Construction Today Magazine - Issue 1, 2016

TODAY

ISSUE 1 | 2016

CONSTRUCTION PUBLISHED BY THE GENERAL BUILDING CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION

Celebrating Excellence: Explore the Winning Projects of the 18th Annual Construction Excellence Awards

ISSUE 1 | 2016 1

2 CONSTRUCTION TODAY

I am excited to lead GBCA into this new chapter as president. Interestingly, this time of new beginnings at GBCA also comes at a time of transition in our city, as we welcome our new mayor, Jim Kenney.

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT “The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.”

This quote from Winston Churchill comes to mind as we culminate our 125th anniversary at GBCA. Over the past year, we have looked back on our impact and evolution as an organization. We’ve celebrated our storied history; how, building by building, our members crafted the Philadelphia skyline and built this region into the bustling hub it is today.

But we won’t stop there. Our rich history only provides greater inspiration for the future of our association. It’s up to all of us to begin a new era at GBCA.

For the last issue of Construction Today, prior to Kenney’s election, I interviewed the Councilman about issues regarding commercial construction. Like GBCA, he is optimistic about development in Philadelphia. He also mentioned his particular dedication to revitalizing our underdeveloped commercial corridors. “Center City has and will continue to thrive, but I believe the real development opportunities in Philadelphia lie along our neighborhood commercial corridors, particularly those with good access to public transportation,” Kenney said. He later added, “As Mayor, I will focus my efforts on making sure that our neighborhood corridors flourish.”

I see a parallel between Kenney’s focus and one of GBCA’s priorities in the coming year: cultivating the next generation of construction workers and leaders. Just as our city sees the value of investing in neighborhoods that have the potential to thrive, likewise, our association is investing in the people who are positioned to successfully lead our industry into the future. Through our new partnership with Drexel University Online, we are preparing hopeful students for promising careers in construction management. This initiative, coupled with our long-standing tuition reimbursement program, creates a powerful tool we can use in building the next generation of leaders in the construction industry.

Despite what challenges may lie ahead, I couldn’t be stronger in my conviction that the future is bright for GBCA. And that’s thanks to you, our members. Together, you bring a tremendous breadth of knowledge and resources to the industry and each other. A building is only as strong as its foundation, and an association is only as strong as its members. I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead an organization that consists of such a talented, dedicated group of professionals. In the coming year, we will be providing our members with even more opportunities to highlight this expertise, so stay tuned.

We look forward to collaborating with you on a variety of exciting endeavors in the coming year. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out to me or to any of the staff at GBCA. We’re here, as always, to help you build excellence.

Benjamin J. Connors, Esq. President General Building Contractors Association

ISSUE 1 | 2016 3

CONSTRUCTION

TODAY Whatever your resolutions may be, with GBCA, you have a wealth of industry resources and knowledge at your disposal to help you reach your goals. Specifically, in this issue of Construction Today, many of our members and partners share their expertise, including project successes, lessons learned, and insights on timely trends.

In addition, you’ll also find information about the educational and professional development programs available to you as a member of GBCA, including our new exclusive partnership with Drexel University Online.

NOTES FROM THE PUBLISHER At the GBCA Annual Meeting this month, our members come together for our biggest gathering of the year. It’s a time to celebrate the accomplishments of the past year, to be inspired by legends and visionaries, and to look ahead to future progress. It seems appropriate that this Meeting takes place in January — a time when, in our own lives, many are reflecting and making resolutions for the new year.

Beyond our personal lives, this applies to matters that relate to business and professional development, too. What are the goals for your company or your career? Are you looking to expand your skills and education?

Perhaps you are hoping to implement a new safety training program for your employees, or maybe you are eager to employ new building materials or methods.

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Learning from others can be truly inspiring.

With that in mind, we are proud to feature the winners of our 18th Annual Construction Excellence Awards in this issue. We hope you find yourself motivated to take your initiatives to the next level in new ways after exploring the innovations of the winning projects and programs.

As you set out to achieve your goals this year, remember to share your knowledge with others. Keep in close contact with your fellow members and the staff at GBCA. We love to hear from our members about what you are building and how you are growing. We’re always looking to highlight our members in new ways, in this magazine and beyond, so be sure to keep in touch.

PUBLISHER/EDITOR Lauren Tosti ADVERTISING/SALES Lauren Tosti CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mike Armento / Donald Ashton / Tina Grady Barbaccia / Brian Cash / Erik Highland / Angela Louro / Tiffany Millner / Robert Penney Joshua C. Quinter / Carrie Rathmann / Lauren Tosti DESIGN Vault Communications ACCOUNTING Michelle Versace EDITORIAL OFFICE General Building Contractors Assn., Inc. 36 South 18th Street Philadelphia, PA 19103 P: 215-568-7015 F: 215-568-3115 PRINTING A-Lex Print & Promotion 1670 South Hanover Street Pottstown PA 19465 484-988-1156 Copyright: CONSTRUCTION TODAY® registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Copyright ©2004 by the General Building Contractors Association. All rights reserved. Submissions for editorial review should be sent to the editorial office address. Neither the publisher nor any individual associated with any branch of production, nor the advertisers will be liable for misprints or misinformation contained herein.

PRINTED U.S.A.

From all your friends at GBCA, we wish you a happy and prosperous new year!

Lauren Tosti Director, Marketing & Communications General Building Contractors Association

General Building Contractors Association theGBCA

@gbca

Your business is only as strong as the insurance policies supporting it.

At The Graham Company, we believe every business should be supported by strong insurance policies. That’s why we labor over each word to make sure your policies are rock solid, and to make sure they’re uniquely tailored to meet your needs. We know solid insurance coverage goes beyond the words on a page. So we’re there whenever you need us with experienced teams available 365 days a year. Our mission isn’t just to keep you covered, it’s to keep your company growing, and to keep your employees safe.

At The Graham Company, we put words into action, because we believe actions matter.

215-567-6300 www.grahamco.com ISSUE 1 | 2016 5

20

ON THE COVER

ISSUE 1 | 2016

20 Celebrating Excellence The winners of the 18th annual

CONTENT

Construction Excellence Awards

18

FEATURES and Contributing Articles 10 Contractor’s Corner Featuring Sean Healy,

Healy Long & Jevin, Inc.

15 New Constructs Meet the director of Drexel

University’s Construction Management Program

18 Restore & Revolution Recovery: Revenue for Rebuilding Get involved with Habitat for Humanity’s mission to transform lives and rebuild neighborhoods

26

26 The Future of Construction… Is Now A look at the adoption of technology,

the rebirth of prefabrication, and the Lean Construction theory

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32

38

Education and ProfesSional Development 36 Education Update A recap of fall and early winter events and programs

44 Design on the Delaware G BCA’s co-presentation on Refabricating Architecture, 2030 and Beyond

SAFETY 50 U nderstanding Function and Design How the specific functions of tools and equipment impact site safety

31 Celebrating Success Spotlight on Jessica Zmuida 32 Technology Makes Us So Much Better…

Wait, What?

The impact of technology on the modern construction industry

38 So You Think You Can CM Making the transition from the classroom to the field

40 Like a Thief in the Night T he role of scaffolding in the renovations of Philadelphia landmarks

46 FMC Tower: Concrete Stacked on Steel D eveloping structural system solutions for what is to be the city’s sixth tallest building

53 ACE Mentor in the News ACE’s involvement in American

IN EVERY ISSUE 12 Event Photos A snapshot of the CLC Hard Hat

Tour, Carpenter’s Company Open House, Holiday Party, and Eagles Tailgate

31 Welcome, New Members!

55 Referral Directory

Graduate Day

46

ISSUE 1 | 2016 7

CONTRIBUTORS

Mike ARMENTO

Donald Ashton

Senior Vice President, Torcon

Director, Safety Services, GBCA

TINA GRADY Barbaccia AEC Editorial Specialist, Constructive Communication, Inc. on behalf of Madison Concrete

BRIAN CASH Estimator/Project Manager, Philadelphia D&M

Erik Highland

Angela Louro

TIFFANY MILLNER

Marketing Director, Superior Scaffolding

Director, Education & Professional Development, GBCA

ACE Eastern PA Affiliate Director

Robert Penney

Joshua C. Quinter

Carrie Rathmann

Lauren Tosti

Project Engineer, DPR Skanska

Principal, Kaplin Stewart

Director of Strategic Partnerships, Habitat for Humanity

Director, Marketing & Communications, GBCA

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Would you like to be a contributor to the next issue of Construction Today?

Contact Lauren Tosti at ltosti@gbca.com or 215-568-7015

The right materials.

Right to the site.

Only one supply company operates the largest, most diverse trucking fleet for consistent on-time delivery, pin-point loading and helping projects stay on budget and on schedule. That’s why the area’s largest distributor of building materials for commercial and multi-family construction is George F. Kempf Supply.

CONVENIENT LOCATIONS Philadelphia 5200 Grays Avenue Philadelphia, PA

Wilmington 1101 East 7th Street Wilmington, DE

1-800-326-5367 www.kempfsupply.com

ISSUE 1 | 2016 9

CONTRACTOR’S

CORNER NAME Sean Healy

TITLE Vice President

AGE 43

COMPANY, CITY Healy Long & Jevin, Inc. Wilmington, DE

YEARS IN FIELD 20

EDUCATION Bachelors Degree, Finance, University of South Carolina

BIRTHPLACE Wilmington, DE

CITY OF RESIDENCE Wilmington, DE

FAMILY Wife Shannon, 4 Kids, Jack (12), Scarlett (10), Jett (7), Colt (3)

FIRST JOB Wister Heberton Lumber Company (Rittenhouse & Paulaski)

What is your business motto?

“DO IT IN CONCRETE! ”

When did you first become interested in your career path?

At a young age at Sunday dinners at my Grandfathers house I remember listening in on funny stories and job challenges my family had in the business. I loved to see the projects they built and was proud of what they did. I also read every Engineering News Record magazine from the age of 8 until I moved out!

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“ I have no ambition to be the biggest, just the best. This means that we hire and maintain the best workforce in the business and do what we say we will do.

”

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

The most rewarding part of my job is watching our people succeed and grow. I love when a younger employee takes on a challenge and succeeds.

What is the LEAST rewarding part of your job?

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in life?

Watch and listen to those older than you… they have been your age, you have not been theirs!

What is your biggest regret (professional or personal)?

The least rewarding is having to let people go for lack of work.

I regret not having served our country.

In my eyes, there is no greater honor. I never realized this until I was out of college.

What is your biggest daily challenge?

What award or honor are you most proud of?

Balancing business and family. I could work 24 hours a day.

How do you inspire your employees?

I would never ask anyone in our company to do something that I would not do or have not done. They know that I will jump in and help them on the job in a second if they needed it.

How do you keep your competitive edge in today’s market?

I try to look and plan far ahead and not day to day. I (we) also believe that quality sells and we will not take work unless we feel we can only deliver a quality product within schedule.

What goal are you currently striving to achieve?

I received the Jefferson Award for Community Service while serving on the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition’s Board.

Breast Cancer unfortunately touched our family and I am proud that I helped the organization reach a lot of goals.

What word or phrase best describes you?

Persistent.

What would be your first choice for a new career?

Hands down a Custom Boat Builder!

Favorite way to spend your free time?

Fishing with my kids.

Favorite vacation spot?

I have no ambition to be the biggest, just the best. This means that we hire and maintain the best workforce in the business and do what we say we will do.

Stone Harbor, NJ!

What projects are you currently working on?

Book that has inspired you most?

Sugarhouse Casino Expansion, Rowan University Freshman Dormitory Complex, Rodin Square Apartments, Wilmington Raceway Improvements, 500 Walnut Street and Kennedy Hospital Expansion.

Do you have a life motto?

If so, what is it?

If something is worth doing, then it’s worth overdoing!

Favorite sports team?

University of South Carolina GAMECOCKS!

“Lone Survivor”

Favorite movie or TV Show?

There’s a new show on Starz called Black Sails. I am counting the days for the new season to start!

Favorite restaurant?

Diving Horse in Avalon, NJ

What kind of car do you drive?

Suburban! What else can I drive with four kids!

ISSUE 1 | 2016 11

CLC Hard Hat Tour On October 28, 2015, GBCA’s Construction Leadership Council teamed up with the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), Philadelphia Chapter, and offered a hard hat tour of the FMC Tower, which broke ground in June 2014.

A Turner Construction Company project, the FMC Tower stands as Philadelphia’s first true “Vertical Neighborhood.” The final phase of Brandywine Realty Trust’s transformative 2.7 million square foot Cira Centre South development, FMC Tower is a 49-story, 730-foot tall luxury mixed-use skyscraper that combines iconic architecture with the latest in advanced engineering and LEED - based sustainable design. FMC Tower is situated at the confluence of Philadelphia’s major thoroughfares and offers quick access to Amtrak’s 30th Street Station.

The tower contains 622,000 square feet of trophy office space. 10’ ceilings and efficient floor plates encourage collaborative, light-filled workspace concepts for today’s emerging businesses. Anchor tenants in the office portion of the tower include FMC Corporation and the UPENN. Following the tour, CLC and NAWIC members enjoyed a relaxing but productive happy hour at Zavino in University City.

Holiday Party GBCA hosted the Annual Holiday Party at a new location this year, next door at the Continental Midtown. GBCA members had the run of the entire second floor of the Continental, where signature drinks and hors d’oeuvres were served. The party was attended by over 100 members, and the room was certainly filled with the holiday spirit. Thanks to our members, GBCA was able to make a very generous toy donation to the Northern Children’s Services Holiday Toy Drive.

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Carpenter’s Company Open House When the Master Carpenters and Builders Company was established in Philadelphia in 1891, the construction industry would never be the same. The formation of the organization that would later become known as the General Building Contractors Association (GBCA) laid the foundation for industry collaboration, accountability and advancement that is stron¬ger than ever today. While the GBCA has a storied and successful 125-year history, its roots can be attributed to the organization that is now known as the Carpenter’s Company of Philadelphia.

On October 14, 2015, GBCA and the Carpenter’s Company opened the doors of Carpenter’s Hall to welcome their members to a networking open house. Even Ben Franklin decided to stop by!

Eagles Tailgate On October 19, 2015, GBCA’s Construction Leadership Council hosted a tailgate party at McFadden’s at the Ballpark for the Philadelphia Eagles v. New York Giants game. The tailgate took place from 4:00 – 8:00 pm, and despite the cold weather attendees enjoyed mingling with their peers, feasting on the tailgate-style buffet and open bar, and jamming to the live music.

Go to www.gbca.com/events for the latest 2016 events!

ISSUE 1 | 2016 13

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New Constructs:

Meet the Director of Drexel University’s Construction Management Program A GBCA partnership with Drexel University offers employees of GBCA member companies the opportunity to earn a degree online at a significant tuition savings.

Introducing GBCA’s New Partnership with Drexel University Online Christine Fiori is home.

And the new program director and clinical professor for the Drexel University College of Engineering’s Construction Management program is certainly happy to be there.

After spending nine years at Virginia Tech, where she most recently served as associate director of the Myers-Lawson School of Construction, Dr. Christine Fiori followed life’s unpredictable path back to Drexel this fall.

Fiori, who received her B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in civil engineering from Drexel’s College of Engineering, didn’t envision herself coming back to her alma mater nearly two decades after she left.

“I never even saw myself in academia,” said Fiori, who served in the Air Force and spent time stationed in California and Colorado following graduation. “I had a mentor who told me that I belonged in teaching. He

convinced me to apply for a position at Arizona State University.’”

Fiori got the job and taught at ASU until coming back to the east coast to join the Myers-Lawson School of Construction faculty in 2007.

Back Again But Fiori, a New Jersey native, missed her family and started seeking an opportunity to move back home to be near her aging parents.

Coincidentally, another dragon was looking to go back home. Fiori’s predecessor at Drexel was looking for an opportunity to return to Virginia Tech, leaving a vacancy at just the right time.

“When I heard about this opportunity with construction management, I thought ‘this is absolutely perfect,’” she said.

Jumping In When she started her new position on September 1 of this year, Fiori was greeted with familiar faces—many faculty members who guided her through her own education are still at the College of Engineering— and an impending accreditation visit.

“Getting through the accreditation visit was fun in a weird way because you get a really good sense of how your curriculum is set up.

It was a blessing in disguise because I didn’t have a choice. I had to learn,” she said.

With the visit complete, Fiori can turn her head to the future.

“I see a couple of the initiatives that we’re working on really distinguishing Drexel from other programs,” she says, referencing potential plans to make the undergraduate program increasingly digital, refresh the master’s program and create modules for ISSUE 1 | 2016 15

specific industries. “The scope of this is so broad that it will put us on the map.”

invested in her students’ achievements and tribulations.

Fiori cites both Drexel’s campus in Philadelphia—a city with robust roots in the construction field—and its sophisticated online programs as factors that make Drexel’s Construction Management program unique.

Former students regularly reach out to share news of their successes and to extend a sometimes belated or unexpected thank you.

“What will differentiate us from other programs are the options, online and oncampus,” said Fiori. “Our online courses will be Discovery Channel quality. People will be blown away.”

Perhaps the key advantage lies in the stellar level of instruction.

“All of our faculty members have owned firms and they’re here because they want to bring their experience to students. They’re non-traditional academics, but they know how to teach.”

“I think that’s what I love about academia and engaging students. It’s moments like these when I realize this is where I want to be.”

About the Program Drexel University’s Construction Management program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the industry, allowing them to explore necessary technical aspects in addition to management and leadership skills.

Student Pride

The program has been growing and developing with the industry since its inception in the early 1970’s. Neither the industry nor the program shows any signs of slowing down, according to Fiori.

While coercion brought her to academia, it’s the seemingly little moments that kept her here. Fiori still teaches and is thoroughly

“It is expanding so rapidly,” she says of the construction industry. “It’s an international industry that is booming and growing. There

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are a lot of career opportunities.”

The program is supported by a very proactive industry advisory council (CMAC) comprised of professionals from top national and regional firms.

New Partnership In January, Drexel launches a new partnership with the General Building Contractors Association to provide employees of GBCA member companies the opportunity to earn a degree online at a significant tuition savings.

Through this partnership, employees of GBCA member companies have access to a 10% tuition savings for the online MS in Construction Management, and may also be eligible to recieve up to $4,000 in tuition reimbursement from GBCA. All partnership benefits are also extended to GBCA member companies’ employees immediate family members. To learn more about this exciting new partnership, visit www.online.drexel.edu/gbca. n

GBCA AND DREXEL UNIVERSITY ARE INVESTING IN YOUR FUTURE

Through an exclusive partnership, employees of GBCA member companies are eligible for a 10% tuition savings on Drexel’s online MS in Construction Management program, and many other exclusive partnership benefits with Drexel University Online.*

PARTN ERSH I P BEN EFITS IN CLU D E: 10-40% new student partner tuition savings on online degrees and certificates for you and your immediate family

Additional benefits for military servicemembers, veterans and their immediate family

Dedicated support from enrollment to graduation

Apply online with no cost, deferred billing options available

GET STARTED TO DAY

ONLINE.DREXEL.EDU/GBCA *GBCA-sponsored education courses are available to employees of the Active and Associate member companies, as well as companies that contribute to the GBCA-administered Industry Advancement Program (IAP). The GBCA education program is intended to provide continuing education opportunities for industry personnel. As of August 1, 2015, employees of Active and Associate members and IAP contributing companies are eligible for reimbursement up to $2,000.00 per pupil, per semester for any of the approved sponsored courses. The maximum tuition reimbursement for each student is $4,000.00 per calendar year. Limited space is available at each institution, and tuition reimbursement is at the discretion of GBCA. ISSUE 1 | 2016 17

ReStore & Revolution Recovery: Revenue for Rebuilding

by Carrie Rathmann, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Habitat for Humanity

We’ve all heard the mantra “reduce, reuse, recycle”. But at Habitat for Humanity we build on that philosophy to create a revenue stream that helps to fund our work building, rehabbing, and repairing homes for low income homeowners. The ReStore is Habitat’s home improvement store at 2318 Washington Avenue, where surplus and gently used construction materials and home goods provide critical dollars for rebuilding communities. The building and retail industries are essential to this enterprise.

How? The ReStore accepts donations of new and gently used building materials, construction supplies, furniture, appliances and home accessories, and resells them to the public. With just a few days’ lead time, Habitat picks up materials and goods that companies discard. This saves companies the cost and hassle of managing disposal, earns charitable donation tax benefits, and keeps reusable items from entering the waste stream. Proceeds from the resale of items funds Habitat’s work building and repairing homes in Philadelphia, and companies can receive additional sponsorship visibility based on the value of their donation.

It’s a win for the donor, for Habitat, the families and communities we assist, and for the planet — just ask Revolution Recovery.

Habitat uses Revolution Recovery for waste management, and Revolution staff have volunteered on project sites. But we were delighted

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to receive a call from Revolution last spring asking if we would pick up some items from one of their job sites. Revolution was working on an extensive dorm cleanout for a local institution looking for a responsible way to handle their turnover process. Revolution was tasked with planning to connect items to local organizations and recycling what remained. Thanks to a single call, ReStore staff were able to come to the site and pick up 265 chairs the institution wanted to discard, freeing up Revolution’s staff to focus on other elements of the process and providing a tax incentive for the company.

Fast forward a few weeks to the ReStore’s grand opening when those same dorm chairs hit the sales floor — and the news, and social media. The chairs were Diamond Chairs designed by Harry Bertoia for Knoll — and they still retail for hundreds of dollars. Publicity from the donation brought in scores of shoppers (design-conscious and otherwise) looking for a bargain on these true classics. Their sale generated thousands of dollars that Habitat will use to fund construction projects that stabilize communities. Fern Gookin, Revolution Recovery’s Director of Sustainability, was thrilled with the outcome.

“With our shared triple bottom lines of profit, people and planet, Habitat ReStore makes a perfect partner,” she said. “We are proud of the environmental impact of Revolution Recovery’s business model, and it’s an added bonus when we can help an organization like Habitat raise money to build more affordable housing. Also, ReStore staff makes it easy and they moved the items off site quickly.”

With dwindling resources available for construction of affordable homeownership units, the ReStore has become even more critical to Habitat’s operations. In addition to unused, reclaimed or salvaged materials from construction projects, ReStore also takes items from offices and private residences.

But there are many other ways for companies to get involved with Habitat’s mission to transform lives and rebuild neighborhoods. Habitat welcomes corporate volunteers (especially from the building trades) on both new construction and repair projects. Habitat also has an exciting tax credit opportunity for corporate supporters. And with a strong locally and nationally trusted brand (Habitat for Humanity was named 2015 Social Service Brand of the Year by Harris Interactive) we offer multiple highly-visible sponsorship opportunities.

The ReStore is located at 2318 Washington Avenue, and can be reached at 215-739-9300. The store is open for donation drop-off and shopping Wednesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on the ReStore, visit habitatphiladelphia.org/ donate-restore.

If you or your company are interested in getting involved you can contact Carrie Rathmann, Director of Strategic Partnerships, at 215-765-6000 x28 or carrier@habitatphiladelphia.org. For more information, please visit Habitat’s website at habitatphiladelphia.org. n

ISSUE 1 | 2016 19

18th annual

CELEBRATING

EXCELLENCE

Explore the winning projects of the 18th Annual Construction Excellence Awards

by Lauren Tosti, Director, Marketing & Communications, GBCA Every day, General Building Contractors Association (GBCA) members set the standard for building excellence across the region. On November 5, 2015, at an awards ceremony at the Hyatt at the Bellevue in Philadelphia, GBCA honored our members who are taking the craft to the next level. The 18th Annual Construction Excellence Awards celebrated the contractors, architects, and owners of 12 exceptional projects and initiatives.

“From towering retail spaces to intimate historic restorations, the winning projects represent the truly impressive work our members produce every day in the Philadelphia region,” said Ben J. Connors, Esq., president, GBCA. “We’re proud to recognize these outstanding projects, as well as the myriad of other exciting jobs underway across the region that are supporting the growth and revitalization of so many different areas.”

Since 1998, the Construction Excellence Awards has been the premier construction awards program recognizing quality workmanship by GBCA members, as well as members who have demonstrated excellence in safety, technological advancement, and professional development.

Winners were determined by a panel of esteemed judges, who reviewed each nomination for workmanship details, innovative elements, and special techniques or materials.

20 CONSTRUCTION TODAY

Read on to learn more about the winning projects. .

Best Commercial Project Over $10 Million 1430 Walnut Street Retail Development, Philadelphia Contractor: Clemens Construction Company, Inc. Architect: Bohlin Cywinski Jackson Owner: Midwood Investment and Development This three-story retail space, currently home to The Cheesecake Factory and Verizon Wireless, features a sleek all-glass exterior. The highly distinctive façade is a truss-stiffened unitized curtain wall, and this building marks its first-ever use in the nation. A portion of the roof is also unique to the city of Philadelphia. It features intentional slopes, elevations, and drain controls to limit the amount of surge on the city’s aging storm water mains.

Best Commercial Project Under $10 Million Philadelphia International Airport – Terminal F, Philadelphia Contractor: Healy Long & Jevin, Inc. Architect: The Sheward Partnership Owner: Philadelphia International Airport The Terminal F expansion project took place in the heart of the city’s bustling airport without disruption to ongoing operations.

Because of the marshy site location, the team made special accommodations to support and develop the foundation. That process involved using more than 250 tons of reinforcing steel and employing a unique concrete placement technique.

Best Industrial/Institutional Project Over $10 Million Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) Care Network Specialty Center in Princeton, Plainsboro, N.J. Contractor: LF Driscoll Company Architect: Stantec Owner: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia The Specialty Center, a 25,000-square-foot outpatient facility adjacent to the University Medical Center of Princeton in Plainsboro, was built to expand CHOP’s services to families in central New Jersey.

Efforts were made to keep the building structure and design consistent with other facilities. For example, an exterior glass façade mirrors the glass curtain wall at CHOP’s main campus in Philadelphia. The facility also features design elements intended to create a fun and comforting atmosphere for families, such as bright, whimsical colors and interactive built-ins for children. Yet the walls were constructed to be more than welcoming — they are also safe for patients with compromised immune systems, as the wall cavities’ interiors were cleaned and disinfected prior to being sealed with drywall.

ISSUE 1 | 2016 21

Best Industrial/Institutional Project UNDER $10 Million Pocono Medical Center – West End Healthcare Center, Brodheadsville, PA Contractor: E.P. Guidi, Inc. Architect: Burkavage Design Associates Owner: Pocono Medical Center The medical center’s 30,000-square-foot expansion includes an urgent care facility and dedicated spaces for vision, rehabilitation, and medical offices. The team handled the construction of required special utilities, including an on-site septic system and a fire suppression system that uses underground storage tanks to feed the fire pump with well water. Earth tone interior finishes, attractive lighting fixtures, and a variety of complementary flooring options create a contemporary yet welcoming environment for patients and staff.

Best Specialty Contractor Project Penn State Consortium for Building Energy Innovation, Philadelphia Contractor: Torrado Construction Company, Inc. Architect: Kieran Timberlake Owner: Penn State University The Consortium for Building Energy Innovation, formerly the Energy Efficient Buildings Hub, at Philadelphia’s Navy Yard is a research initiative funded by the Department of Energy and led

by Penn State University that seeks to reduce the energy usage of commercial buildings by 20 percent by 2020. To build a new headquarters for the Consortium, the team is a retrofitting a 1940s recreational facility. The project also entails constructing a new classroom building for the organization.

Best Design Build Project Dow Chemical Ascend Project, Collegeville, PA Contractor: Frank V. Radomski & Sons Architect: Arcus Design Group, Inc. & Precis Engineering, Inc. Owner: Dow Chemical This project entailed a massive renovation of 800,000 square feet of existing laboratory space and a major office relocation of 1,000 employees. Alongside quality workmanship and efficient project management, safety took center stage. The team carried out several special safety measures before and during the project: contractors submitted job-specific safety plans; all employees participated in formal safety training, including OSHA and other job-specific orientations and certifications; and each time a specific task would change, contractors completed Job Safety Analyses and reviewed them with Radomski & Sons or Dow Chemical.

22 CONSTRUCTION TODAY

Not actual project.

Best Historic Preservation Project Library Restoration at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, Philadelphia Contractor: Haverstick-Borthwick Company Architect: Hyman Myers, AIA, Preservation Consultants Owner: Springside Chestnut Hill Academy The historic Wissahickon Inn, now the site of Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, was constructed in 1884. When the Academy took over the Inn in the early 1900s, the Inn’s dining room became the Henry Library. More than a century later, the team restored the library to its former grandeur. This endeavor included cleaning and pointing the ornate decorative fireplace; repairing and installing woodwork; re-cementing leaded and stained glass windows; refinishing floors; and installing more historically accurate lighting fixtures. The entire restoration took place in just a few short months over the Academy’s summer break.

Best Adaptive Reuse Project Avenir on Fifteenth Apartments, 15th and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia Contractor: Clemens Construction Company, Inc. Architect: Harman Deutsch Architecture & Floss Barber, Inc. Owners: Alterra Group and Scully Company This former nationally registered historic landmark and mixeduse commercial office building was masterfully transformed into 180 luxury apartments. The team overcame several challenges working in an existing building, including an occupied tenant on the 10th floor during demolition, and ultimately constructed a modern interior design that marries beautifully with original elements of the historic building. Keeping the history of the property in mind, a new cast stone façade was created to mimic the original granite cladding that had been removed from the building in the 1950s.

Excellence in Craftsmanship Brown Brothers Harriman (BBH) Corporate Relocation, Philadelphia Contractor: C. Erickson & Sons, Inc. Architect: D2 Interiors, Inc. Owner: Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. Since 1927, BBH’s offices had been located at 15th and Walnut Streets in Philadelphia. When the firm decided to relocate to a new 21,000square-foot office at One Logan Square, the goal was to have an office that reflected their Philadelphia roots, while embracing an environment that promotes collaboration, creativity, and productivity.

The building team brought this vision to life with new open work spaces, flexible meeting areas, employee lounge and pantry areas, and bathroom renovations — all featuring high-end interior finishes and making good use of an abundance of natural light.

ISSUE 1 | 2016 23

SAFETY EXCELLENCE LF Driscoll Company LF Driscoll staffs nine full-time employees dedicated solely to safety management. Combined, the team boasts nearly 100 years of experience in the construction industry and 65 years of experience in the safety field. LF Driscoll is an active participant in the GBCA safety committee and its employees are recognized industry leaders in safety. The company conducts in-house safety training for everyone from executives to estimators, ensuring that all staff understand their roles in creating a safe work site. Safety pre-planning meetings to identify potential hazards, orientations, site-specific manuals, monthly audits, weekly inspections, and original “Toolbox Talks” all help promote the culture of “tough safety love” the company is proud to be known for.

RECOGNITION OF EXCELLENCE IN TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT Torcon, Inc. Torcon has implemented efficient and innovative building information modeling (BIM) department processes and initiatives. Through its proprietary digital information server, Torcon manages the flow of information and contractor model files. A coordinated BIM effort involves creating a collaborative model compiled from individual trade models. This allows the team to capitalize on efficiencies, eliminating conflicts and ensuring proper clearances for construction. Torcon also has extensive experience in technical facility construction and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 builders of research and development facilities by Engineering News-Record.

RECOGNITION OF EXCELLENCE IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Turner Construction Company

Turner’s free community-based program, Turner School of Construction Management, offers free sessions for minority and womenowned small businesses in Philadelphia and throughout the region.

The company also participates in educational programs including the ACE Mentor Program and George Washington Carver High School Career Day and internship program. Turner recognizes the value of providing career development opportunities for current employees through coaching, training, and orientations. Through a Development Appraisal System, the company helps employees establish and reach individualized career goals.

24 CONSTRUCTION TODAY

Thank You TO Our JUDGES GBCA thanks the following individuals for dedicating their time and expertise to judge the 18th Annual Construction Excellence Awards: Ramla Benaissa, PhD, AIA, LEED AP principal, Ramla Benaissa Architects Daniel Garofalo environmental sustainability director, University of Pennsylvania Mike Izzo, Assoc., AIA director of marketing, JKRP Architects Piljo Yae NAWIC Philadelphia Chapter 145 President 2015-2016, and superintendent, Barr & Barr

Thank You TO Our Sponsors A special thanks to our sponsors of the 18th Annual Construction Excellence Awards: PLATINUM Concrete Contractors Association Turner Construction Company GOLD Chesco Coring & Cutting Clemens Construction Company, Inc. Conner Strong & Buckelew E.P. Guidi, Inc. Vault Communications SILVER AIA Philadelphia Carr & Duff Electrical Construction Dilworth Paxson, LLP Frank V. Radomski & Sons, Inc. Haverstick-Borthwick Company Herman Goldner & Co., Inc. LF Driscoll Company O’Donnell & Naccarato, Inc. Skanska Susanin, Widman & Brennan, PC T. N. Ward Company Torcon, Inc. BRONZE Allied Construction Dimitri J. Ververelli HSC Builders & Construction Managers Rosenberg & Parker PATRON Construction Risk Partners Excel Document Solutions, Inc. Graboyes Commercial Window J&G Acoustical ISSUE 1 | 2016 25

26 CONSTRUCTION TODAY

The Future of Construction...

is NOW

by Brian Cash, Estimator/Project Manager, Philadelphia D&M Construction in Philadelphia is experiencing dramatic change in the means and methods of how we do business. Electronic technology and interdisciplinary practices provide predictability through these fast paced and ever-changing times. The not-sodistant future holds even more excitement as our industry absorbs and utilizes the newest technology at an exponentially fast rate.

No longer do we solely rely on “this is how we did it on the last job” and “we’ve been doing it this way for decades” to execute decisions and perform work. Technology and intellectual breakthroughs have finally allowed the labor force and management the ability to truly utilize innovative designs, products, and tools, through collaborative thought.

The turn of the millennia introduced newer and faster tools and materials. Estimators were introduced to innovative software programs that created comprehensive and interactive bids. Manual estimating through spreadsheet programs, takeoff tapes, and possibly even paper napkins were immediately dropped into the dustbin of history. Likewise, tradesmen saw increased productions and less physical strain through the introduction of lightweight lithium ion battery-powered tools. Productions were also gained through lighter materials such as Ultra-lite gypsum board, which is 30% lighter than standard drywall. Higher productions were realized solely based upon less worker fatigue; it proved the direct relationship of more physical energy results in more work-inplace. Ultimately these increases in productions allowed for more competitive pricing at bid time.

Back to school…

This new decade though has quickly ushered in something much different; formal learning. For decades, means and methods of construction have remained essentially the same. Education of the tradesman and management was primarily experience based

and learned in the field. Formal teaching and learning was absent from this process and has only recently been championed as a necessity and prerequisite. Collegiate level graduates for management positions have been the status quo for over a decade now. Universities have recognized the desire for further learning and responded to this growing need by the introduction of construction and project management degrees specifically targeting our industry. Tradesmen have also undergone a learning transformation through continued formal training. Safety instruction through mandatory OSHA 30 classes and drug testing reduce the potential harm that is inherent in working at the jobsite.

Onsite manufacturer tutorials and informational sessions also promote knowledge of the latest products and tools. The dramatic increase in formal learning has unlocked intellectual talent from other industries. This new influx of talent will thrust our industry into the future of exponential growth and utilization of advanced technologies.

Our industry has slowly adopted and borrowed technology and tools from sister industries such as aerospace and computer programming. These “sister” industries were once “distant cousins”, but we’ve recently experienced a bumper crop of highly educated, critical thinking, and brazenly independent white and blue collar talent. Cross pollination of other industries has brought new experiences and new processes. Where a master’s degree in computer engineering or information management was slated for specific industries other than construction, this industry now desires these skills and knowledge. Cultivation of talent and continued education will be required to train free thinking and intellectually skilled individuals. Prerequisite academic degrees and certifications such as LEED, OSHA 30, and project/construction management programs become vital in maintaining a high level of quality human capital.

ISSUE 1 | 2016 27

New tools are the status quo; new thoughts are the future…

Prefabrication.

We are seeing old theories and trendy practices being refurbished and repurposed. Prefabrication was a fad in the 1970’s with strictly standardized cookie-cutter construction only befitting rigid and repetitive designs. When accompanied with customization though, prefabrication experiences its rebirth now. The Philadelphia subcontractor market utilizes this recycled construction theory. Carpenters are now privy to computer assisted tools for cutting and shaping gypsum board with CNC routers. Traditionally, soffits and light coves are manually stick-built onsite. A growing portion of drywall and framing is produced off-site in highly controlled assembly shops. This process occurs weeks before framing and sheathing is required in the job schedule and fully utilizes just-in-time deliveries. The drywall shapes are installed quicker and with more precision than traditional methods resulting in shortened job schedules and more satisfied clients.

Mechanical trades have been quicker to adopt prefabrication techniques in thanks to downward pressure from designers and product manufacturers. Building information modeling (BIM) provides mechanical designers the necessary information from architects’ and input from other trades to finalize fabrication drawings months before boots are on the ground. The majority of ductwork can be sized and built off-site concurrently with the onsite schedule, while maintaining flexibility if changes arise. An unintended consequence, though beneficial, is the higher control of waste. Increased scrutiny during material ordering with the use of nesting software shows us in seconds the efficiencies of material sizing. Resourceful and simple software programs perform these operations easily where if done manually would be a waste of opportunity cost for the procurement officer.

project. We will see more trades involved in the collaborative process as BIM becomes more than just a clash-detection system and fully develops into the master modeling tool, as was intended.

Bigger, better, stronger… and more collaborative.

Lean Construction Owners and General Contractors constantly strive to be more effective, more efficient, and more profitable. Typically, talented management and costly overhead is required to achieve these goals, which are sometimes impossible to execute, hence the disappointing results. Lean Construction is a new theory that attempts to achieve these goals while maintaining low levels of management and more collaboration from design and trade partners. Typically the architect provides his design and draws traditional ways of construction means and methods. As means and methods continue to become more atypical the architect has the sole responsibility of knowing the newest and best methods. This presents an inherent problem in the design process of any project regardless of size and scope. Lean construction aims at improving the collaborative approach to project design, layout, material use, continual value engineering, active and live budgeting with hard pricing, elimination of scope-gap, reduction in change orders, and ultimately and most importantly, ownership of design by the owner, architect, general contractor, trade partners, and suppliers. Essentially, Lean Construction promotes vertical integration of project responsibility. This process may seem similar to “design-build” though is much different. Design-build is mainly a team approach at the higher level, including owner, architect, and general contractor. Lean Construction attempts to fully involve all parties with intent of full responsibility of design, budget, and execution.

Lean Construction will become the status-quo as the complexity and quantity of systems becomes too great for a single knowledge center to control and maintain. Conventional arms-length relationships will flounder as technology exponentially grows and collaborative partnerships will flourish. Lean Construction’s new methodology bridges the vertical integration gap that currently exists and brings all stake holders together.

What the far future holds…

The future certainly holds amazing technological gifts for our industry such as augmented reality, robotic and drone assistance, and realtime design coordination between architects and contractors. A quick Google search of “augmented reality” will send your mind reeling on the applications in our industry.

Exciting as it may be to dream of huge technological advances for construction, the reality shows that the next decade holds teamwork and vertically integrated collaboration as pinnacle. The further development and adoption of BIM, prefabrication, and design/budget/ build assistance will prove essential. The immediate impact of these new processes will be more aggressive pricing, faster schedules, more accountability, safer worksites, and shifts in responsibilities and liabilities. Further maturation of our present will move us farther ahead to be better and wiser. n

BIM has been partially implemented in the Philadelphia market. A fuller adoption is inevitable with time, especially when the pressure for adoption comes from the grassroots subcontractors whose prefabrication systems depend on a BIM system. Structural, MEP, and environmental engineers are the typical round-table guests on a BIM

28 CONSTRUCTION TODAY

ISSUE 1 | 2016 29

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30 CONSTRUCTION TODAY

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in North Philadelphia where she has assisted with managing the completion of the Center for the Urban Child, a 30,000 sq. ft. facility that has allowed the hospital to accommodate up to 50 percent more patients. In addition, she is currently working on a new 135,000 sq. ft.

Pediatric Critical Care Tower and a state-of-the-art Operating Room within the hospital’s active campus. In the coming weeks, Jessica will have the opportunity to expand her knowledge and gain a new experience while undertaking a substantial and soon to be announced project at a local university.

Celebrating Success

Jessica Zmuida

by Mike Armento, Senior Vice President, Torcon Since its founding in the early 1970’s, Drexel University’s Construction Management program has grown rapidly to earn a leading reputation for fostering an academic environment that combines technical class room learning with abundant opportunities for real life experience on the jobsite, helping put students in a great position to contribute immediately upon graduating. As the Senior Vice President of Torcon, one of the region’s most active construction management firms, I can personally attest to the quality of a Drexel education through my firsthand experience working with talented individuals from the Construction Management program. Most recently, Torcon has had the pleasure of witnessing the professional growth of a promising Drexel student, Jessica Zmuida.

After five years of working for an electrical subcontractor and developing a fascination with the construction process, Jessica made the decision to further her education by enrolling as a part-time student in Drexel’s Construction Management program. Shortly thereafter, Jessica’s work ethic and ability to learn quickly caught the attention of one of her professors, Dr. Charles Cook, who introduced her to Torcon. Our team instantly enjoyed her persevering spirit and energy as she made an immediate impact on the projects we assigned her.

Drexel University’s Construction Management program has already given Jessica a complementary balance of academic knowledge and practical experience, which truly makes a world of a difference in an employee. Jessica humbly attributes her current success to the educational and professional networks she has formed during her enrollment. Upon her graduation in fall of 2016, the Torcon team is confident that Jessica will continue to grow and we all look forward to working with her as she embarks on what certainly will be a very promising career. n

Welcome new MEMBERS! Skanska USA Building, Inc. Smith Flooring, Inc. Cameron & Associates Hagen Construction, LLC American Global of Pennsylvania American institute of Steel Construction (AISC) Britton Industries PDV Wireless WIPFLi CPA’s and Consultants LLP

During her time at Torcon, Jessica has advanced from an administrative assistant to an assistant superintendent and is currently on the career path to become a superintendent. Always staying very busy, while attending classes at night, Jessica has been working full-time on a $110 million expansion project at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children ISSUE 1 | 2016 31

Technology Makes Us So Much Better Wait, What?

by Joshua C. Quinter, Principal, Kaplin Stewart The impact of technology on the modern construction industry is undeniable. From hardware developments like the smart phone and tablets to software advances like Building Information Modeling and electronic billing systems, the use of new technologies is growing exponentially in construction. As a result, field personnel are safer than they have ever been, workers have more hands on and useful data to use in their day to day jobs, and processing project documents is easier and more efficient than at any time in history. These are all wonderful and welcome changes.

Like most things in life, however, technology brings with it some traps for the unsuspecting. Importantly, technology is like any

32 CONSTRUCTION TODAY

other tool people use in building a project: it is only as good as the person using it and the data put into the system. For this reason, construction companies should give serious consideration to which technologies will work best for the company, as well as the benefits and risks that come with choosing a specific technology.

Some of those risks are not so obvious.

Technology Tracks Your Every Move As an attorney, I have become more familiar with terms like metadata, RAM, and native files than I thought would ever be necessary.

These terms reference little pieces of information on your computer,

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KRANDO METAL PRODUCTS, INC.

is a family owned and operated company established in 1987.

We have effectively developed a reputation by continuously providing high quality parts in a timely manner.

This reputation has helped Krando Metal differentiate ourselves from other companies in our industry. Krando Metal is constantly updating its facility with state-of-the-art machinery, so day technological capabilities provide Krando Metal with a competitive advantage.

Krando Metal focuses on custom fabrication of railings, Put it this way, if you can design it... we can build it!

Services Offered: ~ Detailed Shop Drawings ~ Powdercoating ~ Finishing ~ Choice of Laser, Waterjet or Plasma Cutting Phone: 610.543.4311

Custom Fabrication: ~ Stainless Steel ~ Aluminum ~ Mild Steel ~ Glass

Website: www.krando.com

ISSUE 1 | 2016 33

tablet, or smart phone that leave markers almost every time something is done on the machine. In short, everything you do using technology creates a record that can be scoured by lawyers in the event of a dispute. The general rule that one should not write anything that would make the writer uncomfortable if it was printed on the front page of the New York Times above the fold is more true now than ever; because you may delete that nasty letter filled with less than flattering language when you originally wrote it, but that earlier version can later be found and leave nothing to the imagination.

In addition to those little markers left in an operating system when something is done, the presence of cell phones and tablets on job sites means that things can readily be recorded in an instant. While no one advocates violating safety rules, mistakes do happen. A one-time harmless error in judgment by an experienced employee can be captured on video and made to look like something it was not. For this reason, construction companies have to be even more diligent about ensuring safety rules and other site related protocols are followed. This can obviously impact efficiency, time, and cost.

Compatibility Problems There are a multitude of technologies available in the market now. The variety and quality of these products provides construction companies with a number of alternatives. Having choices is certainly a good thing, but it also brings with it potential compatibility issues that can be difficult to solve. Most software platforms are expensive and require a significant investment in company infrastructure to both get them running and keep them up to date.

So what happens when the general contractor has a software system that won’t effectively interface with one or more of the systems being used by its subcontractors?

In a best case scenario, the companies simply lose the benefits in efficiency and cost connected with using the systems by relying on their own programs and then sharing information with other companies the “old fashioned way”. In a much bleaker situation, significant time and effort is necessary to get the systems to sync and allow the parties to use their respective technologies as intended. Some of this can be handled by setting out certain requirements in the contract documents as it pertains to technology; but this may also eliminate contractors or subcontractors from the potential bid pool because they are unable to comply in an economical way or at all. This should be evaluated when choosing a technology and bidding a job.

It May Not Help Efficiency As Much As You Think Mobile technology can make employees more efficient by providing them more mobility and flexibility. They don’t guarantee this though. In the hands of the wrong employee, this technology can also be a distraction that prevents work from getting done or, even worse, results in workers being unsafe. A laborer carrying a cell phone and not paying attention could be injured. If that worker is carrying a company phone and texting a supervisor because he or she believes an instant response is necessary, the company may be facing a claim for damages relating to that injury. These technologies can also provide an opportunity for employees to be

34 CONSTRUCTION TODAY

browsing Facebook or playing games when they should be working.

This, of course, hurts productivity and hits the bottom line.

The other efficiency issue that comes up is system failure. The use of technology has provided great benefits in terms of integration of project designs, teams, and projects. Data is shared more quickly, decisions are then made without formal project meetings or long deliberation periods while the facts are gathered, and those decisions can be conveyed to workers almost instantaneously. When all or a portion of that system fails to function because of things like a power outage or bad data input, however, it can bring the entire integrated system to a halt and stop a project in its tracks.

This creates delays in the work, the potential for mistakes, and ultimately an unhappy customer.

What You Should Do Navy SEAL teams have a mantra which, roughly summed up, says plan diligently and then prepare to pivot. It’s good advice in this context too. Study technology before you make any significant purchases. Make sure that technology works for your company and understand what your customers, subcontractors, and suppliers use to make sure what you elect to put in place will integrate with those platforms. Consider preparing and including language in your contract documents to address technology related issues on a project wide basis where it can be made to work. Finally, develop a company policy on technology, review it regularly, and enforce it uniformly. Once all of this is in place, prepare to pivot when it becomes necessary to meet the demands of the increasingly fluid and fast paced environment technology has created in construction. Those who are able to adapt the quickest will see great benefits.

Technology is a wonderful and welcome thing, but don’t be caught in one of the traps you didn’t see coming because you weren’t prepared. n

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856.582.4060 PH 856.256.8317 FAX ISSUE 1 | 2016 35

EDUCATION

UPDATE

by Angela Louro, Director, Education & Professional Development, GBCA GBCA kicked off this fall with a busy event season. In total, our five education events serviced over 275 guests. In September Dale Carnegie joined us for Leading Strong Teams, a program designed around capitalizing on team strengths, working with diverse styles, and creating a competitive spirit that builds cooperation. Our excellent turn out reflected all professional career levels and spanned across many job titles.

October’s education event was hosted at and taught by the folks at CBIZ, MHM LLC. Accounting for Non-Accountants spent three consecutive Tuesday nights with focus on things like job costing, surety, financial reporting, cash management, and more. A certificate of completion was awarded to folks who completed all three courses in the series.

At the end of October the AIA/GBCA Joint Committee partnered with Design on the Delaware to present Refabricating Architecture: 2030 & Beyond. A keynote was given by James Timberlake, FAIA, LEED AP BD +C, partner, KieranTimberlake, who was later joined by Emily Bittenbender, managing partner, Bittenbender Construction; Doug Carney, senior vice president for facilities, real estate and capital program, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; and John Fry, president, Drexel University. All four shared their expertise on what construction and architecture will look like in the year 2030 and beyond, as well as how partners in the process will embrace the ever evolving visions of collaboration, involvement, and sustainability. The program was wildly successful and we thank our relationship with AIA Philadelphia for the partnership.

Our mid-November event, Understanding Constructors, was presented by Charles Cook of R.S. Cook & Associates and Drexel University, and Michael Youngblut of M&T Insurance Agency, Inc.. The program, was created to help non-construction minded professionals working in our industry understand the terms, acronyms, and the construction process.

Our second and final technology lunch and learn was held in December at NextFab Studio. 3D Printing is a technology sure to affect our industry, and the goal with this program was to introduce folks to the technology and also demonstrate its uses. We look forward to continuing to focus on new technologies in 2016 and we hope to bring some new and exciting lunch and learn programs to the membership!

If you have thoughts, ideas, or needs for educational programming for your organization, please do not hesitate to contact Angela Louro, Manager of Education and Professional Development at alouro@gbca.com or 215-568-7015. n 36 CONSTRUCTION TODAY

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in construction

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ISSUE 1 | 2016 37

Hit the Ground Running You’ve made it out of school and you are ready to take the construction industry by storm! You have a wealth of knowledge and a plethora of skills that you have spent the past 4-5 years cultivating. Now you may find yourself sitting down at your first day on the job thinking “Well, where do I start!?” That is where I come in.

CM SO YOU THInK YOU CAN

By Robert Penney, Project Engineer, DPR Skanska CMGT Alumnus 2011

I am a graduate of the Drexel University Construction Management Program, with 7 years in the construction industry. I have had the opportunity to work within several sectors of the industry from small team high tech data centers to large team high end billion dollar facilities. It is my intention to start a running column, so to speak, in order to relay the finer points of the business that you don’t learn in the classroom. The importance of running efficient meetings; managing daily e-mail counts well into the triple digits; and how to structure a team-environment to set the project up for success are only a few of many skills that can allow you to rise above the rest.

It is my hope that I am able to share a bit of my experiences in the trenches of the field to help you excel from day one.

The first installment will be a simple process which may seem very elementary to many, but I promise you it is invaluable for success.

Success in the industry can be achieved by

38 CONSTRUCTION TODAY

doing the simplest tasks perfectly. My advice to you is to ask yourself three specific questions: What? Why? Who?

the situation clearly and concisely. A loose concept on what the issue at hand is will only lead to a lengthy and vague document.

The Three W’s will be the key to success within the first months and years of your career until they become a habit that you perform unconsciously. When you pull that chair out on your first day of work, asking these three questions for any task will allow you to apply all of your knowledge and execute masterfully.

The last and final step is “Who”. You now know what it is you have been asked to do.

You also know why you are doing it. The last and final step is to understand whom the task is intended. If you are marking up an RFI on a drawing set, knowing that the Superintendent will be looking there for the information will affect the important information you include. When you know who at the design team you are addressing an RFI to, you will be able to tailor how the question is asked and influence how it is answered.

What? Identifying what it is that you are about to do is the first step for success. Is it an RFI, submittal, change order, or a contract that you have been tasked to do? Making the task you are about to embark on clear to yourself will allow you to execute it to the best of your ability. Having an unclear vision on what you are working on will only lead to second guessing, confusion, and ultimately stress. Nobody’s got time for that.

Why? After you have made it clear on what task you are tackling, why is the next question to ask yourself? Knowing the reason why a change order is being written; why the RFI needs to be asked; or why a submittal needs approval will allow you to write and explain

Experienced

To wrap it up, let’s walk through a quick, on the fly task commonly thrown at you. The PM walks up to your desk and says, “We need a change order drafted and we need it five minutes ago!”. No problem.

1. W HAT is a change order? A change order is a document written for work that is added to or deleted from the original scope of work of a contract, which alters the original contract amount and/or completion date. Change orders are typical written to officially document the addition/removal

Innovative

of a scope of work into the contract.

2. WHY does this change order need to be written? For this example, we are going to say that embeds in cast-in-place concrete were added to the contract drawings in a design issuance from the architect. We need to add the furnishing of these embeds to the misc. metals subcontract and the layout/install to the concrete subcontract.

3. WHO is this change order being submitted to? The owner will be receiving this change order. The most effective way to convey the change to the owner is to show him the previous drawing without the embeds; the new drawing with the embeds; and the justified price from the subcontractors that you have double checked. It will be signed right away!

By simply walking through these three simple steps you will be able to conquer any task on any project. You just ask the questions and let the built in knowledge and experience you have gained from your studies answer them. The only questions that your Project Manager will be asking is “Who is this person and where did he/she come from!?” Drexel University, that’s where! n

Efficient

Not every contractor has a law firm on retainer.

For those times you wish you did, Spruce Law Group, LLC will offer legal services through a preferred arrangement exclusively to GBCA members beginning in January 2015.

ISSUE 1 | 2016 39

Look, let’s be honest here. We, in the scaffold industry, understand we don’t get the glamorous recognition that the other trades do.

Sure, we can win engineering awards for crafty and functional designs but once the scaffold comes down, what’s left? That’s right, that stunningly beautiful architectural thing of splendor - the building itself. It’s what makes people’s hearts swoon and heads spin even hundreds of years later. You’ll forever remember the structure but not the steel workers or masonry guys or painters or engineers or scaffolders who had to painstakingly rebuild and re-point and repaint that original edifice so you could ogle at it.

Like a thief in the night

by Erik Highland, Marketing Director, Superior Scaffolding

40 CONSTRUCTION TODAY

Amtrak 30th Street Station

But what do all of these trades have in common? Yep, scaffolding.

Because they all had to get “up air”, as they say in Philly. And at Superior Scaffold, we get them there. We really are the John Stockton (15,806 ast) of the construction industry, assisting everyone but not getting any of the credit. And when the job is done we slip back into

the woodwork only to be brought out again for a very functional workplace necessity. Don’t get me wrong, there is something inherently beautiful about a well executed scaffolding job — something symmetrically enthralling like it’s part of the universal matrix.

On most modern jobs we use a push/pull tie in to the building or what they call a drop in anchor. It’s a clamp that goes into the masonry or mortar that then gets attached to a spreader and then to the scaffolding to pull it in to the building (essentially holding it in place).

This is great if you are going to replace or cover the spots where the anchor holes leave behind.

But with historic jobs we might only be able to anchor to certain points on the structure like a mortar joint. You don’t want to damage 100 year old stones or mortar that can’t be replaced. But more times than not we are unable to tie the scaffold to the masonry. So what do we do then? This is where you probably haven’t even given it a second thought – but we have. We work with our architect and look for alternatives that will give our scaffold the stability we need while not jeopardizing the structure.

Independence Hall

But realistically, if we’ve done our job correctly, especially with an historic building then you will never know we were there. They, in particular, call for a cat burglar’s skill to never really be noticed but to get the job done. It really does take skill to erect hundreds of thousands of pounds of steel and aluminum without leaving a trace. And that’s just what our guys are trained to do. We call them the “white glove” jobs and everyone from the engineer, the estimator, to the scaffolders knows not to leave a trace.

But how do you do that on these buildings, some of which are 200 years old? More goes into that woven tapestry of steel and aluminum than you will ever know. We treat historic buildings much differently.

Yes, there are certain rules and regulations on some jobs that dictate how we handle the scaffold, approach the grounds, erect and dismantle, but mainly it’s just that most of these structures are old and very delicate and the utmost care needs to be taken to keep them in their original condition. Each job is different and has its own unique set of challenges. On some jobs we have to work with the Preservation Alliance, National Parks Service and even Universities who may dictate the rules for erecting scaffolding.

Smith Memorial Playhouse

Push ties are a popular alternative to pull ties. Instead of actually anchoring to the building they are points on the scaffold that jut out and essentially push into the structure using foam or wood for stability and protection.

(For this article we are going to talk about the exteriors — we have done many interiors as well) Let’s take a look at what’s different when we approach working on an historic building. Probably the biggest difference is how we support the scaffold around the building. The scaffolding material is basically the same but because of the condition of these historic buildings we can’t tie into them like we could a modern structure.

And that’s where the Preservation Alliance or historical society will dictate the rules for the job.

As you can see from the photos the scaffolding basically leans into the building with a piece of foam, wood, cribbing, or dunnage that acts like a cushion or footie or big toe (if you like) to protect the stone work, tile, or masonry. Then we brace it diagonally for stability.

The engineers make sure everything meets OSHA standards and can withstand the loads and elements put upon it.

Princeton University ISSUE 1 | 2016 41

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42 CONSTRUCTION TODAY

Winter/Spring 2013 31

Here you can see where we will use extra protection on a roof top with foam then wood, and then more foam on the bottoms of the footers for added security, especially when weight has to be supported on the structure itself.

If the architect says no ties at all then it’s back to the drawing board and how to get creative. It’s an interesting dance we play with the Historical Societies or Parks Department who own and regulate the buildings we work on. For us, the contractors (be it Brown Hall at masonry, painting, renovation, etc) are told Princeton University by the (EOR) engineer of record what to use and what not to use — also what brick, what mortar, what mixtures, etc to get it right. The engineer makes the call and then the GC passes that information down the line and onto us and we design accordingly working with each agency.

Another creative solution is to use a window to tie in to. How you ask? Well, we put a post shore in an open window with jacks on the top and bottom and basically create a vertical support beam for our scaffolders to tie on to. We run tube and clamp out to a spreader and then to the scaffolding to draw it tight to the building. The down side is that the window has to have protection added from the elements but sometimes it’s the only way it can be done.

Here’s an example where we used the existing post shores to tie into.

They were shoring up the opening at the front of the Philadelphia Clef Club and we need a place to attach the scaffolding. Our engineers met with the EOR and they did the calculations for the height and weight and came up with a creative way to solve the problem.

Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts

Independence Hall

And again, our scaffolding is very attractive but in the end it’s the final result that you see and remember everyday — the building itself.

They did a great job renovating the exterior of this building.

Take the work we did at Independence Hall. Not only could we not tie into the building but we had to erect the scaffolding in such a way as not to disturb the 200 year old delicate urns that sat on the outside of the building up on the 7th floor. That meant that our engineer had to literally stop one giant building block type scaffolding project and skip an entire floor while then putting 3 more floors of scaffolding on top of that – all while NOT tying into the building, quite a challenge.

But you can see from the photos that the urns were left untouched and the scaffold was erected according the guidelines set down from the National Parks Service. And in the end, what do you remember — the building itself, of course.

We have had to use a strap or cable around a building or steeple and attach a winch or come-along to tighten it up. It’s whatever the owner and/or historical society that governs the property requests.

Take a look at the guy wires we had to use to secure the Virgin Mary statue on top of Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in Camden, New Jersey after an earthquake. Not the traditional solution but it worked.

Princeton Firestone Library

So besides being extra careful on the grounds moving equipment in and out to the job sites, adding extra protection on the structures and our scaffold, delicately working while erecting and dismantling, and following any regulations by the Preservation Alliance, National Parks Service and even Universities these are just a few of the things we do when working with historic buildings.

Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center

So the next time you see a historic building encased in scaffolding, you will have a better idea of what was involved. Just know that if we did our job correctly the other trades will get all of the credit for how incredible the refurbished structure looks.

And then, just like that — we are gone… n ISSUE 1 | 2016 43

44 CONSTRUCTION TODAY

Design on the Delaware:

Refabricating Architecture, 2030 and Beyond

by Lauren Tosti, Director, Marketing & Communications, GBCA

On October 29, 2015, GBCA supported the Design on the Delaware conference and trade show by co-presenting Refabricating Architecture, 2030 and Beyond.

The program opened with James Timberlake, partner of the prominent architecture firm KieranTimberlake, who presented a provocative vision of change for architecture and construction in 2030, spanning topics from team dynamics and modeling practices to construction delivery methods. The talk was followed by a panel discussion with experts, including GBCA Chairman, Emily Bittenbender, who offered unique perspectives on current trends and much-needed change in the building industry.

What will architecture and construction practices look like in the year 2030 and beyond? How will owners embrace a continually evolving vision of collaboration, involvement, and sustainability while providing value to their investors?

The highly regarded book Refabricating Architecture, published by James Timberlake and Stephen Kieran in 2003, presented a compelling argument for moving architecture from a part-by-part, linear approach to an integrated process that brings together technology, materials, and production methods. The book described a not-so-distant future of collaborative, integrated interdisciplinary teams, multi-dimensional modeling with integrated systems, off-site construction, embedded sustainability, and efficient construction delivery techniques.

Now, more than ten years after its publication, James Timberlake discussed the ways in which the provocations in refabricating Architecture may and may not have come to fruition. He forecasted a vision of design and construction in 2030, touching on topics from team dynamics and modeling practices to construction delivery methods.

After his talk, Mr. Timberlake was joined by experts who offered unique perspectives on current trends and much-needed change in the building industry.

Panelists included Emily Bittenbender, founder and managing partner of Bittenbender Construction, representing the builder’s perspective, and President John Fry of Drexel University, representing the owner’s perspective. The discussion was moderated by Doug Carney, Senior Vice President for Facilities, Real Estate and Capital Program at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

The AIA/GBCA Joint Committee is proud to collaborate with both organizations making this annual event possible. To get involved with the AIA/GBCA Joint Committee, contact Angela Louro at alouro@gbca. com or 215-568-7015. n

ISSUE 1 | 2016 45

FMC Tower:

Concrete Stacked on Steel

by Tina Grady Barbaccia, AEC Editorial Specialist, Constructive Communication, Inc., on behalf of Madison Concrete

Rendering: Brandywine Realty Trust

With a challenging foundation and two separate structural systems, this unique sustainable building is a gem for the city of Philadelphia.

The FMC Tower, located at Cira Centre South in Philadelphia, Pa., is designed as a progressive urban campus and is the city’s first “true vertical” neighborhood, combining innovative design with LEED-based sustainable architecture and two separate structural systems.

To be the city’s sixth tallest building, this showcase project presents several construction challenges because of the separate structural systems and the foundation because its proximity to the Schuylkill River.

Madison Concrete Construction, a leading provider of concrete construction services in the Philadelphia, Pa. area for more than 40 years, handled the project’s foundation and has been able to successfully keep its work on the project on schedule, even with a tight deadline. Madison worked closely

46 CONSTRUCTION TODAY

with general contractor Turner Construction’s project management team to develop a schedule and devise a plan of attack that would help to honor Turner’s commitment to their client’s needs.

The foundation is composed of concrete caissons, embedded about 50 feet into the ground. Water infiltration during drilling was an issue during foundation construction because the project site is located close to the Schuylkill River so the groundwater table was higher than usual. Holes drilled for the caissons closer to the riverside eventually filled with water. To inspect the caisson holes, scuba diver certified geotechnical engineers were required to complete the job.

In addition to the foundation construction, Madison is also providing the concrete

slabs on the ground and slabs on the metal deck, concrete core construction using a hydraulic climbing system, and concrete frame construction for this unique and challenging project. “Through Madison’s use of the self-climbing formwork system, it was able to complete core construction multiple levels ahead of floor construction.” explains Rick Stone, Madison Concrete project executive and in-house engineer.

Madison completed the final pour and demobilization of the cast-in-place concrete core formwork in August 2015. In December 2015, Madison completed the 28th floor transfer level. Construction on the tower began in August 2014 and it is expected to be completed and ready for occupancy by mid-2016.

Tower use and amenities The FMC Tower is situated at the gateway to the University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University and the entire University City neighborhood. The tower includes 229,000 square feet earmarked for 268 luxury apartments and executive suites and 10,000 square feet of retail space. Office space will be used for 622,000 square-feet of the tower. The University of Pennsylvania also will use 100,000 square-feet of the space.

The tower is distinctive because it is composed of two separate structural systems.

It is essentially two buildings stacked on top of each other — a 22-story concrete framed residential apartment building constructed on top of a 28-story steel-frame office building.

This unique building with its separate structural systems posed design challenges.

During the design process, there were three options for the structural systems: steel office and steel residential, concrete office and concrete residential, and steel office and concrete residential. There were pros and cons to each module, but ultimately, the steel office with concrete residential option was chosen.

Choosing a structural system Steel residential over steel office option: The steel residential over steel office option would have been the quickest construction duration at 21.5 months until first occupancy, and would have been the lightest building and least expensive foundations with no transfer floor required. However, it would have been the most expensive choice.

“There also would have been an additional cost of hard ceiling and other finishes in the residential portion — about $1.5 million,” Stone says. The structural envelope of 36 inches in that option would have resulted in a floor-to-floor height of 12 feet, 8 inches or additional building height of 36 feet, relative to the cast-in-place option — estimated at $1.5 million for the curtainwall only.

“This doesn’t factor in lateral design costs,” Stone adds. “There were also inefficiencies in this system because a 30-foot grid was not efficient for a residential module. The 45-foot span at the sides of the core were also inefficient for residential.”

Concrete residential over concrete office: The concrete residential over concrete office

presented itself as an attractive option in terms of cost. “It was the least expensive option,” Stone says. The transfer floor could be done with cast in place. There was also the possibility of using post-tensioned concrete to reduce column sizes at the base of the building and flexibility in column locations.

“Although this was the most cost-effective option, this structural system had the longest schedule at 26 months so it wouldn’t meet tenant requirements,” Stone adds.

“The proposed 45-foot span at the sides of the core also were inefficient for castin-place post-tensioned options in both the office and residential floors. In addition, the spans were not conducive to a flat slab system because the bays are rectangular. This option also had the largest column sizes at 4.5 feet and the largest foundations.”

Concrete residential over steel office: This option came with its own set of pros and cons, but presented the best option from a structural and economic standpoint.

“The cost for concrete over steel was just 3 percent more than the lowest cost,” points out Madison Concrete Construction President Jim Dolente, Jr. “A complex transfer is required and there is uncertainty in cost related to simplicity of the transfer design.

There is also heavy built-up shapes at the base of the building. Despite the cons, the pros outweighed them making the concrete residential over steel office the best structural system choice.”

The 22-month schedule met the tenant requirements of 22.5 months, and is only one-half month longer than the quickest option. “The concrete over steel choice offered flexibility in column locations,” Dolente says. “Because residential areas only require smaller spans, they can have more columns due to their living uses whereas office spaces need larger areas. Using concrete also reduced the need for high load cranes to lift steel to the high floors.”

This option also made structural envelope under 12 inches, resulting in the shortest building. “No ceiling treatment was required at residential floors, and this is the most efficient system for each occupancy,” Dolente says.

Understanding the structural system The lower portion of the FMC tower is composed of office space. The structural system

Project at a glance Project Name: FMC Tower at Cira Centre Owner: Brandywine Realty Trust Project Location: 2930 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, Pa. Design Architect: BLT Architects General Contractor: Turner Construction Company Structural Engineer: Thornton Tomasetti MEP Engineer: BALA Consulting Engineers Contractor: Turner Construction Net Area: 830,000 sq. ft.

Height: 735 ft., 7 in. (49 stories-28 floors office, 22 floors residential and three mechanical/utility levels) Start Date: Summer 2014 Completion Date Estimate: mid-2016 Budget: $341 Million Total Steel: 5,000 tons Core Concrete: 15,000 cubic yards Total Concrete: 40,000 cubic yards Other team members: ReSteel Supply Company, Bayshore Rebar, Action Supply (concrete supply), Forming Concepts, Madison Concrete Construction ISSUE 1 | 2016 47

for these floors is a strong, central concrete core with steel framing surrounding it. The floors themselves are constructed using 4,000 psi lightweight concrete on metal deck. “Loads are transferred horizontally through the floor to the steel beams in this structural system,” Dolente explains. “The beams then transfer the load horizontally to the steel columns and the concrete core.

The concrete core and the columns then transfer the load vertically to the foundations.”

er as well as the foundation. This transfer floor was essential because the upper floors, which are residential and are constructed using cast-in-place reinforced 6,000 psi concrete, are not aligned with the columns in the lower part of the tower. “Also, there are loading considerations and adjustments have to be made to the apartment structure during construction due to it being located off center from the rest of the building,” explains Rick Stone.

The 27th floor, about 25 feet fall, functions as a transfer floor, shifting the load from the upper portion of the building to the lower portion of the building via a series of complex trusses as a way for the upper column load to reach the lower columns of the tow-

A showcase piece Beyond the complexity and uniqueness of the FMC Tower construction is what the FMC Tower symbolizes for the City of Philadelphia. The tower is viewed as an

How slag helps achieve LEED points Using cement and concrete products, including slag cement, in construction can help achieve Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) points.

The FMC Tower is using LEED-based sustainable architecture. Madison’s use of slag cement in its concrete construction can help achieve LEED points for the tower.

Using recycled construction materials is noteworthy because architects and owners are increasingly requiring that LEED points be attained, especially on larger projects and those that may receive some public funding. Slag cement can replace between 20 percent and 80 percent of portland cement in concrete and can help complete all or part of 10 points in the LEED-NC system.

High-volume substitution with slag cement dramatically reduces embodied energy and greenhouse emissions in concrete, points out the Slag Cement Association. For example, SCA says that a 50-percent substitution of slag for Portland cement in a typical ready-mixed concrete batch can save 34 percent of embodied energy (560,000 btu) and 46 percent of embodied CO2 emissions (248 lbs.) per cubic yard.

Slag cement is a hydraulic cement produced during the reduction of iron ore to iron in a blast furnace. Molten slag is tapped from a blast furnace, rapidly quenched with water, dried and ground to a fine powder. The rapid quenching “freezes” the molten slag in a glassy state, which gives the product its cementitious properties.

48 CONSTRUCTION TODAY

important step toward further linking University City and Center City and also considered an important part of changing perceptions and creating a new reality along the Schuylkill River, an area that was once full of rundown parking lots.

“Madison is pleased to a part of this such a unique and important project and the building of a greater Philadelphia,” Dolente says.

“We look forward to the project’s completion and seeing such a fantastic building and community in use.”

For more information on the FMC Tower and Madison Concrete, visit www.fmctower.com and www.madisonconcrete.com. n

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Celebrating our past.

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The Philadelphia skyline is one of the most dynamic and exciting urban landscapes in America, due in no small measure to the men and women who work for the member companies of the General Building Contractors Association. As we culminate our 125th anniversary, GBCA has proven we are more than just an advocate and industry leader for safety and education.

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#ChooseGBCA ISSUE 1 | 2016 49

UNDERSTANDING

FUNCTION and DESIGN

by Donald Ashton, Director, Safety Services, GBCA

As a child I distinctly recall an occasion where I was making a birthday card for my mother. I cut out pictures from a magazine and picked a variety of dandelions, buttercups, and violets from the back yard. After pasting them to construction paper I wrote a well thought out and eloquent note that consisted of “Have a grate birtday mom. Love don.”

Proud of my work I ran from my room to present this tremendous work of art to my mom. My mother was, as expected, extremely pleased with the card. She was however not happy when I tripped at the bottom of the stairs and punctured my hand with the scissors I was carrying. (I had taken a “better” pair of scissors from my mom’s sewing kit rather than using the “dumb” rounded end scissors she had given me.)

It was my first real lesson in understanding function and design.

The scissors I was using had a specific function. They were used to cut things. In this case the scissor style was for cutting thread. The scissors my mom had given me were for cutting magazine pictures and construction paper.

What I didn’t understand at the time was that scissors of any style are designed for a completely different and sole purpose. They are designed to KILL YOU! That lesson can be utilized throughout life and is extremely important to remember in a high hazard industry such as construction.

50 CONSTRUCTION TODAY

The tools and equipment we utilize to complete our job tasks have very specific functions. The function of a screwdriver is for tightening and loosening screws. The function of guards on power tools is to protect the worker from unwanted and unexpected contact with moving parts or flying particles and; the function of construction equipment such as forklifts, trucks, and cranes is to move materials from point A to point B. Despite varying functions ALL of this equipment is designed to kill if it is used improperly. A screwdriver used as a chisel. Power tools used without guards or the guards removed. Unauthorized passengers on a forklift. Failure to establish traffic zones to keep pedestrians away from moving equipment and; inadequately maintained cranes and rigging gear.

Each of these scenarios HAS resulted in a worker fatality and is not a hypothetical scenario. Approximately 5,000 workers die on the job every year according to OSHA statistics. It is imperative that our workers are trained and understand the functions of the equipment and materials they use, and come in contact with, throughout the day. It is just as important that they understand that the same equipment and materials are designed to aggravate any failure to follow established policies and procedures or to incorrectly use them according to their intended functions.

If your company would be interested in a safety meeting or safety training in this or any other safety topic please contact Donald Ashton, Director of Safety Services at 215-568-7015. n

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Instilling Character ISSUE 1 | 2016 51

Don’t miss our latest news @ACEMentorEPA

Volunteer to be a Mentor Contribute your knowledge. Make a difference.

Contractor & sub-contractor mentors always needed. Apply now for 2015-2016 school year.

Contact Tiffany Millner, AIA, NOMA | ACE Eastern PA Affiliate Director easternpa@acementor.org | 215.820.8929

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52 CONSTRUCTION TODAY

ACE Mentor in the News Kevin Brown, Jr.

by Tiffany Millner, AIA, NOMA, ACE Eastern PA Affiliate Director

The ACE Mentor Program of Eastern PA is a construction mentorship program.

ACE Mentor Program Eastern Pennsylvania was proud to be represented by former student and current mentor and member of the board, Kevin Brown, Jr., EIT, at 2015’s annual American Graduate Day. Kevin embodies the mission of ACE and the power of the program to shape lives and careers.

American Graduate Day is a live, seven-hour multiplatform broadcast that leverages the power and reach of public media to focus on organizations and individuals keeping kids on the path to graduation. The annual event took place Saturday, October 3, 2015 at Lincoln Center in New York City.

American Graduate: Let’s Make it Happen is public media’s long-term commitment to supporting community-based solutions to the dropout crisis. Supported by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), more than 100 public radio and television stations have joined forces with over 1,400 partners at at-risk schools across 40 states for initiatives ranging from national and local education reporting to public forums and digital classroom education tools. American Graduate Day is one component of the multi-faceted platform.

American Graduate Day centers around the critical themes of career readiness and college completion, caring consistent adults, dropout prevention and re-engagement, early education, more and better learning, special needs, and STEAM. Journalists, thought leaders, and celebrities joined together to raise awareness of the incredible work being done across the country to keep kids in school.

Kevin Brown’s roles with ACE as a student and a mentor offer an exciting and unique perspective. He articulated his experiences in a live interview during American Graduate Day 2015.

Brown represents the full circle of ACE mentoring and career development. He participated in the ACE Mentor Program as a student at George Washington Carver High School for Engineering and Science.

His experience prompted him to become the first in his family to attend college. He went on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from Widener University. Brown presently works at Urban Engineers, managing significant transportation projects including the recent reconstruction of I-95 in Philadelphia.

The video segment is available by searching American Graduate Day on the ACE Mentor Program’s YouTube channel.

Founded in 1994, the ACE name stands for Architecture, Construction, and Engineering. The ACE Mentor Program of Eastern Pennsylvania is the local affiliate of the national non-profit organization that engages and encourages high school students to consider careers in design and construction through mentoring, scholarships, and grants.

The annual ACE scholarship breakfast attracts more than 400 members of Philadephia’s integrated design and construction community, who join the ACE Mentor Program board of directors and mentor volunteers to celebrate completion of the academic year’s projects and to honor regional industry leaders and student participants. This year’s breakfast will be held Wednesday, May 11, 2016 For more information on how YOU can get started as a mentor, or for breakfast sponsorship details, please contact ACE Eastern PA Affiliate Director, Tiffany Millner, AIA, NOMA, at easternpa@acementor.org. n

ISSUE 1 | 2016 53

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ISSUE 1 | 2016 55

What? When? Where?

Tague’s There!

560 East High Street • Philadelphia, PA 19144

1-800-66-TAGUE • TagueLumber.com 56 CONSTRUCTION TODAY