Subcontractors USA Journal 35

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February 2019 | Advertising for Certified Women, Veteran & Minority-Owned Subcontractors | 35th Edition

THE POWER OF

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A LOOK AT AUTOARCH’S LATEST PROJECTS

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INSIDE

22

Upcoming HCC Procurement Expo

14

Greater Houston Business Procurement Forum Breakfast

21 Dragados-Pulice Invitation To Bid

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PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE

Keith J. Davis, Sr. CERTIFIED:

HMSDC

The Subcontractors USA Texas Journal highlights opportunities and news relevant to the construction, energy, architecture, manufacturing, education, engineering, oil and gas, transportation and IT industries we serve.

We hope you find this issue not only informative, but inspiring and educational as well.

This month’s issue spotlights the grand opening of the Mission Bend Brand of Fort Bend County Libraries. This branch was built by Houston architecture firm, AUTOARCH Port of Houston

Metro

BEHIND THE JOURNAL

ACCOUNTING MANAGER Eugenie Doualla EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Tiffany Brown STAFF WRITER Carly Hammack PROJECT COORDINATOR Lindsey Ford PHOTOGRAPHY Grady Carter L.C. Poullard ART DIRECTOR Angel Rosa GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kendra Wiseman DISTRIBUTION Rockie Hayden CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Helen Callier Karalynn Cromeens Subcontractors USA News Provider

– Stephen Gardiner

City of Houston

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04 ARCHITECTURE 04 Six services architects provide on residential projects 04 Reach peak performance by embracing your inner engineer

04 05 CONSTRUCTION 05 Shop class is back, ready to tackle the construction skills gap 06 ENERGY 06 Farm Fresh Fuel 10-12 IT & TECHNOLOGY 10 Why we should be rebooting the future for more equal success 11 Technology's critical place in construction in 2019 12 Progress can’t be made if women are hired when all is lost and fired when all is fixed

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“Good buildings come from good people and all problems are solved by good design.”

Architects. The architects put great emphasis on creating a bond between form and function in this building.

This library is an iconic structure in a neighbor that does not have anything else like it. It provides the community with a place to gather and seek knowledge.

As always, thank you for your continued support of Subcontractors USA Texas Journal. When you support us, you are supporting more than just our company; you are supporting the communities in which we live and work.

Working together, we can succeed in making positive things happen.

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14 Greater Procurement Breakfast 14 6th Annual City Of Houston Champions Of Diversity Awards 17-20 COVER STORY 17-20 Form and Function: Fort Bend County Library System’s New Mission Bend Branch 17-20 24 LEGAL 24 Default judgment filed against you? Don't panic!

24 OIL AND GAS 24 Texas Gained 3,200 Upstream Oil and Natural Gas Jobs in December, 30 TRANSPORTATION 50% of Jobs Recovered 30 DFW Airport Welcomes Trinity Metro’s TEXRail Service 30 Railroad Commission Launches 26 PERMITS Texas' First Online Searchable 26 Subcontractors: Five Steps to Consider Before Fuming at the Mouth Database of Oil & Gas Inspection and Enforcement Data About Delays in Permitting

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ARCHITECTURE

Six services architects provide on residential projects

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

M

any prospective homeowners remain uncertain as to how an architect can influence and benefit a residential design project. The following are six distinct and valuable services your architect will typically provide.

Programming The initial phase in which the architect and

homeowner discuss the goals, needs, and function of the project; design expectations and available budget; and pertinent building code and zoning regulations.

The architect helps the homeowners arrive at a realistic budget estimate for design and building by leading them through a discussion about the ramifications of several design approaches in light of local costs for materials and construction. In this phase, the homeowner is encouraged to have a candid discussion of their actual budget for the entire project. Following the initial discussions, an architect will produce an outline of the scope of the proposed project.

and shapes for rooms. Construction specifications will be outlined, listing the major materials to be used. When you approve the design drawings, your architect will work with you to find contractors to give you cost estimates. .

Schematic design

Hiring the contractor

Your architect will provide concept sketches of design options and explain how they meet the requirements discussed in the programming stage. The overall scope of the project, proposed building materials, and a preliminary budget related to the schematic design are also discussed. Refinements are made until you approve the design.

Design development Your architect will prepare detailed drawings and finalize the design plans, showing actual sizes

Construction documents One of the most important elements of your architect's services is construction documents. Your architect will develop detailed drawings and material specifications.

The contractor will use both to estimate construction costs and to build the project.

You have several options when it comes to hiring a contractor, including asking your architect to make recommendations or choose a contractor on their own.

Your architect can assist you in selecting contractors by reviewing bids and estimates based on the construction documents.

Construction phase In this phase, your architect observes the pace and quality of construction. As your agent, your architect looks out for your interests, keeping you informed of the project's progress and overseeing any changes or problems that may arise. Construction phase services are helpful in keeping your project on track and within budget.

Source: American Institute of Architects

ARCHITECTURE

Reach peak performance by embracing your inner engineer

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

T

o design for optimal energy efficiency, architects must embrace early collaboration with engineers and energy modelers.

As architects, we can design our buildings in a way that celebrates sustainability and energy efficiency and best leverages the skills of mechanical engineers and energy modelers. We can find opportunity for strong aesthetics and sensitivity to users while also celebrating passive approaches to design, the first critical step in the journey to meeting a wide range of project goals. But if we do not pay close attention, or if we take a “business-as-usual” approach, we may find ourselves ceding responsibility to engineers and modelers who often focus on how to minimally comply with the energy code. This would be a missed opportunity to set shared goals early and work collaboratively to inform thoughtful and cost-saving design decisions.

To start, if we design with an awareness of the climate in which we are building, we will more easily implement

those strategies that offer the greatest potential for passive heating and cooling—minimizing the loads before they enter our buildings. If we ignore these openings, we will have to rely on mechanical systems to keep our clients, and the buildings they inhabit, comfortable.

The systems will become more and more expensive, and the available budget for other architectural features will decrease.

For a mechanical engineer, the typical approach is to provide a preliminary analysis of the HVAC system at the schematic design phase. Very often, the thermal qualities of the building envelope have not been defined at that early stage, so mechanical engineers will either make assumptions about the thermal characteristics—which should be confirmed later—or use rules of thumb. I once asked a group of mechanical engineers what rules of thumb they use to size their mechanical systems. Almost on cue, an engineer raised his hand and

said, “400 square feet per ton of cooling.” He was eager to show how quick he was at making decisions, but he proved an important point: He was estimating rather than doing the math. Once a rule of thumb is in place, many engineers hold steady to it, even when envelope assumptions start to change and in many cases evolve for the better.

In selecting mechanical systems, architects rarely ask for justification in regard to system sizing or propose alternatives that might reduce the proposed tonnage.

If we were to probe mechanical engineers in their analysis, they might better under-

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stand the architectural perspective. Asking questions like “What if we reduced the window-to-wall ratio?” or “What if we increased the amount of insulation in the wall, roof, or floor?” could assist in the mechanical systems being downsized.

Could the efficiencies of the system be increased? Can the amount of renewable energy systems also be increased? Can we achieve or get closer to optimal efficiency with less money?

The goal for architects in the age of ever more challenging energy goals is to embrace their inner engineering sense and sharpen those team building skills.

Engage in important conversations and ask your mechanical engineer or energy modeler to share options for envelope, passive energy systems, and mechanical engineering systems early in the design process. You may find your engineers are up for the challenge and want to reach peak performance as affordably as possible; in a sense, finding their inner architect. The result, which we’ve seen in many COTE Top Ten award-winning projects, is architecture of beautiful harmony and purpose.

Source: American Institute of Architects

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CONSTRUCTION

Shop class is back, ready to tackle the construction skills gap

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

R

ecruiting and hiring in the skilled trades has been challenging across the country, but the construction industry appears particularly hard-hit. Skills gaps are predicted to stall industry growth as employers scramble to fill vacancies. Many report turning down lucrative contracts because they simply don't have the staff to execute.

Stakeholders are responding in that industry and others with new partnerships between business, educators and governments.

In Detroit, for example, lawmakers are working with employers to improve the talent pipeline with renewed investment in infrastructure as well as new apprenticeship opportunities. Educators are working with agencies to retool their own technical career programming at the community college and even high school levels to reinvigorate a talent pipeline.

Some trade schools are even working with employers to recruit students and workers simultaneously with the promise of jobs after program completion.

And it appears they may be on the right track: A 2018 report from the Council of Economic Advisors advised that today's economic growth — along with digitization and changes in the way work is performed — will require educators, employers, government and even employees to coordinate their efforts to meet demand.

• Shop class is making a comeback in Texas, where immigration enforcement has left the construction industry with a lack of skilled workers, Dallas News reported. The Dallas-Fort Worth area alone is short about 20,000 to 30,000 construction workers.

• Once cut from the curriculum in many high schools and community colleges, shop is back, with a focus on skills like math that can set students up for high-paying jobs. In Texas, construction wages have almost hit $28.50 per hour, about $2.00 more than average private sector earnings, according to Dallas News.

• Experts say the jobs should be relatively future-proof, too. While technology may be reshaping almost every industry, stakeholders told Dallas News that robots won't be able to, for example, make plumbing repairs any time soon.

Source: Construction Dive

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ENERGY

Farm Fresh Fuel

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

T

he science behind converting farming or plant leftovers into next-generation, lower-emission biodiesel could one day transform how heavy-duty drivers fill their tanks.

Cla riant, an expert in extracting sugars from agriculture residue – inedible plant fiber, like wheat straw and cornstalks that farmers have only limited use for – is partnering with ExxonMobil and Renewable Energy Group (REG) to advance the next phase in this biofuel research.

Switzerland-based Clariant stands out for its highly specialized process, called sunliquid. The company harnesses and optimizes naturally occurring enzymes to break down cellulose, which allows for a customizable process that researchers can adapt to a particular region and crop. In the United States, for example, corn stover or

stalks might power trucks in the future, while in Brazil, abundant sugarcane pulp might be the crop of choice.

“We have to look at how we can ensure quality of life for an ever-growing population,” says Markus Rarbach, Head of Biofuels & Derivatives at Clariant. “I think it’s great that we can transform these underutilized resources into liquid energy.”

The Clariant sunliquid process of converting plant mass to sugars solves the first half of challenging biodiesel science, and it offers a technology able to work at commercial scale. For the second half, ExxonMobil and REG have already developed a catalyst that is able to digest those sugars and transform them into biodiesel. And soon, the partnering companies will bring both parts of the science together at Clariant’s pilot plant, in Straubing, Germany, where Clariant will test different types of cellulose feedstocks for fuel production.

“This technology has huge potential not only because it’s helping generate biodiesel, which helps lower emissions, but because it could also be expanded a lot further as we work to tap a resource that is available in large quantities around the world,” says Fernando Sanchez-Riera, Vice President of Research & Development at REG Life Sciences.

Take a look below to see what it takes to turn plants into power as this trio of partnering companies gets a step closer.

Source: ExxonMobil

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IT & TECHNOLOGY

Why we should be

REBOOTING the future for more equal success

create meaningful connections between themselves and society by showing how it is using technological levers to bring positive change and investment in the long-term and build more inclusive, sustainable growth.

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

B

usinesses must remain alert for both future growth opportunities and potential threats. The dawn of advanced technology has enabled, and in many cases forced, quick mobilization into different growth areas, rapid industrialization and wide ranging global expansion. It has also brought profound change, such as improved healthcare, better access to finance and educational opportunities.

And just as businesses cannot afford to ignore the possibilities of these changing times, they also cannot remain unresponsive to the criticism leveled at businesses so often these days. In this new age of globalization—where traditional business models and decades-old ways of working have been turned upside down, there are growing calls for businesses to be more open, responsive and transparent about the investment decisions they are making and the impact they may have on society more widely.

To be truly successful, measured by both the bottom line and the wider court of public opinion, businesses need to ask themselves “what role will technology play in shaping the kind of future that we want for our organization?”

Growth depends on more than just selling a successful product or service. It needs to incorporate diversity of thought to make the very best use of the latest technology; it needs to listen to critical voices; and it needs to make the right choices in how it invests in its future.

Technology Technology is is aa great great lever lever of positive of positive change change We are at a juncture where the focus on what business does and how it delivers is stronger

Putting Putting people people first first than it has been for some time. In our recent survey, we found that globally only 58% of finance leaders say that businesses are highly trusted by the public. Businesses need to address this issue and fast. It is the responsibility of businesses to predict what the effect of any change they create will be. This does not mean thinking only of the immediate impact of a new product or service. Businesses have to think beyond that – they have to think of the domino effect of what they are creating and changing. For example, when thinking about the self-driving car the immediate impact will be that someone will no longer be required to drive the car. However, the industry has to identify the wider impact of this change as after all the whole ecosystem built around the automotive industry and beyond will be impacted. Of course, much of this focus will be on preparing for a future that does not yet exist; something that can be hard to explain to the investment community and wider stakeholders.

In my experience, an organization’s people should be at the heart of the technological transformation, not an addendum to it. Technology can provide an opportunity for people to reskill and upskill in areas like AI or coding for example. In my own profession of audit, technological advancements mean that our people are actually freed from the more mundane tasks because those are now being handled by technological processes like RPA, allowing them to focus on the more interesting aspects of their role. For any business, their people are their biggest asset and strongest champions, so how they drive positive change through their corporate culture and ethos is critical.

Technology does not have to be threatening after all.

Many of you will remember a time when the automation of the car manufacturing industry was regarded as the death knell for the industry. However, look how it has thrived and the industry is now one of the leading proponents of utilizing the very latest in AI.

Beingresponsive responsiveto tocriticism criticism Being

Source: EY

Innovation and technological advancements can, at times, be viewed negatively by wider stakeholders and cause anxiety. Criticism can often centre on accusations of rationalization, job cutting and efficiency saving. However, to rebuild trust businesses must

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IT & TECHNOLOGY

Technology's critical place in construction in 2019

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

C

onstruction has been slow compared to other industries to adopt technology, but it’s starting to catch up as technology gets more sophisticated to accommodate the industry’s unique needs.

Michael C. Brown, a Skanska executive vice president and general manager in Florida, attributes construction’s tech dawdling to the idea that no two construction projects are the same. “When you make a car or airplane, you have a lot of repetition in that work,” he said.

“The automation you implement can be a bit more simple because the task is repetitive.” Construction, however, requires uniqueness almost every step of the way, he said. “Technology needs to be more sophisticated because [most] construction tasks aren’t repetitive.”

As that sophistication continually evolves, firms need to be more cognizant of how, exactly, the tools available and under development are going to change the way they do business.

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Automationmakes makeshuman humanwork Automation workimportant more important more Is automation taking jobs away from the construction industry? Rather than fear that it is, Autodesk CEO Andrew Anagnost encouraged attendees of Autodesk University 2017 to think about where automation can take the industry.

This past November, he followed up on the thought in his keynote address, noting that automation will introduce new ecosystems into the workplace that will give professionals the opportunity for better and more meaningful work by taking away redundant and repetitive tasks. “[Automation] increases the importance of our expertise and creativity,” he said.

And although automation could displace up to 2.7 million construction workers by 2057, according to a report from the Midwest Economic Policy Institute, the study’s

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co-authors told Construction Dive that “as long as 100% of the task cannot be automated, there will still be a need for human labor.”

Construction Robotics’ semi-automated mason robot, for example, is designed to work alongside a human, as is its Material Unit Lift Enhancer. The company always starts by asking where someone is doing redundant work and could benefit from a machine taking the physical strain out of the work or increasing work speed.

Techenhances enhancesworker workersafety safety Tech Autodesk also shared its predictions about artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning with Construction Dive, indicating that “AI and machine learning will be broadly applied in construction to reduce risk and improve project performance across the project lifecycle. We predict that AI will also be applied to identify change risk and predict and prevent those changes earlier in the project lifecycle. In the year ahead, we will more regularly see AI and machine learning on the jobsite and, as a result, more firms will realize its benefits to the construction workflow, saving companies time, money, and most importantly, increasing workers’ safety.”

S t e p h e n Mu c k , chairman and CEO of Brayman Construction Corp. and cofounder and president of Advanced Construction Robotics, the firm behind Tybot, the rebar-tying robot, told Construction Dive that robotics could supplement construction in numerous ways, including extending career times by allowing a robot to perform more physically demanding tasks.

Muck also thinks that “another dimension is that, as robots become more common in construction, they function as a draw to bring younger, technically-savvy people into the construction workplace.”

Source: Construction Dive

12 | February 2019

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IT & TECHNOLOGY

Progress can’t be made if women are hired when all is lost and fired when all is fixed

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

W

hat do you need to innovate in the Transformative Age? You need diversity. You need men. And you need women.

Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but it is also linked to a country’s overall economic performance. Organizations where women hold 30% of leadership positions could add up to 6% to their net margins, according to recent research.

Therefore it makes no business sense to overlook diversity as a part of a business strategy. In fact, doing so only diminishes opportunities for sustained economic growth, innovation and social progress.

So if women are critical for innovation and long-term growth, why are we still an estimated 202 years away from achieving gender parity in the workplace?

Theuphill uphillbattle battle The Despite the gender gap narrowing slightly this past year, according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2018, women still face an uphill battle in leadership positions. And, it turns out, the higher women climb, the more biases, challenges and stereotypes they face.

Interestingly, though, when women are appointed to the top job, it’s often at a time of a crisis – when an organization is grappling with a financial crisis or other challenges and may even be on the verge of collapse.

This phenomenon was coined the “glass cliff” by British academics Michelle Ryan and Alex Haslam, who in 2004 published findings from an extensive study of FTSE 100 companies and found a tendency for women to be appointed leaders of failing organizations.

Take a few notable examples: • Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir became Iceland’s first female prime minister and the world’s first openly gay head of government amid economic and political fallout from the global financial crisis.

She stabilized Iceland’s economy in a relatively short period of time.

• Former Xerox CEO Anne Mulcahy is often deemed a “glass cliff” success story. She took over as CEO in 2001 as Xerox was on the verge of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy and a year later, following an aggressive restructure, the company reported an operating profit.

It’s encouraging to see women being called upon to lead in times of

crises – and succeeding at the highest levels. But by accepting roles in troubled companies or challenging times in government, they risk being held responsible for outcomes that were set in motion ahead of their appointments.

Some are still fired even after they’ve fixed the problem.

Female CEOs are about 45% more likely than male CEOs to be dismissed from their own companies, according to a study by the University of Alabama. And, strangely, while improved organizational performance may protect a male CEO from being fired, the same does not hold true for women. In other words, women face greater challenges when appointed to leadership positions and, as per research by academics Alison Cook and Christy Glass, are provided fewer opportunities to establish their leadership capabilities.

CEOturnover turnover CEO When a female CEO gets fired, research has found that she is usually replaced by a man. It’s what some academics refer to as “the saviour effect”. We’ve seen this story in news headlines again and again.

• Former Reddit CEO, Ellen Pao, is one example.

According to several sources, Pao was only in the role for eight months before being replaced by Steve Huffman. Reddit's chief engineer Bethanye Blount, who stepped down after just two months, said she believed Pao was in an unwinnable situation.

• A Guardian article believes Patricia Russo was in a similar predicament.

Russo led Lucent Technologies (later Alcatel-Lucent) through

three consecutive years of negative shareholder returns before the board hired Dutchman Ben Verwaayen.

• An article titled "Theresa May is the latest woman leader appointed in a crisis and set up for failure" highlights yet another purported glass cliff scenario, with all-male candidates touted to replace May. Despite greater attention being paid to gender inequality, women continue to face an uphill battle. While they are more likely to be hired when all is lost, they’re still more likely to be fired when all is fixed.

As CEOs and world leaders gather in Davos next month, let this serve as a reminder. Until we address the underlying biases that hold women back, gender gaps will remain. And as a result, deep-seated inequalities and a lack of diversity will continue to hinder sustained economic growth, innovation and social progress.

Source: EY

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The Greater Houston Business Procurement Forum Breakfast

The Greater Houston Business Procurement Forum held its 2019 inaugural monthly breakfast in January. Keynote speakers, Dr. Luis Torres and Jerry Nevlud presented “HOUSTON 2019 - AN ECOMOMIC FORECAST,” the theme for this month’s meeting. This breakfast takes place every month at Houston Community College - West Loop Campus. It serves as a way for various public and private sector entities and their representatives to discuss the prospects for doing business and creating business opportunities for small and minority-owned businesses.

6th Annual City Of Houston Champions Of Diversity Awards Leaders from local businesses and governments were recognized for their work in promoting a diverse and strong local economy during the 6th annual City of Houston Champions of Diversity Awards Ceremony at the George R. Brown Convention Center recently. Champions of Diversity is organized by the City of Houston’s Office of Business Opportunity and its Advisory Board, which is made up of Houstonians from diverse backgrounds and businesses. Awards were handed out by Mayor Sylvester Turner to 10 honorees who represent Houston’s thriving, diverse business environment.

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About AUTOARCH AUTOARCH Architects, LLC is a comprehensive, woman-owned and Houston-based architectural and planning firm with more than 28 years of experience. In close to three decades, they have successfully focused on designing buildings for education and institutional clients, with projects in K-12, higher education, career and technology. Through their emphasis in their approach on workforce and hybrid education platforms, AUTOARCH pioneered “Optimizing 21 Century Schools” whilst embodying their motto, “Do more with less”.

The entire team at AUTOARCH has a strong commitment to better education and community through design. As a community-based firm, AUTOARCH firmly believes in contributing to the architectural and planning profession, the local business community and the community at large. The founders play key roles in initiatives aimed at paying it forward through fundraisers, scholarships and sponsorships.

AUTOARCH is famous for its innovative design, superb delivery and efficient management of projects. AUTOARCH has a reputation for serving their clients as a trusted advisor, combining localized expertise with a global perspective. AUTOARCH is made up out of professionals with the latest technical knowledge, sound design experience and the specialized skills that set the firm –and with that –the designs apart from the competition. AUTOARCH employs a professional staff of highly skilled architects, planners, LEED accredited professionals, and interior, technical and graphic designers.

AUTOARCH has a diverse array of expertise and offers services far beyond strictly architectural design. Through the years, they have served numerous clients in the field of programming, planning, feasibility studies, facility assessments, sustainability consulting, interior design, program management and much more.

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Form and Function: Fort Bend County Library System’s New Mission Bend Branch

By Carly Hammack Staff Writer

T

he grand opening for the new Mission Bend Branch of the Fort Bend County Libraries was recently held this month. This new, much-anticipated, 23,000 square foot library was designed by the renowned Houston architecture firm, AUTOARCH Architects, who had an iconic and functional design plan for this structure - is the first library in this area.

AU TOARCH was founded in 1991 on the core belief of the power of good design and its effect on the built env i ronment, the end user and the community, and this recent project was no different. Their design for this library focuses on the relationship of form and function and on building a structure that serves an intended purpose while also showcasing exemplary design features.

“We wanted this building to be iconic in this community and be as dramatic as it is, to draw people in,” Architect Farrah Sabouni said.

One major goal of a successful building is creating an entry that welcomes people in and makes them want to see what is inside. The architects designed this space to make a striking statement with its “simple geometry, modern architecture and vibrant red canopy that clearly announces the entrance.” This bright red entry way serves as a focal point for the building and effortlessly attracts the community. This entry point also provides a look into the design elements that are inside the building.

“Well to get people to come in, it has to be appealing. It has to look good,” Commissioner Grady Prestage said. “Once you get them into the building, a lot of good things can happen. If they don’t feel a need to come to the

building, we miss an opportunity, so we wanted to have an iconic design. Something that is timeless, that looks great and gets people talking; something that on Monday morning the kids will be talking about and all wanting to see. A beautiful design is the first thing you have to have.”

While the distinctive design continues inside the building, this is where the bond of form and function truly come into play. The use of space and materials were carefully considered in designing an environment that offers opportunities for inspiration, play and discovery. One design element that not only creates a beautiful feature, but also serves as a well-thought out purpose, is the row of windows that line the back wall of the library and let in “north lighting.”

“This is all north lighting, and north lighting is the perfect lighting for reading,” Farrah Sabouni said. “And we have a full wall of north lighting to bring it all in to where we have all of the soft seating and reading areas.”

This is just one example of how much thought and detail went into this library.

In addition to the library having a great design that contributes to the function of the space, it also serves a major purpose in the community. It offers a central place, full of knowledge and opportunity, for the community to gather.

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“We wanted this building to be iconic in this community and be as dramatic as it is, to draw people in.”

—Architect Farrah Sabouni

Fort Bend County Library “What we found is that this building is very functional for us,” JoAnne Downing, Assistant Director for Fort Bend County Libraries, said. “It’s light. It’s airy. It’s designed to have space for our collections, obviously, but also for people to come and be a community. Whether the kids are doing homework or a project, or someone is using the meeting room or just to come enjoy our books, the architecture works very well for our function. Form and function working together, that is what it is all about.”

The Mission Bend Branch offers a sort of extension of the education system for the kids in this community. It provides them with a safe place, complete with new technology and books, to gather and work on things. This is something AUTOARCH Architects Lina and Michael Sabouni both had in mind when designing this building: keeping education and community at the heart of this project.

“This is going to create a great partnership in the community with the education system,” Lina Sabouni said. “It is not a traditional library. It is open and invit-

The Mission Bend Branch of the Fort Bend County Libraries is 23,000 square foot library designed to make a striking statement with its simple geometry, modern architecture, and vibrant red canopy that clearly announces the entrance.

The prominent visibility of the building from Addicks Clodine Road serves several roles. Visibility ensures presence within the local community and amplified by the quality of the building, visibility also reinforces ownership and pride.

The main entrance of the Library provides a focal point with its brightly colored canopy which effortlessly draws patrons in.

Beyond the main entrance, the slated wood ceiling and sleek light fixtures indicate that the modern architecture of the exterior will be continued on the interior. The use of space and materials were carefully considered in designing an environment that offers opportunities for inspiration, play, and discovery. The interior finishes have a base selection of natural appearing materials which provide an initial warmth. Their use provides the juxtaposition for pops of color throughout the Library.

The iconic Library features dramatic sloped ceiling clouds and an expansive wall of windows with north exposure – the best natural light for reading. The main reading area features collections for children, middle grades, young adults, and adults. Reading nooks, computer stations, and work desks are spaced throughout the Library with the reading areas focused along the north windows to take advantage of the natural lighting. The Library offers patrons a modern computer room, multiple study rooms, and a multi-media conference room. The building is situated in a way that the large multi-function room complete, with puppet theater and kitchenette, with access to the restrooms is located at the entrance of the Library and is designed to allow for use by the community outside of Library working hours. A separate staff entrance leads to multiple rooms for administration and staff support.

ing. It becomes more like a community center or even a Starbucks. That is the concept we wanted to create for this library.”

“This library places a major role in keeping the community up to speed on the latest knowledge,” Michael Sabouni said. “A library is a lifetime of learning and knowledge, so this is why the library is beyond the traditional learning system. It is a lifetime commitment to the community.”

Having the capability to capture so many of the hopes for this library, from the beautiful design and functionality to creating a space that draws the community together, is the reason AUTOARCH Architects was selected to take on this project. This firm has worked on many similar, and successful, projects, earning them a stellar reputation in the community.

“It’s a combination of confidence and relationship,” Commissioner Prestage said. “We had confident architects that have worked on several similar projects. And I have a longterm relationship with AUTOARCH Architects. I knew that they had the skill set to design a beautiful and functional library. This was an easy choice.”

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Here we showcase just a few of AUTOARCH’s projects that show the capabilities of the firm in the various fields of design.

Stafford Municipal School District Stafford Municipal School District is a poetic K-12 facility which is located on a single, central campus in the city of Stafford, Texas. AUTOARCH was hired by the District to assess the existing campus and to create the vision to transform it into an advanced educational campus, which would be one of its kind in the region, taking the educational environment truly into the 21st Century. Working with the District, the Long Range Facility Planning Committee, the Community and multiple Stakeholders, AUTOARCH created a student-centered transformative plan for the Stafford MSD campus that would allow for continued improvement of academic performance while enhancing a community amenity. This plan generated major community and local government support that become the 2017 Bond.

After completing the assessment and the plan for the campus, AUTOARCH was hired to design the new middle school, new administration building, site and traffic improvements, renovate the existing high school and create the new magnet school.

throughout the years. Numerous labs are located throughout the school and include Robotics, Foreign Language Labs, Engineering Lab, Journalism Lab and Computer Labs. The school also hosts two large gyms for the students as well as a sunlit art wing and double height band and choir rooms. Throughout the middle school, natural light is captured by strategically placed windows reducing the reliance on artificial lighting. Life safety and security have been of the upmost importance, and AUTOARCH worked one on one with the school principal, the administration and security consultants to create a secure and safe learning environment that can be easily monitored.

Stafford Middle School The existing middle school houses grades seven and eight and is faced with an expanding student population.

As part of the 2017 Bond, Stafford’s new middle school creates a state-of-the-art environment for grades six through eight. The school features a three-story education wing which creates a significant landmark as the highest feature in the school municipal campus and its surrounding environment. The building is situated on the corner edge of the campus and anchors the new education plaza from the opposite side of the high school.

The building mass and location of the new middle school strengthen and balance the existing campus layout while creating harmony with the existing building by using same building materials and similar design features that appear throughout the existing campus.

The middle school entrance features a distinguished iconic red canopy over a secure and inviting lobby that leads to the learning stairs, which serves as the heart of the student collaboration space that extends vertically through the three stories of the education wing.

The classrooms are flexible and offer the school administration a variety of programming options as the size of classes and their uses fluctuate

FBISD Elementary School No. 51 FBISD’s Elementary School #51 is currently being constructed in Aliana. ES#51 is designed as one of the prototype elementary schools for the District.

It has been inspired by one of AUTOARCH’s past elementary school projects: Madden Elementary School, yet with some deliberate distinctions. ES#51 is designed to the updated FBISD Educational Specifications and Standards, which received their most recent update in 2015. On top of those Standards, AUTOARCH worked with the District to incorporate design elements that will be on the next version of the Educational Specifications.

It constitutes a drastic change in the layout of classrooms and how learning occurs in the school.

ES#51 represents a future-ready campus, one that is designed to accommodate population increase, designed with flexibility on multiple levels and designed with technology access throughout the site.

Through site visits and meetings with Principals at recently completed elementary schools in the District, a feedback loop was created which gave valuable

insight to the Elementary School #51 Design Team. Through the early stages of design and discovery, common themes emerged, and these were incorporated in multiple ways into the new school. Those themes included designing for growth, designing for flexibility and designing for technology. They appear throughout the full design of Elementary School #51. These themes and principles affect many aspects of the ultimate design, creating environments that offer opportunities for inspiration, play and discovery in this 125,000 square foot school.

Lone Star College – Build Back – Harvey Recovery The Lone Star College Kingwood Campus was drastically affected by Hurricane Harvey in 2017, receiving three to five feet of water in areas throughout the campus.

AUTOARCH has been working diligently with Lone Star College’s- Kingwood Campus to get six buildings – over 200,000 SF - up and running within an extremely short time schedule. The scope included rebuilding the entire first floor of the six buildings, which were completely gutted due to water damage and contamination. AUTOARCH conducted a full FEMA assessment of the damage.

Multiple plans and phases of action were put in place including converting a leased space to temporary house the dental hygiene suite and bringing in 10 mobile classrooms to the campus to help augment the instructional space left operational after Harvey.

With the assessment in hand, AUTOARCH moved quickly and was able to effectively overcome several code, technology, operational difficulties and upgrades. AUTOARCH was able to design and permit the required work and supervised the construction until these buildings were successfully opened on time. Working alongside Lone Star College, AUTOARCH was able to upgrade the campus through the build back efforts and move the campus into the 21st Century – supported by the latest technology and with flexibility integrated throughout. As part of the project, new state of the art furniture was incorporated into the buildings. Updated spaces included a theater, large lecture room, gyms, numerous labs, cosmetology suite, a nursing suite, library, classrooms and offices. The campus was able to open for the Spring 2019 semester, with the Grand Re-opening Celebration successfully hosted on February 15, 2019.

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PROCUREMENT EXPO "ACCESS TO HCC" HCC West Houston Institute 2811 Hayes Rd., Houston, TX 77082

March 5 at 8 – 11:30 a.m.

Procurement Expo - "Access to HCC" is an opportunity for businesses to connect and network with procurement officers and representatives from more than 20 College Departments.

Attendees will have an opportunity to learn about HCC’s current and upcoming procurement PROCUREMENT EXPO - “ACCESS TO HCC” needs, as well as market their product or service March 5, 2019 8:00am – 11:30am to other participating governmental agencies and HCC West Houston Institute, 2811 Hayes Rd., Houston, TX 77082 community resources.

RSVP: https://sbdpaccess.eventbrite.com

RSVP today. https://sbdpaccess.eventbrite.com

“Access to HCC” Procurement Expo is an opportunity for businesses to connect and network with Procurement Officers and representatives from over 20 College Departments. Attendees will have an opportunity to learn about HCC’s current and upcoming procurement needs, as well as market their product or service to other participating governmental agencies and community resources. RSVP today!

Additional exhibitors include:

MCSR19-6749

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LEGAL

OIL AND GAS

Texas Gained 3,200 Upstream Oil and Natural Gas Jobs in December, 50% of Jobs Recovered

By Subcontractors USA

Default judgment filed against you? Don't panic!

News Provider

A

USTIN – Upstream* oil and natural gas employment rebounded with a 3,200 job gain in December, offsetting the 300 job drop in November, according to data from the Texas Workforce Commission.

Responding appropriately against a default judgment Filing FilingaaMotion Motionfor forNew NewTrial Trial

By Karalynn Cromeens Contributing Writer

T

alk about being blindsided! Your week was going great until you received notice that you have missed a court date, and now a default judgment has been filed against you. Maybe you never received the initial notice, or maybe you just plain forgot what day it was because of your hectic schedule. Doh! It’s okay. At Cromeens Law Firm, we can help you take the necessary steps to protect your assets and ensure the judgment rendered doesn’t take the shirt off your back.

A Motion for New Trial is very similar to a Motion to Set Aside Default Judgment. The grounds for these motions are essentially the same, e.g., good cause, lack of notice, accident, mistake, but you must also show that the failure to answer the suit was not intentional or the result of conscious indifference.

FilingaaRestricted RestrictedAppeal Appeal Filing A restricted appeal is a direct attack on the judgment rendered against you. Notice of a restricted appeal must be filed within 6 months after the judgment was signed by a party to the underlying lawsuit who did not participate in the hearing that resulted in the judgment.

First,what whatisisaadefault defaultjudgment? judgment?

First, A default judgment is a judgment entered in the trial court when a defendant hasn't filed a response in a timely manner. A default judgment can also be entered against you if you filed an answer and were then given notice of a hearing, but did not attend the hearing.

To avoid a default judgment, one must file an answer to the lawsuit at specific times mandated by the court. Failing to answer by the deadline puts you at risk for having a default judgment rendered against you and will make you liable for the underlying amount of the judgment.

Okay,so soaadefault default judgment judgment has has been Okay, takenagainst against you. you. Now Now what? what? taken First, don't panic! Second, call Cromeens so that we can help you combat the default judgment! There are several ways we can help you, namely by filing a: • Motion to Set Aside Default Judgment • Motion for New Trial • Restricted Appeal • Bill of Review

*Upstream activity includes oil and natural gas extraction and support activities for mining and excludes other industry sectors such as refining, petrochemicals, fuels wholesaling, oilfield equipment manufacturing, pipelines, and gas utilities.

Source: Texas Oil and Gas Association

Filing aa Bill Bill of of Review Review Filing Usually, a Bill of Review is filed because the defendant was never served with the lawsuit. This requires almost irrefutable proof. However, if you recently discovered a judgment against you from years ago, then a Bill of Review should be considered.

Takethe theFirst FirstStep Stepto toSuccess Success Take

FilingaaMotion Motionto toSet Aside Default Filing Set Aside Default Judgment Judgment

If you have a default judgment against you, act quickly and call The Cromeens Law Firm! We can help you respond in a calculated and timely manner so that the judgment can be rectified. Contact us today by calling 713-489-5792 or contact us online. We look forward to hearing from you!

A Motion to Set Aside Default Judgment must be filed within 30 days after the default judgment. To succeed on this motion, you must show good cause that: you did not receive notice of the suit; you missed the deadlines by accident or mistake; and that the cancellation of the default judgment will not cause the other party delay or harm.

This article is intended as a general educational overview of the subject matter and is not intended to be a comprehensive survey of recent jurisprudence, nor is it a substitute for legal advice for a specific legal matter. If you have a legal issue, please consult an attorney.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these actions so that you better understand your options.

Texas has recovered 50% of jobs lost between the high point in employment in December 2014 and the low point in September 2016. Since the low point, employment in the Texas upstream sector has grown by 58,700 jobs, which pay among the highest wages in Texas.

“Hundreds of thousands of Texans who work in the oil and natural gas industry are securing our economy, our environment and our future,” said Todd Staples, president of the Texas Oil & Gas Association. “Upstream employers continue to demonstrate agility and innovation by creating good jobs for Texans, even in a challenging price environment.”

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MORE THAN BRICKS AND MORTAR

As one of the nation’s largest commercial builders, Turner is dedicated to providing avenues of opportunity for Minority- and Woman-Owned Businesses in Houston to achieve entrepreneurial success.

Our commitment to social responsibility and fair play is not just on paper; it is ingrained in our corporate culture. We are devoted to making sure the contributions that strengthen the local economy reflect the demographics of the community at large.

w w w. t u r n e rc o n s t r u c t i o n . c o m

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PERMITS

Subcontractors: Five Steps to Consider Before Fuming at the Mouth About Delays in Permitting

By Helen Callier Contributing Writer

O

ver the past few weeks, we attended the Build Expo in Austin, Texas. We had the opportunity to visit many of the exhibitors, go to workshops and meet with possible new vendors. While at the Expo, we also had the opportunity to speak with City of Austin folks. While speaking with them the table was suddenly bombarded by a General Contractor with lots of complaints about how awful the permitting process is at the City of Austin and how his permits are always late.

This outburst, along with phone calls my office receives from architects, project owners and contractors from across the state of Texas and the US regarding challenges with permitting and the risk of paying penalties for late start with construction, suggest that help is needed.

To minimize frustrations and pain that some contractors are feeling, below are five steps to consider versus fuming at the mouth about delays in permitting.

Take a deep breath – Meeting project timelines can be a high-pressure situation,

especially when fines and penalties are baked into contract with project owners. While huffing, puffing and having tantrums may work on reality TV shows, the truth of the matter is that this strategy is a poor one to get your point across and to obtain a building permit in a timely manner. So, when faced with a tough permitting scenario, where nothing appears to be going your way, step back from the problem and take a few deep breaths to clear your head, release negative energy and gain a different perspective to resolve permitting issue.

Check your preconstruction plans – Now that you have taken a deep breath, grab your preconstruction plans, including checklist to determine if any item affecting the permitting process is missing or specs fail to align with scope of work.

Review your permit application package – Often times it is something small that can cause contractors to fume at the Permitting Department. For example, some information may be missing in the permit package, a section of the drawing may not show enough detail, or a narrative may need to be added or made clearer.

When in a situation where experiencing longer than planned in permitting, pull and review your permit application and package in full to determine what is missing and to gain a better idea what the Plan Reviewer is referring to. If still confused, seek help, as time is money, and the longer you wait to obtain, the more the delay costs you in time as the subcontractor and burns a hole in the Project Owner’s pocket.

Visit Jurisdictions web site FAQ’s – The majority of jurisdictions that the Permit Us Now team works in across the state of Texas and several areas in the US have web sites with valuable information on how to complete permit applications by market area such as residential, commercial, etc. And quite a few of the authority having jurisdictions’ web sites will have a Frequently Asked Questions section where subcontractors can review similar scenarios as a possible go-by.

Ask for Help – Time is money in construction. There is no wrong question

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except the one you fail to ask regarding your building permit. Consider scheduling time with Plan Reviewer to meet or conference by phone as an option. Make sure to listen, confidently address any questions asked and take notes so that you are clear on what is being conveyed. Also, as a resource, consider reaching out to permitting and building code experts as they have intimate knowledge and established relationships that can provide insight on the best approach to quickly obtain your building permit.

In Conclusion The construction market, in many regions in the US, have a strong outlook and opportunity to keep subcontractors busy during 2019, and obtaining building permits in a timely manner is crucial to business success. Remember your focus is to start construction on time and to avoid delays in permitting, so take a deep breath, review your preconstruction checklist and permit package and use expert permitting resources. #BuildSafe

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What We Do POSITION

ADVOCATE

CONVENE

our region to secure critical transportation funding at the local, state and federal levels.

for ALL modes of transportation to promote a healthy state of mobility.

our region’s industry experts, community leaders and elected officials to build consensus and unity on tr transportation needs.

EDUCATE . COMMUNICATE . ADVOCATE 1160 Dairy Ashford Suite 500 Houston, Texas 77079 832.459.5116

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TRANSPORTATION

TRANSPORTATION

DFW Airport Welcomes Trinity Metro’s TEXRail Service

Commuter rail line connects downtown Fort Worth to DFW About AboutTrinity TrinityMetro: Metro:

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

D

allas Fort Worth International (DFW) Airport and Trinity Metro welcomed the start of TEXRail service at Terminal B, offering customers the first public transportation option to directly connect DFW Airport to downtown Fort Worth.

“This year, DFW will serve more customers with more international flights than ever, and a growing number of our customers expect convenient rail service to take them from the Airport to a city center,” said Sean Donohue, CEO of DFW Airport. “TEXRail provides our customers with direct access to Fort Worth, one of the fastest growing cities in the country. Along with DART service to Dallas, DFW customers have more choices to access the Airport or make their way across the Dallas Fort Worth region.”

“We believe TEXRail is going to be a game-changer for this region,” said Trinity Metro President/CEO Paul J Ballard. “Our new commuter rail line will give travelers the ease and convenience of taking the train to the Airport and arriving on time. TEXRail will be a great option for airport workers and other people who work along the route.”

DFW’s construction of the station totaled $39 million and took 19 months to complete. From Terminal B, customers have convenient access to other terminals via Terminal Link (pre-security) or Skylink (postsecurity). TEXRail is the second train line to connect the Airport to the DFW metroplex, with the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Orange Line providing light rail service between DFW Airport and Dallas since 2014.

Riders can try TEXRail for free through Jan. 31.

Regular rates are $2.50 one way or $5.00 for an all-day pass. Trains run daily from Fort Worth starting at 3:30 a.m. and arriving at the Airport before 4:30 a.m. The last train will leave DFW at 1:00 a.m. TEXRail will operate seven days a week, with trains running every 30 minutes during peak hours. For additional route and schedule information, visit the Trinity Metro website.

Trinity Metro is a regional transportation system that provides public transportation to meet the mobility needs in Tarrant County. The agency offers connections throughout the North Central Texas region, annually providing 10 million passenger trips on buses, vanpools and the Trinity Railway Express (TRE), a 34-mile commuter rail line jointly owned and operated with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART).

Railroad Commission Launches Texas' First Online Searchable Database of Oil & Gas Inspection and Enforcement Data RRC Online Inspection Lookup Available 24/7

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

T

On Jan. 10, Trinity Metro began operating TEXRail, a 27-mile commuter rail line from downtown Fort Worth to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport’s Terminal B.

AboutDallas DallasFort FortWorth WorthInternational About International Airport: Airport: DFW Airport warmly welcomes more than 69 million customers along their journey every year, elevating DFW to a status as one of the most frequently visited superhub airports in the world. DFW Airport customers can choose among 186 domestic and 62 international nonstop destinations worldwide. DFW is elevating the customer experience with modernized facilities and updated amenities. Centered between its owner cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, DFW Airport also serves as a major economic generator for the North Texas region, producing over $37 billion in economic impact each year by connecting people through business and leisure travel. For more information, visit the DFW website or download the DFW Mobile App for iOS and Android devices.

Source: DFW Airport

he Railroad Commission of Texas launched its RRC Online Inspection Lookup (OIL) tool for searching statewide oil and gas inspection and enforcement information, including notices of violation and intentions to sever leases. For the first time in RRC history, RRC OIL allows anyone, anywhere at any time to search online records of oil and gas well inspections and violations.

Chairman Christi Craddick said, ""RRC Online Inspection Lookup continues our efforts to use improved technology to deliver more accessible information to the public and industry on the work of the commission."

Commissioner Ryan Sitton said, "Government transparency keeps citizens informed and engaged. The Railroad Commission has made great strides on transparency under our watch, and I am pleased that through initiatives like RRC Oil we continue to lead the way. I will continue to push for even more transparency and accessibility at the RRC." Commissioner Way ne Christian said, "This tool will be helpful to our agency, the industr y a nd most importa ntly, the general public in ensuring individuals have easy, transparent access to data regarding the regulation of our natural resources. I applaud our hardworking staff and the commitment of funding from the Texas Legislature in making this long-desired tool a reality."

Users may access RRC OIL 24/7 and can customize inspection and violation searches by a variety of criteria, including; • Operator name; • Lease name or number; • API number; • County; • RRC District Oil and Gas District number; • Inspection date range, and; • Rule.

RRC OIL accesses inspection and enforcement data entered into the RRC's Inspection, Compliance, Enforcement Electronic Tracking System, which was implemented in August 2015. Users may also download data set files either statewide or by RRC district office.

The RRC OIL tool is part of the agency's on-going information technology modernization program using technology for greater efficiency in RRC operations and making data collected and maintained by the agency more accessible to the public.

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Houston supports small businesses & entrepreneurs Learn how certifications, classes and other tools from The Office of Business Opportunity can help you start and grow your enterprise Web: houstontx.gov/obo

Call: 832-393-0594

Email: OBOSC@houstontx.gov

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HUB OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT

For more information about how to do business with the University of Houston, bid opportunities or to be kept abreast of events, workshops and seminars, visit www.uh.edu/hub or email us at hubevent@uh.edu

THE HISTORICALLY UNDERUTILIZED BUSINESS (HUB) Program at the University of Houston was established to identify and encourage HUBs to participate in the competitive bid process with the objective of increasing the number of contracts and subcontracts awarded to HUB vendors.

THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON HUB PROGRAM is committed to expanding business opportunities available in order to promote the successful development of growing businesses, to have a positive impact on improving our local economy and to give back to our community.

We encourage solicitations from HUB vendors in an effort to award more contracts to those businesses.

WWW.UH.EDU/HUB