSX Broadway will feature programming from TSX Entertainment, an area for remote workers, wellness guest rooms and a dining terrace overlooking Times Square.
Fontainebleau
Fontainebleau Las Vegas, a new property scheduled to open in late 2023, will feature a two-story shopping center with 35 luxury stores. The site will also encompass a casino, 550,000-square-foot convention center and a 3,700-room hotel.
Hilton Hotels/Starlab
Hilton Hotels is teaming up with Voyager Space as their official hotel partner to design hospitality suites for crew onboard the Starlab space station, which is expected to replace the International Space Station and house up to four astronauts. The team will also work on designing communal areas and sleeping spaces for the astronauts.
Salamander
Hotels and Resorts
Salamander Hotels and Resorts is rebranding the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington, DC, and planning renovations, including a new restaurant, changes to the lobby and updates to the spa. The 373key hotel will keep the current employees and add 100 more.
Dorian
The $110-million Dorian, the newest luxury hotel in Calgary, is touted as a sign and driver of the Alberta city’s emergence as a cultural and tourism destination. The 27-story Marriott property, named after the protagonist in Oscar Wilde’s novel “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” boasts more than 300 rooms and three restaurants.
Two Bit Entertainment
Two Bit Entertainment, creator of the Two Bit Circus mini-amusement park in Los Angeles, plans to launch a brand of hotels called Revelers Resorts featuring interactive storytelling experiences that use virtual technology. The group has purchased two former hotel spaces in New York City and Denver, and plans to transform them to offer a family-oriented experience with circus-themed rooms and attractions including the live-action “Revelers Quest” game, ropes courses and climbing walls.
Foxwoods Resort Casino
A 50,000-square-foot gambling space and restaurant are planned as part of an $85 million expansion planned by Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut. Construction is expected to be completed by the summer.
Turning Stone Resort Casino
The Turning Stone Resort Casino in upstate New York plans to add a hotel and space for conventions and conferences, as well as amenities in its largest expansion to date. Construction is expected to extend over several years.
RETAIL IKEA
The exterior design for the planned new IKEA City Center Vienna Westbahnhof was modeled after the Sweden-based furniture retailer’s iconic shelving to provide fresh air and sunshine to each floor. The building was designed to fit into the surrounding urban neighborhood and, in addition to the store, will feature hostels and public spaces such as the rooftop garden.
Macy’s
Macy’s continues to grow with the smaller-format Market by Macy’s stores, opening locations in Chicago and the St. Louis and Atlanta markets. The off-mall stores hold about 20,000 square feet of selling space, compared with 200,000 square feet for a full-line Macy’s department store, and the Chicago location is the first to combine Market by Macy’s with the retailer’s off-price Backstage concept.
Epic Health and Fitness
Epic Health and Fitness is adding its third location, this one in Brooksville, Florida. The Brooksville club will be its largest yet at 15,000 square feet. The Epic Health and Fitness franchise has plans for at least three additional locations in the surrounding cities and counties.
Tractor Supply
Tractor Supply Company is on track to open as many as 80 new stores during the current fiscal year. The rural lifestyle retailer, which operates more than 2,000 US stores, also has focused on tech tools to boost omnichannel efforts.
Prada
Prada is making its grand entrance in East Hampton, New York. The 1,600-square-foot boutique welcomes shoppers to a bold and lively atmosphere with contrasting colors and neon signs paying homage to the iconic Prada triangle logo.
Burberry
London-based luxury brand Burberry Group plans to revamp 65 of its stores this year with Burberry’s refashioned logo and new fashion display backdrops.
AroundtheIndustry
Closed
German fashion brand Closed, recently repositioned as a global contemporary label, has just opened its first store in the United States. The brand has landed at Platform—one of the most creative restaurant and boutique shopping centers in Los Angeles.
Academy Sports
Academy Sports + Outdoors will open eight or more new stores this year as part of a plan to grow by as many as 100 new locations by 2027 after pausing expansion for two years because of the pandemic. The sporting goods retailer has 260 stores and expansion plans call for both entering new markets and growing its presence in the 16 states where it already operates.
RESTAURANT
Bella Dea
Bella Dea is opening as a sustainable seafood restaurant in New York City to take the cuisine Brian Bornemann and Leena Culhane offer at Crudo e Nudo in Santa Monica, California to the East Coast. The new restaurant will share space with Breakfast by Salt’s Cure, another California restaurant seeking to add a presence in New York, and will feature menu items like steamed mussels and croquettes.
Dave & Buster’s
Dave & Buster’s plans to open eight new locations this year, and it’s focused on promoting the restaurants as an alternative to hotel meeting rooms for corporate events. It also has opened a Game & Go MicroMarket inside of its Hollywood, Florida location that features checkout-free technology from Zippin designed to speed guest interactions and reduce labor needs.
Wahlburgers
Wahlburgers is using proprietary artificial intelligence technology developed by Raydiant to offer customers personalized ordering experiences. Ordering kiosks are outfitted with cameras designed to determine data about the customer including age, gender and mood, and recommend suitable menu items.
Popeyes/Tim Hortons
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, the division of Restaurant Brands International Inc., has entered into agreement with its Tim Hortons developer, Cartesian Capital Group LLC, for the chicken-focused brand in China.
Neat Burger
UK-based Neat Food opened a pop-up location of its Neat Burger concept in New York City recently, with plans to expand the plantbased burger brand in the US with three permanent locations scheduled this year.
Dirty French
Chef Mario Carbone and Major Food Group are bringing a location of the Dirty French restaurant they debuted in New York City to Miami with the opening of Dirty French Steakhouse, which features extravagant cuts of meat including tomahawk steaks from Snake River Farms and prime cuts from butcher Pat LaFrieda.
OEB Breakfast Co.
Canada’s OEB Breakfast Co. is mapping a US expansion plan. The casual-dining chain with 12 units in Canada and one in Arizona recently opened its first California location in Newport Beach with the help of Newport Breakfast Concepts LLC. There are plans for more units.
Rock N’ Roll Sushi
Alabama-based Rock N’ Roll Sushi is moving west, with a 25-store franchise deal in Colorado and other units planned for Las Vegas and Phoenix. The concept has found success with its ethos of making sushi accessible to a wider range of diners.
GROCERY XMarket
PlantX Life Inc. recently opened its XMarket Uptown in Chicago. The plant-based retail location is the company’s second store in the United States and sixth store globally.
BJ’s Wholesale Club
BJ’s Wholesale Club’s continued expansion of new locations this year will include its inaugural club in the state of Tennessee by the first half of 2023. The Volunteer State’s first BJ’s Wholesale Club was located 20 miles southeast of downtown Nashville in La Vergne, a city in Rutherford County.
Sprouts Farmers Markets
Nine of the 16 locations Sprouts Farmers Markets opened last year were smaller-format stores, and the retailer has plans to close 11 of its larger, traditional stores this year while opening 30 new locations. The grocer also plans to expand its private-label offerings this year, following $1 billion in sales of its own-brand products in 2022.
ALDI
Aldi will open four new stores and one relocation nationwide this week, furthering its aggressive expansion plans. And in Texas, Aldi said it is seeing growth in first-time shoppers who come in seeking value-priced groceries. The new stores, which will open their doors on Thursday, will be in Franklin, North Carolina; Rock Hill, Missouri; Northampton, Massachusetts; and Clio, Michigan.
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50 for 50,000
Why the Lowe's Foundation investing $50 million to prepare 50,000 people for skilled trades careers
It's all about the future. That's the spirit behind the Lowe's Foundation $50 million commitment over the next five years to prepare 50,000 people for skilled trades careers. The investment will come through grants to community and technical colleges and community-based nonprofits.
The new strategic focus addresses one of the most critical worker shortages currently facing the US economy. Today, 85% of contractors report trouble finding skilled workers, and an estimated 546,000 new skilled tradespeople will be needed to meet demand in this year alone.
Janice Dupré, Lowe's Executive VP of Human Resources and Chair of the Lowe's Foundation, says with the skilled trades industry facing a labor crisis, the Foundation is poised to help. "[We want to] train tens of thousands of qualified skilled tradespeople, giving each of them the opportunity to build a rewarding career and make lasting impacts in communities across the country. We are bringing our network, our expertise and our resources to address this critical need and
help ensure that the next generation of builders has the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the demands of our modern world."
The national Lowe's Foundation Gable Grants program recently started accepting applications for two-year grants to help build a sustainable infrastructure of innovative training programs to cultivate more job-ready tradespeople and address the skilled trades labor shortage throughout the US. The Lowe's Foundation Gable Grants program also will aim to increase the number of young and diverse tradespeople, particularly from underrepresented and rural communities.
The numbers game
1.2
The amount, in millions, that Counter has raised in funding for its highnutrition frozen food selection created in partnership with health and wellness content creators. The Bentonville, Arkansas brand, founded by former Walmart executives Jeff Ferrell and Benn Manning, plans to roll out to Sam’s Club stores this summer and include meals like protein waffles, chicken bites, burritos.
Walter G. Bumphus, President and CEO of the American Association of Community Colleges, says community colleges are uniquely qualified to provide the skills education necessary to fill the workforce pipeline. "The commitment to skilled trades education in our community colleges by the Lowe's Foundation will help thousands of hard-working individuals access and enter stable, fulfilling careers in fields like electrical, plumbing, HVAC, construction, appliance repair and carpentry."
Today, there are more than 10 million students—almost half of all US undergraduates—enrolled in the associate-degree granting institutions we represent. Bumphus says these institutions are deeply ingrained in their communities and well-placed to drive an increased interest in skilled trades training.
The Lowe's Foundation is running two separate annual grant application cycles. The first will focus on community and technical colleges with innovative skilled trades education programs for post-secondary aged adults.
For more information, visit Lowes.com/ Foundation CCR
14.2
The number of hotels in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro, according to a Lodging Econometrics report. The pipeline will include more than 20,790 rooms, the highest number in the US. Among the properties that will soon be opening their doors are Le Meridien-Downtown, a 230-room historic hotel with a rooftop bar and pool deck, and the Crescent Fort Worth-Cultural District, a $250 million undertaking that features a 200-room boutique hotel, along with office space and residential units.
The percentage increase of revenue per available room rates in February, according to STR.
The average daily rate saw a 17.7% increase to $152. Tampa, Florida had the highest occupancy level at 82.7% among the top 25 markets, while Chicago, St. Louis and San Francisco reported the lowest rates.
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Building a brighter future
Rosendin Foundation launches five free Construction Camps for middle schoolers
Build it and they will come. The Rosendin Foundation is launching the TRF Camp Build, a unique summer program designed to inspire and empower middle school students to discover the joy of building with their hands.
Recognizing the significant shortage of workers in the construction industry, the Foundation aims to bridge the gap by providing students with invaluable handson experience and a new perspective on career options.
"Investing in the education and training of the next generation of builders is critical to the future success of the construction industry,” says Jolsna Thomas, President of The Rosendin Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit incorporated to positively impact communities, build and empower people and inspire innovation. “We are excited to provide students with the opportunity to be exposed to working with their hands in a safe, supportive environment that will inspire and empower them to consider career options in the construction industry."
TRF Camp Build is a summer program designed for current 6th-8th graders who are interested in learning how to design and build projects using power tools. This free co-ed day camp offers hands-on construction experience and equips students with the necessary skills to continue building in the future. Under the guidance of skilled profes-
They
said it...
sionals, participants will learn essential skills such as personal safety, concrete/rebar work, soldering, pipe bending, BIM (Building Information Modeling), heavy equipment operation, framing/woodworking, roofing, and painting, while also exploring exciting career opportunities.
Throughout the program, students will engage in various interactive projects, such as wiring lamps, pouring concrete stepping stones, and building dog houses, which they will donate to the local community. Inspired by Rosendin's participation in the national Camp NAWIC, TRF Camp Build provides students with a safe environment to explore different career paths in construction and gain practical learning experience.
TRF Camp Build has received generous support from sponsors and in-kind donors, including Diamond-level sponsorship from sister companies Rosendin and MPS. In-kind donors include Milwaukee Tools, Stanley Black and Decker, Border States and Sunbelt Rentals.
To learn more about the program, visit therosendinfoundation.org/camp-build. CCR
Mark it down
The TRF Camp Build program will take place at the following locations and dates:
May 6: Sherman, Texas (Electrical Mini-Camp) @MPS – 3007 Fallon Drive
June 5-9: Gallatin, Tennessee @Rosendin – 359 Maple Street
June 10: Anaheim, California (Electrical Mini-Camp) @Rosendin – 1730 S Anaheim Way
June 19-23: Tempe, Arizona @Rosendin – 1315 W Drivers Way
July 24-28: Austin, Texas @Austin Electrical Training Alliance – 4000 Caven Road
— JPMorgan Chase Institute President Christopher Wheat on why retailers favor suburbs over urban developments
— Pink Shell Beach Resort owner Bob Boykin on Fort Meyer, Florida’s efforts to rebuild with taller hotels
“This is a chance to ... do probably 40 years of (development) ... in what will probably look like four or five years.”
“Consumers will continue to ask whether the ends justify the means and expect companies to make compelling and honest cases for new, tech-forward foods.”
— Hartman CEO Laurie Demeritt on consumers’ desire to embrace tech-driven food innovation
“The shape of the challenge for an economic development entity in a city is to now figure out what kinds of businesses are going to work here, what kinds of services are going to be needed in a place that has a different population trajectory.”
24/7 Surveillance
While property protection can be a tricky business, here are some things to consider
By Jeremy WhiteWhether a construction project is raising walls, a demolition project is tearing them down, or a building is sitting abandoned, properties need to be secure. No one argues the importance of a security strategy to protect a business against evolving threats.
But protecting business property can be tricky when the footprint of that business extends beyond the four walls of a brick-and-mortar location.
In the construction and renovation industry, job sites are often peppered across the country in hard-to-access places. Today, technology allows vacant buildings, demolition projects and construction sites to all be surveilled and secured from anywhere. Each type of job site has its own reasons why 24/7 security is a must.
It is crucial for a business to protect itself from crime, project delays, and losing money—around the clock, no matter what—and innovative technology that combines human intelligence with artificial intelligence can do exactly that.
Hidden Dangers of Abandoned Sites
Vacant and abandoned sites may not seem like places that warrant constant surveillance, but organizations should consider prioritizing security efforts at these sites. They can fall into limbo and often cost more to maintain or tear down than to leave as is. Whether vacant or abandoned, curiosity inevitably attracts trespassers. What curious individuals may not realize is the area they’re exploring can be very dangerous. Old, abandoned sites can pose serious environmental and health risks, like unstable structures, asbestos and lead-infused paint. It’s also important to consider the possibility of squatters taking up residence.
As a company, there is a responsibility to secure these sites so you can reduce insurance liability and protect people from harm—especially when they are not aware of the dangers around them.
Renovations = Prime Crime Target
During a renovation, new materials, supplies and appliances arrive on-site at different times. Leaving materials unsecured makes them a prime target for theft, especially as many of these items have become hard to find with skyrocketing prices in recent years. Take lumber, for example. The high cost combined with lingering supply chain issues may catapult a criminal from contemplating theft into carrying it out.
When you no longer have the supplies needed to move on to the next phase, your entire project falls behind and ultimately leads to monetary losses and frustrated customers. In fact, delays can cost a business
more money than replacing stolen materials. However, it’s important to shield yourself from both. Have a plan in place to protect your belongings around the clock so your project timeline stays on schedule.
Dangers of Demolition
Sometimes it’s better to tear down a site and start fresh. Once the demolition decision becomes public knowledge, thieves often think owners don’t care about the property anymore and aren’t keeping a close watch over it. So, the area becomes susceptible to trespassing, vandalism and theft. Pair that with the dilapi-
dated infrastructure and demolition sites become a magnet for liability issues.
If a trespasser gets hurt on your property, even while attempting to commit a crime, you may face litigation. The last thing you want is to leave your business exposed to long and expensive legal battles.
Commonsense Security Solutions – Act Now
When it comes to securing sites in various stages of development, common-sense security solutions are a must. This includes “security basics” like:
Setting a perimeter around your property to establish a defined area to secure.
Installing fencing as a barrier to keep trespassers out. Locking up all gates and entrances/exits when the site is not in use. This may seem simple, but often is overlooked. Installing ample lighting. Thieves hate light, so don’t let them hide in darkness.
Finally, perhaps the most important security solution of all is Remote Video Monitoring (RVM). This is where technology packs a big punch. This form of smart video surveillance brings innovative capabilities into physical security strategies. RVM combines high-definition cameras with artificial intelligence.
Together, these systems can spot suspicious activity, and alert virtual guards to take a closer look. If an issue is determined to be a threat, crime deterrence features like strobe lights, pre-recorded announcements and sirens can be deployed. And the best part is you don’t have to be on-site for this to happen. RVM works around the clock no matter where you are, ensuring trespassers and would-be thieves stay out and stay safe.
The security industry and the type of threats are constantly evolving, so it’s crucial to reassess your security strategy at least twice a year. Stay up to date with the latest technology available in order to best secure all job sites, whether they’re going up, coming down, or sitting unwatched and at risk. CCR
The Infrastructure and Inflation Reduction Acts and you
A refresher course on the 5 things every contractor should know about requirements for construction funding
By Michelle Akerman & Stuart EislerTogether, the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (the "Infrastructure Act") and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the "IRA") authorize hundreds of billions for domestic infrastructure and energy projects—a bonanza for contractors. But those funds come with strings attached.
Here, we outline some of the requirements for construction funded by the Infrastructure Act or the IRA. Savvy Contractors will have a firm grasp of the legislation and its requirements.
The 2021 Infrastructure Act authorized roughly $550 billion for federally-owned projects and approved state or local projects receiving federal funding. The Act earmarked funds for bridges, roads, transit, railway, energy, and other infrastructure projects.
The IRA authorized approximately $700 billion in spending on a broad range of programs, including hundreds of billions for drought resiliency in western states, energy security and climate change. While the legislation's benefits are massive and clear, the requirements remain opaque.
To realize the full value of this legislation, contractors must meet fairly stringent federal and agency requirements as well as applicable state or local requirements.
1 Build America, Buy America (“BABA”) Related Requirements
Both the Infrastructure Act and the IRA require domestic sourcing consonants with BABA. Both Acts require 100% domestic steel and iron use on projects. The Infrastructure Act goes further, requiring construction materials and manufactured products to be American-made goods based on technical definitions to evaluate the manufacturing
processes and/or ratios between the costs of foreign and domestic components.
The Infrastructure Act also adds structures, facilities, equipment, optical fiber, lumber, water and broadband infrastructure projects to the prior road and rail projects as those types of improvements that must be compliant with the expanded BABA measures. Finally, the Infrastructure Act mandates compliance with the related Make PPE In America Act enacted during the peak of the pandemic to support US business producing personal protective equipment.
The IRA includes several unique applications of BABA as well, such as an adjusted domestic percentage evaluation of the total cost of mined, produced, or manufactured components that comprise the manufactured products to become part of the project. The adjusted domestic percentage threshold depends on the commencement date of construction and generally increases through fiscal year 2026/2027.
The IRA reduces the adjusted domestic percentage, however, for offshore wind facilities to encourage additional development within this sector. And BABA requirements are poised to become even more stringent in the coming months: in his recent State of the Union Address, President Biden announced the introduction of new BABA guidance that would require that all manufacturing processes for certain construction materials occur domestically.
2 Requisites Related To The Davis-Bacon Act
Both Acts require contractors to meet the federal prevailing wage rates at a minimum; however, California contractors (and
others) must meet the state prevailing wage rates that are nearly always higher. This places the onus on contractors to keep and maintain accurate records of hours worked and wages paid while requiring the same of their subcontractors.
In certain scenarios, the IRA requires prevailing wage compliance to continue through defined alteration and repair periods after completion of construction. A failure to comply with Davis-Bacon may not only jeopardize project funding and a contractor's bottom line, but it exposes contractors to criminal liability based on, among other things, false claims for erroneous or omitted certified payrolls.
The IRA also imposes Davis-Bacon apprenticeship requirements on projects based on labor hours: ten-percent of the labor hours must be performed by apprentices for construction projects that began in 2022, while 2023 projects require 12.5% of labor hours by apprentices, and 15% for subsequent years. And, if a company employs four or more individuals on the project, it must also employ at least one registered apprentice.
3 Requirements for the Composition Of The Labor Force
The Infrastructure Act reauthorized the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program, and both the Infrastructure Act and the IRA require compliance with DBE. This is another area that may, in some cases, be rendered moot by more stringent state or local requirements. Under the DBE program, contractors must certify eligibility and compliance. Both Acts include antihuman traffic provisions.
The Infrastructure Act includes additional forced labor restrictions to ensure illegal materials and products made with forced labor are not purchased with Act funds. Complying with the forced labor rules potentially requires formal, written code of conduct policies, annual training, and implementation of internal controls.
4 Green Building Requirements of the IRA
The IRA set aside nearly $1B in grants for adoption of energy codes meeting specific standards and zero-energy "stretch" codes. It also allocates funds to the General Services Administration for green retrofits of federal buildings and more than $2B for installation of low-embodied carbon materials and products in federal renovation or construction projects.
5 Failure to Comply on Awarded Project
The Acts include other requirements, and a contractor who is the successful bidder on a scope covered by the Infrastructure Act or the IRA must ensure it meets all the applicable standards. Failing to meet its obligations, the contractor faces far more liability than the typical contract remedies for a breach. A non-compliant contractor exposes itself to False Claims Act liability, performance evaluations, and even suspension or debarment.
Because of the complexity in defining, evaluating, and establishing compliance, as will be demonstrated by the detailed break-out pieces to follow this introduction, contractors are advised to seek legal counsel familiar with the Infrastructure Act, IRA, and their related requirements. CCR
Michelle Akerman is a top rated litigation attorney at Hanson Bridgett LLP and leader of the firm’s Construction Practice. She represents owners, general contractors, lenders and subcontractors in all manner of construction-related disputes. Her experience includes contract negotiation, claim preparation and evaluation, and prosecution and defense of contractor claims from pre-litigation through trial.
Stuart Eisler, a partner at Hanson Bridgett LLP in Los Angeles, has extensive experience representing award-winning heavy civil, industrial, commercial, and residential developers and general contractors in complex construction disputes. His expertise includes contract issues, project delay and disruption, loss of use, deficient quality, strict products liability, redevelopment matters and LEED green building construction complications. He also provides business counseling and construction document preparation services.
IT’S THAT SIMPLE
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Live. Love. Stay.
How CEO Mimi Oliver and WaterWalk are revolutionizing the flexible lodging brand mystique
Mimi Oliver’s approach to the hospitality sector is a real ground up story. As the granddaughter of the grandfather of extended-stay hotel concept, Jack DeBoer, Oliver has had an up close and personal look at everything and anything hospitality.
Since joining the brand in 2016, she has led the creative and financial vision for the hotel brand, helping double its portfolio size by the end of 2024. Her vision of offering affordable and comfortable housing is being delivered via WaterWalk, one of the country’s most innovative flexible lodging brands.
Launched by DeBoer, WaterWalk leveraged his company’s extensive experience across various lodging sectors to create a brand capable of disrupting the hospitality industry. The disruption comes via its ability to offer guests a genuine power of choice—whether that is a longer stay in fully furnished suites or a shorter one in an unfurnished suite that allows for a more traditional rental experience, without the traditional hassles. WaterWalk was DeBoer’s fifth national brand, a portfolio that also includes the Residence Inn, Summerfield Suites, Candlewood Suites and Value Place.
When she became CEO in 2018, Oliver set out to carry on the family flame, becoming active in every facet of the business—everything from market research and business analytics, real estate development, operations, sales and marketing, and franchise development. WaterWalk’s latest ititeration is its Gen 2.0 model, which contains upscale amenities and large living accommodations of many sizes.
We sat down with her to get a snapshot of the WaterWalk’s brand and where she believes the industry is heading.
What type of consumer is WaterWalk targeting?
We are targeting the consumer that desires ultimate flexibility in their stay. With our signature LIVE | STAY business model, we offer guests the freedom to personalize their stay, whether they choose to stay in our
fully furnished suites or to bring their own furnishings to customize their space.
Although we offer total flexibility in length of stay, we are targeting customers who stay with us for an extended period: this can include those traveling for projects, relocations or training.
How does the design of your hotels/resorts cater to how today’s consumers’ want?
Today’s consumer desires extra space and a clean aesthetic. We have designed our spacious rooms to accommodate these preferences by offering full kitchens and washers and dryers in every unit (an industry first). The WaterWalk design is about allowing the guest to live life on their terms. Our thoughtfully designed amenity spaces are inspired to serve as an extension of their living spaces.
Our lobby is referred to as the ‘Living Room’, offering comfortable seating, highspeed WiFi access and workspaces. The outdoor space is referred to as the “Backyard,” where depending on regional climate, guests can find amenities like a pool, fire pits, lawn games, pet walk and a BBQ grilling area.
We have a phenomenal design team that has brought to life the essence of the WaterWalk brand in our décor and design. We have a consistent color palette as well as a clean, crisp and welcoming design package.
Walk us through how and why the hotels are designed the way they are?
As our brand has grown and evolved over the years, we began our Gen 2 design approach with the word “Timeless” as our inspiration. Our hotels are designed to appeal to and maximize efficiency for all stakeholders: guests, operators, local municipalities, developers and owners.
We have gone through an iterative design process to ensure ultimate efficiency from an operations and investment perspective while maintaining a unique and valuable product offering for the guest and city.
Take us through your construction and design strategy. We are constantly evolving our construction and design based on customer feedback. For example, in our Gen 1 prototype, we offered one-, two- and three-bedroom units. In our new Gen 2 prototype, we rolled out studio suites based on increasing demand for studios.
Additionally, we switched from queen beds to king beds in the new product.
Recently, WaterWalk partnered with a design team that has extensive hospitality experience, working on hotels around the world. The design process began with the team identifying the core pillars of the WaterWalk experience and worked from there. Full kitchens and washers and dryers in every unit are essential to the brand.
Everything else could be adjusted and modified to emerging consumer trends. We evaluated the trends in both the hospitality and multifamily segments using them for inspiration in our product. When it comes
The WaterWalk design is about allowing the guest to live life on their terms. Our thoughtfully designed amenity spaces are inspired to serve as an extension of their living spaces.
to construction, WaterWalk is fortunate to have a seasoned team in house to oversee our projects.
This team is responsible for engaging our national network of general contractors and vendors to ensure the WaterWalk vision is pulled through whether it’s a new build or conversion project.
What’s the biggest issue today related to the construction side of the business?
We continue to struggle with the same two issues plaguing the development world: supply chain challenges and labor shortages. Long lead times continue to impact our project timeline, and as such, our construction team must be proactive to ensure we have the materials on site when needed.
The labor market continues to be an issue, impacting the ability to get sub-contractors on the job site. There is no shortage of work, so planning is essential to ensure we have appropriate staffing on site throughout the project.
Talk about sustainability. What are you doing?
Sustainability continues to be an area of focus for us. We use sustainable construction materials in our buildings as well as focus on sustainably driven partners to source and provide our OS&E products.
What do you see as some of your biggest opportunities moving ahead?
The “bleisure” customer is a growing segment—those who travel for business and extend their trip for leisure. Further, we believe the “work from anywhere” customers will continue to be a growing opportunity.
Are you optimistic about what you see in the hotel/resort sector?
Absolutely. I believe the pandemic made many people realize how important travel is, and therefore, they are prioritizing travel. I am highly optimistic about continued growth in the travel industry.
The pandemic also gave employees the opportunity to prove they can work effectively in remote settings. We are confident that we will continue to see flexible work accommodations that support long-term travel.
How do you pick your locations?
We have an incredibly thorough process for market and site selection that we have refined over many years. At a high level, we target high growth markets with healthy extended stay demand and supply factors combined with fantastic livability (proximity to services and amenities) for our guests.
What’s your growth plan? What areas are you targeting?
We are growing through our ground-up purpose-built prototype offering as well as through existing asset conversion opportunities. We are developing on our corporate balance sheet as well as heavily investing in our franchise organization to expand our franchise partnerships.
What trends are you seeing?
We are seeing the continued evolution of the “work from anywhere” customer and therefore, guests who desire a home-like experience when they travel. We are confident that we will continue to see flexible work accommodations that support long-term travel.
What’s the secret to creating a “must visit” hotel/resort in today’s competitive landscape?
Creating a memorable and unique guest experience. We focus on creating a true community for our guests, where our property staff knows your name and your pet’s name as well. Further, we create special community-inspired experiences such as a property barbeque to watch the Super Bowl with other community members.
Adding amenities that support a work from anywhere lifestyle such as personal, highspeed WiFi access, subtle interior décor for virtual meetings, quiet workspaces, a printer and more allow guests to complete work-related tasks in a comfortable environment.
What’s today’s consumer looking for?
They are looking for flexibility and larger spaces to accommodate their families and a longer stay, such as a “bleisure” trip.
Tell us what makes your brand unique?
WaterWalk was founded by the creator of the extended stay segment, Jack DeBoer. Our LIVE | STAY business model focuses on extended stay business, offering fully furnished extended stay suites as well as unfurnished suites that allow guests to customize the space all their own.
A focus on long-term business means we provide all the comforts of home including the washer and dryer in every suite—this industry first allows the guest to pack light and stay as long as they like. Our guests are not just guests—they are our community members. CCR
We have a phenomenal design team that has brought to life the essence of the WaterWalk brand in our décor and design.
PROJECT PROFILE AWARDS 2023
_ Space Age Travel Center
Castle Rock, Washington
Designer: MRP Design Group
Contractor: Yorke & Curtis
This state-of-the-art, 11,500-square-foot travel center boasts a stunning skylight that spans the entire length of the main shopping area. This skylight improves the use of natural light within the facility and reduces the artificial lighting requirement. This full-service auto and truck facility was designed to provide ample amenities to overthe-road drivers including: showers, charging station, and lounge. In addition, this beautiful facility, completed in 2020, provides a self-serve fueling canopy for cars as well as a full-service restaurant providing eat-in and carry-out services throughout the day.
KLEO Art Residence }
Chicago, Illinois
Designer: JGMA
Contractor: JJ Duffy Construction
Based out of Chicago’s non-profit Keep Loving Each Other (KLEO) Washington Park neighborhood, the community provides mentorship and eradicate violence through art, culture and education. The 70,000-square-foot mixed-use, mixed-income community incorporates as much natural light as possible, without sacrificing performance. KLEO provides a nurturing, growth-oriented environment across a mix of 58 studio, one-and two-bedroom residences. The building also features 1,500 square feet of artist studio spaces bathed in natural light, as well as 2,177 square feet of fitness and community gathering spaces and 4,824 square feet of ground-level commercial space.
_ The Moderne Condominiums
Saratoga Springs, New York
Designer: Leviton
Contractor/Builder: Bonacio Construction
This modernized urban home in the suburbs is a testament to smart technology. The high-end two- and three-bedroom condominiums and penthouses are fully equipped with the Leviton Load Center, which includes Smart Circuit Breakers for each unit’s hot water heater, furnace and refrigerator. The homes also contain electrical systems that allow consumers to customize their needs, view their real time energy consumption, and control lighting and cooling. Smart dimmers also control the living environment in the living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms.
ARE YOU PLANNING A PROJECT IN PUERTO RICO?
Located at the island of Culebra, Puerto Rico, the Eco Villas feature an environmental-friendly lodging experience. The site has amazing views to Ensenada Honda and an on-site dock with direct access to Fulladosa Bay. This project aims to enhance its Caribbean context through sustainable tropical design. Photovoltaic panels, rainwater collection, a water pond, cross ventilation, environmental impact reduction are some considerations. A modular concept proposes minimum impact on site, which in turn provides a shortened construction time.
After Hurricane María, the Waterfront Port of Mayagüez Puerto Rico was exposed to high winds, waves, and tidal surge that caused severe damages to the facilities. This forced the US Coast Guard to shut down the pier. Extensive damage and precarious conditions of the Port required significant work to restore it to its pre-event condition and bring it up to code and industry standards. After a broad evaluation, which included multiple studies, the recommendation was to redesign the dock incorporating measures to provide a long-term solution. The objective is to provide protection of essential commercial public services to the Island and reduce the risk of damage in future events.
_ Hyatt Place
Panama City Beach, Florida
Contractor: Robins and Morton
Constructed after Hurricane Michael damaged the coastline, the Hyatt Place features a unique aesthetic, including a variety of colors mixed in with the desire to enhance building efficiency. Thanks to the incorporations of three top performing Sto Corp. systems, the Hyatt consists of direct-applied stucco with a built-in air/moisture barrier, continuous insulation behind stucco over the frame wall construction and StoTherm ci (EIFS). Due to similar composition at the most critical layer (the air/moisture barrier), there were no “collisions” where these systems met on the project.
Riverbend Food Bank }
Galesburg, Illinois
Architect: Klingner & Associate
Contractor: Hein Construction Co.
The River Bend Food Bank renovation in Galesburg Branch helped transform the building from a drab and “aged” facade into a sharp, updated, eye-catching and attractive building. Utilizing StoCast Wood and StoTherm ci Classic, the space is not only more energy efficient and attractive, but also enables the occupants to be prideful in what the space provides and how it supports the community. The non-profit 501(c)(3) organization feeds people experiencing hunger by rescuing, safely storing and distributing nutritious food through 400-plus hunger-relief partners in 23 counties in eastern Iowa and western Illinois.
_ HCA Lawnwood
Fort Pierce, Florida
Designer: Earl Swensson Associates Nashville
Contractor: Brasfield & Gorrie Corp.
The 30,000-square-foot HCA Lawnwood project was required to meet several performance and design criteria that were all engineered into a single assembly using one subcontractor and warranted by one manufacturer. The project met continuous insulation requirements with a continuous air barrier and drainable wall system. It also was designed to meet hurricane impact standards for both large and small missile impact for High Velocity Hurricane Zones (HVHZ). Sto Corp’s product solutions using StoPanel Impact ci with StoCast Brick, combined with Southern Wall Systems planning and execution to deliver the prefabricated assembly were able to meet these criteria in addition to the ESa and HCA’s design intent.
DESIGNED FOR THE DESIGNER
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Single Source LED Fixture
Bold Bright Colors + Seamless Color Blending (Red, Green, Blue, Amber & Lime)
High CRI Whites: 2500K-8000K
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PROJECT PROFILE AWARDS 2023
_ Genesis Office Addition
Elmwood, Wisconsin
Designer: Lars Architectural Services LLC
Contractor: Zintl Inc.
The three-story, 80,000-square-foot office addition features 52 fully engineered prefabricated exterior wall panels using thin masonry brick, masonry stone veneer and a high performance finish. Each featuring continuous insulation, the panels were prefabricated off site with an installation time of seven days. The main entrance features 34-foot tall stone veneer pilasters that were constructed in one piece and craned into position. Each one weighed approximately 10,000 pounds. The tallest, 41-foot panels bypass each level of the building, which represents how EIFS continuously evolves and pushes the boundaries of construction while providing solutions at the same time.
Emery Hotel Lobby }
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Designer: Studio MAI; Tushie Montgomery Architects;
Landscape Designer: McCaren Designs
Contractor: Designer Speciality Products LLC
Situated in the heart of downtown Minneapolis in the historic Midland Bank building, the Emery Hotel was designed to revive and beautify the historic space by filling it with natural light and greenery. The urban oasis and biophilic design helps enhance the guest experience while improving well-being and health. To ensure a proper amount of daylight, 14 Solatube SkyVault M74 DS units were used to capture sunlight on the rooftop and transfer natural light deep into the historic bank lobby—on both sunny and cloudy days. The SkyVault Collector and Amplifier extensions also were added to improve the delivery of daylight to the lobby floor.
_ Cloud S
Richmond, California
Designer: Architects Orange and Cloud Apartments
Contractor: Cloud Apartments
The Cloud S is a productized apartment designed to be built by a network of factories for mass production at an unprecedented scale. Each apartment has modern spaces with smart and sustainable interiors for renters to enjoy. Further, the modules are designed for factory production and transportation logistics, including proprietary systems for field structural and utility connections. The goal is for the Cloud S to become a household brand name in rental apartments and the beginning of an era of productized modular construction.
PROJECT PROFILE AWARDS 2023
_ Dhamaka
New York, New York
Designer: Wid Chapman Architects
The culinary jewel of the Essex Market developing in New York City, Dhamaka, which means explosion, visually expresses the city’s ongoing movement and change with touches like handmade screens at the kitchen and bathrooms made of rusted steel in a random triangular geometry. The casual 42-seat restaurant with floor to ceiling windows onto Delancey Street includes a 10-seat bar and 40-seat sidewalk patio. The decor is vibrant and colorful with handpainted murals and industrial accents reflective of the Indian culture and local neighborhood.
Classic Granite and Marble }
Powhatan, Virginia
Designer: Balzer and Associates
Contractor: Super Structures General Contractor Inc.
The design build, retail/office features a mezzanine with spiral staircase with marble treads, four curtain walls with large windows sections supported by PEMB framing and 11 total cranes ranging from 10 ton to 1.5 ton cranes. In addition, the building has four different colors and/or textured 2.5-inch insulated walls panels. The PEMB building was preferred due to the cost savings and the products were provided by one source.
_ The Prairie
Dardenne Prairie, Missouri
Designer: Rosemann & Associates, P.C. and DL Design
Engineer: Civil Engineer of Record/Premier Design Group
Contractor: Midas Construction
Developer: Mia Rose Holdings
The Prairie, which supports the “live, work, play” lifestyle, features five, three-story buildings with 120 one-bedroom and 60 two-bedroom units. An additional 60 three- and four-bedroom villas are ideal for “renters-bychoice.” The $75 million apartment and villa community offers a resortstyle pool and sun deck, outdoor lounge, clubhouse with a conference/ business room, outdoor gathering areas, coffee bar, fitness center, bike racks, dog park, garages, and more. Situated in St. Charles County, just west of St. Louis, boasts cultured stone, brick masonry veneer, cast stone architectural accents, architectural shingles, ornamental balcony railings and decorative exterior lighting sconces.
_ 100 Shawmut
Boston, Massachusetts
Designer: The Architectural Team Inc. (TAT)
Contractor/developer: Davis
The 13-story multifamily community combines the adaptive reuse of an underutilized early 20th Century six-story warehouse with a contemporary glass and steel addition. The combination supports a fully amenitized, 138-unit luxury condominium program. The design maintains the streetscape’s character and the original building, setting new construction back from the historic structure to highlight its original form and profile. The distinction is further accentuated by the striking geometry and elegant materiality of the addition, which adds to the area’s housing demand by expanding the project’s buildable square footage. Residents also enjoy the shared amenities of a catering kitchen, pet spa, children’s playroom, and three-story parking garage, with bike storage.
Project Big Bird }
Tracy, California
Designer: Geotechnical: ENGEO; Civil Engineer: Kier + Wright; Structural: HSA
Contractor: Clayco Inc.
Project Big Bird created the largest fulfillment center in the California Central Valley to date, coming in at 4,120,000 square feet. With the sensitivity of the equipment within the building and given the relatively soft soil conditions below the site, the foundation design of the building was especially challenging, requiring significant ground improvement to stabilize the site. In addition, the design team performed nonlinear site response, which resulted in an approximately $7 million in reduction in materials compared to the code-based seismic loads.
_ Hall des Lumières
New York, New York
Designer: Woods Bagot
Contractor: Schimenti Construction Company
Hall des Lumières is a 40,000-square-foot public art center located in the historic former Emigrant Industrial Savings Bank. As the largest digital art experience in the US, it provides visitors and locals with an immersive and multi-sensory creative outlet. Over the course of three years, the space underwent a meticulous transformation that involved 45 weeks of construction and careful restoration of its existing features, such as the interior marble, columns, original bank tellers, stained glass windows, and sculptures. Additionally, the lower level, formerly a bank vault, has been transformed into an infinity room. The facility is fully integrated with the latest technology, building systems, and audiovisual equipment.
PROJECT PROFILE AWARDS 2023
_ Hilton Hotel (dual brand)
Miami, Florida
Designer: Hospitality Design Guild
Contractor: Procacci Development
After the pandemic drastically changed the way people travel, many hotel brands started renovating their spaces to accommodate modern guest expectations. Such was the case with this dual-brand Hilton property in Miami, which because it no longer needed two reception lobby areas, transformed one of the lobby spaces into an amenity space to better serve their guests. In addition to transforming the lobby areas, the hotel created a vibrant lounge, game room and grab-and-go F&B space.
Summit Hills Country Club }
Florence, Kentucky
Designer: American Lighting
Contractor: Strum Electric Inc.
Featuring an 18 hole golf course, swimming pool and tennis courts, the Summit Hills Country Club’s recent renovation helped produce an outdoor bar, and expanded seating and dining capacity on the patio outside the clubhouse. The project also included a new snack bar that services both the club’s pool and golfers, and a new tennis/pickleball court and baby pool. In addition Trulux Canvas Tunable LED Sheets were installed on both sides of the 8-foot x 20-foot walls to add the functionality of dividing the spaces, while artistic backlighting on both sides of the wall was suggested to create the unique look and feel that country club members desired.
_ CityPlace Tower
West Palm Beach, Florida
Designer: Skyline Arts
Contractor: LEDSmith LLC
The latest Trophy Class A office building in downtown West Palm Beach, Florida, the CityPlace Tower features 300,000 rentable square feet. The LEED Silver Certified and Energy Star Certified building also has high output Acclaim Flood One EO fixtures running the Lumentender Cloud application, which are used for scheduling and control. The precise energy-efficient lighting system offers pinpoint control, which helps increase visibility. Adding to its green profile, all parking garages include electric vehicle charging stations and onsite bicycle storage.
PROJECT PROFILE AWARDS 2023
_ Broadway Lounge, Marriott Marquis
New York, New York
Designer: Reveal Design Group
Contractor: O’Blaney Rinker Associates
Situated in the heart of Times Square, the Broadway Lounge, Marriott Marquis offers the best of everything in bold New York flavors, including floor-to-ceiling windows, and bustling views under the lights of Times Square. To accent the hotels even more, Marriott Marquis chose to create two 15-foot “trees” with branches reaching out from 21 feet to more than 46 feet using an exquisite inlay of Trace Vertical linear LED light from Tivoli Lighting to brilliantly capture the energy of Manhattan.
Rowdy Rooster }
New York, New York
Designer: Wid Chapman Architects
The casual “sister” restaurant of the famed Dhamaka restaurant, Rowdy Rooster is the latest venture by Unapologetic Foods, led by Chef Chintan Pandya and restaurateur Roni Mazumdar. Located in the East Village, the “street stall style” environment is a make-shift and a bit ramshackle by nature, evoking a colorful, bustling holein-the-wall eatery. While the restaurant has become renowned for “some of the boldest spices that fried chicken has met,” it focuses on the most exciting offerings from the local street stalls of India and delivers them to NYC. Rahi’s Fried Chicken Sandwich was ranked No. 1 in New York City by Zagat/Infatuation.
_ HTMX Industries Corporate Headquarters
Norwalk, Connecticut
Designer: McLennan Design
Contractor: Shawmut Design & Construction
Known as the “greenest building in Connecticut,” the recently completed HTMX Corporate HQ was the first to pursue the Living Building Challenge, the world’s most stringent green building standard. As a living building, the facility is largely self-sufficient by generating more energy on-site than it uses, producing zero carbon emissions, and capturing and re-using rainwater. Biophilic design features connect users more closely to nature, including a 1,700-square-foot green roof with native flowers, shrubs and trees, along with interior design and landscape features by local and worldwide artists.
_ Cleveland Animal Protective League
Cleveland, Ohio
Designer: Onyx Creative Inc.; Animal Arts
Contractor: AM Higley
Designing architecture for the compassionate care of animals, this expansion and renovation involved altering the entire 28,000-squarefoot facility. The project also included an additional 10,000 square feet of advanced medical care, improved garage/storage functions and upgraded community rooms. The exterior upgrades improved the civic prominence of the building by creating graphic signage and wayfinding elements. All of the interior and exterior modifications happened without losing operations for the 14,000 animals that pass through each year.
Easy Company }
Washington DC
Designer: //3877
Contractor: Potomac Construction Services
Easy Company is The Wharf’s newest hangout spot with a design that draws inspiration from European piazzas. Straying from the traditional idea of an American wine bar, the concentric design features a large bar in the middle of the room to serve as a gathering area. The environment embraces a bright and airy interior with warm wood finishes, natural patinas, and tousled textures that contribute to a storied and familiar atmosphere. Moving outside, a large, rosecolored exterior enclosure aptly named “The Rosé Garden” provides ample exterior seating featuring faux greenery and glittering views of the waterfront. Easy Company also features an operable glass exterior enclosure that lets in the warm light and breeze rolling in off the Potomac River.
_ Church & Union Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Designer: The Bradley Projects
Contractor: Certified Construction Services
When opening in a historic high-rise in downtown Nashville, Top Chef star Jamie Lynch wanted a dynamic, lively dining experience. The space showcases Nashville’s dynamic spirit through one-of-a-kind art pieces and a layout that encourages vibrant social interaction. The centerpiece is a custom 100-foot long white concrete bar. Solid colors and somewhat restrained shapes allow the “ingredients” of art and food to shine. For example, as guests enter the restaurant, they see the 40,000-word historical book “Art of War” painted by Jon Norris across the ceiling.
_ Nike (Emeryville)
Emeryville, California
Designer: MBH Architects
Contractor: Construction One Inc.
Subcontractor: Copello Electric; API; East Bay; CSUSA; Cache Valley Electric
The store was the first Style version built by Nike in North America after starting the concept in Seoul and Shanghai. The prototype, a mixed expression of sports retail culture that blurs the line between physical and digital, features Nike’s new customization concepts, including the T-Bar and NikeiD Pavilion, which give consumers the power to design and create their own footwear, apparel and equipment. Through Nike iD, consumers can customize products from 105 key styles and a handful of items exclusive to the NIKEiD sessions, such as the Dunk, Dunk High, the women’s Dunk, the Air Max 90, the Air Max BW and the Air Force 25 low.
Revela at O’Fallon }
O’Fallon, Illinois
Designer: St. Louis Design Alliance
Contractor: Poettker Construction
Revela at O’Fallon is Premier Senior Living’s first Illinois destination for a new assisted living and memory care community. The 92-unit, 91,629-square-foot development offers suites, one-bedroom and two-bedroom options with amenities like a life enrichment room, group fitness classes, on-site beauty salon, movie theater, library and outdoor courtyards. Individual wall panels were constructed off-site in a weather-controlled space, then delivered to the site as they were needed, and immediately lifted and secured into place. This method offered the most cost-effective solution to continue construction during freezing weather months.
_ Pikes Peak Summit Complex
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Designer: GWWO Architects & Architect of Record: RTA Architects
Contractor: GE Johnson Construction
Standing 14,115 feet above sea level, the National Historic Landmark Pikes Peak is home to majestic views, 500,000-plus visitors annually and the $60 million Pikes Peak Summit Complex. Clad in material similar to Pikes Peak granite, the two-building campus features a visitor’s center with dining and rooftop terraces, a utility facility, and a high-altitude research and communications center. It also has multiple observation decks, and interpretive outdoor exhibits. In addition, The center also features a Drexel Metals 22-gauge DMC 200S, 2” mechanically seamed COR-TEN weathered steel standing seam roof with S-5! ColorGard® snow retention, which helps it withstand extreme winter conditions.
PROJECT PROFILE AWARDS 2023
_ Swingers Crazy Golf - NoMad
New York, New York
Designer: Howell Belanger Castelli Architects
Contractor: Schimenti Construction Company
Located in the heart of Manhattan, Swingers NoMad draws inspiration from a 1920’s English countryside golf club. Features include an old-school clubhouse, three bespoke nine-hole crazy golf courses, six cocktail bars, a food court with four New York vendors, a DJ booth and private hire rooms. The fit-out of the 23,000 square foot space spans both ground and cellar levels with 20-foot ceilings. The design-build approach to the project was coordinated with an owner-furnished millwork package designed by a team based in England.
54D New York City Flagship Fitness Studio }
New York, New York
Designer: Thirlwall; Mija Architecture
Contractor: Wesbuilt Construction Managers
Subcontractor: Stys Hospitality Initiative; Criterion Acoustics
The $2.2 million fit-out of the ground floor of 125 West 25th Street, a 12-story commercial building in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood, is a flagship fitness club for the international 54D brand. The designers created an upscale gym by utilizing high quality finishes, while visually reflecting the brand’s signature industrial aesthetic. The builders and engineers accommodated strict sound attenuation restrictions by creating custom multiple layer walls with separate stud structures and rubber isolation washer lats, as well as a cardioid subwoofer array that directs the sound down from the ceiling and creating a kinetic spring system to isolate the woofers from the ceiling structure.
_ Mesquite Airport Logistics Center
Mesquite, Texas
Designer: GSR Andrade Architects
Contractor: FA Peinado Construction
Located just west of the Mesquite Airport, the Mesquite Airport Development consists of two phases. Phase I includes 2 new, Class A distribution centers totaling 1,006,338 square feet. The 379,619 square foot Building 1 is a cross-dock facility with 78 dock doors and four drive-in doors. Building 2 is a 626,719 square foot cross-dock facility with 95 dock doors and 4 drive-in doors. Building 3 is a 342,196 square foot cross-dock facility with 60 dock doors and four drive-in doors, while the 342,196-square-foot Building 4 is a crossdock facility with 60 dock doors and four drive-in doors. Building 5 is a 649,398 square foot cross-dock facility with 108 dock doors and four drive-in doors.
PROJECT PROFILE AWARDS 2023
_ Conway Logistics Center
Orlando, Florida
Designer: Ware Malcomb
Contractor: Welbro
The Conway Logistics Center consists of a new, Class A distribution center totaling 108,108 square feet. Located in Orlando, Florida, the building features a front-load configuration with a 132-foot deep truck court, 32-foot clear height, 34 dock doors and two drive-in doors with ramps. Located 8.5 miles northwest of Orlando’s central business district, the development has great access to major thoroughfares such as I-4, Hwy-528, Hwy 417 and Hwy 526 Speedway. It is also 2.6 miles from the Orlando International Airport and 5.1 miles from the CSX Intermodal Terminal.
Central Logistics Park }
Myerstown, Pennsylvania
Designer: Pratt Design Studio; Langan Engineering
Contractor: Quandel Construction Group
The Central Logistics Park Development consists of 3 new, Class A distribution centers totaling 1,177,400 square feet. Building I is a 277,171 square foot rear-load facility with 47 dock doors, two drive-in doors, and 164 parking spaces for cars and 67 for trailers. The 201,323-square-foot Building 2 is a rear-load facility with 33 dock doors, two drive-in doors, and 132 parking spaces for cars and 47 for trailers. Building 3 is a 700,213 square foot cross-dock facility with 119 dock doors, four drive-in doors, and 156 parking spaces for cars and 22 for trailers. All buildings have 180-foot truck courts and 36-foot clear heights. Located in the Lehigh Valley industrial submarket, it is within a few hours of driving to Washington DC, New York City, Philadelphia and Boston.
_ JD Sports
Chicago, Illinois
Designer: Ware Malcomb
Contractor: Shawmut Construction
The two-Level Store at 10 S. State Street took over the spot occupied by Forever 21 in the Loop Business District. JD Sports is defined by its cutting edge video display system, which helps transform the shopping experience and sets a new standard for athletic specialty retailers. With more than one million custom designed digital components and specialty displays, the store is able to vividly display a number of marquee brands.
PROFILE AWARDS 2023
_ Residence Inn by Marriott (Clayton)
Clayton, Missouri
Designer: Design/build Civil: Castle Contracting; Interiors: Gray Design Group; Structural Design/Build w/CECO: SSC; Architect/MEP: Base4
Contractor: Midas Construction
The $47 million Residence Inn by Marriott is the first new hotel built in the St. Louis suburb since 1990. Residence Inn by Marriott in Clayton has 170 rooms and is targeted toward the business traveler. Unlike most hotels in the franchise that have specific furniture to fit the brand, most of the furniture on this property is custom. The hotel has 3,800 square feet of meeting space and a street-level lounge open to the public. Nestled between two 15-story buildings and three active parking garages behind provided a tight site and challenge.
Big Haus –Arbolada Multi-Family Complex }
San Antonio, Texas
Designer: Stewart Construction & Development
Contractor: Stewart Construction & Development
The upscale apartment homes at Arbolada are enhanced by unobstructed views of unique topography, natural spring-fed creeks and the abundant live oaks of the surrounding area. This project is unique because Stewart Construction and Development operated as both the designer and builder—acting as a one-stop shop. With that, it was able to make fast decisions on materials and build perspective. The team found that ForceField Weather Resistant Barrier was the right sheathing solution for their needs. This entire build was sourced from retail, which shows the strength of Georgia-Pacific’s distribution capabilities.
_ New Terminal at Kansas City International Airport
Kansas City, Missouri
Designer: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)
Contractor: Clark | Weitz | Clarkson
Spanning just over one million square feet, the $1.5 billion terminal at Kansas City International Airport is powered by designed building systems that are big on energy efficiency and carbon reduction. The systems contributed to MCI becoming the first and largest LEED v4 GOLD BD+C: NC certified terminal/concourse project in the Midwestern United States and just the second in the entire country. At the center of comfort within the building is a high-efficiency electric chiller plant—the system that provides air conditioning. Typically, chiller plants eject heat via cooling towers in the cooling process, but the design includes a heat recovery chiller, among other features.
Aspirational design that creates and defines memorable experiences.
Architecture, Engineering, Interior Design, Environmental Graphics, Branding
Cleveland
Tucson Los Angeles
Ventura
Atlanta
Baltimore
Portland
www.onyxcreative.com
Cleveland APL | Cleveland, OHPROJECT PROFILE AWARDS 2023
_ Sabanera Health Dorado
Dorado Beach, Puerto Rico
Designer: Interiors Lead & Design Architect: Perkins&Will; V Architecture
Contractor: PRISA Group
Sabanera Health Dorado is the first new acute-care hospital in Puerto Rico in more than 20 years. Located on the north shore, it provides high-quality care in a tranquil setting to a multi-economical community. The facility was developed to serve as a reliable health center for the communities of Dorado, where full-service healthcare facilities did not exist post-2017 hurricanes. By having an integral approach to the landscape and building elements, the facility provides an interconnected experience with nature, which enhances wellness and healing processes. The development offers increased access to daylight and views of nature including a central, expansive outdoor healing garden that all functional spaces have views and access to.
Tuscany Logistics Center }
Austin, Texas
Designer: GSR Andrade Architects
Contractor: FA Peinado Construction
The 373,648-square-foot Tuscany Logistics Center is located in one of Dallas/Fort Worth’s strongest industrial submarkets with access to the metro’s major thoroughfares such as I-635, I-20 and I-80. A mile from the Mesquite Airport, the 3 Class A distribution centers are roughly 20 minutes from downtown Dallas, and 30 minutes from the Dallas/ Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field airports. The first building (70,121 square feet) features a front load configuration with 140-foot deep truck court, 32-foot clear height, 21 dock doors and two drive-in doors with ramps. The second (101,191 square feet is rear load configuration, while the third building (202,165 square feet) is rear load configuration.
_ Pasadena Memorial High School Fieldhouse
Pasadena, Texas
Designer: Samuel Lee of Texas Professional Engineering Group
Contractor: Bayside Plumbing
When the administration at Pasadena Memorial High School continuously heard complaints from football coaches about issues with the hot water for the fieldhouse, they knew something had to change. Administrators had a team install a new tankless water heater system that consists of five compact ultra high-efficiency condensing tankless water heaters. All of the tankless water heaters were mounted on ready-link racks, cascaded together for redundancy, commonly vented, and piped using a ready-link system. The five tankless water heaters were designed to supply endless hot water for all the showers and sinks in the fieldhouse to be running at the same time, and only when hot water is needed.
_ 170 Street Subway Station ADA Upgrades
Bronx, New York
Designer: Urbahn Architects
Contractor: Citnalta-TAP J.V.
The project’s guiding principles were to provide an accessible route from the street to the elevated platforms and to ensure the new work blends aesthetically with the remainder of the station. The accessible route is similar to the route that people without disabilities would take to and through the station. Urbahn added three elevators on the station’s south side and two additional staircases on the north side of the station. The mezzanine. Two existing stairs were upgraded for accessibility. Another interesting element was the relocation of stained glass art windows from the former south side vestibule to the new fare control house at the mezzanine level near the elevators. The station now is fully ADA compliant.
Parma Heights Self Storage }
Parma Heights, Ohio
Designer: LH2 Architecture
Contractor: Fortney & Weygandt, Inc.
As retail continues to change rapidly, people are adapting to new uses and meeting the community in new ways. This is a prime example of that trend. Parma Heights Self Storage converted a former big box retail center into an indoor climate-controlled storage facility, adding units to the existing building and updating a midcentury modern exterior to their more modern brand standards.
_ The Martin Bauer Group Office and Laboratory
Secaucus, New Jersey
Designer: Montroy Andersen DeMarco
Contractor: Falcon Pacific Construction
The main challenge to create a complex beverage and flavor laboratory space within a conventional high-rise office building. The building’s octagonal shape and space perimeter multiple angles created other challenges. The solution was to define areas for the company’s functional needs. The layout separates the reception and conference spaces at the entrance, providing meeting space away from the main work area (located behind reception). A corridor leads from reception and divides the conference rooms. This led to a division between the open office and the labs. Also, the mechanical system in each lab is self-contained and features moisture control for quality air control.
PROJECT PROFILE AWARDS 2023
_ Le Pavillon Restaurant
New York, New York
Designer: Isay Weinfeld and Montroy DeMarco Architecture (MDA)
Contractor: Shawmut
Located inside Manhattan’s tallest tower—the 93-story One Vanderbilt building—the 11,000-square foot dining space offers clear views of Grand Central Station and the Chrysler Building. One challenge included creating an intimate dining experience within a towering 55-foot-high space surrounded by a glass curtain wall. The space did not initially provide a cozy atmosphere, so the architectural team designed a sloped, soffited ceiling supported from existing building beams at the curtain wall by cantilevered steel needle beams up to 26-feet long to cover half of the dining area. Another challenge was the integration of a 775-square foot planting area, supported by 2,000 square feet of dedicated infrastructure, that would be at the same finished elevation as the dining room floor.
East Hampton School District Bus Facility }
East Hampton, New York
Designer: Michael J. Guido Architect P.C.
Contractor: Stalco Construction
The $2.8 million pre-engineered bus depot and maintenance facility for the East Hampton School District called for demolition of pre-existing utility buildings, extensive site work and the erection of a customdesigned metal structure. The new building features an 8-inch concrete slab foundation, an 8-inch high CMY wall on the inside perimeter of the structure, a wide span structural steel frame with punch Z-profile purlins supporting the roof, TBS standing seam insulated metal roof panels, insulated metal panel walls, and CMU internal partition walls. Site work also included site drainage, fencing, an access roadway, an asphalt surface parking for buses and passenger cars, line striping, retaining walls and concrete pads.
_ Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
Denver, Colorado
Designer: Holland Basham Architects
Contractor: Scheiner Commercial Group Inc.
Snooze, an AM Eatery, opened its 10th Denver restaurant at 101 Broadway, on the ground floor of the Quayle apartment building. Located in Denver’s South Broadway neighborhood in the historic First Avenue Hotel building, the eatery features a bright, upbeat atmosphere with restaurant seating for 100 and 56 patio seats. A full bar will serve morning cocktails, local beers, and spiked coffee beverages to get the day started. Snooze is known for its long wait times and its signature menu items, like pineapple upside down and blueberry Danish pancakes, inventive eggs benedicts (like the habanero pork belly Benny), pancake flights, breakfast sandwiches, omelets and breakfast tacos.
_ Home2 Suites by Hilton South
Byron Center, Michigan
Designer: Paradigm
Contractor: Wolverine Building Group
This 66,000-square-foot, four-story hotel with 104 suite-style units was a first for the Home2 Suites by Hilton brand for the region. It included construction of a significant retaining wall to preserve the ecosystem and contain erosion. It’s colorful style and local cultural flair made this a new brand standard. Other amenities include a fitness center, indoor swimming pool, meeting rooms, and a business center. Wolverine Building Group completed the new construction of this eye-catching contemporary hotel on behalf of our repeat client, Chicago Diversified Foods. The team did extensive coordination with the client, architect, and many trade contractors and installers of owner furnished equipment to ensure that the finished product met the brand standard.
Next LVL }
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Contractor: Volumetric Building Companies (VBC)
The Next LVL project combined on-trend exterior aesthetics and on-site amenities for 280 multifamily housing units in downtown Philadelphia. Needing to fit as many units as possible, the MagicPak HVAC System eliminated the need to run vertical line sets throughout the building, meaning square footage traditionally needed for chaseways could be used for hallways or living units. Another benefit was that most of the HVAC work was done off site under controlled conditions. This helped shave two months of labor time. To match that vision, the team ensured the exterior louvers would blend with each of the building’s exterior materials. By keeping 280 condensing units off the roof, they also enabled the design and build of an expansive rooftop lounge with greenspace and other high-value amenities.
_ Quattro at Naples Square
Naples, Florida
Contractor: Gulfstream Painting and Contracting Inc.
Homeowners at the Quattro at Naples Square enjoy luxury, resort-style living via spacious condos with oversized island kitchens, generous master suites, premier fixtures and finishes, an owner’s club room, pool area, and more. One of the special features is its expansive covered balconies, which deliver an open and outdoor feel. Because the coatings on the balconies, fascia and corbels had faded since the development was constructed in 2017, they were given a fresh look in the first phase by recoating the fascia, corbels and metal balcony decks. Included was the painting of metal stringers and underside of the metal decks on all balconies, all exterior doors on the ground floor, courtyard and common areas, and the common area trellises, railings and handrails, among other work.
_ H&H Bagels
New York, New York
Designer: Wid Chapman Architects
“Like no other bagel in the world,” H&H Bagels has been an iconic destination on New York City’s Upper West Side for fifty years. In 2021, our firm was hired to lead the brand into its next iteration, upgrading the original store’s visual environment, brand identity, and customer experience, and translating this for an upscale store in the new Moynihan Train Hall. It was one of the first shops to open in this vital urban space. These projects led to a wider partnership with H&H as it seeks to expand exponentially, and we are working on a comprehensive franchise design model for the company.
Beach Terrace Memory Care }
Stanton, California
Designer: StudioPi2 Architects
Contractor: USS Cal Builders
Beach Terrace Memory Care is a 66-unit, 110 beds facility that serves the “missing middle market” of Orange County. The three-story, 90,000-square-foot center highlights a comfortable community living in a cozy home-like setting. Beach Terrace Memory Care transformed a single lot, which was considered a neighborhood blight, into a vibrant mixed-use space for the community. Reflecting the “architecture of happiness” inside and out, the project converted an empty lot into a vibrant community of members who rely on its architecture for their wellbeing and happiness. True to its promise, since its inauguration, the facility is now home to elderly members experiencing memory challenges who can enjoy the well-designed living areas and terraces that connect with the outside.
_ Advanced Auto Parts
California
Architect: Core States
Contractor: FCS; Project Manager: Bureau Veritas
Bureau Veritas (BV) partnered with Advance Auto Parts to provide project management and turnkey construction services at 100 locations in California for its “Project Gold” program. As part of a nationwide expansion program, Advance Auto Parts acquired the retail space of existing Pep Boys locations, demised the existing building, and created a separate retail space. This was a challenging project, managing multiple contractors and vendors, overseeing construction at an open facility, and dealing with the challenges of varied California AHJ requirements, all while being executed in a compressed time frame. Overall, the project was very successful and Advance Auto Parts is looking to replicate this model at other Pep Boys locations around the country.
PROJECT PROFILE AWARDS 2023
_ Pine Rest Psychological Consultation Center
Byron Center, Michigan
Designer: Integrated Architecture
Contractor: Wolverine Building Group
The tenant build-out for psychiatric and behavioral health provider Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services transformed the existing white-box space into a suite with high-end, contemporary finishes. The completed space is an outpatient clinical location, with exam rooms, offices and reception area outfitted with security-enhanced partitions. One department with unique needs was their Forensic Psychiatric and Psychological Services, which utilizes stringent security measures including key card readers in all corridors and stairwells. The team coordinated with their staff to ensure that the doors, windows and hardware selected would accommodate their security devices. This project was completed with local labor, on-time and on-budget during the tail end of the pandemic.
Patreon Office Refresh }
New York, New York
Designer: ASD/SKY
Contractor: Swinerton
The multi-phased project occurring in a partially occupied space in a landmark New York City building has run seamlessly from start to finish. This office refresh has run on time and on budget with excellent feedback from this notable client. Phase 1 was a temporary retrofit and select demolition of the remainder of Patreon’s sublease space to support 50 employees. Phase 2 consisted of a complete build out of the previously demolished space, including HVAC upgrades, bridging of the floor’s existing BMS system to the base building’s system, new lighting including custom decorative fixtures, etc. During Phase 3, the previously retrofitted Phase 1 space will then be selectively demolished in order to upgrade the space to match the Phase 2 improvements.
_ Upper Arlington High School
Columbus, Ohio
Designer: Perkins+Will, Moody Nolan
Contractor: Ruscillii Construction
The district was overdue for a new high school. The school opened in 1957 (Jack Nicklaus was in the first graduating class). The new facility is flexible, collaborative and green, which works in concert with today’s teaching methodologies. It also includes a state-of-the-art performing arts center. Acoustical smoke vents sit atop to the performing arts center and provide the security of automatic venting while guarding against noise intrusion.
StoCast Brick and StoCast Wood. Authentic look. No compromise.
StoCast offers durable and cost-effective alternatives to masonry brick and engineered or natural wood. These flexible resin-cast brick shapes and wood planks can be used with Sto’s engineered wall systems, which feature continuous insulation. The lightweight materials have multiple benefits, including a reduced structural load, greater efficiency during transport and ease of installation. Whether the project involves new construction or retrofit, StoCast provides an efficient and inspired solution without compromising on performance or design.
Creativity Begins. Sto Finishes. ®
2023
_ Sgt. Clean Car Wash
Lakewood, Ohio
Designer: Blatchford Architects
Contractor: Fortney & Weygandt, Inc.
Converting a legacy car wash building in a historic building in Cleveland’s suburbs had its challenges. Working within the parameters of the job, the team gutted the building and narrowed the site, which required precise coordination of the schedule and subcontractors. The narrow site often prevented multiple subs from working on the project at the same time due to staging and material storage. Therefore, it had to develop a multi-phasing system to allow trades people to work unencumbered while also staying on schedule.
The Animal Cardiology Clinic }
Brooklyn, New York
Designer: FCA
Contractor: McAlpine Contracting
The clinic, which provides specialized cardiology care for dogs and cats, is located on the ground floor of a mixed-use 21-story building. One of technical challenges related to the plumbing and elevation of the floor slab. The treatment rooms required extensive underfloor drainage for sinks and other equipment. The original floor elevation was 10 inches below street level. The existing plumbing outflows were too high to connect gravity flow piping for the new equipment. The existing concrete slab then was channeled to create depressions for new piping, while the concrete floor was raised with 6 inches of insulation and a 4-inch thick concrete slab so the piping could meet code requirements.
_ Red, Wine & Brew
Westlake, Ohio
Designer: Jencen Architecture
Contractor: Paramount Construction
Known for its vast selection of craft beers, private label wines and cigars, the new Red, Wine & Brew (RWB) prototype goes beyond aesthetics. The new look is helping launch the RWB brand into new markets for expansion, both regionally and nationally. Notable branded moments include the glass front walk-in humidor and the “Welcome Friends” bar-style POP and tasting area, which is designed for four main functions, including checking customers out and hosting wine tastings. It also serves as a staging area where customers can place their items while shopping, and staging area for inventory deliveries. The custom butcher block-style countertop provides a soft industrial look, while the vertical, column-style chalkboard promotes wine-tasting events as well as new items to try or daily specials. From above, the open ceiling provides a light spacious feeling.
PROJECT PROFILE AWARDS 2023
_ The Landmark
Wausau, Wisconsin
Designer: Gorman & Company
Contractor: Gorman General Contractors, LLC
One of Wausau, Wisconsin’s most historic structures has been renovated, modernizing its affordable units while preserving its historical features. The Landmark now features 94 updated affordable one- and two-bedroom units accommodating present-day tenants while preserving the historic integrity of this well-built property. The building, an integral part of the downtown area, will help address the housing crisis. The building was originally known as the Hotel Wausau when it was constructed in 1924. Marie and Ray Goldbach bought and renamed the property The Landmark in 1963, remodeling it to include 92 apartments and 18 office spaces. Gorman & Company purchased the property from realtor Jack Williams in 2020.
Lincoln Plaza }
Langhorne, Pennsylvania
Designer: CREATE Architecture Planning and Design pllc
Contractor: A&E Construction Co.; JH Greene
Paramount Realty acquired Lincoln Plaza in late 2020 with the belief that being the dominant center in any given market requires delivering the best of experiences to its patrons and the community it serves. While the tenants performed well at the time of acquisition, there was still some vacancy to fill and untapped potential in shuffling around some tenants to make room for a new grocery anchor. The center also looked and felt like it belonged in the 1980’s. The design team helped transform the shopping center into a truly special and unique asset— one that has since drawn the attention of new retailers, including Amazon Fresh, ULTA, Honeygrow and Smoothie King.
_ PH6
Bal Harbour, Florida
Designer: Studio Rodrigo Buelvas
Contractor: Solara International
Inspired by Bal Harbour waters, the concept envisions a coastal environment, using finishes and materials of natural origin such as white oak wood veneer, terrazzo, and sea foam colored accents. This high-rise vacation rental simplifies the use of the spaces within, bringing multifunctionality to accommodate a large group. The attention to craftsmanship and detail in every room allows for an open interaction between each public space. The apartments have a true feeling of seaside tranquility. The design aims to create a welcoming space fueled by a sense of directionality. Inspired by the beachside views, the concept envisions a trace horizontal contrast using finishes and materials like light wood veneer, seashell terrazzo, and seafoam color tones accents.
Where Your Vision Meets Our Expertise
Terrazzo is a handcra ed building material; its primary components are assembled on the construction site. For 100-years, the contractor members of the National Terrazzo and Mosaic Association have brought integrity and skill to countless installations. The NTMA has the expertise your project needs. Find specifications, information, color samples, contractor and supplier members at www.ntma.com or call 800-323-9736.
Museum of Science & Industry Food Court
PROJECT PROFILE AWARDS 2023
_ Goodwill
Shelby, North Carolina
Designer: Little Diversified Architectural Consulting
Contractor: GLR Inc. General Contractors
A former Lidl grocery store was transformed into a new concept store for Goodwill. In addition to the traditional drive-up donation drop-off and shopping, it features a 1,000-square-foot community room, a locally owned café, a children’s play area, and an entire electronics and gaming section hosted by tech store, The GRID: Powered by Goodwill. The new space has reinvigorated how Goodwill Shelby connects with the community and pursues its mission. Through the community room and by supporting local entrepreneurs like Big Red’s Café, the organization has deepened its connections with those it serves. Additionally, because the new store consistently generates over 25% more revenue than the former location, Goodwill can reinvest those resources into its programs and services, increasing its community impact.
Congrats to all 2023 6th Annual Project Profile Award Winners
Roofing companies highlight annual listing report
Some of the industry’s premiere roofing companies are featured in this issue’s survey, which shines a light on the leaders in the retail, restaurant, hospitality, healthcare (and other) sectors. Our annual listing provides the contact information and contact person for each firm. If you didn’t make the list, contact Publisher David Corson at davidc@ccr-mag.com.
APV Engineered Coatings
Mike Couchie, Sales
1390 Firestone Parkway
Akron, OH 44301
(800) 772-3452
www.apvcoatings.com
sales@apvcoatings.com
Roofing Product Type: Coatings
Markets Served: Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, Shopping Malls, Multi-Family
AES Sunoptics, Inc.
Grant Grable
VP, Operations & Business Development
2171 Alabama Hwy 229
Tallassee, AL 36078
(916) 395-4700
(916) 594-4150
www.sunoptics.com
grant.grable@aessunoptics.com
Roofing Product Type: Other: Industrial / Commercial Prismatic
Skylights and Smoke Vents
Markets Served: Retail, Shopping Malls, Federal Government, Other: Warehouse/Distribution/Manufacturing
The BILCO Company
Steve Weyel
370 James Street, Suite 201 New Haven, CT 06505
(203) 934-6363
commercial@bilco.com
Roofing Product Type: Other: Smoke Vents. Acoustical Smoke
Vents. Roof Hatches. Safety Equipment. Specialty Access Products.
Markets Served: Retail, Hospitality, Restaurants, Healthcare, Shopping Malls, Federal/Government, Multi-Family
Building Works
International
David Rutherford
Director of Business Development
20085 Pine Island Rd
Hempstead, TX 77445-3521
(713) 204-6275
(713) 204-6275
www.bldgwrks.com
drutherford@bldgwrks.com
Roofing Product Type: Other: Building Consultants
Markets Served: Other
Butler Manufacturing
Paul Buettell
Roof Sales Manager
PO Box 326
Cedarville, OH 45314
(814) 573-4468
www.butlermfg.com
psbuettell@butlermfg.com
Roofing Product Type: Metal Panel Roof Systems
Markets Served: Retail, Federal Government, Other: Commercial
Bureau Veritas
Blake Brosa, Executive Vice President
10461 Mill Run Circle, Suite 1100
Owings Mills, MD 21117
(602) 526-3916
Cell: (602) 526-3916
Fax: (410) 785-6220
www.bvport.com
blake.brosa@bureauveritas.com
Roofing Product Type: Other: All types - Project Management
Markets Served: Retail, Hospitality, Restaurants, Healthcare, Shopping Malls, Federal/Government, Multi-Family, Cannabis, Craft Brewery
WHEN HIGH PERFORMANCE IS
Castagra Products, Inc.
Maegen E.
Director of Marketing
1450 Vassar Street
Reno, NV 89502
(888) 388-2935
www.castagra.com
marketing@castagra.com
Roofing Product Type: Coatings
Markets Served: Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, Restaurants, Shopping Malls, Federal Government, Multi-Family, Cannabis, Craft
Brewery, Other: Commercial
Chicago Clamp Company
Kevin Barry, Sales Manager
2350 S 27th Ave.
Broadview, IL 60155
(708) 343-8311
www.chicagoclampcompany.com
kevin.barry@chicagoclampcompany.com
Roofing Product Type: Roof Curbs, Structural Support Frames
Markets Served: Retail, Hospitality, Restaurants, Healthcare, Shopping Malls, Federal/Government
DaVinci Roofscapes
Kathy Ziprik
Public Relations Representative
13890 W. 101st Street.
Lenexa, KS 66215
(800) 328-4624
www.davinciroofscapes.com
ziprikpr@gmail.com
Roofing Product Type: Synthetic, Shakes/Shingles
Markets Served: Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, Restaurants, Shopping Malls, Federal Government, Multi-Family, Other:
Educational, Historic, Religious
Duravent Group.com
Katy Elsey
Marketing and Communications Manager
28 W. Adams, Suite 1810
Detroit, MI 48226 (224) 619-6836
www.duraventgroup.com
kelsey@duraventgroup.com
Roofing Product Type: Roof Curbs, Other: Smoke vents, acoustical smoke vents, roof hatches, safety equipment, specialty access products, equipment rails, curb adapters, pipe mounting pedestals, new & retrofit roof drains, low slope roof flashings & accessories
Markets Served: Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, Restaurants, Shopping Malls, Federal Government, Multi-Family, Cannabis, Craft Brewery
GAF
Kim Scochin
Manager, Commercial Marketing
1 Campus Dr Parsippany, NJ 7054
www.gaf.com
kim.scochin@gaf.com
Roofing Product Type: Built-Up Roofing Membranes (BUR), Polymer Modified Bitumen Sheet Membranes (SBS or APP), SinglePly Membranes (PVC, TPO, EPDM), Shakes/Shingles, Eco-Green
Roofing Systems, Coatings
Markets Served: Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, Restaurants, Shopping Malls, Federal Government, Multi-Family
Georgia-Pacific
Marketing Manager
133 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA, 30303 (800) 225-6119
www.buildgp.com
mallory.faust@gapac.com
Roofing Product Type: Other: cover board
Markets Served: Retail, Hospitality, Restaurants, Healthcare, Shopping Malls, Federal/Government, Multi-Family
Holcim
Brooke Elliott
Marketing Director
26 Century Blvd, Suite 205 Nashville, TN 37214
(734) 788-9441
(734) 788-9441
www.holcimelevate.com/us-en brooke.elliott@holcim.com
Roofing Product Type: Metal Panel Roof Systems, Built-Up Roofing Membranes (BUR), Polymer Modified Bitumen Sheet Membranes (SBS or APP), Single-Ply Membranes (PVC, TPO, EPDM), Asphalt, Eco-Green Roofing Systems
Markets Served: Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, Restaurants, Shopping Malls, Federal Government, Multi-Family, Cannabis, Craft Brewery
IKO Industries, Inc.
Jeff Williams
Brand Director, North America
235 W S Tech Dr. Kankakee, IL 60901
www.iko.com
jeff.williams@iko.com
Roofing Product Type: Built-Up Roofing Membranes (BUR), Polymer Modified Bitumen Sheet Membranes (SBS or APP), Asphalt, Shakes/Shingles, Snow Guards, Coatings, Polyisocyanurate Insulation (PIR), Roof Cover Boards, Reflective Roof Systems, Vapour Barriers and Accessories that include Primers, Adhesives, Mastics, Sealants and Tapes
Markets Served: Retail, Hospitality, Restaurants, Healthcare, Shopping Malls, Federal/Government, Multi-Family, Corporate, Commercial, Education
KARNAK Corporation
Kim Holmes
Executive Assistant
330 Central Avenue
Clark, NJ 7066
(732) 388-0300
www.karnakcorp.com
kholmes@karnakcorp.com
Roofing Product Type: Built-Up Roofing Membranes (BUR), Polymer Modified Bitumen Sheet Membranes (SBS or APP), Single-Ply Membranes (PVC, TPO, EPDM), Asphalt, Coatings, Other: Silicone Coatings
Markets Served: Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, Restaurants, Shopping Malls, Federal Government, Cannabis, Craft Brewery, Other: Schools
Mainsource
Roof Management
Jeff Ansel, Director
Business Development
5442 Frontage Rd.
Forest Park, GA 30297
(770) 500-9681
www.mainsourcemgt.com
jeffa@mainsourcemgt.com
Roofing Product Type: Built-Up Roofing Membranes (BUR), , Single-Ply Membranes (PVC, TPO, EPDM), Solar Panels
Markets Served: Retail, Hospitality, Restaurants, Healthcare, Shopping Malls, Cannabis, Craft Brewery
McElroy Metal
Kathi Miller
Director of Marketing and Sales Training
1500 Hamilton Road
Bossier City, LA 71111
(318) 747-8071
(309) 825-6531
www.mcelroymetal.com
kmiller@mcelroymetal.com
Roofing Product Type: Metal Panel Roof Systems, Snow Guards
Markets Served: Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, Restaurants, Shopping Malls, Federal Government, Multi-Family, Cannabis, Craft Brewery
MFM Building
Products Corp.
David Delcoma
Operations Manager
525 Orange St.
Coshocton, OH 43812
(740) 622-2645
(740) 622-6161
www.mfmbp.com
ddelcoma@mfmbp.com
Roofing Product Type: Other: Underlayments
Markets Served: Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, Restaurants, Shopping Malls, Federal Government, Multi-Family
PHOTO iD is a cloud-based platform that allows team members to stay up to date in real time throughout the entire job or inspection process.
Receiving photos from the site in an organized manner from reps as the tasks are happening, displays a clear story of what has occurred at various job-sites.
Mule-Hide Products Co. Inc.
Lynette Collins
Senior Marketing Coordinator
1195 Prince Hall Drive
Beloit, WI 53511
(800) 786-1492
(888) 218-7838
www.mulehide.com
lynette.collins@mulehide.com
Roofing Product Type: Polymer Modified Bitumen Sheet
Membranes (SBS or APP), Single-Ply Membranes (PVC, TPO, EPDM), Spray Polyurethane Foam Based (SPF), Asphalt, Coatings
Markets Served: Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, Restaurants, Shopping Malls, Federal Government, Multi-Family, Cannabis, Craft Brewery, Other: Corporate; Education; Industrial; Warehouse
PAC-CLAD | Petersen
Rob Heselbarth
Dir of comms
1005 Tonne Road
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
www.pac-clad.com
rheselbarth@petersenmail.com
Roofing Product Type: Metal Panel Roof Systems
Markets Served: Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, Restaurants, Shopping Malls, Federal Government, Multi-Family, Cannabis, Craft Brewery
PHOTO iD by U Scope
Earl Randolph
CEO
5450 Bruce B Downs Blvd.
Wesley Chapel, FL 33543
(866) 972-3135
(813) 501-5594
info@uscope.net
Roofing Product Type: Other: Inspection Documentation Platform with Photo Labeling Camera
Markets Served: Hospitality, Federal Government, Multi-Family, Other: Roofing & Restoration
Polyglass USA
Alexandra Helton, Associate Manager, Marketing Communications
1111 West Newport Center Drive
Deerfiled Beach, FL,33442
(954) 233-1432
www.polyglass.us
ahelton@polyglass.com
Roofing Product Type: Polymer Modified Bitumen Sheet Membranes (SBS or APP), Coatings
Markets Served: N/A
Progressive Materials
Klaus Schlimm
Marketing Director
540 Central Court
New Albany, IN 47150
(812) 944-7803
(812) 944-7804
www.pmsilicone.com
klaus@pmsilicone.com
Roofing Product Type: Coatings
Markets Served: Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, Restaurants, Shopping Malls, Federal Government, Multi-Family, Cannabis, Craft Brewery
Quality Truck and Tire
Jim Peacock
Sales
10532 N Mission Rd
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48617
(989) 802-3047
(989) 802-3047
www.qualitytruckandequipment.com
jim.peacock@qualitytruckgroup.com
Roofing Product Type: Other: Hook Lift Trucks
Markets Served: Other: Roofing
RHEINZINK America, Inc.
Chip McGowan
President
18 Commerce Way, Suite 1250
Woburn, MA 1801
(781) 729-0812
(617) 852-5257
(781) 729-0813
www.rheinzink.us
info@rheinzink.com
Roofing Product Type: Metal Panel Roof Systems
Markets Served: Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, Restaurants, Shopping Malls, Federal Government, Multi-Family, Cannabis, Craft Brewery
Rocky Mountain
Snow Guards, Inc.
Lars Walberg
President
4231 S Natches Ct, C
Englewood, CO 80110
(720) 379-7756
(970) 331-5384
lars@rockymountainsnowguards.com
Roofing Product Type: Snow Guards
Markets Served: Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, Restaurants, Shopping Malls, Federal Government, Multi-Family
RoofersCoffeeShop
Heidi J. Ellsworth
President
411 East Cascade Street, Suite 206
Sisters, OR 97759
(541) 797-3428
www.rooferscoffeeshop.com
heidi@rooferscoffeeshop.com
Roofing Product Type: Other: Digital Resources
Markets Served: Other: Roofing Companies
S-5!
Jessica Haddock
Marketing Manager
12730 Black Forest Rd.
Colorado Springs, CO 80908
(888) 825-3432
(719) 495-0045
www.S-5.com
JHaddock@s-5.com
Roofing Product Type: Snow Guards, Other: metal roof attachments
Markets Served: Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, Restaurants, Shopping Malls, Federal Government, Multi-Family, Cannabis, Craft Brewery, Other: All
Smart Chute By Quest
Gil Ruiz
Sales
1580 Ocean Ave
Bohemia, NY 11716
(631) 691-1184
www.questmf.com/smartchute.php
smartchute@questmf.com
Roofing Product Type: Other: Smart Chute Construction Debris
Removal System
Markets Served: Other: Roofing/Construction
Vermont Slate Company
Lucas Severance
Sales Manager
2600 Louisville Rd
Savannah, GA 31415
(802) 855-1383
rtschida@cupapizarras.com
Roofing Product Type: Other: Slate Roofing and Siding
Markets Served: Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, Restaurants, Federal Government, Multi-Family, Other: Residential, Religious Establishments
Resilience Begins with Quality
Seal and preserve your roof
Silicone, Acrylic, SEBS coatings for restoration on all types of roofs.
Taking safety audits
4 steps to take after an employee is injured at work
By Craig ShapiroMany know that accidents happen every day. But knowing that they happen and being prepared for them are two separate things. That is why work injuries can take employers by surprise, even if they have done their due diligence by securing a workers’ comp insurance policy.
While workplace accidents are scary to think about, having a plan can help you keep calm and make these times of crisis more manageable.
These accidents are not just limited to the traditional office environment either. Workers’ comp insurance claims for working from home became commonplace with the universal adoption of remote work due to the global pandemic.
A home office may not seem as inherently dangerous as other workplace environments, but that does not mean that employees cannot hurt themselves there. And if one of your workers is injured or suffers a health condition while on the clock, is your business legally responsible?
The answer is “most likely yes”—individuals who work from home are legally entitled to the same workers’ comp benefits as traditional office employees. As an employer, your lack of control over the conditions of your employees’ home-based work space is irrelevant—workplace injuries should always be reported to your insurance carrier, where a licensed adjuster will make a determination on coverage and benefit eligibility.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), as a small business owner, you are responsible for providing your employees with a safe work environment—both traditional office employees and telecommuters.
Below is an outline of steps for employers to take in the unfortunate event of a staff injury at work.
1. Address the Injury and Safety Issues
When an accident happens, the first step is to determine the level of emergency. If the injured person requires immediate medical assistance, you should call 911. In the case that an injury is less severe, but still may require medical attention, you may be able to contact a medical advice hotline through your workers’ compensation insurance to get advice about whether urgent care or the emergency room is the best route.
2. Report the Injury to Your Workers’ Compensation Carrier
You should report the injury to your workers’ compensation insurance carrier as soon as possible. The claims adjuster may be able to answer your questions and fill in gaps, so the earlier you reach out, the less likely you will be to miss a step.
Be ready to provide details about the incident, such as:
> Date and time of incident
> Location where the incident occurred
> Description of the injury
> Date you became aware of the injury
Even if you still are gathering information, it is better to make an incomplete report than to delay the claims process.
3. Respond Promptly to Requests for Additional Information
Once the workers’ comp claim is filed, the insurance adjuster, injured employee, and
medical providers may reach out to you with questions or information requests. Because the claims process is time sensitive, you should prioritize your responses to these queries. As an employer, you also may need to communicate regularly with other staff who witnessed or have information about the incident to ensure that they also provide timely input for the claims investigation. Encouraging accountability may help the claims process move along so that everyone can get back to work.
4. Evaluate Workplace Safety and Training Needs
Though unfortunate, workplace accidents are often a call for increased safety measures or training for staff. You can work with your workers’ comp insurance provider as well as your state’s workers compensation agency to learn about best practices for workplace safety.
A safety audit may be one way to prevent future accidents and reduce injuries on your team. By showing that you are committed to staff safety, you can increase employee morale and may even reduce your business insurance rates. CCR
Craig Shapiro is VP, Product & Underwriting for Cerity, a workers’ compensation insurance provider founded with a bold vision to reimagine small- to medium-sized business insurance. With its digital-first approach, Cerity is transforming the entire process to empower business owners to quickly and easily protect their team, assets and livelihood through an online workers’ compensation solution. Follow Cerity on Twitter @CerityisHere.
A safety audit may be one way to prevent future accidents and reduce injuries on your team.
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The Green Factor
Examining new sustainability construction tech that reduces CO2
By Tim SperryClimate change is the most significant environmental problem our society faces today. The rising temperatures caused by global warming will impact much more than just the weather; climate change could have enormous effects on the environment by wreaking havoc on ecosystems across the globe.
While this could spell doom for societies the world over if it goes unchecked, several innovators are developing new technologies that can help mitigate some of the damages that have contributed to climate change.
Greenhouse gasses are the compounds that contribute to global warming, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. While they occur naturally in the atmosphere in trace amounts, the atmospheric destruction that leads to global warming occurs when they accumulate in the atmosphere at unnaturally high levels.
Several sources can contribute to these gasses accumulating in the atmosphere at excessive levels, from vehicles burning fossil fuels to the exhaust produced by factories.
The importance of decarbonization
However, there is a process by which the carbon in the atmosphere can be reduced, called decarbonization. This process entails eventually shifting our economy towards one that has no CO2 emissions whatsoever, but for now, it means slowing down the output of greenhouse gas emissions so that catastrophic environmental consequences can be avoided, or at least mitigated.
Although some of the environmental consequences that greenhouse emissions have caused are not reversible, decarbonization efforts can help mitigate some of these effects and help prevent them from worsening. By taking these measures, our society can ensure that we preserve the health of our planet for generations to come.
However, one aspect of construction that the general public might not understand has the potential to lead to a full-on environmental catastrophe is the use of concrete.
Concrete is one of the world’s most common building materials thanks to its strength, durability and relatively inexpensive nature. As a result, the world uses as much as 30 billion tonnes of concrete annually.
Having to produce such a large quantity of materials creates an enormous strain on the manufacturing process. Manufacturers must produce a large amount of concrete to meet the construction needs of every global market relying on it, and as a result, there are thousands of concrete factories around the world.
Each factory causes significant greenhouse gas emissions, causing the concrete manufacturing industry to collectively become
Decarbonizing concrete
One of the more innovative new technologies is a cement substitute that effectively has the same properties as traditional concrete in terms of its durability, but can also sequester carbon dioxide directly from the air. This groundbreaking new technology allows the cement to become a CO2 sponge, capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it permanently via carbonization.
Since concrete is not biodegradable and can stay in landfills for as many as 10,000 years, giving it this absorbent quality can significantly benefit the environment for generations to come.
This technology is new and innovative to the point that its long-term implications on the environment are not yet known. Even so, the materials in this new form of concrete act as a magnetic sponge to the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The cement absorbs the carbon dioxide and turns it into a solid. This allows the concrete to store the carbon dioxide safely, offsetting a significant portion of carbon dioxide emitted by creating the materials.
Many environmentalists have pointed toward the ultimate goal of a “Net Zero Future,” but what does a “Net Zero Future” actually mean? To achieve a net zero future, greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced to as close to zero as possible, with the remaining emissions being reabsorbed from the atmosphere.
This ambitious goal requires a commitment from both the public and private sector—i.e., governments and businesses— alike to ensure that each stakeholder is doing their part in protecting the environment and reducing our collective carbon footprint.
The construction industry and greenhouse gas emissions
While much of the discussion on reducing greenhouse gas emissions surrounds outwardly visible contributors such as motor vehicles and other aerial transportation, the construction industry is one of the most quietly destructive sources of greenhouse gas emissions.
Ultimately, the construction process is the culmination of many other environmentally damaging processes, from manufacturing to transportation.
one of the world’s highest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.
To combat these issues, innovators have been developing new technologies to help decrease the industry’s carbon footprint and, hopefully, push our society towards a net zero future. While many of these technologies are imperfect solutions that do not serve as a one-for-one replacement for the material that has become such a core component of the construction industry.
Some have proposed solutions like recycled concrete aggregate (RCA), better known as crushed concrete, as a replacement for traditional concrete because it has much less environmental impact. Yet, even though RCA eliminates the need for further concrete production—since it recycles old concrete that has already been used—it is much less durable than concrete and can cause issues during flooding.
While it helps reduce some of the environmental impact of the construction process, it isn’t viable in the long-term as it lacks the properties that make concrete so reliable.
However, having this technology available to replace environmentally destructive concrete is only the first step. There needs to be regulation alongside it to ensure that companies are required to uphold their end of their environmental responsibility and reduce emissions. Laws like the Paris Agreement have set the stage to establish strict thresholds and requirements for emissions, but individual states have also introduced much more stringent requirements, such as NY State Senate Bill A2591/S542.
If governments in state legislation that encourages businesses to invest in and support technology which passively reduces their carbon footprint, the overall ecological impact of our society can be mitigated. The concrete industry is a brilliant starting point for these mitigating efforts because of the enormous reliance construction companies have on concrete and the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from concrete production.
It has been a challenge to find a solution that is a practical, yet less environmentally-destructive replacement for one of the most common building materials in the world, but it has finally been found. CCR
Ultimately, the construction process is the culmination of many other environmentally damaging processes, from manufacturing to transportation.
Value engineering personified
How methodology is ensuring projects are not overpaying for products or services
By Ron TreisterToday’s construction is changing. The current “need for speed” has made tight timelines and professionally planned job scheduling more important than ever. It is common that one trade must work on one specific portion of a building-in-process, while another toils concurrently in another area of the structure.
Owners do not want surprises, especially ones that occur on contractors’ bottom-line invoices. They also do want to have their buildings ready for full occupancy and total performance, according to initially agreed-upon scheduling projections.
As a result of the above, the term “value engineering” now is a much sought-after tenet within today’s construction industry. In a nutshell, value engineering is a wellthought-out methodology that assures that the building is not overpaying for products or services when other options of equal quality and performance are offered at less expensive price points.
With this mindset, true product quality remains the ultimate goal, with the entire value engineering “model” focusing on the optimal usage of any available budget.
An excellent example of this process recently took place in Park City, Utah at the
construction site on a ski-in/ski-out hotel in the center of Canyons Village. The luxury getaway offers a slope-side retreat where modernist design has been implemented to inspire every angle. The project, consisting of three buildings five- or six-stories high, planned to have 85,500 square feet of hardwood flooring installed within.
DFS Flooring Utah’s Ken Clifford, the blue-chip flooring contractor, which handled
the hardwood installation, says the company has worked with the owners of this project for a number of years. “We always want to do the best possible work for them. And if we can save them money while doing so, well, of course we will. When the architectural specs first came in, they called for a sound-dampening rubber mat membrane to be glued down on the subfloor, before installation of the actual hardwood material.””
“The words ‘value engineering’ materialized in my mind. I thought about how much time, labor and product expense could be saved if we were to go with this product and eliminate having to install the rubber mat.”
– Ken Clifford, DFS Flooring Utah
At first glance, it sounded like a good plan. Ironically, Clifford says that soon thereafter, a Bostik regional sales manager stopped by for the regular presentation of his portfolio of products.
“One, which really interested me, the Ultra-Set ® SingleStep2™, a one-component hardwood flooring adhesive that also offers moisture control and a sound reduction membrane all-in-one,” Clifford says. “Right away, the words ‘value engineering’ materialized in my mind. I thought about how much time, labor and product expense could be saved if we were to go with this product and eliminate having to install the rubber mat.”
The Park City hardwood flooring installation consisted of 7-inch pre-finished engineered wood planks for the guest rooms. Dining rooms consisted of a similar product, but were to be installed unfinished. Main areas such as the entryways to each building were specified to include 12-inch oak planks with an attractive wire brushed surface finish.
All these areas were at first specified to include having the rubber mat beneath the wood flooring to minimize transfer of sound. “I kept wondering just how much money and, how much time would be saved were we to simply install with the Bostik system and forgo using the rubber mat,” Clifford says.
So, in the spirit of true partnership, Clifford alerted both the building owners and also, the California-based architectural/design firm. “We wanted to help them choose the right materials... and at the best cost.”
As it turned out, everyone was positive about this potential value engineering situation. And why not?
Via the ICC sound rating system, the rubber sound mat had a score of 50 regarding transfer of noise between floors. Without purchasing the mat or the adhesive to bond it to the subfloor and all the planning and labor necessary to do so, the client saved roughly $400,000.
Clifford’s crews had less work to do overall based on having no rubber sound mat installation (spread glue, lay out the rubber, wait for it to dry before starting
to install the hardwood flooring, etc.), so they were able to finish the job earlier.
And there is more. Jake Stadler, Bostik’s Market Manager for Hardwood and Resilient Floor Systems, says putting down a single-step layer of adhesive saves on the thickness of the flooring installed as opposed to results when using a glue/rubber/glue/floor. This is especially meaningful when every inch around doors and overall headspace is critical.
Stadler says that rolls of acoustical rubber can be quite heavy. In addition to installing them, contractors have to load them up, cart them to the jobsite (along with pails of adhesive) etc. “It sure is easier to get less sound transfer between floors by installing a one-component installation product such as Ultra-Set ® SingleStep2™. By doing all this, we are saving lots of money, too.” CCR
IS YOUR SUPERINTENDENT CERTIFIED?
Ask your GC if they have a Certified Retail Superintendent on your project.
Being a retail superintendent requires a unique set of skills different from other market segments. While all construction superintendents have responsibilities for schedule, productivity, safety, and quality on the project site, the challenges and constraints of the retail environment mean that a special training focus is needed.
Superintendents must learn how to think like a retailer and a contractor throughout these projects.
RCA’s Retail Superintendent Training Program addresses this need.
Certified Retail Superintendents have:
• At least three years of experience in retail construction
• Completed OSHA 30-hour certification
• Completed RCA's two-day workshop, which includes in-depth training on retail-focused customer service
• Passed the Certified Retail Superintendent exam
The bistro’s bistro
How the Junction Bakery & Bistro brings communities to life
Homemade pastries. Egg sandwiches on house-made muffins. Breakfast burritos. Close your eyes and you smell the invite. The Junction is an American bistro experience—one that offers everything fresh-baked breads and pastries, unique and flavorful breakfast, lunch, brunch and dinner offerings.
Come for the simple food pairings and stay for the warm, comforting environment that sits at the center of every community it calls home. Adapting and growing out of the pandemic, the Junction Bakery & Bistro is even more of a communal gathering than ever before.
To get a feel for the Junction vibe, we sat down with GM Rich Nofi, Director of Hospitality Chelsea Sexton, Managing Director Noe Landini, Manager Shannon Cooke, Creative Director Kieran Randall and //3877 firm Partner David Shove-Brown.
Give us a snapshot of your restaurant brand?
Rich Nofi: Junction is an American bistro boasting fresh-baked breads and pastries, unique and flavorful breakfast, lunch, brunch and dinner offerings that originated in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, Virginia with locations in Capitol Hill and the newest location in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Junction is a one-stop-shop that has everything you would ever need or want in a 24-hour day.
Pick from a wide assortment of high quality grab-and-go options or cozy up after work for happy hour with great specials and creative cocktails every day. Dinner time features something for everyone, including Thai noodle soup, vegan selections, a Southern smoked brisket, or house made chicken tenders and mac and cheese for the kids.
Living up to its name, Junction Bakery & Bistro is a culinary junction for all your desires.
What type of consumer are you targeting?
David Shove-Brown: Junction Bakery & Bistro’s Chevy Chase location aims to bring together the entire community by providing a welcoming gathering space open to all, whether that be larger groups dining around the communal table or individuals taking a quick break to enjoy a baked good during the work week in one of the plush banquettes.
What type of adjustments have you made surrounding the recent state of events?
David Shove-Brown: We’ve seen an increase in the usage of elements that derived from the necessity of adapting to the pandemic, but are now a means of making the industry more accessible and efficient everyday, i.e., QR codes. It can be more than a menu; it can be a personal touchpoint with patrons, and technology can lighten the load of staff so that they can focus more on customer satisfaction.
How does the design of the restaurant cater to what today’s consumers want?
David Shove-Brown: Today, diners are looking for a space that is customizable and prioritizes guest comfort, satisfaction, flexibility, and freedom of choice. At Junction
Bakery & Bistro’s newest location, a purposeful division of the space facilitates a multipurpose model—customers have the option to either grab food and beverages to go or be seated in the dining room for a full-service experience.
The space is curated to meet the needs of patrons easily; whether it’s stopping in for a quick cup of coffee or staying hours in the dining room catching up with friends, Junction Bakery & Bistro, Chevy Chase can meet that need.
Is there a location that really shows how the brand interacts with the community and customers? One of your favorites?
David Shove-Brown: The design team drew inspiration from the locale, incorporating the history of Chevy Chase’s trolley corridor into the interior by marrying elements of streetcar design with a fresh take on the traditional European bistro.
This community tie represents Junction Bakery’s mission to establish the new location as a destination for neighbors to come together to enjoy the company of one another. Communal-style dining defines the heart of the dining room, encouraging a relaxed setting where gatherings take center stage. A wooden table welcomes diners to enjoy their meal, share in conversation, and revel in the experience at the new location.
Walk us through how and why it was designed the way it is?
David Shove-Brown: Junction Bakery enlisted //3877 to transform the former retail space into a social environment that harkens back to the area’s rich history and complements the dynamic menu: an assortment of nostalgic American favorites with a contemporary twist. The 2,698-square-foot bakery and bistro exudes a comfortable yet vibrant atmosphere for guests.
“As a casual dining concept, Junction Bakery & Bistro occupies a very saturated market space.”
— Chelsea Sexton, Director of Hospitality, Junction Bakery & Bistro
The Chevy Chase location completes the DMV trifecta with a brand experience consistent with other locations in Alexandria, Virginia and Capitol Hill, Washington DC.
Take us through your construction and design strategy.
David Shove-Brown: A significant piece of Maryland history, the Chevy Chase trolley line was the first in the area to connect to Washington, DC in the 1890s. Though the tracks were replaced by buses in 1935, the historical context of the trolley line speaks to the core values of Junction Bakery: community and connection.
We wanted the design to be a direct tie to the area, so we incorporated elements like historical art prints of the location for display throughout the space, enhancing the restaurant’s bygone spirit of the early 20th Century. The industrial elements of the interior are offset by soft, natural materials and finishes such as wood and marble.
Wooden floors and shiplap walls complement a warm and earthy color palette of green and terracotta, tying the concept together with branding consistent of Junction Bakery.
Give us a rundown of the market’s layout.
Chelsea Sexton: As a casual dining concept, Junction Bakery & Bistro occupies a very saturated market space. Our handmade pastries, locally roasted coffee, curated cocktail and wine lists and chef-designed bistro menu gives us an edge up––that said, we will never grow complacent given our many amazing and innovative peers in the DMV area.
What’s the biggest issue today related to the construction side of the business?
David Shove-Brown: The A&D community has been navigating the challenges posed by extensive supply chain delays, budget setbacks due to inflation, and other obstacles given the state of the construction industry. This impacts every aspect of a project, from broader concepts like the overall cost or timeline of a project down to the finer details, like the finishes and materials available as well as furniture and interior pieces that can be delivered in time to meet deadlines.
This process places an increased emphasis on collaboration with clients, communicating alterations throughout the process and ensuring that they feel informed and valued.
Talk about sustainability. What are you doing?
Jesse Maas, Director of Operations: Here at Junction Bakery & Bistro, we are working hard to track and reduce waste. We also make it our mission to source the best ingredients for all of our handcrafted items with sustainability in mind.
Are you optimistic about how the marketplace has responded to everything happening today?
Noe Landini, Managing Director: Always. We are constantly amazed at the speed at which trends appear, grow and take over. We are always ready to adapt to the needs of the guest and see change as an opportunity to grow and be introduced to new “regulars.”
What is your growth plan?
What areas are you targeting?
Noe Landini, Managing Director: Our newest area targeted for a fall opening is
the Mosaic District. We’ve partnered with another restaurant group, Commonplate Hospitality, to open a very exciting, customized Junction in a cool space, the development itself being home to a drive-in movie theater! You’ll see elements of that in our design for the new location.
What trends are you seeing?
David Shove-Brown: Post-pandemic, consumer expectations are changing and evolving. Embracing key concepts such as multi-functional spaces, clever takeout design, usage of QR codes, and flexible seating options could give businesses the competitive edge they need to thrive; embracing modern design trends and thinking beyond temporary solutions to optimize the success of the brand and satisfy the shift in customer perspective.
What’s the secret to creating a “must visit” restaurant environment in today’s competitive landscape?
David Shove-Brown: Creating an authentic experience for diners is key to establishing spots as a “must-visit” in such a competitive landscape. Authenticity is about digging deep and not just taking the first answer; it is subtle. It’s understanding the story and the culture and the meaning behind the dining experience.
It’s about designing spaces that engage and immerse guests in their environment, giving them the opportunity to form a genuine connection with the brand. Design can intrigue a visitor to want to know more, hopefully provoking questions and conversation, and of course, a return visit.
What’s today’s consumer looking for?
Noe Landini, Managing Director: Today’s consumer is looking for consistency, freshness, married with a comfortable atmosphere, caring service, and convenience. Consumers are looking for fresh and aesthetically pleasing food with unique flavor profiles that nod to the comfort foods they know and love.
They also are looking for unique “photo worthy” cocktails and coffees that will give
them something fun to post and show off. Perhaps most important of all, today’s consumer is looking for positive human connection; if you can provide that, they’ll come back over and over again.
What’s the biggest item on your to-do list?
Kieran Randall, Creative Director: We are busy working on elevating our grab-and-go offerings in order to better fit the needs of our busy patrons who don’t always have time for a traditional sit-down meal. Overall, we stride to stand out as a restaurant; stand out from the noise.
Describe a typical day.
Shannon Cooke, Manager: The day begins with an early rise to bake and prep. It’s 7 AM, the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and I make my way through the beautiful black double doors of Junction Bakery, Chevy Chase. I dismiss the alarm, blast some energetic tunes, and we get to work. We begin brewing coffees, calibrating our new espresso machine, and lastly, set up our fresh baked pastries for the day.
The aromas of fresh coffee, espresso, and fresh bread are simply intoxicating in the best way. At 8 AM the doors open, and we greet our guests with a smile, ready to
enhance their morning on their way into work. As a manager I wear many hats, but my main focus is “you.” You, us, we, we the people of the Chevy Chase community.
For the rest of the day we serve, hustle, and engage with our customers.
Tell us what makes your brand so unique?
Noe Landini, Managing Director: We can carry our patrons from their morning coffee run before work or dropping the kids off at school through their working lunch. We can also provide them with an engaging Happy Hour and a delicious dinner to satisfy a wide range of taste preferences. CCR
Clearing the waterway
Why the Maywood, New Jersey environmental cleanup exhibits exemplary worker safety best practices
By JoAnne CastagnaIt is the 1940s in Maywood, New Jersey. A new residential community has sprouted up and the homeowners want to beautify their front lawns, so they go to a nearby property to gather some fresh topsoil. Little did they know that they are helping to plant the seeds for one of the largest and most high-profile environmental cleanup projects in the nation.
The soil they gathered was from the grounds of Maywood Chemical Works, a company that disposed of radioactive waste onto their property, as well as on a nearby wetland that’s the headwaters for the Lodi Brook. This waterway carried contamination downstream and spread it onto its floodplains where these new residential communities were being built during the construction boom following WWII.
Decades ago, these residents and the company were unaware of what they were starting, but today the US Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, is resolving it. The agency, in cooperation with its partners, is cleaning up the community to make it safe for residents, while at the same time keeping their own workers safe. They have been so successful that they achieved one-million-manhours without a lost time accident.
This is a significant milestone for the Army Corps—one that is not often achieved in the industry. It is especially important on environmental cleanup projects. The team reached this success by carrying out the following safety best practices.
FUSRAP Maywood Superfund Site
The project is being addressed by the Army Corps under the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP), which is responsible for cleaning up radioactive waste generated during the early years of the nation’s atomic energy program. The Army Corps’ New York District is the lead agency implementing the cleanup effort at the Maywood site and has four other active sites in the greater New York City area that it leads.
Dan Kennedy, Project Manager, Environmental, Interagency & International Services Branch, New York District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, says FUSRAP has some of the most technically challenging remedial projects in the nation and doing it safely is the most important factor during any remedial action.
The Maywood FUSRAP Site is located in a highly developed area of northeastern New Jersey, just 12 miles west of New York City. The property where wastes were disposed of covers 153-acres across the Boroughs of Maywood and Lodi and the Township of Rochelle Park in Bergen County, New Jersey.
In the early 20th-Century, Maywood Chemical Works sat on 63-acres of this land. For more than 50 years, it processed monazite sand to extract thorium and other rare earth minerals used in industrial products, including mantles for gas lanterns, as well as processed lithium ores for use of lithium in commercial products.
The chemical and radioactive thorium waste that resulted from this production was stored, treated, or disposed of on the site into pits, piles, and man-made lagoons. During flooding events this waste ran into
the Lodi Brook and was carried downstream into other waterways, contaminating sediment and soils over a large area near the brook. Fortunately, the groundwater was not contaminated.
Spread from the Lodi Brook was the primary way the contamination spread in the community, but some residents also used soil from the site as fill on their properties, which added to the contamination.
The spread the contamination throughout acres of land and into 92
residential, governmental, and commercial properties. Since this waste contained radioactive thorium, a potential human carcinogen—this posed a threat to human health and the environment.
The Army Corps is addressing the radioactive portions of the contamination under FUSRAP in collaboration with the EPA Region II, the New Jersey State Department of Environmental Protection, Contractor, Cabrera Services Inc., and with Stakeholders such as the Stepan Company. Stephan is a
New York District Commander, Mathew Luzzatto touring the FUSRAP Maywood Superfund Site in New Jersey in 2019 and watching soil being placed into a railcar. Credit: JoAnne Castagna, Public Affairs, New York District.current owner of a portion of the site that is responsible for removing the non-radioactive material from, in and around its property.
Radioactive material and soil are being remediated and potential groundwater contamination is being treated. All residential contaminated remediation has been completed.
In addition, on the former Maywood Chemical Works’ site, the Army Corps safely removed radioactive soil, contaminated buildings, and metal drums that contained remnants of harmful solvents and degreasers.
Presently, the Army Corps is removing contaminated soil from underneath highways and roads that include hard-to-reach areas around utilities, including beneath the streets in the Borough of Lodi.
To date, more than 830,130 cubic yards of contaminated soil and debris has been safely removed from the site. “This is equivalent to more than 11,000 railcars that we used to transport the material to landfills designed to safely contain these materials,” says John Canby, Project Engineer, New York District. “One hundred thirty-five million gallons of groundwater has been treated, which is equivalent to five oil supertankers.”
The project, which is expected to be completed in three years, includes
the restoration of the wetland that is the headwaters of the Lodi Brook that carried much of the contamination downstream and throughout the region.
Throughout the project’s progress, public safety measures have been in place for the community. These measures include continuous air monitoring, disposing of contaminated material to approved off site locations, decontaminating the trucks that are transporting waste material off the properties, dust suppression measures, and traffic controls. In addition, regular community meetings are held to keep the public informed about the progress of the project and to address their concerns.
Worker Safety Best Practices
Not only is the health of the community important, but also the safety of the project’s workers, especially when it comes to FUSRAP projects. “Safety is very important for all construction projects and especially for FUSRAP projects because these projects introduce the workers to potential exposures to contaminants above and beyond your typical construction project hazards,” says Michael Johnson, Team leader, New York District, US Army Corps of Engineers.
Because of this the team has implemented a series of worker safety best practices for its workers. The team has been so successful in doing this that they achieved one-million-man hours without a lost time accident. “This type of achievement is rare. This is the only project that I have worked on in the Army Corps that has achieved this milestone,” says Johnson, who has worked on this project for 15 years.
Following are some of the key worker safety best practices the team is performing that make this project a leader in worker safety:
A.M. Safety Counseling
Every morning, the workers take part in a short Daily Tailgate Meeting. Johnson says this 30-minute meeting sets the day for the team. During the meeting they discuss several things including the project’s safety analyses that can include discussing the steps needed to get through the potential hazards of a specific job.
They also discuss a safety topic of the day that can include near misses or accidents that happened in the construction industry recently. Following this they hold a Q & A session and at last the workers get up and take to the floor for some stretching exercises before heading out to the job site.
Worker Empowerment
Workers are encouraged to have open dialogue to reduce workplace accidents. For example, Johnson says the workers have Stop Work Authority, which means anyone on the job has the authority to stop the project if they observe unsafe conditions or behavior.”
Safety Incentive Award Program
Each month, workers receive safety incentive awards for proactively taking steps to ensure safety on the project. Johnson says the program is a way to ensure inclusion for the project’s safety commitment. It is designed to have targeted goals that empower personnel to have “skin in the game” and encourages workers to proactively take
ownership of the project safety culture by meeting those safety-oriented goals.
In addition, each quarter, workers are selected by their peers as the “Quarterly Safety Performer” recognizing exemplary safety performance and achievement.
“We are recognizing and rewarding our employees, not only for noticing and taking actions to eliminate hazards from the job site, but also for making positive observations that illustrate a commitment to safety for everyone on the project,” says Bill Lorenz, VP of Cabrera Services Inc., who plays an integral part in the project’s safety measures. Cabrera Services is headquartered in East Hartford Connecticut.
Out of sight, but not out of mind
Johnson says that hazardous waste projects and this one in particular has a unique danger—Radiological hazards that are not visible to the naked eye. Another hazard of radioactive materials is that they emit ionizing radiation, which means that a person can be exposed to radiation without even coming into contact with the material.
Because of this, specific precautions are being taken to protect workers through how the project is designed and through the use of personal protective equipment.
The project site is designed to minimize safety hazards. This includes making sure there is ventilation in all work areas and misting water on the soils during excavation to suppress dust and contaminants from becoming airborne.
In addition, zones are set up on the site to limit worker’s exposure and reduce or eliminate potential cross contamination. The Exclusion Zone is where the workers are performing the remediation work and dealing with the contaminated material, the Contamination Reduction Zone supports the workers in the Exclusion Zone, and the Support Zone supports the Reduction Zone
workers and it’s where workers prepare themselves to enter the Exclusion Zone.
To further limit worker exposure, workers wear personal protective equipment to protect their skin including wearing an outer layer of protective disposable clothing, hard hats, safety glasses and shields, and steel-toe safety.
And at the end of the day, before worker’s leave the site, their hands, feet and clothing are monitored using radioactive detection instruments to ensure that radioactive materials are not adhered to a person before they leave the work site.
While contaminated soils were accidentally placed onto Maywood, New Jersey’s residential properties, it is no accident that the Army Corps workers who are cleaning up the community have done so without harming the residents or themselves in the
process. This can be directly attributed to the safety best practices the workers perform every day that other project managers and engineers can learn from.
Lorenz says the team’s ability to achieve one-million-manhours without a lost time accident while working on a FUSRAP project is remarkable. “There is constantly some sort of high-risk, high-hazard type of activity occurring. We developed, emphasized, and implemented our approach to safety from the start and have routinely engaged employees so that they know they have direct involvement in the program, and its success.”
With these employees, Lorenz says it has been able to create, and sustain a safety culture where our people actively care for one another, and everyone is looking out for each other, to make sure we all go home at the end of the day, safely.
Dr. JoAnne Castagna, Ed.D., is a public affairs specialist and writer for the US Army Corps of Engineers, New York District. She can be reached at joanne.castagna@usace.army.mil.To date, more than 830,130 cubic yards of contaminated soil and debris has been safely removed from the site.
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Born to lead
Our conversation with Phoenix Masonry’s Christy Crook
Christy Crook’s penchant for leadership comes naturally. As President and CEO of Phoenix Masonry, she is not only one of the few female-owned commercial masonry construction firm executives, but her commitment to helping other women learn about the financially sustainable careers in construction is uncanny.
Take her role as a long-time board member for the nonprofit Transportation & Construction GIRL. Or her board position on the American Subcontractors Association and the Rocky Mountain Masonry Institute. And there’s also the roles she plays in the American General Contractors Association, Associated Builders and Contractors and the National Association of Women in Construction.
She is so noted that the Colorado Public Works Department recently named her one of the “Top Women in Colorado Construction.” And this year, she’ll become the first female leader of the aforementioned RMMI in more than 50 years.
Crook founded Phoenix Masonry after her father’s construction company became a victim of the 2008 economic crash. Started in 2010, Phoenix satisfied the requirements to earn its status as a Minority and Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE), Small Business Enterprise (SBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) and a Regional Transportation District Small Business Enterprise (RTD SBE).
And she has been moving full steam ahead ever since. We sat down with her to get a feel for her industry passion and the road ahead.
How did you get started in the industry?
It’s fair to say that I grew up in and around the commercial construction industry, as my dad owned his own firm in Southern California. In fact, one of my earliest memories is roller
skating my way around numerous jobsites, while the crews worked. In my early teens, I began to help out, sort of like a gopher if you will.
Some of the clients I have to this day, I’ve known since I was 16 years old. But everything changed when the economy crashed in 2008. My dad’s firm closed down and we lost everything—the businesses, our house.
After that, I kind of floated around for a couple of years before starting my own company, Phoenix Masonry in 2010. I guess it’s obvious how I chose the name. I basically started from scratch, and my father joined on to work as my job estimator.”
What are some of the biggest changes you have seen over the past few years?
I’d have to say that one of the biggest changes I’ve seen in the past few years is the industry’s approach to problem solving. More and more, there’s a consensus coming together to solve some of our biggest issues—like workforce shortages in manpower and materials. Commercial construction is becoming a lot more collaborative, and proactive communication has become really important.
But it’s a positive development. It’s always valuable when general contractors and subcontractors can work together in more of a team environment. The industry isn’t as siloed as it used to be. And while we have many of the same problems, we’re discovering that we can go further together.
What opportunities are out there for the industry as we move forward? For women?
Without a doubt, the commercial construction industry is becoming more inclusive and welcoming – especially for the recruitment of women. As a female commercial construction owner, I’ve made it one of my highest priorities and serve on the board for Transportation & Construction GIRL, a nonprofit organization dedicated to recruiting and supporting women in the industry.
This year, our annual expo attracted 1,000 attendees! Secondly, new technologies coming online—particularly in masonry. The Material Unit Lift Enhancer (MULE)
can lay bricks up to 125 pounds, leveling the playing field for women. Construction robotics are helping us to work smarter, not harder—and they’re also helping to close the gender equality gap. One day soon, we could literally solve our workforce shortages, thanks to these developments.
What type of trends are you seeing today?
The commercial construction industry is embracing a digital transformation and it’s inspiring to be involved at a time of such progress. As an owner, I’m seeing a whole lot more of the Building Information Modeling (BIM) approach to projects. One of the biggest advantages it offers is the enhancement of job safety. There’s also been a huge influx of 3D planning and progression modeling and LEAN construction methods are becoming much more widespread.
it comes down to this—people will always form their own opinions, but it’s not about what they call you—it’s what you answer that matters the most.
And never set limits on what you can achieve. As of today, I’m slated to be the first female president for the Rocky Mountain Masonry Institute in 2024, a nonprofit trade organization that supports our segment of the commercial construction industry. That will be a first in the organization’s 50-year history.
What’s the best thing every woman can do to make sure they get a seat at the table?
I tell my protégé’s all the time—the single best thing you can do is not to be afraid of your own voice, or your ability to use it. Don’t put limits on yourself, because if you really look around, you’ll be amazed how many people out there will support you in life.
What advice can you share?
The most common advice I dole out has everything to do with encouraging the participation and recruitment of more women in the industry. My best advice for young women is to make an effort to get out and meet the other women already working in the industry and find yourself a mentor. There are so many more of us now, and it’s easier to build a strong network of contacts who can really make a difference in providing direction for careers in commercial construction. I may sound like a broken record, but it’s just not as hard to find women like us as it used to be.
What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?
While I cannot recall the specific source, I’ve heard this many different ways—what other people think of me is really none of my business. It’s a hard lesson to learn but
What’s the biggest item on your to-do list?
Well, I have to share both a business goal and a personal goal. My business goal for 2023 is to continue our work in streamlining our processes, embrace the rapidly changing role that technology is bringing to commercial construction, and be willing to change with the times.
On a personal level, my goal may sound strange—but I want to become a sommelier – a professional wine expert. There are courses, exams, and certifications to the process, but I’m up to the challenge. Not surprisingly, the wine industry is another example of a business category that’s underrepresented by women.
I’m also learning as much as I can about the alternative asset markets—things like Cryptocurrencies and NFTs. I guess it’s safe to say that I was born to challenge the male-dominated spaces in life. And I figure I might as well keep going!” CCR
My best advice for young women is to make an effort to get out and meet the other women already working in the industry and find yourself a mentor.
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Perfect practice makes perfection N
ow that Easter has come and gone, along with both March Madness tournaments and The Masters, it’s baseball season. That means a 162-game schedule till the playoffs and World Series. As we reflect on all things sports, it is time to thank yourself and your teammates.
One thing that is consistent with all sports is that practice creates perfection. You play as you practice, as the old saying goes. It doesn’t matter if you are hitting a golf ball, shooting free throws or steadying on a balance beam; you must practice to master your talent.
Sure, some of us are born with natural talent, while others have to work to achieve talent. Still, nothing can overcome practicing, making mistakes and learning from them. Greatness is not achieved without practice.
For example, to become a world-class golfer, you need to hit thousands of balls a day. To be a champion basketball player, you need to take unlimited shots a day. Top-notch baseball and lacrosse players need to be able to catch and throw, while hockey players must learn to skate and shoot—and occasionally drop the gloves when necessary.
And don’t forget about all the “to-do” list items these athletes do that we don’t see. Off-season workouts like cardio, eating well and getting ample sleep. And, when the time comes, they have to learn to play through injuries.
Coaches always tell parents that their child needs to practice. We can teach them the plays, but if they can master the basics, everything falls into place. Practice is 95% of the game—something that must be done on their time. The ones who want it the most are the ones who will be the best.
The same holds true in business, which is very similar to sports. It is why I enjoy conversations with athletes who have made the transition from sports to business. They know what it takes to win, how it feels to lose and what is needed to get up the next day, regardless of how beaten or bruised they are just to do it all over again.
To be the best at your trade, you have to play the best and learn to win close games. It takes time, patience and calmness. But it should also be fun.
Your wins don’t all have to be huge. Every small one adds up. It is about building your confidence in your learning experience—confidence that can lead to big wins down the road.
Right now, I am taking another 10-week AI/technology online class, where I am learning more about technology. It is mind-blowing to grasp how much I am learning, and that most of what I do will be outdated tomorrow, as technology moves at the speed of light. It is amazing that there is so much to learn about life, business and sports.
Remember, there are only so many hours in a day, so planning and time management are crucial to get things done. There is
something called the 20-80 rule—where you spend 20% of your time selling, getting things done and the other 80% practicing what you learn, just like sports. Practice, practice, practice and you will become the expert or the champion of your expertise.
As an old dog who is going to turn 60 in a few months will tell you, we can learn new tricks if we put our minds into it. Keep positive strong and negativity out.
As we go through Q2 and get ready for the second of half of what already has been a wild and exhilarating 2023, have fun, smile and enjoy the ride.
We look forward to seeing many of you at our CCRP events, which start in NYC on May 10. Our cross-country city road trip is on again.
To all, here is too much success, good health and prosperity and, as always, “Keep the Faith” for the next championship you win.
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