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A$620 million NorSun project in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
A $600 million Philip Morris International facility in Aurora, Colorado.
A $530 million Kyowa Kirin’s manufacturing plant in Sanford, North Carolina.
ABB’s $40 million manufacturing facility in New Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Novo Nordisk’s $4.1 billion healthcare manufacturing center in Clayton, North Carolina.
To note, I stopped so I had some room to highlight the manufacturing construction boom impacting the US. Ever since
After eons of shoving manufacturing abroad, American manufacturing is back. If you’re keeping score (and who wouldn’t), as of February 2024, there has been somewhere around $223 billion in inflationadjusted annual U.S. manufacturing construction investment.
the CHIPS Act was passed in August 2022, there has been a steady stream of projects in motion across the country. Chip fabrication. Electric vehicles. Biotechnology facilities. And the list goes on.
And why not? After eons of shoving manufacturing abroad, American manufacturing is back. If you're keeping score (and who wouldn't), as of February 2024, there has been somewhere around $223 billion in inflation-adjusted annual U.S. manufacturing construction investment, more than twice the investment over the past few years.
According to data from the U.S. Treasury, the manufacturing boom is being driven by construction for computer, electronic and electrical manufacturing— a relatively small share of manufacturing construction over the past few decades, but now a dominant component.
The numbers show that manufacturing construction is but one factor in a broader increase in U.S. non-residential construction spending, alongside new building for public and private infrastructure. To note, the manufacturing surge has not crowded out other types of construction spending, which generally continue to strengthen.
The good news, and that of which can make our industry stand up and take notice, is that the boom is, for intent and purposes, uniquely American, i.e., other economies are not showing the same numbers.
As we head into the last part of 2024 (fall is here), there will be more numbers to report, more jobs to be created and more optimism to look forward to.
It is why our industry is like no other, and why you doing what you do is the true backbone of our country's legacy of strength.
DR. MARK LEE LEVINE
Professor Burns School/ Daniels College University of Denver
ADA
BRAD GASKINS Principal The McIntosh Group
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.
GINA MARIE ROMEO Chief Heart Officer & Principal Consultant, Allied RDI
KAY BARRETT
NCIDQ, CDP Senior Vice President Cushman & Wakefield
JIM SHEUCHENKO President Property Management Advisors LLC
CHRIS VARNEY Principal, Executive Vice President Bureau Veritas
STEPHEN HEKMAN Executive VP Kingsmen Retail Services US
KEN DEMSKE Vice President Jones Lang LaSalle
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
CLINTON “BROOKS” HERMAN, PMP Principal Facilities Project Manager, MD Anderson Cancer Center
PAM GOODWIN Goodwin Advisors, LLC Goodwin Commercial The Pam Goodwin Show
GARY RALL Vice President of Design and Development Holiday Inn Club Vacations
ROBERT RAUCH Chairman Brick Hospitality
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
CRAIG WEBER Director of Business Prime Retail Services, US Prime 3 Retail Canada, Inc.
ROB ADKINS, LEED AP CDP Senior Tenant Coordinator, Retail Peterson Companies
MEGAN HAGGERTY Founder Legacy Capital Investment
RON BIDINOST Vice President of Construction Bubbakoo’s Burritos
DAVID SHOTWELL The Wills Group Sr. Construction Manager
RON VOLSKE Development Director Focus Brands
BOB WITKEN Senior Project Manager Fox Restaurant Concepts
AARON ANCELLO Facilities Asset Management Public Storage
DEDRICK KIRKEM Facilities Manager Alice + Olivia
BOB MEZA Senior Construction Project Manager Target
DAVID D. DILLON Director, Facility Standards Store Planning & Design Development Walgreens Company
JOHN COOPER Principal Executive Vice President Stormont Hospitality Group LLC
SAMUEL D. BUCKINGHAM, RS AMS CMCA President of Construction Devco Development
MARIE ANTONETTE G. WAITE Founder and CEO Finest Women in Real Estate
LAURA GROSS Retail Facilities Manager American Signature Furniture
KELLY RADFORD VP Retail Construction and Development Ascend Wellness Holdings
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Contact
Lakecrest Casino and Hotel
The Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma tribe has opened the Lakecrest Casino and Hotel near Ardmore, Oklahoma with the new property featuring a casino floor with 1,000 electronic gaming machines, 1,000 slot machines and eight table games, a coffee shop, bar and restaurant. The hotel includes 89 guestrooms, conference rooms, an RV park and a resort-style pool.
Westin Atlanta Gwinnett
The new 348-room Westin Atlanta Gwinnett in Duluth, Georgia, features a 100,000-square-foot convention center and a 13,000-seat arena. Group demand is already high at the 11-story property, which is the first four-star hotel in Gwinnett County and also includes two restaurants, a fitness studio and a saltwater swimming pool.
Choctaw Landing
A May debut has been set for the Choctaw Landing casino-resort in Hochatown, Oklahoma, which will include 600 slot machines, a 100-key hotel, an amphitheater, conference rooms, a pool and a fitness center. The $238 million property, owned by the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, will hold a soft opening at the beginning of April.
Hyatt Hotels Corp.
The first property in Hyatt Hotels Corp.’s Vivid brand has debuted in Cancun, Mexico, with the new resort featuring 11 restaurants, six bars, three pools, a beach club and fitness center. The adults-only, all-inclusive Hyatt Vivid Grand Island also includes suites as large as 3,000 square feet and offers activities such as pottery, painting and macrame.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has unveiled its third extended-stay brand through a collaboration with WaterWalk, with the new upscale hotels to include furnished Stay units for shorter-term visits and unfurnished Live units that allow guests to provide their own decor and furniture. The WaterWalk Extended Stay by Wyndham portfolio comprises 11 US hotels in cities such as Jacksonville, Florida and Tucson, Arizona.
A two-year makeover has finished at the Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa, California and includes a refresh of the lobby, guest rooms, cafe, meeting rooms and cabanas. The $25 million renovation also saw the addition of a chef’s vegetable and herb garden, Champagne lounge, steakhouse and dining terrace.
The Bentley Hotel Southampton in New York will become a jdV by Hyatt property by the middle of the year following renovations of its 40 suites, which each include a bedroom, dining area with kitchenette and living space. The hotel, which also has an event space and outdoor heated pool, will be the first Hamptons property in the Hyatt Hotels Corp. portfolio.
Hilton Hotels has more than 100 hotels in the development pipeline in the Latin America and Caribbean market and anticipates having more than 300 properties open in the region by 2027. The growth includes hotels in seven new countries and territories and the debut of the Home2 Suites and Spark by Hilton brands. It also plans to grow its portfolio in Canada by over 50% in the next several years, with a goal of having more than 200 properties by the end of 2024. The company currently has about 90 Canadian hotels in the pipeline and will be opening its first properties in the Motto by Hilton and Spark by Hilton brands this year.
The Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch in Arizona will change its name to the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort & Spa after it completes a $110 million makeover. The renovation project, which will be completed this fall, entails upgraded guestrooms, expanded meeting and event areas, an updated pool area and a collaboration on new dining venues with celebrity chef Richard Blais.
Taco Cabana
Taco Cabana will unveil its new TC 3.0 store prototype in Texas this week, which features updated dining room decor, a more efficient kitchen set up, merging drive-thru lanes and a walkup window. The drive-thru also features digital menu boards that will allow for faster changes and speedier service, the company says.
Ingka Centers, IKEA’s retail real estate arm, has opened a 23,000-square-foot plant-forward food hall and meeting hub in downtown San Francisco, in a property anchored by an urban IKEA store. The lineup includes five local restaurants, a vegan burger concept, a Scandinavian-inspired bakery and more than one bar.
An investor group has taken an equity stake in Vancouver, Washingtonbased Burgerville, with plans to rev up regional growth at the 39-unit fast-casual chain, as the company moves forward with plans to add up to 10 new units this year.
Taco Bell
Taco Bell has about 250 international locations and aims to grow by 2,000 more global units over the next 10 years.
Tasty Restaurant Group
Tasty Restaurant Group, a multi-brand operator owned by private equity firm Triton Pacific Capital Partners, has bought 64 KFC units in the central and Southeastern US for an undisclosed amount. Tasty’s portfolio now includes 470 restaurants under banners including Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Dunkin’, Burger King and KFC.
New Starbucks units include ceiling baffles made to bring down the level of background noise and make it easier for customers and employees to hear each other. Starbucks plans to open about 650 new units in the U.S. this year, and the 1,000 locations slated for renovation will also feature the noise-reducing design elements.
Wendy’s
Wendy’s is in growth mode in the UK after returning to the market in 2021 following a 20-year absence. The brand has grown to more than 30 locations and aims to continue growing this year with plans for new units that will create 400 new jobs.
Bojangles is on a mission to expand beyond its core Southeastern US market where it has built its brand for almost half a century. The strategy for growing in new markets such as Los Angeles, Phoenix and Colorado includes streamlining the menu while maintaining its larger array of offerings in established markets.
Detroit-based pizza franchise Little Caesars is expanding in San Diego; Memphis, Tennessee; Tampa, Florida; Raleigh, North Carolina; San Antonio, Texas; Eugene, Oregon; and the Minneapolis-St. Paul area of Minnesota. The brand plans to open more than 30 locations in these areas over the next few years.
Perkins Restaurant & Bakery is making multiple changes, including its design scheme, logo and branding as it pursues a growth strategy under the name Perkins American Food Co., with a Perkins Fast and Fresh fast casual concept slated for Canada in the fall.
Cava
Washington, D.C.-based fast-casual Mediterranean chain Cava will open the first of several planned eateries in the Chicago market today. The 3,100-square-foot unit in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood, which marks the chain’s entry into the Midwest, will feature an area dedicated to catering orders and a separate makeline for digital orders.
Sephora will open shops in 100 more Kohl’s stores this month amid steadily increasing in-store and online sales, and it expects to hit $2 billion in sales by 2025 as it completes its rollout at Kohl’s. The beauty retailer also plans to renovate all its branded stores over the next five to seven years and will test experiential retail at its new Stores of the Future in Shanghai and Singapore.
Collectibles retailer Pop Mart plans to increase its US retail footprint by 10 additional stores this year, with the ultimate goal of growing to 200 US locations. The Chinese retailer, which opened its first U.S. store two years ago at New Jersey’s American Dream mall, is also increasing consumer engagement across a variety of channels as it explores mobile gaming, animation and theme parks, and its Robo Shops vending machines allow it to gauge demand at mall locations and quickly establish its brand presence.
Lululemon Athletica Inc. has agreed to acquire the operations and retail locations of its franchise partner in Mexico. The local franchisee, Lululemon Mexico, runs 15 stores in the country and has been in business since the Vancouver-based athletic-wear brand entered the market in 2017. All its employees will migrate over to Lululemon.
Kizik has opened a 1,645-square-foot store in the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, as part of the hands-free footwear brand’s plans to grow both its brick-and-mortar retail presence and expand into wholesale. Kizik plans to have six stores open by the end of this year, and it expects to grow to 15 locations in 2025.
WH Smith North America and Build-A-Bear Workshop have launched two stores in the “Welcome to Las Vegas” gift shops at The Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace and the LINQ Promenade. The move is part of WH Smith’s broader expansion strategy, which includes nearly 30 gift shops in the area, and part of Build-A-Bear’s plans to expand its partnership globally.
Kith is opening its next store in Malibu. Kith’s latest outpost will carry its in-house, collaborative apparel, accessories and footwear for men, women and kids. Customers will also be able to enjoy an in-shop Kith Treats bar. As for its design, the flagship facade displays a dark color palette, with dark cedar siding and brass Kith signage.
Kotn has opened a store in New York City’s Lower East Side, part of the Canadian apparel brand’s ongoing expansion of its retail and online footprint in the US market. The contemporary space features elements inspired by the brand’s Egyptian roots and a gallery and community space with works by artists from the Middle East and North Africa. Kotn, which has 11 retail locations across the US and Canada, plans to continue its global expansion into Europe and Asia.
Saks Fifth Avenue is set to expand its Fifth Avenue Club, a luxury personal shopping and styling service, to 20 standalone locations by year’s end, a move driven by positive feedback and aimed at providing personalized service in areas without Saks stores. The Fifth Avenue Club collaborates with luxury resort operators, including Marriott International and Auberge Resorts Collection, to deliver customized styling services.
Filson
Outdoor apparel brand Filson has opened its first store in Los Angeles in a 1,400-square-foot space that fuses elements of its Pacific Northwest roots with a modern aesthetic. Filson has 12 existing stores and is expanding its brick-and-mortar presence as it taps into the popularity of workwear fashion, celebrity customers and its appearance on the TV show “Yellowstone.”
Joe V’s Smart Shop
Joe V’s Smart Shop is an H-E-B sister store based in Houston with an “innovative price format” and a uniquely curated bevy of neighborhoodfocused products. Yesterday the brand’s first location outside of the Houston area opened at Wheatland Road and U.S Highway 67, in Oak Cliff. And the nearby community showed up in happy droves.
“I’m playing a little loose and fast with geography because we include Colorado in the Sun Belt... the Carolinas, Atlanta... but it’s really going where America’s population is growing.”
— Portillo’s President and CEO Michael Osanloo on the brand’s focus on the Sun Belt in its recent growth mode
Two new markets are being pinned on the map, as BJ’s Wholesale Club is expanding its footprint once again. The retailer plans to open two new clubs in early 2025—its 25th New Jersey location in Hanover Township and its 10th North Carolina location in Southern Pines.
H.E. Butt Grocery has opened a new 55,000-square foot online order fulfillment center connected to a store near San Antonio in Cibolo, Texas. The facility is the eighth such center the grocer has opened since 2018, and the company plans to open more in the future as they allow for increased capacity, efficiency and product availability.
Meijer has unveiled three new stores under its own banner in Hillsdale, Michigan, Alliance, Ohio and North Canton, Ohio. The latest locations span 159,000 square feet and are stocked with a wide assortment of goods, including more than 600 varieties of fresh produce, 150 USDAcertified organic items, expansive deli and meat offerings and everyday essentials. As with Meijer’s other supercenters, these stores include a range of nonfood products in the baby, pet, apparel, beauty, floral and garden departments.
Publix has continued the expansion push it began last year, opening 18 new locations from January to May, including a 64,000-square-foot store in Key Largo—one of its largest so far. The company plans to open locations in Apollo Beach, Florida and Milledgeville, Georgia.
“Franchisees are putting their entire lives into the restaurant. It’s their livelihood, their kids, their college.”
— Tim Horton US President Katerina Glyptis on why she felt drawn to the foodservice sector
“We’re looking at everything from our team to how we support our franchisees, and how to evolve the tone of the brand: what the food tastes like, what the stores look like.”
— Gala Capital Partner President Daniel Smith on how Rusty Taco is shoring up for future growth
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Report shows how construction professionals view sustainability
The race for green is not only on, but continues to have a favorable impact on today’s construction professionals.
According to Saint-Gobain’s second “Sustainable Construction Barometer,” 92% of construction professionals worldwide believe that sustainable construction will make up all or part of their business within the next five years.
The comprehensive survey assessed the state and future of sustainable building practices by culling insights from. professionals, students, elected officials and association members across 22 countries.
The survey also found that 84% of US respondents most closely associated sustainable construction with the recycling of building materials, while 83% cited building energy efficiency, compared to 70% and 74% worldwide respectively.
How Just Salad's sustainability efforts are driving growth and engagement
Reusable bowls. Menu carbon labeling. These are just a few of the innovations Just Salad continues to roll out in its focus on sustainability. To keep the sustainability groove at the forefront of its movement, the fast-casual chain effectively markets these efforts to customers.
In 2020, Just Salad became the first US restaurant chain to carbon label its entire menu. The labels, which appear on menus, its mobile app and orderjustsalad.com, show the greenhouse gas emissions of each meal from production to disposal, using a unit called “kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent” (kg CO2e).
$11.6B
The brand worth of Hilton Hotels, according to a report from Brand Finance, which ranks Hilton as the most valuable hotel brand in the world for the ninth year in a row. Hyatt Hotels was in the No. 2 spot with a value of $6 billion.
40
The number of solar power megawatts Starbucks will generate for more than 1,100 residents and 170 company stores after its partnership with Nexamp on six solar projects in Illinois.
The brand also partners with carbon management platform Planet FWD to calculate the carbon footprint of each ingredient and menu item using third-party verified data.
11.1
The amount, in trillions, that the travel industry will add to the global economy in 2024, according to data from the World Travel & Tourism Council. The report says that 142 out of the 185 countries analyzed are projecting a record-breaking year. In addition, hospitality jobs are projected to increase to 348 million, an increase of 13.6 million from pre-pandemic figures.
Digital fingerprints in the construction and building industry
Digital fingerprints in the construction and building industry
By Jon Armour
Like all industries, the construction industry has long embraced common digital practices such as digitizing paper files and drawing storage, computer aided drafting and design, estimating, project modeling and much more.
Now with the advent of AI and the mechanical integration of large scale construction equipment with computer programs we can actually print houses with large scale 3-D printers, lay bricks and masonry, paint walls and other typical construction tasks.
Pretty cool stuff. Imagine if you had a desktop 3-D printer but scaled up about one-hundred or more times. Its “ink” is an easy flowing concrete blend that gets laid down in layers, one on top of each other with extreme precision, guided by a computer program. That’s one example of technology adapted to construction.
With the pandemic behind us the construction industry has been left with a hole in worker resources and the industry needing more and more, to resort to these technomechanical construction measures. They save time, can work without breaks, and rely on less human interaction, eliminating safety concerns. Printing houses is an enormous example of machinery doing ordinary manual work.
As AI is applied to this technology it will aid in making the process more efficient by
calculating materials based on historical analysis, and allocating appropriate resources to a project. AI automates many processes with machine learning algorithms. Many robotic features around a construction site can improve quality, control waste, and assure accuracy in the assembly of building components.
Trades like welding, painting, tying concrete rebar, masonry construction and other mundane tasks can be accomplished now with robots. Of course, these are collaborative tasks. We are nowhere near having a jobsite with complete robotic control.
But imagine if we were at that point. The time it would take to build your house or commercial project would likely be slashed in half if not more, and the quality for some things should improve.
Or likewise imagine a jobsite gone berserk with robots that experience a technical difficulty or program glitch. That’s fun to think about but could lead to disaster with project finances and schedules. Just like little kids, I don’t think as humans we want to leave any form of AI to its own devices. The goal in all industries is not to replace people, but to repurpose them into new careers with new talents. I call it “AI -sitting.”
Yes, you have to monitor the work, adjust programming and maintain machines. It’s a different skill set to a hammer in hand. But we still need the human skill knowledge to make AI do what we want it to do. We still need a gifted carpenter or painter to judge the quality, make creative decisions and put them in action in an AI environment.
Construction analytics such as schedule progress, materials use, quality checklists, safety tracking with video and automated sensors at critical paths in the jobsite can reduce injury to our human workers and give a “heads up” to site issues or potential human incidents. After all, safety is job one on every site I have ever stepped foot. Let’s talk more about job safety.
It is all about coming home alive and with all of your fingers and toes. While those other dynamic metrics are important for leveraging job costs and productivity, safety is the most critical issue plaguing construction sites because “stuff happens” and accidents go where humans go. It makes sense to apply AI technology first to saving lives and reducing injuries.
The human element is a “first thought” where safety is concerned but secondarily the financial impact to a project and business “optics” are a great consideration in employing AI technology to a project. But safety is the predominant AI application consideration.
In 2022, more construction workers died on the job than any other industry according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The same report stated that “falls, struckbys, caught in-betweens and electrocutions” are a continuing trend in the industry. They call these the “fatal four.”
More companies are now embracing the AI assisted environment to help stave
off these incidents, and report potential risky behavior among workers and also to reiterate safety policy and jobsite caution. The mantra is no longer, “get it done.” It’s “get it done safely.” Using AI to monitor site activities, use algorithms to predict dangers, and sense levels of risks in job performance is key to mitigating job site injuries and deaths.
Putting procedures in place to put each worker's safety first can assure that all accidents are avoidable. Not only is there a human toll but legal challenges can kill a project. They can cause the erosion of a company image, and subject organizations to regulation and pressure from jurisdictional entities and OSHA.
the other as a slow roll-out of technology across industries with companies helping workers adapt, providing opportunities for employees to get education and training while on the job.
The wholesale approach is not human labor friendly. I cannot help but think there will be legal challenges to reductions in work forces in some industries as some technology driven companies will try to leverage AI to maintain a competitive edge in the market. Labor unions will be a point of contention and pushback without agreements to train their existing workforce in the new technologies.
Likely, uneducated workers would be forced to the curb in favor of AI experts who
Clients will be able to tell by leaps and bounds that you have invested in AI to increase productivity, reduce errors, manage resources and bring their project dreams to fruition faster and safer than ever before. Old school isn’t cool. The ways you can deploy AI technology in construction are advancing fast. It has been the reluctance of the industry to embrace new technology in the past that has put the construction industry at a productive stand still compared to other industry sectors.
The human element is a “first thought” where safety is concerned but secondarily the financial impact to a project and business “optics” are a great consideration in employing AI technology to a project.
I think the most difficult thing for the industry to overcome is the cultural dependency in trade jobs and skilled craftsmen. These groups can’t see themselves without a tool in their hand. It’s ingrained in their life from the time they picked up their first hammer or other tool relative to their skills. Taking away the hammer and replacing it with a computer is not likely going to happen very easily. But over time these things will evolve. “Old schoolers” will retire, new workers will embrace the technology and it will advance in the industry and across a diverse range of workers.
As AI safety should be on the forefront of our attempts to better protect humans, there is a growing concern that AI will displace worker jobs. As in all industries, skilled laborers, restaurant workers and other classes of employees are scrambling to understand what AI means to their job security and they ask, “Will I have to learn something new? Or will I be replaced by technology?” The answer is possibly yes.
But, I see AI taking shape in all industries in two ways. One being a wholesale approach, with wide corporate swaths of workers displaced to implement AI technology in factories and manufacturing; and
have invested in education and training on their own dime. Those are the ones who saw the “writing on the wall” and were “proactive” in seeing the future of AI and how business would harness its power.
How connected is your construction business? Are you leaving digital fingerprints on your projects? Has AI crept into your best business practices? These are all things you need to ask going forward to stay competitive and control cost in design, implementation and administrative functions of your business. The ability to leverage the world wide knowledge base of construction statistics and methodology is crucial to success in the marketplace.
I think we will always have these jobs, and men and women will continue to possess these skills. After all, we are all “do-it-yourselfers.” The bottom end of the market for construction services will remain the same. Smaller companies can’t afford to invest heavily in AI, and the larger ones will not want to bother with that smaller segment of business.
AI cannot do everything and it is not intended to. We are not any more on our way to becoming George Jetson now or at any point in the future. The future should hold humans in the highest regard.
Even the most educated and proficient AI programmer or technology worker will still want to create and build something with his hands. It’s in our DNA to create, to touch, mold and feel natural materials in our hands. AI might help big businesses do things smarter, cheaper and faster, but it will never replace the human spirit to want to be a “creator.”
Jon Armour is a contributing author to the line of Design and Construction publications and has 35 years of combined experience across the construction, real estate, and IT Infrastructure industry. He is certified Project Management Professional (PMP), certified Construction Manager, Program Manager, and a published author of a popular Western Genre fiction novel. He lives in Magnolia, Texas.
Alawyer walks into an architect’s office and says... SARA attorney and Bardsley Law parnter Sean Ryan, Esq., Aff., offers up one conversation that might take place—11 truths you should know.
1 All contracts for your services or for retaining a subconsultant to perform services must be in writing and signed by all parties. I cannot stress enough the importance of a strong, well-drafted and executed contract. Such a document will clearly delineate your limited and specific scope of services, define the parties’ rights and obligations, appropriately allocate risks and provide the legal mechanisms to enforce payment and defend you against potential claims. The contract is the lawyer’s toolbox, and you will want your lawyer to have plenty of tools in the event of a dispute.
2 Seek to have your client sign your proposal. Attach standard terms and conditions that are “architect friendly” to your proposals and, when possible, have your client sign your proposal which incorporates those terms and conditions.
3 Do not sign your subconsultant’s agreements. You have the contractual high ground here and perhaps some contractual obligations to flow down to your subconsultants. You should be dictating the terms of the subconsultant agreement, while incorporating only the sub-consultant’s scope of services.
4 Do not agree to defend your client or any other persons for claims, damages or issues related to your professional services. The indemnification provision of a contract is as impactful as it is incomprehensible to the non-trained eye. Your professional liability insurance does not
cover any agreement on your part to defend others related to your services. We can all agree lawyers are not cheap. Don’t be on the hook for these costs.
5 Expand your team. Become familiar with a lawyer you are comfortable with and utilize his or her guidance in contracting and risk mitigation. Amounts invested in this relationship will likely be far outweighed by the benefits to your business and mental health. In addition, use your broker as a resource for reviewing insurance provisions in contracts and for guidance on issues related to insurance.
6 Utilize your insurance policy to avoid a claim being filed against you. Many professional liability insurance policies contain what is known as loss prevention or pre-claims assistance. The objective of this protection is to identify and elevate any potential issue at an early stage before it turns into a claim by providing access to counsel for guidance and assistance. Importantly, this assistance is provided without cost to you nor implication to your deductible or your limits of insurance. You pay the insurance premiums, so why not use the tools available under the policy to mitigate your risks?
7 Send out timely invoices for services. Not only is that good business practice, but many states have enacted payment statutes for your protection that only allow a set time for your client to withhold payment for any alleged deficiencies
in your services. Start the clock running as early as possible to ensure payment.
8 Trust your instincts. You have made it to the top by using your instincts and abilities. While your abilities will always be on display, architects often tend to disregard or downplay their instincts when it comes to deciding whether to take on a project. Sometimes the best projects are the ones you do not take.
9 Keep your client happy, informed and placated. Your client is the most likely party to sue you. Recognize this, communicate frequently and clearly and take care to manage their expectations from the start.
10 Do not devalue your services. Unfortunately for various reasons, some architects can get mired in a race to the bottom in the pursuit of architectural work. If a client is unwilling to pay you what you deserve, then they do not deserve to have you on the project. Devaluing your services by cutting rates or time usually only leads to further cuts. Architects need to do better as an industry to push back.
11 Smile and be happy. At the end of your career, you will leave the world with an enduring legacy of contributions to the built environment. In contrast, I highly doubt that anyone will care about that great brief I authored (although I think we can all agree lawyer jokes are far better than architect jokes—so I have you beat there). Be proud of your accomplishments and recognize what a worthy profession you are blessed to be in.
Sean Ryan, Esq. is a partner at Bardsley Law, a law firm dedicated to the representation and furtherance of the design professional community. In addition, Ryan is the National General Counsel for the Society of Registered American Architects (SARA), where he routinely drafts, negotiates and provides guidance on complex construction contracts across all 50 states through the Contract Workshop at Bardsley Law. He can be reached at sryan@bardsleylawfirm.com or 610-804-3499.
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While construction and technical skills are your primary focus, ConstructEDU Student Insider (CEDU) is designed to supplement your education by providing content that dives into the business of the commercial construction and renovation industry. The bi-monthly newsletter covers areas such as emerging technologies, regulatory issues and other factors shaping the diverse industry’s future. CEDU also features insights and profiles from industry thought leaders on the trends and challenges affecting the marketplace.
Delivered at no charge, we not only encourage you to make CEDU a part of your educational consumption, but also to share it with your peers.
MassCPAs hosts students to expand, diversify accounting talent pipeline
The Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants (MassCPAs) recently partnered with Suffolk University to host its Accounting Careers Exploratory (ACE) Leadership Program from July 29 to August 1. The event underscores MassCPAs’ commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion within the accounting profession. This year’s program brought together 21 students from 13 high schools across Massachusetts, representing backgrounds typically underrepresented in the field. Enhancing the experience, the program featured an immersive residential stay on-campus.
The Rosendin Foundation, the charitable arm of Rosendin, is addressing the nationwide construction workforce shortage with a free construction camp designed to ignite a passion for building and craftsmanship among young students. The camp allows middle schoolers to explore their interest in the skilled trades through hands-on activities such as soldering and lamp building. This summer’s camp season concluded after hosting events in Charlotte, Anaheim, Phoenix, Sherman and Austin from May to July, with 107 graduates selected from more than 300 applicants.
Tremco Construction Products Group (CPG) is launching the nationally renowned Rising Stars Program in Cleveland. Established in collaboration with Cleveland Heights High School, this flagship program is set to officially kick off on Sept. 17. The Rising Stars Program is designed to empower the next generation of underrepresented youth aged 16-24 by providing opportunities for sustainable careers in construction. Led by industry veterans, the curriculum includes seminars and hands-on training in carpentry, project management, solar panel installation, roofing, construction management and architecture.
Read More HERE
Interplay Learning is partnering with the DBAKE Foundation to promote an construction trades education for underserved youth. DBAKE is integrating Interplay Academy job-ready certificate programs into their paid, six-week pre-apprenticeship program to help young people gain job-ready skills and find fulfilling careers in the skilled trades. Founded in 2022 by GC Annamarie Baker, the DBAKE Foundation is on a mission to fulfill the vision of her late son, Damion Baker, by creating awareness around trades careers and providing greater access to leading career training for underrepresented residents of St. Louis.
Read More HERE
DEI, ‘Intern Day’ focus of RCA’s Grand Rapids’ event
What better way to celebrate a networking event than to focus on the synergy the commercial construction industry offers in the way of diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI). Wolverine Building Group and the Retail Contractors Association (RCA) partnered on a regional Knowledge Share event at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Held in July, “The Journey of Building our Internal Diversity & Inclusion Training” hosted 25 attendees, covering topics such as the unsuccessful attempt to launch the training back in 2018, how to identify DEI topics relevant to our industry, today’s DEI training success, and more. After the presentation, attendees continued networking at Woodrows Duckpin Bowling.
Wolverine Building Group also celebrated #NationalInternDay by recognizing a few of their very own during the event. Alexandra Fongers, Kaitlyn Heffelbower and Prairna Pannu are three of five college students awarded the “2024 RCA Intern Scholarship Award.” Each year, RCA awards scholarships to America’s top students at universities throughout the United States in the Construction Management and Construction Sciences major programs. RCA’s national scholarship program helps students to prosper thanks to its members.
For more information, visit www.retailcontractors.org. View video from this event here: https://youtu.be/T4H7CGV_4pk.
Sponsor:
By Oliver Fox & Rick Lloyd
It is a common misconception that green building practices translate to higher operational and construction costs. While it is true the path to sustainability presents challenges—such as the costs associated with green upgrades, carbon reduction and energy performance initiatives, and adhering to other regulations—best cost management practices offer the long-term potential of decreased costs, not to mention the environmental benefits.
While the public sector often is more enthusiastic about embracing cost management to achieve sustainability, the private sector also is increasingly seeing how it helps the bottom line of projects. It can be difficult to make the case for greener design, engineering and construction methods when they seem more costly.
If a project doesn’t pencil out, i.e., there is no clear path to profitability—even the most innovative green ones will not make it past the planning stage. Cost management then is crucial to sustainability and carbon reduction.
Even if sustainable materials or strategies entail a capital cost premium, cost management as a discipline can help owners mitigate these expenses by, for example, mindfully distributing other expenses. Rather than just focusing on initial construction expenses, cost managers look at the lifecycle cost for sustainability, considering the total cost of ownership over the building's lifespan, including maintenance, operational and disposal costs.
By evaluating long-term financial implications, stakeholders can make informed decisions that prioritize sustainable solutions with lower overall lifecycle costs.
The concept of lifecycle cost analysis is becoming an increasingly valuable tool in the debate between retrofitting versus rebuilding. On one hand, the decision to knock down and replace a building may seem appealing, whether it be for functionality or aesthetics, though demolition comes at a cost to the environment, which cannot be overlooked in an era where sustainability is becoming increasingly paramount.
The alternative approach is refurbishing and reusing building materials and historic sitework, which can reduce emissions significantly when compared with a new build.
Against this backdrop of sustainable-forward solutions, cost management has become a cornerstone of success, particularly evident in academic renovation projects. One recent example of this includes a multi-faceted decarbonization project commissioned by George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.
and functional ease, the project not only minimizes its carbon footprint, but also reduces overall construction costs. This underscores a broader trend within the industry, where sustainability and cost-efficiency are no longer viewed as mutually exclusive, but rather as complementary objectives that can be achieved through thoughtful planning and execution.
In navigating the decision to renovate or rebuild, the implementation of carbon calculations and lifespan cost management plays a crucial role. By performing carbon calculations and
By performing carbon calculations and considering the nuances of the building to determine choices, cost management practices are becoming increasingly integral as part of overall real estate and project decisions.
With a goal of minimizing the university’s carbon footprint and overall environmental impact, the endeavor is driven by a dual vision: to honor the university’s storied history, while also underscoring its commitment to furthering a sustainable future for both the campus and community.
Cost managers at MGAC strategized to maximize cost efficiency and sustainability by identifying three key opportunities to minimize the campus’ carbon output. These renovations include enhancements to the central boiler and heating and cooling plants, along with a distribution of nodal heating plants and water conversion strategy.
By conducting an in-depth cost analysis, MGAC produced solutions designed to meet the needs of the project’s decarbonization mission, while also setting the stage for long-term sustainability.
By adopting a holistic approach that prioritizes both historical integrity
considering the nuances of the building to determine choices, cost management practices are becoming increasingly integral as part of overall real estate and project decisions.
Traditionally, cost managers focused on financial measures, such as construction budgets and future revenues. But in the evolving landscape of sustainable building and asset management, this essential project function encompasses a broader swath of environmental concerns and is increasingly integral to the longterm viability of projects. Undergirding this is the understanding that project costs are just one component of a longerterm asset strategy.
Incorporating carbon calculations and lifespan cost management into the decision-making process means betterinformed decisions that strike a balance between financial feasibility and environmental responsibility. CCR
Oliver
Why retail and commercial markets need to be factoring data/mission critical design
By Bill Palladino, AIA, NCARB
It wasn’t long ago that the term missioncritical facility conjured up thoughts of military installations or highly fortressed buildings where governments carry out their most sensitive operations. Over time, buildings housing financial records, hospitals and data centers also were designed with their critical functions in mind.
In today’s world of ubiquitous computing, where so much of our daily lives are carried out digitally, almost every place we go needs to provide a measure of security and privacy. In fact, we need to acknowledge on the front end that “waiting space” is now working space, and that anytime an individual stays for more than a few seconds in a facility, they are quite possibly taking part in a work effort or conversation that deserves security and appreciation.
Whether meeting in a conference room, catching up on emails at a coffee shop, or paying some personal bills online back at our apartment or condo, people need to know that the space they are in is safe from prying eyes, whether they be real or digital.
As cyber-attacks rise and security becomes increasingly prized, commercial developers that provide these types of
living- and working-critical facilities will set themselves apart from the competition. Digital security features can become a value-added component to commercial and mixed-use building development.
Rapid advancements in technology, spurred along by the shutdowns and restrictions brought about by the pandemic, have changed the way that we go about our business. More people are working from home (or wherever they happen to be at any given time) and on new schedules. Companies are downsizing their offices or, in some cases, cancelling leases altogether.
But it is important that the security, resiliency and resources that were built into the dedicated workspaces of the past can be replicated in the new environments where sensitive information is being disseminated and activities are being conducted.
The reality going forward is that there is no longer a defined line between where a person’s work life ends and personal life begins, because those lives happen more and more in the same places and spaces.
By 2025, it is estimated that almost a quarter of the US workforce (32.6 million people) will be doing their jobs remotely from home. Mixed-use, multifamily residential developers need to be aware that—whether they ever intended to or not—they are crossing over into the commercial realm in terms of providing their tenants with the facilities and amenities they will require to work effectively from home.
What does this mean from an infrastructure standpoint? Electrical systems will need to be made more robust to handle
Our specialized project management teams are highly effective in maintaining affordable budgets, meeting tight deadlines, and delivering quality construction turnovers on time, every time. From coast to coast, Alaska to Puerto Rico, Hunter Building Corporation has you completely covered on your next construction project!
We offer a multitude of services nationwide ranging from tenant improvements, buildouts, remodels, ground-up construction, and project management. Hunter Building Corporation takes pride in the fact that many of our clients have been repeat customers for many years.
increasing and more varied power demands. Likewise, a power outage will no longer just mean a tenant cannot watch TV, but they will also be out of commission in terms of work, unless their housing development has a sufficient backup generator.
Decisions will need to be made whether to prioritize the resiliency of IT networks within residential and commercial developments. Laptops can function on battery power, but the networks they need for productivity need to be made resilient.
Thick walls have always been useful for screening out loud neighbors, but soundproofing takes on a new level of importance when residents are using their back bedroom to conduct confidential calls. Developers may even want to consider adding a highly-secure and smartly-equipped conference room to the complex that can be reserved by tenants.
As Enterprise-IT-as-a-Service becomes more prevalent, it may become advantageous when developing residential and
mixed-use projects to incorporate government- or industry standard-accredited security spaces or limited-access business areas.
When people can work for companies located around the world, it is becoming more common for people to change their standard working hours to match those elsewhere. For example, 20 years ago most people would be very upset if their neighbor woke up at 4 a.m. every day to prepare for their day, when now someone in the Bay Area or Seattle might do it just to be on the same workday schedule as their east-coast coworkers.
Providing additional welded conduits and access for tenants to bring their own networks and connectivity into buildings will become a selling-point. More and more, renters will begin looking for these types of features when deciding where to live and residential properties that provide them will be in high demand.
Additional design considerations also factor into successfully appealing to the market include the sending and receiving of physical property. Steps taken to secure incoming and outgoing packages, such as lockers or holding areas, that could contain sensitive information or materials will be a selling point.
Video doorbells are becoming the norm at institutions and individual homes; we should expect that renters and condominiums are going to want that same ability to vet those they let into the building.
And, thinking about the organization of living and workspaces will become
more critical, where space planners will need to take heed of windows and adjacencies to other tenants to prevent network snooping.
Working from home doesn’t always mean working at home. One of the benefits of a flexible work schedule is the freedom to break from the routine and write that report or study the quarterly numbers down at the diner or bakery.
Young people in particular are more likely to venture out of their homes to find more communal places to do their work.
By 2025, it is estimated that almost a quarter of the US workforce (32.6 million people) will be doing their jobs remotely from home.
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Shops and restaurants that don’t mind when a customer opens up a laptop and stays a while can cater to that demographic by marketing their secure and business-friendly setting.
When designing such a space, retail and commercial developers should consider a project team with experience in the types of facilities where robust security is the norm. Again, reliable power comes into play, but there are also nuances with how an interior space is laid out that should also be considered.
For example, tables and booths can be arranged in such a way that doesn’t allow strangers to look over someone’s shoulder and see what is on their screen.
Seating and eating areas in a restaurant setting can also be organized, sized and designed to prevent “leave behind” hacking attempts by allowing patrons space to keep their bags and property close and inaccessible by those walking by.
Whether it is a flaw or a feature (or a combination), one of the realities of working in the modern age is that the job is never further away than the phone in your pocket. As such, almost every public space is a place where potentially sensitive information is being transmitted.
Football stadiums, gas stations, train depots—moving forward, the way we design these facilities must take into account that the people passing through have certain needs and expectations when it comes to privacy, security and services related to functioning in a digital world.
How well these needs and expectations are met will determine how successful these facilities are in fulfilling their function. It is something that every owner, developer, property manager and real estate agent wants to be considering in how the retail and commercial markets need to be factoring data/mission critical design given our digital world. CCR
institutional, education, hospitality, multifamily and industrial projects for public and private entities throughout the Southeast.
Cutting-edge plumbing products that do not compromise on quality or durability. Featuring hands-free technology that incorporates beautiful aesthetics for high-use areas such as hospitality, transportation hubs, retail, and offices.
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Professional Design and Project Management Services for the Retail, Restaurant, Hospitality, Entertainment and the Commercial Markets.
When i t comes to finding top-notch flooring companies for the retail, restaurant, hospitality, healthcare, and other commercial sectors, you have come to the right place. Our latest survey features a selection of the industry’s leading flooring vendors, spotlighting those who excel in quality, innovation and service. If you didn’t make the list, contact Publisher David Corson at davidc@ccr-mag.com.
Aspire Pavers
Lee Martucci, VP Business Development 915 East Tyler Street Post Office Box 484
Washington, IA 52353 (844) 290-4196
orders@aspirepavers.com www.aspirepavers.com
Resilient Tile type: Misc (Polymer, Bio Based, Polyolefin, PVC Free)
Resilient Sheet type: Misc (Polymer, Bio Based, Polyolefin, PVC Free)
Markets Served: Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, Restaurants, Shopping Malls, Federal Government, Multi-Family, Craft Brewery
Bjelin
Kelly Owens, Director of Marketing 12640 Crabapple Rd, Suite 210 Milton, GA 30004
us-support@bjelin.com https://us.bjelin.com
Wood product type: Wood, Engineered, Solid, Finished Resilient Tile type: N/A
Markets Served: Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, Restaurants, Shopping Malls, Federal Government, Multi-Family, Cannabis, Craft Brewery
Bostik, Inc.
11320 W Watertown Plank Rd. Wauwatosa, WI 53226 (414) 607-1373
Fax: (414) 607-1551
www.bostik.com/us
Product Type:
Setting Materials, Grouts, Adhesive, Membranes
Kevan Carpenter, CEO 153 Will Allen Road Calhoun, GA 30701 (706) 383-8462 (678) 860-6587
nbusie@commercial-floors.net www.commercial-floors.net
Wood product type: Wood, Engineered, Solid, Traditional Bamboo, Strand Woven Bamboo, Other Strand Woven Wood, Finished, Unfinished, Exotics, Aged/Reclaimed
Tile product type: Ceramic/Clay, Glass, Porcelain, Quartz, Cement, Agglomerates, Terrazzo Tile
Metal product type: Stainless Steel, Aluminum
Floating Floor type: Laminate, Wood, Cork, Linoleum, Leather
Resilient Tile type: Solid Vinyl, VCT, Linoleum, Cork, Leather, Rubber, Recycled Rubber, Misc (Polymer, Bio Based, Polyolefin, PVC Free)
Resilient Sheet type: Vinyl, Linoleum, Rubber, Recycled Rubber, Misc (Polymer, Bio Based, Polyolefin, PVC Free)
Resilient Sheet type: Stair Treads, Wall Base, Accessories
Carpet type: Broadloom, Carpet Tile, Rugs, Sisal, wool or other (Natural Fiber)
Concrete type: Polished, Stained, Topping, Poured Floors
Markets Served: Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, Restaurants, Shopping Malls, Federal Government, Multi-Family, Cannabis, Craft Brewery
Country Floors
Christine Cardinale
Sales & Design Consultant 15 East 16th Street
New York, NY 10003
countryfloors@adesignpartnership.com www.countryfloors.com
Tile product type: Ceramic/Clay, Glass, Porcelain, Cement, Terazzo Tile, Natural Stone, Terracotta
Creative Edge
Jim Thompson
EVP & Chief Commercial Officer
601 S. 23rd Street Fairfield, IA 52556 (641) 472-1510
Fax: (641) 472-2848 creativeedgeia.com
jim.thompson@creativeedge.com
Tile Product Type: Ceramic/Clay, Glass, Porcelain, Quartz, Agglomerates, Terrazzo Tile
Metal Product Type: Stainless Steel, Aluminum
Floating Floor Type: Laminate, Cork, Linoleum
Resilient Tile Type: Solid Vinyl, VCT, Linoleum, Cork, Rubber, Recycled Rubber, Misc (Polymer, Bio Based, Polyolefin, PVC Free)
Resilient Sheet Type: Vinyl, Linoleum, Rubber, Recycled Rubber, Misc (Polymer, Bio Based, Polyolefin, PVC Free)
Resilient Other Type: Stair Treads, Wall Base, Accessories
Carpet Type: Carpet Tile
Crossville, Inc.
Lindsey Waldrep
VP of Marketing
349 Sweeney Drive Crossville, TN 38555 (931) 484-2000
lwaldrep@crossvilleinc.com www.crossvilleinc.com
Tile product type: Glass, Porcelain
Daich Coatings
Peter Daich
Owner
304 Gage Ave., N Hamilton, Ontario
Canada L8L 7A7
www.daichcoatings.com
info@daichcoatings.com
East To West
Dean Nichol
President
514 Larkfield Road, Suite 3A East Northport, NY 11731 (631) 368-2269
Fax: (631) 368-2267
easttowestsales.com
dean@easttowestsales.com
Product Type: Real Stone Coating to Apply Over Concrete, Tile, Brick- Exterior & Interior, Plus Anti-Slip Sealers
Wood Product Type: Engineered Other: Wood Look Porcelain
Tile Product Type: Porcelain
Resilient Other Type: Other: Porcelain Wall Tiles
Deb Lechner, Chief Marketing Officer 715 Fountain Ave. Lancaster, PA 17601 dlechner@ecoreintl.com www.ecoreintl.com
Floating Floor type: Laminate
Resilient Tile type: Rubber, Recycled Rubber
Resilient Sheet type: Vinyl, Rubber, Recycled Rubber
Markets Served: Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, Restaurants, Multi-Family
Floor & Decor
Commercial
Theresa Lawrence, National Strategic Accounts Manager 2500 Windy Ridge Pkwy Atlanta, GA 30339 (877) 659-2478
www.flooranddecor.com/commercial commercial@flooranddecor.com
Wood Product Type: Engineered, Solid, Traditional Bamboo, Strand Woven Bamboo, Finished, Unfinished, Exotics
Tile Product Type: Ceramic/Clay, Glass, Porcelain, Quartz, Cement, Agglomerates, Terrazzo Tile
Metal Product Type: Stainless Steel, Aluminum
Floating Floor Type: Laminate, Wood, Cork
Resilient Tile Type: Solid Vinyl, VCT, Cork
Resilient Other Type: Stair Treads
Floorcloud
Scott Banda
Co-Founder & President
The Schraftt’s Center Power House 529 Main Street, Suite 200 Boston, MA 2129 (617) 395-1668
sbanda@floorcloud.com
www.floorcloud.com
Product Type: Jobsite Condition Sensors, Mobile & Desktop Software
Florim USA
Jana Manzella
Senior Vice President of Sales and Business Development
300 International Blvd Clarksville, TN 37040 (931) 553-7563
ccare@florimusa.com
www.milestonetiles.com
Tile product type: Porcelain
IronRock DBA
Metropolitan Ceramics
Dianne Young
Laminin Industries
John Allen, COO 623 Chatsworth Hwy Calhoun, GA 30701 (888) 871-8877
nbusie@lamininindustries.com www.lamininindustries.com
Wood product type: Other: Concrete restoration, Floor prep, Moisture Control, Adhesive
Tile product type: Other: Concrete restoration, Floor prep, Moisture Control, Adhesive
Metal product type: Other: Concrete restoration, Floor prep, Moisture Control, Adhesive
Floating Floor type: Other: Concrete restoration, Floor prep, Moisture Control, Adhesive
Resilient Tile type: Other: Concrete restoration, Floor prep, Moisture Control, Adhesive
Resilient Sheet type: Other: Concrete restoration, Floor prep, Moisture Control, Adhesive
Resilient Sheet type: Other: Concrete restoration, Floor prep, Moisture Control, Adhesive
Carpet type: Other: Concrete restoration, Floor prep, Moisture Control, Adhesive
Concrete type: Other: Concrete restoration, Floor prep, Moisture Control, Adhesive
Markets Served: Other: Concrete restoration, Floor prep, Moisture Control, Adhesive
Director- Sales & National Accounts 1201 Millerton Street Canton, OH 44707 (800) 325-3945
www.metroceramics.com dyoung@ironrock.com
Tile Product Type: Ceramic/Clay, Other: Thin Brick
Karndean Designflooring
1100 Pontiac Court Export, PA 15632 (888) 266-4343 x 2004
info@karndean.com www.karndeancommercial.com
Floating Floor type: WPC
Resilient Tile type: Luxury Vinyl
Susan Dolata
Senior Director - Strategic Account Group and Channel Management
One LATICRETE Park North Bethany, CT 6524 (203) 393-0010
strategicaccountinfo@laticrete.com www.laticrete.com
Tile product type: Installation Materials
Resilient Other type: Profiles & Trims
Carpet type: Profiles & Trims
Concrete type: Polished ,Stained, Topping, Poured Floors
Lousiville Tile
Dub Newell, CEO 4520 Bishop Lane Louisville, KY 40218 (502) 452-2037
WNewell@loutile.com www.louisville-tile.com
Tile product type: Ceramic/Clay, Glass, Porcelain, Quartz, Terazzo Tile
Lane Sales, Inc.,
dba. LSI Flooring
Larry Lane
President/CEO
240 East 27th St., 2G New York, NY 10016
(800) 731-3483
(516) 449-3083
Fax: (631) 201-3227
llane@lsiflooring.com
www.lsiflooring.com
Floating Floor type: Laminate, LVT, WPC, SPC
Carpet type: Broadloom, Carpet Tile, Rugs, Sisal, wool or other (Natural Fiber)
Mannington Commercial
Kathy Long Marketing
1844 US Hwy. 41, Suite 750 Calhoun, GA 30701
(800) 241-2262
kathy.long@mannington.com
www.manningtoncommercial.com
Resilient Tile type: Solid Vinyl, Rubber, Misc (Polymer, Bio Based, Polyolefin, PVC Free)
Resilient Sheet type: Vinyl, Rubber, Misc (Polymer, Bio Based, Polyolefin, PVC Free)
Resilient Other type: Stair Treads, Wall Base, Accessories
Carpet type: Broadloom, Carpet Tile, Rugs
Matter Surfaces
Tim Theroux, VP National Programs
179 Campanelli Parkway Stoughton, MA 02072
781-573-0228
781-408-9500
www.mattersurfaces.com
ttheroux@mattersurfaces.com
Wood Product Type: Engineered, Finished
Tile Product Type: Other: Various vinyl/Non Vinyl Tile
Metal Product Type: Stainless Steel, Aluminum
Floating Floor Type: Laminate, Wood, Other: LVT
Resilient Tile Type: Solid Vinyl, Rubber, Recycled Rubber, Misc (Polymer, Bio Based, Polyolefin, PVC Free)
Resilient Sheet Type: Vinyl, Rubber, Recycled Rubber, Misc (Polymer, Bio Based, Polyolefin, PVC Free)
Resilient Other Type: Stair Treads, Wall Base, Accessories
Carpet Type: Broadloom, Carpet Tile, Rugs, Sisal, Wool or Other (Natural Fiber)
Concrete Type: Polished
Nemo Tile + Stone
8 East 21st Street
New York, NY 10010
info@nemotile.com
Tile product type: Ceramic/Clay, Glass, Porcelain, Quartz
Markets Served: Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, Restaurants, Shopping Malls, Multi-Family
National Terrazzo & Mosaic Association
Sharon Moreno, Lead Functionality Facilitator PO Box 2605, Suite 2 Fredericksburg, TX 78624 (800) 323-9736
www.ntma.com sharon@ntma.com
Resilient Other Type: Stair Treads, Wall Base, Accessories
Concrete Type: Poured Floors, Other: Terrazzo
National Tile Contractors Association
Bart Bettiga Executive Director 626 Lakeland East Drive Jackson, MS 39232 (601) 939-2071 Fax: 6019326117 bart@tile-assn.com www.tile-assn.com
Tile product type: Trade Association for tile and stone contractors and artisans
Porcelanosa
Andrew Pennington, National Sales & Marketing Director 600 New Jersey 17 Ramsey, NY 07446 (201) 995-1310 (201) 245-5424
apennington@porcelanosa-usa.com www.porcelanosa.com
Wood product type: Engineered
Tile product type: Ceramic/Clay, Porcelain
Floating Floor type: Laminate, Other
Resilient Tile type: Solid Vinyl, Other: Resilient Rigid Core Spc
Markets Served: Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, Restaurants, Shopping Malls, Multi-Family
Portobello America
Michael Ward, VP of Sales
8701 Ditty Rd Baxter, TN 38544-4622 (954) 405-1144 (954) 405-1144
michael.ward@portobelloamerica.com www.portobelloamerica.com
Tile product type: Ceramic/Clay, Porcelain
Markets Served: Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, Restaurants, Shopping Malls, Federal Government, Multi-Family, Craft Brewery
ReallyCheapFloors.com
Patrick Dinehart, Marketing Director 3955 E U.S. Highway 64 Alt, Suite B Murphy, NC 28906 (800) 253-2728 (484) 788-9412
patrick@reallycheapfloors.com www.reallycheapfloors.com
Wood product type: Wood, Engineered, Solid, Finished
Tile product type: Other: Vinyl Tile
Floating Floor type: Wood, Other: Luxury Vinyl Plank
Resilient Tile type: Solid Vinyl
Resilient Sheet type: Vinyl
Resilient Sheet type: Accessories
Markets Served: Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, Restaurants, Multi-Family
Republic Floor
Rotem Eylor, CEO 3600 Brittmoore Rd, Ste #100 Houston, TX 77043 (713) 595-4243
info@republicfloor.com www.republicfloor.com
Wood product type: Engineered, SPC, SPC MAX
Floating Floor type: Laminate, Other: SPC
RIVA Spain
5200 Waterford District Dr, Suite 400 Miami, FL 33126
info@rivafloors.com
Wood product type: Wood, Engineered, Finished
Tile product type: Porcelain
Resilient Tile type: Cork
Markets Served: Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, Restaurants, Multi-Family
Rockerz Inc
Dominika Smith, Director of Business Development 100 Commonwealth Dr. Warrendale, PA 15086 (724) 553-4023
dsmith@rockerzinc.com www.rockerzinc.com
marty@marcocontractors.com
Concrete Product Type: Polished, Stained, Topping, Poured Floors
Sika Corporation
Nick Mizzone, Marketing Coordinator 201 Polito Ave Lyndhurst, NJ 07071 (201) 933-8800
mizzone.nick@us.sika.com
www.usa.sika.com
Wood product type: Other: Installation Solutions
Tile product type: Other: Installation Solutions
Floating Floor type: Other: Installation Solutions
Resilient Sheet type: Other: Installation Solutions
Markets Served: Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, Restaurants, Shopping Malls, Federal Government, Multi-Family
Victoria Player, President PO BOX 132 Oakland, FL 34760 info@simplyoakusa.com www.simplyoakusa.com
Wood product type: Wood, Engineered, Solid, Finished, Unfinished, Aged/Reclaimed, Other: Simply Oak‚Ñ¢ supplies the finest European White Oak flooring for installation in luxury homes and commercial projects throughout the world. We deliver only the highest quality European White Oak, sourced from mills dedicated to traditional craftsmanship and sustainable production practices. Our team’s expertise in the unique qualities of oak helps architects, interior designers, builders, and their clients realize their visions. All of our oak products are certified to FSC¬Æ and PEFC‚Ñ¢ standards.
Floating Floor type: Wood
Resilient Sheet type: Stair Treads, Wall Base, Accessories, Other Markets Served: Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, Restaurants, Federal Government, Multi-Family, Cannabis
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Tarkett
Antonio Bucca, Sales Director
30000 Aurora Rd. Solon, OH 44139
antonio.bucca@tarkett.com
www.tarkett.com
Floating Floor type: Linoleum
Resilient Tile type: Solid Vinyl, VCT, Linoleum, Rubber, Recycled Rubber, Misc (Polymer, Bio Based, Polyolefin, PVC Free)
Resilient Sheet type: Linoleum
Resilient Sheet type: Stair Treads, Wall Base, Accessories
Carpet type: Broadloom, Carpet Tile, Rugs
Markets Served: Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, Restaurants, Shopping Malls, Federal Government, Multi-Family
Tile of Spain
Catherine Hoy, PR Rep 2655 Le Jeune Road, Suite 1114
Coral Gables, FL 33134 (305) 446-4387
choy@frankadvertisingus.com
www.tileofspainusa.com
Jane Twombly, Director of Specifications 111 Plymouth Street Mansfield, MA 2048 (800) 283-7500 (860) 455-3901
jtwombly@belknapwhite.com www.belknapwhite.com
Wood product type: Engineered, Solid, Finished, Exotics
Tile product type: Ceramic/Clay, Glass, Porcelain, Quartz, Terazzo Tile
Floating Floor type: Laminate
Resilient Tile type: Solid Vinyl, VCT, Recycled Rubber
Resilient Sheet type: Vinyl
van Gelder Inc., Portico Systems
Natacha van Gelder
SVP Creative & Marketing 300 Union Grove Road, SE Calhoun, GA 30701 (706) 602-4186 x203 natacha@vangelder-inc.com
Tile product type: Ceramic/Clay, Glass, Porcelain
Resilient Sheet type: Stair Treads, Wall Base, Accessories, Other Markets Served: Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, Restaurants, Shopping Malls, Federal Government, Multi-Family
Toli
Jeff Katz, COO
3552 Westinghouse Blvd, 100 Charlotte, NC 28273 (910) 999-8654 (910) 989-6967
jkatz@toli-na.com www.toli-na.com
Resilient Tile type: Solid Vinyl, VCT
Resilient Sheet type: Vinyl
Resilient Sheet type: Stair Treads
Markets Served: Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, Restaurants, Shopping Malls, Multi-Family, Craft Brewery
www.vangelder-inc.com or www.porticosystems.com
Metal product type: Stainless Steel, Aluminum
Resilient Tile type: Solid Vinyl, VCT, Recycled Rubber
Resilient Sheet type: Vinyl, Recycled Rubber
Carpet type: Broadloom, Carpet Tile, Rugs, Sisal, wool or other (Natural Fiber)
Markets Served: Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, Restaurants, Shopping Malls, Federal Government, Multi-Family, Cannabis, Craft Brewery, Other: Universities, Colleges, Schools, Daycare
Radiant Heating
Cameron Witbeck, Marketing Communications Manager 590 Telser Rd, Suite B Lake Zurich, IL 60047 (800) 875-5285
Fax: (800) 408-1100
www.warmlyyours.com/en-US cwitbeck@warmlyyours.com
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By Tommy Linstroth
The built environment is getting ready to expand … a lot. To meet rising demands for housing, public infrastructure, manufacturing capacity, and retail space, an additional 2.6 trillion square feet of new floor area will be needed before 2060. That’s the functional equivalent of adding the square footage of New York City every month for the next four decades.
At the same time, green construction—the practice of designing, building, and operating structures using environmentally responsible and resource-efficient processes throughout a building's life cycle—is becoming increasingly popular and feasible. This makes it more possible than ever that the next additions to the built environment will enhance, not diminish, the effects on the environment, communities and people.
Here’s why 2024 is a breakthrough year for green construction sustainability and how builders, buyers and communities can capitalize on these trends to ensure a more sustainable future for everyone.
Green building isn’t just morally or environmentally advantageous. It’s financially profitable and within reach for today’s builders.
The World Economic Forum reports that companies are paying a premium to lease office space that is LEED or BREEAM certified, viewing it as an investment in their climate commitments and long-term sustainability goals. While the premiums vary by country and city, companies pay an average seven percent premium for certified green spaces across many US cities.
The combination of consumer demand and federal tax incentives makes green construction a priority for builders and buyers. This aligns supply and demand and positively impacts the environment.
Federal, state, and local governments are taking action to ensure the next generation of buildings will benefit everyone, particularly the people and communities inhabiting these spaces long after the project is completed.
Notably, builders looking to earn federal contracts must implement green building elements, including energy and water efficiency standards. Additionally, the General Services Administration (GSA), which manages federal properties and provides contracting
Green building is more streamlined and technologically advanced than ever before, and it has an ecosystem of tools that can help keep projects on pace and on budget.
A separate analysis of 20,000 US office buildings found that the average rent was 31% higher than in non-LEED-certified buildings.
At the same time, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law introduced historic tax incentives for green construction. As the U.S. Green Building Council explains, “The IRA and BIL establish a myriad of tax incentives and grant funding for building efficiency, distributed clean energy.”
The IRA allocates $2.15 billion for the “acquisition and installation of construction materials and products with substantially lower levels of embodied greenhouse gas emissions as compared to estimated industry averages.”
The law’s embodied carbon material requirements include key construction materials like concrete, asphalt, steel, and glass that meet low embodied carbon requirements. This points general contractors in the right direction, helping them hone in on ways they can make green building a reality.
options for government agencies, requires LEED Gold as the minimum requirement for new construction and substantial renovation of GSA-owned facilities.
State governments also are taking action, passing and implementing climate-related regulations with implications for builders. For example, last year, California enacted SB 253 and SB 261, two regulations requiring many companies in California to disclose greenhouse gas emissions and climate-related financial risks, increasing transparency and accountability requirements.
Local building codes are also impacting green construction. Several cities, including New York and Seattle, have their own sustainability requirements for construction projects, requiring builders to make green construction a central part of the building process.
Green building is more streamlined and technologically advanced than ever before, and it has an ecosystem of tools that can help keep projects on pace and on budget.
Take, for instance, a FinTech company’s recent remodel and retrofit of a 40-year-old, 12-story building that included a buildout of more than 121,000 square feet of floor space. During the multi-year project, the building hosted a complex group of general and subcontractors in various stages of “totally gutting and renovating” up and down the entire building, which required flexible, rapidly adjustable logistics coordination.
Complicating LEED efforts further, construction progress on the ground floor changed the building’s entry and egress points, forcing the construction team to adapt their waste removal plans.
Technology and innovation in the form of monitoring progress dashboards enabled the team to identify this problem early, giving them time to work with waste haulers and recyclers to fix issues before it was too late. In addition to data dashboards, other technologies, like Building Information Modeling (BIM), enable more precise planning, design, and construction.
These solutions unlock better coordination among different teams and ensure all sustainability goals are met efficiently.
The imminent demands for construction will have an enormous impact on the environment, communities and people, so today’s building decisions will reverberate for decades to come.
While 2024 has already been a breakthrough year for green construction, this momentum is only accelerating. The financial incentives are aligned, the regulatory requirements are in place, and the technology exists to make green building a boom for builders, buyers and communities.
With decades of new construction on the horizon, capitalizing on these trends is not only practical and profitable, it’s important to everyone. CCR
From large luxury retailers to small retail startups, every client gets personal attention from our project managers and superintendents. Doing business with NCI is easy and convenient. From concept and Pre-construction to final occupancy and closeout documentation, NCI will efficiently and effectively help you reach your project goals.
Consultants are leading the way, making hiring in the construction industry easier and more efficient than ever. Originally starting as an educational project offering a comprehensive hiring course, the company quickly evolved to meet growing demand. They now partner with big names like the Masonry Association of America and ZipRecruiter, offering hands-on hiring solutions that have positioned them as a key player in the industry.
Recently, The Contractor Consultants were honored with the “Products and Services of the Month” award by CCR, a testament to their innovative and effective approach to recruitment. This prestigious award highlights their commitment to excellence and recognizes their significant contributions to transforming the hiring landscape.
The company’s co-founder, Matt DiBara, saw firsthand how traditional recruitment methods were costly and inefficient. To tackle this, The Contractor Consultants introduced a flat monthly fee for hiring positions ranging from apprentices all the way through to sales reps, project managers, and all other admin and management positions in the U.S. and Canada. This pricing model
lets clients hire talent without worrying about extra recruitment fees, delivering great value and flexibility.
“Typically, 85% of the time spent on hiring is wasted on sifting through junk resumes. With us, clients save 40-60% on hiring costs and cut their hiring time by 95%,” says DiBara, CEO.
The Contractor Consultants' unique hiring process is designed to make life easier for construction companies, allowing them to focus on their core business while the experts handle recruitment. Their strategy ensures candidates meet high standards, reducing future terminations or resignations. This streamlined process was a major factor in winning the “Products and Services Of The Month” award.
Their recruitment approach combines inbound and outbound strategies to maintain a strong talent pipeline. They cast a wide net on major job platforms and use social media, referrals, and other channels to attract candidates. On the outbound side, their recruiters use advanced techniques like Google X-Ray and resume scraping to find candidates from various sources, including competitors and industry events.
As the Head of Fulfillment at The Contractor Consultants, I’m thrilled to share that our dedication to excellence has earned us the “Products and Services of the Month” award! This achievement reflects our passion and hard work in construction recruiting. Our mission to give back to the construction industry drives us to go above and beyond in everything we do. Building this business has been a journey of meticulous planning and relentless effort. We take pride in forming genuine partnerships and delivering customized solutions, always with the goal of forging strong, trust-based relationships that benefit our clients and their teams.
A standout feature of their service is their instant communication policy, ensuring candidates hear back within 10 minutes, enhancing their experience. They also create new branded hiring assets for clients, handle initial phone interviews, schedule appointments, and conduct background checks. Each candidate undergoes thorough assessments tailored to the specific job, evaluating personality, technical skills, and key performance indicators, ensuring the right fit and minimizing hiring risks.
The success of The Contractor Consultants is evident in their clients’ stories. From small contractors to large industry players, companies have seen significant improvements in their hiring processes, saving both time and money. By transforming the hiring process and making it more efficient, The Contractor Consultants are not just meeting the needs of today’s construction companies—they’re shaping the future of the industry, an achievement perfectly encapsulated by their “Products and Services Of The Month” award.
How the Bozeman Community Food Co-op is making a run at sustainability
By Ben Llyod & Laura Landon
With its recent expansion, Bozeman’s Community Food Co-op nearly doubled the size of its West Main Street facility in Bozeman, Montana. The two-story, 23,000-square-foot addition includes a commercial kitchen, receiving area and high-bay storage, as well as offices and a large meeting room.
The resulting 39,000-square-foot building efficiently consolidates all of the Co-op operations under one roof, replacing multiple off-site production facilities and offices.
The original 16,00-square-foot facility took its inspiration from local agrarian vernacular architecture, featuring pragmatic materials including reclaimed corrugated metal siding and an exposed wood structure. The new addition stands in contrast to the original Co-op structure; the change in form and material are an intentional gesture to showcase the iconic form of the original Co-op.
Materially, the addition recalls the massing patterns consistent with a traditional western downtown, while composed of decidedly modern materials, in particular the use acetylated wood on the second level. The original Co-op structure remains the primary retail outlet for the Co-op, while the addition added a small amount of retail space, but primarily functions as food production, storage, and office space.
Favoring rigorous grassroots sustainability over LEED certification or other third-party performance credentials, the Co-op has, since its beginnings, embraced sustainable design and operations as part of its mission: “Provide food and goods, promote sustainable practices and follow co-op principles.”
For this addition, embracing Montana’s natural resources and minimizing embodied carbon was an obvious choice: the primary structural building material is Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) sourced from and manufactured within the state. This alternative to conventional steel and concrete assemblies is cost-effective, efficient in construction, and sequesters carbon.
Favoring rigorous grassroots sustainability over LEED certification or other third-party performance credentials, the Co-op has embraced sustainable design and operations as part of its mission.
The original Co-op structure remains the primary retail outlet for the Co-op, while the addition added a small amount of retail space, but primarily functions as food production, storage, and office space.
On the roof, a solar array produces an estimated 22,000 kWh of energy production annually—the equivalent of one full month of electricity required for Co-op operations. An insulative sedum rooftop evokes a direct connection to nature. In addition to aesthetic benefits, it reflects less heat, exhales oxygen, creates habitat for birds and insects, mitigates storm water runoff, and reduces cooling loads in the summer and heating loads in the winter.
The addition’s structural system, building envelope, and mechanical pathways comprise the building’s core and shell, which supports a variety of uses so that spaces can be easily reconfigured as long-term needs and conditions change. On the second story, a large meeting room with flexible furniture is available
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for community use, underscoring the Co-op’s commitment to grassroots activism and organizing.
As a Co-op, the organization harnesses the power of pooled resources for bulk and “forward buying” food purchases. Storing large quantities of perishable food requires reliable, efficient, and cost-effective power. A cogeneration power system provides on-site power and reclaims waste heat from electrical generation and the Co-op’s many freezers and refrigerators to preheat domestic hot water for kitchen use and to warm outside air for indoor comfort during Bozeman’s harsh winters.
In the event of a multi-day power outage, the cogeneration system can provide reliable emergency back-up power for the Co-op’s large freezer and refrigeration loads, protecting the
purchasing power and life-sustaining resources of its members.
On the interior, exposed CLT panels are prominent, adding warmth to a typically cool commercial kitchen space. While typical back-of-the-house grocery operations are often stripped of design considerations, the Co-op equitably features the same warm wood finishes found in the retail areas.
On the second floor, salvaged agricultural metal siding is used to reinforce the Co-op’s agrarian focus and provide colorful patches of whimsy, honoring past Co-op structures. Skylights provide plenty of natural light to both stories, creating
pleasant working spaces. Substantial glazing on the north side provides views to the outdoors and puts food on display for passersby, who can see directly into the Co-op’s central kitchen.
The human experience of both workers and community members becomes connected: to each other, the Downtown Bozeman context, and the community at large. Reflecting the priorities and values of its member-owners, the Bozeman Community Food Co-op addition models a resilient, enduring, and sustainable design approach that will keep the flexible building relevant to the community for decades, demonstrating unambiguous leadership in improving Bozeman’s built environment. CCR
Hennebery Eddy Architects
design team:
Ben Lloyd, Principal-in-Charge
Laura Landon, Project Architect
Project team:
Architecture: Hennebery
Eddy Architects
Interior Design: 1111 Design Studio
Contractor: Langlas & Associates
Civil Engineer: TD&H Engineering
Structural Engineer: Eclipse Engineering
Mechanical Engineer & Electrical Engineer: Consulting Design
Solutions Inc.
Food Service Design:
H-C Design & Consulting
Why Excel Construction of Florida makes its customers a priority
Ask Eric Wolf and he will say that what sets Excel Construction apart from its competitors is the company’s unwavering commitment to building client relationships. Going beyond mere contracting, Wolf, President of the Davie, Florida-based company, says it prides itself on its role as a trusted partner. That means offering personalized attention and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
Excel Construction leans into this premise by leveraging cutting-edge technology and innovative practices, integrating AI software for enhanced project management, and placing greater emphasis on green building practices and meeting LEED standards where it makes sense for our clients.
With a diversified portfolio of industrial, Class A, commercial, manufacturing, distribution and retail projects, the relationship-driven company has established long-term partnerships built on respect and integrity. The company delivers the highest quality buildings and interior build outs, but also “Stands for What Counts” when it comes to family and community, supporting organizations that focus on education, families, children, and the environment.
To get an inside peek at where Excel Construction of Florida is heading, we sat down with President Eric Wolf.
Give us a snapshot of your brand.
A leader in commercial construction, Excel Construction of Florida (Excel) has a singular focus of doing what’s promised and owning what we do. We are a relationship-driven company with established long-term partnerships built on respect and integrity and known for excellence and innovation in our commercial and industrial projects.
Prioritizing personal relationships with our clients ensures involvement and transparency throughout the project lifecycle. Not only do we consistently deliver the highest quality buildings and interior build outs, but we also “Stand for What Counts” when it comes to family and community, supporting organizations that focus on education, families, children and the environment.
What type of clients and markets are you targeting?
Our diversified project portfolio spans industrial, commercial construction, manufacturing, distribution and multifamily residential projects, with a focus on flex industrial and Class A offices. Projects vary from industrial logistics, warehousing and educational facilities to aerospace, healthcare workspaces and design showrooms.
We work closely with commercial real estate developers and professional and corporate clients. We continue to expand our business both geographically and with the types of projects we are focusing on, most recently broadening our scope to include the multifamily sector.
At Excel, we cater to today’s end-users by blending innovation, efficiency and a client-focused philosophy to create spaces that are not only functional and cost-effective but also welcoming and conducive to collaboration and creativity. Our commitment to value engineering ensures that projects are delivered with the highest quality, on time and within budget. Our goal is to achieve the best balance between cost, function and performance.
To achieve this, we integrate AI software to streamline project management, ensuring efficiency and precision in every phase of construction. By working closely with design teams, spaces are transformed—whether it’s a complete renovation or an industrial shell—into Class A environments. Our projects prioritize space efficiency, and unique and welcoming designs for companies to attract and retain employees.
Strong relationships with our clients that includes involving them in every step of the project ensures that expectations are met and at the same time prevents budget overruns. Our role extends beyond mere contracting. We serve as trusted partners, offering detailed and accurate specifications to ensure client satisfaction.
Our construction strategy is centered on being proactive and collaborative. We leverage cutting-edge tools such as AI-driven platforms and Procore to streamline project management and keep everyone up-to-date and on the same page. With this technology, we can identify and address any issues in the early stages, which cuts down delays and boosts efficiency.
Working closely with design teams, we incorporate the latest advancements to create spaces that are both functional and flexible. By focusing on detailed planning and tackling problems early on, we can ensure a smooth construction process,
delivering results that not only meet but also exceed a client’s expectations. This approach allows us to stay ahead of industry trends and continually improves our project outcomes.
The construction industry is not much different from other businesses when it comes to today’s challenges. We are all facing issues such as rising costs and increasing interest rates, which are making it more difficult for many projects to progress, as these financial pressures limit new developments. There’s also a growing concern for labor shortages as fewer young people are entering trade occupations and many experienced workers are retiring.
To overcome these obstacles, the industry needs to find innovative ways to incorporate new technology and explore options for bringing in labor from other sources. Changing the perception of trade careers is also critical. Partnering with
local colleges that offer programs and developing internship opportunities will also create a pool of potential employees. But promoting trade schools and emphasizing the potential for high earnings in the trades can also help shift the focus from a college-only mindset.
Each project is unique, requiring a customized approach and detailed planning to handle specific needs and conditions. If a company must remain operational during construction, this can add complexity to the scheduling and coordination, which can then impact a project’s timeline.
In South Florida, another major hurdle is the lengthy permitting process, which can span anywhere from six months to a year. This means that getting a project started might require planning and preparation over a period of four to five months, including time for permits and design work.
How are you working to promote sustainability?
We incorporate energy-efficient technologies such as LED lighting and advanced HVAC systems to control energy use. We also suggest installing electric vehicle (EV) chargers to encourage eco-friendly transportation.
To tackle land constraints and maximize available space, we focus on mixeduse developments and repurposing existing buildings. This approach minimizes the environmental impact of new construction and brings added value to the existing site.
While we emphasize efficiency, we also consider cost-effectiveness to ensure that our sustainability measures are practical for our clients. This balance allows us to support green practices while staying within budget.
do you see as some of the biggest challenges in construction, moving ahead?
One of the biggest issues is managing land constraints. In some cities, available land is
limited, so there’s a growing need for smart planning that includes vertical construction and mixed-use developments to effectively utilize existing space.
Another major challenge is climate change, and South Florida is particularly vulnerable to risks that include rising sea levels, flooding and severe weather. New or renovated buildings must be designed to withstand these environmental pressures in the long term.
you optimistic about what you see in your building and construction sectors?
Yes, I’m optimistic about the future of the building and construction sectors. In South Florida, there’s strong potential in the industrial and multifamily markets, particularly with the increased demand for last-mile warehousing and affordable housing. While there will inevitably be a slowdown, it won’t be as drastic as what’s happening elsewhere in the country. This suggests that, despite some
delays, there are still many opportunities for growth and success in Florida.
We’re seeing some notable trends in the construction industry. Cost management is becoming more important as projects face tighter budgets and financial pressures. AI is increasingly being incorporated into the strategy as plans are reviewed and validated. This streamlines the planning process and ensures accuracy.
With land constraints pushing vertical development, there’s a noticeable increase in high rise buildings. There’s also a stronger focus on green initiatives, including the installation of electric vehicle (EV) chargers and adopting additional sustainable practices.
Another trend is the increased need for heavy power usage. Modern spaces now often require electrical systems with capacities between 800 and 2000 amps, compared to the 200 to 400 amps that were common in
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the past. This shift reflects the growing use of advanced electronics and power-hungry technologies in today’s buildings.
Where is your business headed?
Excel is focused on growth and diversification across Florida and various sectors, including multifamily and Class A office and retail. In 2023, we completed more than 50 projects, successfully navigated economic challenges and expanded our services into Palm Beach County, including the completion of a major logistics terminal. As we look ahead, we’re ready to seize new opportunities and continue our legacy of excellence in South Florida and beyond.
Tell us what makes your brand unique?
What makes our brand unique is an unwavering commitment to our mission of “Stand for What Counts,” both in business and in our community. We take pride in everything
we do, building to the highest standards with a laser focus on our customers and projects. Excel is a respected, trusted company that over the years has developed long-standing relationships with customers.
Never resting on our laurels, we continue to challenge ourselves, using data to anticipate and tackle potential issues early on, which helps us consistently go above and beyond for our clients. But our dedication doesn’t stop at exceptional construction services. We’re also deeply invested in local communities where we live and do business. We are dedicated to making a meaningful impact by supporting education, families and environmental initiatives.
Is there a story you can share about a client/job/etc. you did that really shows off your work and ability to engage with the industry?
We accepted the challenge to renovate a former USA Today printing facility into a global nursing school designed to train thousands of nurses each year. The result was a new $11.25 million Chamberlain University Campus and Adtalem Global Education Offices, which was recently named “Project of the Year” by NAIOP South Florida.
The complete renovation included lecture halls, science labs, a simulation care center, faculty offices and student lounges. Excel Construction preserved industrial design elements, utilized natural light from existing skylights and added parking and landscaping.
Built in 2022, during the aftermath of the pandemic and when the construction industry was faced with a multitude of supply chain and labor challenges, the project had to undergo value engineering and redesign. With Excel’s help the HVAC was redesigned to bring the equipment delivery from 50-plus weeks to under 30 weeks. With Excel’s logistical ability to maneuver efficiently around those challenges, we were able to complete the project in just under a year and before the start of the January school cycle.
Overall, it was an ambitious project that showcases our ability to breathe new life into outdated spaces. The facility now plays an important role in enhancing South Florida’s healthcare sector and economy.
Describe a typical day.
I start my mornings early to spend some time with my two adorable, energetic children before either going to the office or stopping at a work site. Once I arrive at the office, I check emails before meeting with the estimating team to analyze current and future projects and then I meet with our operations manager to review plans and ensure all projects are on track.
Throughout the day, I’ll check in on our ongoing projects, follow up on proposals and support the team however I can. I also take time to meet with clients at lunch when my schedule permits. I believe in work-life balance, so evenings are my time to unwind with my family, sharing dinner together. I might even get a work-out in, too.
What was the best advice you ever received?
It was from my dad, “Stay humble and work hard.”
What’s the best thing a client ever said to you?
What was the job and why?
The best compliment I’ve gotten from a client wasn’t something that was said, but rather what actions were taken. We have a significant number of repeat clients, which I consider the highest praise from a client because to me it means they trust us to get the job done and get it done right.
One of our long-term clients, IDI Logistics, is a great example. Their ongoing business over several years speaks volumes about their confidence in our work.
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How Landmark Hospitality turned history into a modern-day marvel
By Frank Cretella
Two years ago, the team at Landmark Hospitality set out to bring new life to the Logan Inn. Established in 1727, the Logan Inn stands as the oldest operating inn in America. It expanded and renovated the centuries-old property through a unique combination of modern amenities, future-forward design, and historic preservation.
After transforming it into a boutique hotel experience for travelers and locals, the Logan Inn to the public in August of 2021.
The Landmark team preserved the existing 12,000-square-foot inn and added a 32,000-square-foot adjacent building with a hyphen structure to connect the two. To emphasize the restoration of the structure’s facade, the exterior was opened by removing the large overhang that previously shielded the inn from street view.
This strategic removal revealed the original porches and patio and drew a clear sightline to the newly built property. Featuring a striking balance of reclaimed wood and various metals, the new building exudes a fresh yet timeless look. It is a beautiful addition to the charming aesthetic of the town.
Rather than replicating the existing structure, Landmark deliberately designed the adjacent building to embrace the style of the old building while incorporating luxurious components for guests to discover. To ensure the Logan Inn kept its prominent character throughout the renovation and expansion, it modeled the exterior aesthetic after neighboring properties and homes in New Hope, further solidifying the boutique hotel’s strong sense of place.
A thoughtfully designed “parlour” greets guests rather than a traditional hotel lobby, featuring eye-catching elements such as oak beam ceilings and exposed brick walls. The color scheme and woodwork blend the buildings’ designs, along with a double, reclaimed wood staircase, physically merging the two.
The public spaces exude a sense of warmth from the industrial-style accent materials, including arched brick in tobacco, black steel, brass and copper.
Beyond the main parlour, guests are welcomed by multiple gathering spaces on elevated planes, including an open kitchen, event space, two dining rooms, a cigar lounge, a whiskey lounge and a
The property invites guests to enjoy “the colorful side of luxury” through its contemporary details that seamlessly blend with its historic components, filling the space with timeless character.
bar. The split-level basement intentionally encourages social interaction with guests and locals.
One level has a 3,000-bottle wine cellar, large-scale rock-and-roll art—featuring classic celebrity figures including John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Freddie Mercury, Pat Benetar, Debra Harry, Keith Haring and David Bowie––and a pool table in the center of the room. The second level has a full, old-fashioned movie theater accented with marquee light fixtures, movie posters, and a concession stand.
The open kitchen-style dining experience at Ferry + Main is curated by the property’s acclaimed Executive Chef Greg Vassos.
Vassos brings an honest simplicity to even the most complex of dishes: never masking the quality of the ingredients in the experience of the dish.
Guests are invited to enjoy a variety of seasonally-inspired small plates cooked on a GrillWorks’ Infierno. There are only a handful of these grills throughout the United States.
The restaurant offers a raw bar, a variety of appetizers, including a verde charred octopus and heirloom tomato gazpacho, as well as a handful of entrees such as dry-aged duck breast and arugula Eagle Road potato gnocchi. Handcrafted cocktails and beverages are served at the expansive main bar.
In line with the industrial aesthetic, the bar’s face comprises copper and stainless steel, with a copper hood above the restaurant’s open kitchen. The historic dining room holds four dramatic,
A thoughtfully designed “parlour” greets guests rather than a traditional hotel lobby, featuring eye-catching elements such as oak beam ceilings and exposed brick walls.
round chandeliers, which dangle from on-site-constructed oak ceilings.
Guests are welcome to personalize their room experience through Bluetooth speaker access and the option to customize in-room alcohol offerings and pet accommodations. Guests can also check in to their rooms from a phone application that geolocates their arrival.
Of the 38 rooms, there are four suites and four rooms with balconies that have
direct views of New Hope to allow for one of the town’s favorite pastimes—people watching on Main Street.
Suites feature suspended fireplaces, claw-foot soaking tubs, mixologist stations complete with artisanal spirits, housemade mixers, and hand-cut ice. The bathroom design lends to the luxurious look and feel of the space through the elegant freestanding tub, skylights, and marble finishes.
Each added room is uniquely appointed and distinct from one another, yet they all
share a common enthusiasm for architecture, art, design, and colorful luxury.
In addition to the plethora of experiences the boutique hotel offers through its design, there is a robust program of alternating activities for guests. This includes a twist on the traditional British 4:00 PM ‘afternoon tea,’ where, instead of serving tea, guests may participate in tasting specialty alcohol on one day, fondue and champagne on the next or even roll sushi with the chef.
Logan Inn features modern-day luxury in every single facet of the wedding venue. Opulent design balanced with a warm atmosphere and delicious food results in events that exude style and authenticity.
Unique features, such as the reclaimed wood ceilings with twinkling-light chandeliers, 8-foot confetti art on the fused glass windows, and the dramatic stone flooring coupled with a cocktail space and whiskey lounge, create a beautiful wedding aesthetic and thoughtful experience.
The property only hosts one wedding a day, making it an even more intimate memory for each couple. Beyond the hotel, bridal parties and guests are invited to explore New Hope through the many one-of-a-kind galleries, boutique shops, and restaurants.
The backdrop is expansive as couples can have photoshoots throughout the picturesque hotel as well as on the steps of Cannon Square, the river walk, and
the bridge to Lambertville––all of which provide an iconic landscape to capture a romantic moment.
A Logan Inn wedding shares the common thread of all Landmark venues, allowing guests to truly emerge themselves in a setting filled with history and luxurious design, accompanied by an unmatched level of hospitality.
On the corporate side, the hotel provides various facilities to ensure success with business meetings and retreats of any size. The professional theatre is complete with breakout rooms and a business center, as well as on-site rooms in the center of town. Business events at Logan Inn provide companies with an environment conducive
to productive and memorable corporate retreats and events.
The property invites guests to enjoy “the colorful side of luxury” through its contemporary details that seamlessly blend with its historic components, filling the space with timeless character. Every facet of the design and operation of the inn is central to the guest experience.
The Logan Inn is familiar for guests through its warm design intent, yet original and exciting in its offerings and newly restored and expanded features. Serving as a hub for the town of New Hope, The Logan Inn welcomes design lovers from around the world to observe its striking artisanal and industrial aesthetic.
Frank Cretella is co-founder and Principal of Landmark Hospitality.
Look no further than MarketNet – the industry leader in running effective spiff programs!
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It’s an incentive program designed to reward and motivate your sales team and/or customers.
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Why NBA Courtside Restaurant is a singular dining experience
By Morgan Kish
You can call it whatever you want: just don’t call it a sports bar. While a quick glance at the 10,000-squarefoot NBA Courtside Restaurant in Toronto might make it seem like another typical sportsthemed establishment, the state-of-the-art venue—the first of its kind in the world—is so much more.
Open since April 2023 and featuring a globally inspired food and beverage program, NBA Courtside Restaurant is a premium casual dining experience that celebrates the NBA through custom art and décor. The restaurant’s dining rooms are designed to reflect the path of a player’s journey to becoming an NBA champion, with a boutique NBA retail store and two patios along the Toronto waterfront as core parts of the experience as well.
“Our partnership with the NBA and the ability to leverage NBA IP makes this a unique venue,” says Todd Sherman, president of Urban Dining Group (UDG), the company that manages NBA Courtside Restaurant. “This is the first restaurant of its kind in the world. We’re not what people think we are. We offer more than what you’d expect.”
From the initial design phase to opening day, Sherman had a vision for
“It was important that all our assets were cutting edge, made of high-quality material and had a very fashion-forward feel to them.”
— Todd Sherman, president of Urban Dining Group (UDG)
NBA Courtside Restaurant as a nextgeneration venue—and its restrooms were no exception to this commitment to high quality. “It was important that all our assets were cutting edge, made of high-quality material and had a very fashion-forward feel to them. I feel that investing in really good quality, highly durable products is essential for us as an official NBA branded attraction.”
When it comes to restaurants, there is perhaps no place where reliable and durable products matter more than in the restroom. Recognizing this, Sherman and NBA Courtside Restaurant specified a wide variety of durable, sustainable
fixtures that also lessen the burden on the restaurant’s facility maintenance team, including next-generation sinks, faucets and flushometers.
“The main criteria for our restroom selections were heartiness, quality material, and timeless design,” Sherman says. “We wanted materials and products that stood the test of time, so we don’t have to replace them every three to five years. And we wanted the design to be state-of-the-art to match the décor of the restaurant and to meet our guest appeal.”
As the most visible functional element in the restroom, the designer sinks at NBA Courtside Restaurant are eye-catching pieces that help enhance the restaurant’s overall look and feel, while pairing perfectly with the faucets and flushometers from a visual perspective.
Sherman says the physical design, look and performance of the products in our restrooms are best in the market.
With decades of experience owning and operating more than 30 restaurants in the downtown Toronto area, Sherman and UDG understand that—in addition to aesthetics—maintenance is a critical
part of any premium-casual restaurant, and NBA Courtside Restaurant is no different. “Our maintenance is critical to us, especially with having the branding that we do. Choosing the products that we did allows us to have restrooms that are easier to maintain. They’ve helped us solve all those problems.”
Featuring a concept and branding that any basketball fan would love, plus premiumcasual food and pioneering architectural and design elements, NBA Courtside Restaurant is leading the way toward the future of commercial restaurant innovation.
The touch-free faucets and flushometers at NBA Courtside Restaurant are true game-changers. The restaurant’s maintenance team can use an app to adjust and configure the Bluetooth-connected products right from their smartphones—from tracking battery life and water usage metrics to customizing usage and activation settings.
Sherman says water conservation is an important factor to consider for any restaurateur. “If you’re going to open a high-profile, well-designed restaurant, there is no other option besides touch-free.”
That’s why NBA Courtside Restaurant specified hands-free faucets with ultra-low flow rates on its sinks, flushometers, and
urinals, all in an effort to conserve water. Each of these fixtures features industry-leading water-saving technology that benefits the restaurant both now and in the future.
Sherman has noticed the overall fit and finish of restrooms has been elevated over the last half decade in restaurants around the world, and it doesn’t just stop there. Other notable sustainability initiatives in restaurants include the innovation and progress of LED lighting instead of incandescent bulbs, the use of plant material such as moss walls and hedge greenery, and even takeout containers. Sherman’s restaurants, including NBA Courtside Restaurant, haven’t used plastic or Styrofoam takeout containers in at least six years.
Featuring a concept and branding that any basketball fan would love, plus premium-casual food and pioneering architectural and design elements, NBA Courtside Restaurant is leading the way toward the future of commercial restaurant innovation. CK
What does a typical day look like for you?
With four different brands and a real estate portfolio, I would say no day is typical, but each day usually involves 50-100 emails, two to four meetings (whether in-person or Zoom), and visits to various hospitality sites.
What’s the biggest item on your to-do list right now?
The next step is continuing to open regional restaurants in the Toronto area, including one in September. From a big picture perspective, we’d like to begin exploring opportunities in the U.S. as well.
What was the best advice you ever received?
Never judge anyone. We’re in the guest business—the hospitality space is not the space in which to judge people.
What’s the best thing a customer ever said to you?
I’ve heard a lot of great things from customers, but having people say what a great time they had at one of our venues when they host an event, or a guest saying we went above and beyond expectations both mean a lot. Because we’re a guest-facing industry, we get to interact with people from start to finish. We get the opportunity to be face-to-face with a guest through the entire experience. We’re grateful for every compliment we get.
Morgan Kish is Sloan’s Senior Product Line Manager for Sinks, Faucets, Soap Dispensers and Showerheads. Sloan has been providing innovation in water-saving fixtures for 118 years.
CCCT with Shawn Landgraf & Dan ONeill from Holovisn. Founded in 2011, and initially backed by Sir Richard Branson and now more recently Mark Cuban, our technology partner redefines the concept of visual storytelling. Bringing personalized, engaging and impactful interactions to endusers. HOLOVISN devices have been named among the world’s most impressive products by BBC, CNN, Mashable, and USA Today. Holovisn is so much more than a piece of extraordinary hardware, it’s a fully integrated system of control, support & 3D creation – producing unparalleled digital excellence. Holovisn is all about emotion and capturing attention. People are mesmerized when they experience this technology. These deep visceral feelings are what we bring to the world. Enjoy the conversation. For more information visit www.holovisn.com.
CCCT with Jessica Scott, CEO & Founder from Youth Juice. At Youth Juice, they understand that living a healthy lifestyle is important, and what they put into our bodies can have a significant impact on our overall health. That’s why they use only the freshest and highest-quality ingredients in our juices, with a focus on natural and organic options whenever possible. Our juices are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making them a delicious and nutritious addition to any diet. Enjoy the conversation. For more information visit youthjuice.net.
CCCT sat down with Paige Harris, VP of Architecture & Design from Valor Hospitality Group who is a full-service hospitality acquisition, development, and management company of alternative thinking enthusiasts, driven by excellence and innovation. The Valor Hospitality Group’s purpose is for guests to feel better about themselves when they leave the property than they did upon arrival. The relationships with their Hotelitarians are with corporate and property level culture comprised of dedicated, compassionate, enthusiastic people who take ownership and act in the best interest of our guests. They treat every team member with dignity, respect, and equal opportunity, and they’re proud to be as widely recognized for their industry-leading culture as they are for commercial expertise. For more information visit valorhospitality.com
CCCT sat down with Travis King who is a believer, a husband, a Dad and an Entrepreneur. He helps people achieve their dream of financial freedom with land investing! Together, with his wife Becca, they have personally completed hundreds of land flips. Their coaching and educational services for land investing have helped many others create their own highly profitable land investing ventures. They’ve completed over 1,000 one-on-one coaching calls, run an amazing community of Land Bosses and lead a high-level Mastermind for Land Investors. For more information visit travisking.com.
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By Granger Hassmann
Developing properties for villages, cities, towns and counties generates a host of challenges that differ from the private sector. There are specific bid processes. The supply chain can be different. Plus, the final decision-maker might consist of a committee rather than an individual.
But none of the above issues are insurmountable, especially when contractors take the time to initiate, develop and maintain an effective relationship with the municipal entity. A great example is the successful partnership Adolfson & Peterson Construction (AP) developed and maintained with representatives from the City of Allen’s Parks and Recreation Department in constructing the 150,000-square-foot Stephen G. Terrell Recreation Center.
With help from that positive relationship, the project was completed on time and within budget despite multiple challenges.
Allen, Texas, is a fast-growing suburb located approximately 25 miles north of downtown Dallas. Thanks to outstanding infrastructure, Allen is within easy driving distance of multiple employment centers, which has launched a massive population expansion.
Much of the city’s growth during the past decade occurred on the west side. Because of this, the city’s Parks and Recreation department decided it was time to build a recreation center to serve the “west-siders.”
One of the keys to this project’s success focuses on establishing a positive relationship by building trust, reducing confusion and planning ahead to anticipate challenges before they arise.
Plans called for two gyms, fitness rooms, sports courts and an indoor walk/job track. Additional unique attributes focused on community spaces to encourage gathering and socialization and a place to host Allen’s city council meetings.
We saw this as a good and exciting project for a couple of reasons:
The project’s impressive scale was due to its unique design and building configuration,
which encompassed distinctive materials and architectural features. Another aspect was the large space needed to install nearly 50 feet of indoor playground equipment as the focal point of the entire center.
We already had a relationship with the Parks and Recreation director. This had developed through a project we worked on for her previous employer, the City of Southlake, Texas, a suburb of Fort Worth.
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We immediately started arranging face-toface meetings months ahead of time with Allen Parks and Recreation to renew our acquaintance with the director and better understand what the organization needed regarding issues like timelines, budgets and materials.
The bidding process took place one year into the COVID lockdown. Because of this, we knew there would be pressures on the supply chain, labor and costs. We proposed a plan based on our experience and market knowledge that anticipated cost increases and how we planned to work around a likely labor shortage.
Another potential challenge in the preliminary phases was the construction site’s expansive soils. This issue required the addition of structured slabs involving insulated site-cast panels, which affected the building’s exterior veneer. During the initial meetings, we brought this issue to Parks and Recreation’s attention. We presented a re-sequenced construction plan as a solution, pointing out that re-sequencing could mean a deviation from the proposed schedule.
The Parks and Recreation staff appreciated the time we took to pinpoint
challenges and provide solutions, which further increased the organization’s comfort with AP. Because we anticipated challenges and provided up-front solutions, the rec center was completed on time and within the final proposed budget.
Additionally, we took steps to foster the relationship, ensuring Parks and Recreation, as well as our design partners, BRS Architecture, were involved throughout the construction process. We reported to the staff daily, asked for input regularly and encouraged questions for clarification. The partnership helped ensure a smooth
Because we anticipated challenges and provided up-front solutions, the rec center was completed on time and within the final proposed budget.
start-to-finish approach, resulting in a unique and welcoming rec center.
The recreation center wasn’t our first time working with a municipal agency. But our relationship with the Allen Parks and Recreation department reminded us about the importance of the following:
No general contractor should assume a municipality understands the construction process. While our contacts at Parks and Recreation did, this was more the exception than the norm. This result is a relationship involving more than cost determinations, schedules and labor. It is critical to educate city or county staff about the general contractor’s point of
Ask
Being a retail superintendent requires a market segments. While all construc tion superintendents have responsibilities for schedule, produc tivity, safety, and quality on the projec t 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 contrac tor throughout these projec ts
RCA’s Retail Superintendent Training Program addresses this need.
• At least three years of experience in retail construc tion
• Completed OSHA 30-hour
• Completed RCA's two - day workshop, which includes in- depth training on retail-focused customer ser vice
Superintendent exam
view. Also, understand the learning curve involved and be patient.
This might seem obvious. Certainly, there can be plenty of frustrating red tape and bureaucracy surrounding a construction project. This is a fact of life when working with public agencies. Rather than dismissing the municipality’s role in the project, collaborate with them.
Develop an understanding of their processes and requirements rather than pushing against them. This can result in projects with fewer bumps in the road along with future work.
Use
Expansive
CURRENT REALITIES & FUTURE FRONTIERS
• Innovative construction use cases
• The ROI of drone programs
• Focus on safety and compliance
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Facilitated
CO-LOCATED EVENTS:
This involves more than lip service and occasional reports. It requires communication before the formal bidding process to the project’s conclusion (and beyond, if necessary). With Stephen G. Terrell Recreation Center, we issued daily reports. We also had frequent phone calls and virtual meetings to discuss progress and unexpected challenges to address any concerns.
This in-depth communication plan reduced errors, misunderstandings and
confusion. It also ensured we were able to adhere to the project’s timeline.
Our proactive approach included scheduling meetings with the stakeholders early in the process, which allowed us to present potential construction obstacles and offer solutions. Second, the organization’s comfort level increased with our abilities, knowledge and experience. All of this went a long way toward helping us land the job and complete it on time.
AP took the steps necessary to demonstrate our knowledge and experience while pinpointing challenges and offering solutions. One of the keys to this project’s success focuses on establishing a positive relationship by building trust, reducing confusion and planning ahead to anticipate challenges before they arise. Such a relationship also can lead to repeat jobs and unique projects. FC
How HDR’s Jackie Foy is helping improve the scope of today’s healthcare landscape
One of the signature calling cards of Jacqueline Foy is her ability to lead. Today, as an AIA, ACHA, LEED AP Health
Principal at HDR, she continues to leverage her 20-plus years of experience to help build client relationships and expand HDR’s healthcare presence in the Kansas City, Missouri region.
With a deep passion for healthcare design, she remains driven to create and design spaces that are purpose-driven and provide a place to inspire discovery, hope and connection. Defined by her deep expertise in pediatric design and experience in research and translational health science facilities, Foy
is uniquely positioned to bring thoughtful and innovative design solutions to advance treatment, care and the healthcare experience.
We sat down with her to get her insights into what it takes to make it in today’s commercial construction landscape and why every woman should want a seat at the table.
My story of entering the commercial building industry began back in the 8th grade. At that time, I took a shop class as a technical education elective where I got exposed to drafting and welding, and I really loved it. I liked the combination of the creative and technical aspects of the building field, and was always drawn to both art and math.
I went on to major in architecture at the University of Kansas, which is when I moved from my home state of Nebraska to Lawrence, Kansas for school, before moving to Kansas City where I have lived and built my career.
During college I had the chance to travel 45 minutes to the KC area to volunteer a lot, as philanthropy and volunteering are so ingrained in the culture of Kansas City, and I really became passionate about missiondriven work. After a few years of full-time work in the non-profit space, I found a professional role at a Kansas City firm specializing in healthcare architecture, and felt I had finally found a great combination of these two passions I had for building design and missiondriven purpose.
One of my first clients in the commercial building field became Children’s Mercy Kansas City, which is one of the few freestanding pediatric hospitals in the United States. Thus began my specialty in pediatric healthcare architecture, and I’ve been lucky to support the Children’s Mercy Kansas City team ever since, as an ongoing client of mine, and as a volunteer on several of their boards and committees over the years.
I have gone on to work for two large, national architecture firms and am currently a Health Principal at HDR, helping lead the firm’s global architecture practice and growing our Kansas City studio.
What are some of the biggest changes you have seen over the past few years?
Wow. What challenges have we not seen come up in the past few years? Regardless of the facet of the project, from looking at energy benchmarking to probable cost estimates to anticipated volumes for business growth, all the historical data for the commercial building industry is increasingly irrelevant in a post-pandemic society and economy. Public health and sustainability have never been more top of mind.
In addition, because of these full-sail shifts, architects now rely on contractor partners getting involved in the project process earlier than ever before as a way to mitigate supply chain and cost concerns. Understandably, this early involvement can influence the design process and augment plans and ideas that are not yet fully fleshed out.
What we see is that our experience in target value design has become even more important to help commercial clients prepare for their new or renovated facilities to come online, most specifically in terms of capital for their facilities and also human capital in terms of their operations.
What opportunities are out there for the industry as we move forward? For women?
I feel like there are endless opportunities out there these days, and that’s exciting. From my perspective, it’s more about being alert for those opportunities and using the downtime in between those opportunities to be prepared to seize them.
For the young women I mentor, I ask, “Are you continuing to learn and challenge yourself? Are you working with your weaknesses?” I really try to encourage all young and mid-career professionals not to stop their growth mindset, no matter the season of life.
What type of trends are you seeing
Across many industries, like those we see here in Kansas City such as logistics, animal health, the design sector, and healthcare, more aspects of our work are moving toward the home. In the healthcare sector, where I am so embedded,
we are seeing patients become active participants in their own healthcare with the help of monitoring and education, and this is having a great impact on what is needed at the physical facilities.
From a building trend perspective, we are all really settling into the era of adaptive reuse. As many metro areas are slowing their sprawl, buildings are all about creating flexible spaces and repurposing older buildings to keep up with these shifting modern trends. This adaptive reuse work really allows us to be better stewards of our dollars, resources, and land, so I am all for it. It is fun to repurpose and reimagine what has already been built for tomorrow.
In school, the architectural education process is really squarely focused on theory and problem-solving. My advice for young professionals entering the building sector is to really get comfortable with hands-on learning. In addition, I find self-motivation to be more important than ever before, so I focus my advice on encouraging this.
Young professionals need to try to use the problem-solving skills from school in a lot more areas than they had to before, and they need to stay curious and not be afraid
of hard, thoughtful work. AI is changing how everybody is going to work. So if 80% of what you used to do is now changing, figure out the 20% that is left and lean into and focus on it.
The best advice has been the advice I have received through people’s actions. The things I saw demonstrated to me through people’s behavior have been the most meaningful along the way. For example, someone telling me “you can do it” has not stuck with me nearly as much as someone just trusting me to do it (whether that’s been to lead a meeting, sign a new client, or plan a stakeholder engagement event, etc.).
I am lucky to have had a lot of people believe in me and show me that they valued my perspective along the way, and that has all really helped to get me where I am today.
What’s the single best thing every woman can do to make sure they continue to get a seat at the table?
As women, more than anything else, having the mindset we already belong at the table is the best perspective and attitude to have when maintaining visible leadership positions in this industry. While it can be tempting to believe that as women, we must continually prove ourselves or earn it, the reality is that women are half of the population and design outcomes improve with multiple perspectives at the table.
I feel no qualms saying that women are absolutely already deserving, and if you have been invited to the table, feel confident that you are there for a reason and that you have earned it.
What’s the biggest item on your to-do list?
I really value being reliable and communicative with the people I work with so my biggest priority is to be responsive and communicate well with anyone I encounter. Perhaps it is the Midwesterner in me, but I truly take pride in being reliable, connecting and having follow through. CCR
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If you’re reading my publisher’s page, you probably are in the construction process, whatever phase of the project you might be aligned with, to get things done on the building site.
Bottom line, our country was built with grit, a get-r-done attitude and, most importantly, the idea to keep the ball rolling. Remember, there were no computers, AI, etc., to help get things rolling. We just had that little voice in our minds telling us to “Dream Big, Start Small and Improve Every Day.”
In one of my recent positive thought videos, which I record every day while tackling my five- to seven-mile trek, was called, “Dream Big, Start Small & Improve Every Day”. This is so true with whatever it is you are trying to accomplish.
Business, athletics, personal and life in general, if you are going to do something, why not “Dream Big.” If you are trying to get something done, why think small? It takes the same thought process and actions to do something big, so that when you’re finished, it will be much more satisfying when crossing the finish line. That’s when you can say with pride, “I did that in a Big Way”!
As we go through the second half of 2024, “Dream Big” to finish off the year strong and with momentum. Start small, improve every day, as all those improvements add up.
I cannot stress this enough—the stats are in your favor. On average, 10 people you are trying to do business with, 10 teams you are playing or 10 you ask to dance, two will always say, “Yes,” two will say, “No,” and the other six is where you make your mark. Two out of six is pretty nice, four out of six means you’re doing great, and six out of six, means you’re crushing it.
Now, I know this is not reality, but yeses can come in bunches, or they take a while to accumulate, but are worth the wait. If you don’t “Dream Big,” you won’t get that higher percentage of people saying “Yes.”
Athletics is a perfect place to “Dream Big.” All across the country, high school football teams are starting their seasons 0-0. At the end of the season, their records will tell the story of how things went.
But just like a construction project, you must have the right mindset in the planning stage. So, why not “Dream Big” and look forward to reaching your goals along the way. Sure, you will make mistakes, but you can learn from them. And sure, injuries or other hindrances will occur. But if you keep that mental attitude of positivity, you can accomplish what you started out to do.
View my video on “Dream Big. Start Small. Improve Every Day.”
CLICK HERE!
So, as we go through the second half of 2024, “Dream Big” to finish off the year strong and with momentum. Start small, improve every day, as all those improvements add up. Remember, the sum is always greater than the whole. And have fun while doing it.
Here is to your prosperity, good health and safe travels. As always, “Keep the Faith.” CCR
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