< Previous10 /May-June 2023 needs that are unique to this type of workflow. As you begin thinking about CPM, make sure you have a way to manage: • Vendor management • Budget tracking • Cost estimation • Change orders • Project schedules • Daily, weekly, and monthly inspection logs • Bidding processes and contract negotiations • Quality control • Safety management • Job site monitoring General Project Management Needs At its core, every construction project is just that — a project. While you shouldn’t neglect any of the construction elements of CPM, make sure you’re also following project management best practices. You can do this by: • Running a feasibility study before beginning the project. • Adhering to all of the steps in the project initiation phase to make sure your team is set up for success. • Setting up a proactive risk management process, like a risk register. • Creating a work breakdown structure (WBS) to capture all of your project deliverables and sub-deliverables. • Using the critical path method to identify the best timeline for the project. • Following cost management best practices both before and during the project. • Effectively communicating with your project team and stakeholders. • Following resource management best practices. • Defining clear workflows in a centralized source of information. The Six Phases of CPM In general, there are six phases to any construction project. Some of these phases are longer than others but follow this six-step process to set your project up for success. 1. Initiation The first part of any project, including a construction project, is the initiation phase. This is also sometimes referred to as the conception phase. During this phase, your team will work with the client to identify their needs and how your team will meet them. Depending on the scope of the project, you may also want to run a feasibility study or do a full business case to analyze whether or not this project is doable. Even without a formalized business case, make sure you incorporate design sketches into your project plan to ensure you and your client are on the same page. 2. Pre-Construction Once you’ve finalized the details with your client and signed your contract, it’s time to dive into pre-construction. This is when you start assembling your team — including general contractors — and field testing your construction plans if necessary. The pre-construction phase is critical to a successful construction project; if you dive straight into the execution phase, you could miss important details that could lead to project failure. Instead, take some time to clarify: • When should you check in with your clients? Which project milestones do they want to be involved in? • What your communication plan is: Where and how will you share project status updates with your client? • Where your project information will live: What is your team’s central source of truth for all of your project information? How will you ensure all of your project team members are using the correct information, especially across project phases? • What your risk management plan is: What project risks have you identified, and what’s your plan for proactively mitigating them? • What your project roadmap will look like: What dependencies does your team need to look out for, and how can they visualize those dependencies? • What your project budget is: How will you track your project budget? Which cost control best practices will you put into place to ensure you don’t go over budget? • What you’re working towards: What is your end goal? Where can your team find your work breakdown structure listing all of your project deliverables and sub deliverables? Make sure you’re keeping track of all of this information in a tool everyone can access. Project management tools make it easy to share information with team members and stakeholders and to visually track project progress. Use a Gantt chart to bring your roadmap to life, see progress in real- time, get notified if any project plans shift, and stay up-to-date on any project milestones. 3. Project Execution Now that you’ve planned your project to perfection, it’s time to put it into practice. The project execution phase is exactly what it sounds like — this is when your project team and general contractors are building your project! One of the most important things to carry through into the project execution phase is communication. Poor communication is one of the most common reasons for project failure, especially in the construction industry. Think about all of the stakeholders involved in a construction project. Without a clear way to keep everyone in the loop, especially as people roll onto and off of the project, you’ll never be able to finish the project on time and on budget. Good communication starts with a clear communication plan, but it doesn’t stop there. Make sure you have a way for team members to access important project information — including the lessons you learned during previous phases. Documenting your client conversations, your team updates, and your project progress reports in one place makes it easy to avoid making the same mistakes you’ve already made. That way, you’re more likely to hit your deliverables on time and on budget. 4. Commissioning Once the final product is built, you move on to the commissioning phase. There are three steps to the commissioning phase: A. Do a final walkthrough. Before you present the finished product to your client, you want to make sure you didn’t miss anything. Take some time to walk through and test your finished product to ensure there are no errors. Document anything you find in the punch list. Project owners typically use the final walkthrough and punch list as an opportunity for quality control. If there’s a part of the build that doesn’t meet contract specifications or if something wasn’t installed correctly, the project manager can list it on the punch list to rework. B. Present the finished building to your client. Once you’ve finished your internal walkthrough, it’s time to present the finished deliverables to the client and walk them through everything you’ve created. The client will want to inspect the construction site and test systems and equipment. Hopefully you’ve caught all of the errors ahead of time, but if they find any new errors during their walkthrough, it’s your responsibility to fix them as quickly as possible. C. Train the client on any systems before you leave. Even without errors, make sure the client and building manager know how to operate any relevant systems so they can maintain the building once you’re no longer on the premises. This can include things like electricity, plumbing, software, and more. (Six Phases of Construction Project Management continued from page 5)5. Occupancy and Warranty During the occupancy and warranty period, the client actually moves into the building. You will no longer be on site, but you may still be responsible for the construction project, depending on your contract and your local or federal warranty policies. There are two types of warranties, depending on your situation: contractual warranty and implied warranty. Work with your internal legal department to figure out which warranty you have and how long the warranty period lasts. 6. Project Closure Once the warranty period is over, the project is closed. You’ve fulfilled your obligation to the client, but you’re not quite done yet. In order to ensure your team got the most out of the project, hold a project post-mortem meeting to review what went right and what could be improved. Catalog lessons learned in a shared tool. That way, the next time you have a similar project, you already have a head start on the planning process. Tools You Need to Run a Successful Construction Project Now that you understand the six phases of construction project management, you need to execute on those phases. That’s where construction project management software comes in. What is construction project management software? Construction project management software is a tool to help construction professionals execute their work and hit their deadlines. There are two types of tools you can use: 1. Traditional tools, which offer features specific to construction teams but can be difficult to learn and require a project manager to manage the tool. 2. Modern project management tools, which are flexible for any team and can be run by anyone. What are Modern Project Management Tools? Modern project management tools make it easy for you to coordinate work, stay in sync, and hit your deadlines. Unlike traditional project management tools, modern project management software is easy for anyone to use. These tools have everything you need to succeed and mold a project exactly to your requirements. Key Features to Look for in your Construction Project Management Software Regardless of what type of tool you use, make sure you select one that lets you do the following. Set clear deadlines. In CPM, deadlines are of utmost importance. Missing a deadline has a cascading effect and can delay the entire project completion schedule. If your team doesn’t know who’s doing what by when, and who’s responsible for the work being done, deadlines are much more likely to fall through the cracks. In fact, according to our research, 26% of deadlines are missed each week. The key to setting good deadlines is clarity. Make sure your team knows exactly who’s responsible for the work being done, what project dependencies they need to be aware of, and any stakeholders they need to loop in. If you haven’t already, draw out the critical path of your most important work. The earlier you can clarify this information, the more time your team has to make sure they’re prioritizing the right work at the right time. What is a critical path? A critical path in project management is the longest sequence of activities that must be finished on time in order for the entire project to be complete. Any delays in critical tasks will delay the rest of the project. Especially when it comes to large construction projects, you may need to schedule tasks out weeks or even months in advance — particularly when it comes to large pieces of equipment or specialty items. In the moment, a short delay doesn’t seem like a big deal, but if these delays impact your critical path, they may lead to larger issues down the road. Visualize the project timeline and dependencies. There are a lot of moving parts within CPM. With Gantt charts, you can visualize all of this work in one place. Gantt charts are bar chart-like tools that represent each task as a horizontal line. You can see how long each task is expected to take, connect dependencies between tasks for added clarity, and even add project milestones on key dates. The power of dependencies. Even with the clearest deadlines, sometimes, things get delayed. Maybe your shipment didn’t arrive on time because of a storm, or a team member was out sick unexpectedly. When these delays happen, it’s critical that you and your team can clearly understand the impact of the delay. If something gets delayed, ask yourself the following questions: • What other tasks and dependencies will need to be pushed back as a result? • Will this delay impact our overall project deliverables? • Is there work we can do in tandem to make up for the delay? Having this level of clarity immediately when a deadline is missed makes it easy for your team to adjust and, hopefully, make up for lost time. Alternatively, if someone completes a deliverable early, the person waiting on that deliverable to start their work can get notified about it and start right away. Coordinate across multiple projects. If you work at a bigger construction company, you may have many projects in the air at once. When team members are working across projects, one of the most important things for you to keep track of is what each team member has on their plate, and when. No one can keep all of this information in their head — and with effective construction management tools, you don’t have to. Instead, capture all of your team’s work in one place and view team member workload across multiple projects. That way, you can avoid overbooking team members and ensure that they have the bandwidth to complete work for your project on time. Centralize communication. Clear communication is critical — but in CPM, it’s even harder to coordinate than in traditional project management. Not only do you have a variety of stakeholders and a job that takes you away from the computer, but you also have team members rolling on and off the project. Without clear communication, it’s easy for things to fall through the cracks. To prevent this from happening, make sure your entire project team is communicating in the same place: your construction project management tool. By maintaining a single source of truth, there will never be any questions about “ Construction project management software is a tool to help construction professionals execute their work and hit their deadlines . ” /May-June 2023 11who’s working on what or the latest status on a piece of work. In particular, you need software that updates in real-time so your entire team is updated on the status of work — whether they’re at the office or on the job site. With modern construction project management software, you can also add stakeholders to the project so they get real-time project status reports without having to attend a meeting. Track project costs. A huge element of whether or not your construction project succeeds is whether or not it ends under budget. This is especially important in CPM because you may be paying for large, upfront material costs that you need in order to build your final deliverable, whether it’s a house, a building, or something even bigger. But keeping track of budget is really hard to do. Like communication, it comes back to viewing information in real-time. When you can visualize project costs in real-time, you can not only see the budget you’ve spent, but quickly course correct if it seems like you’re veering off track. Standardize processes. The construction industry is vast, but most construction projects your team works on are probably pretty similar. In addition to following the six steps of CPM, you’ll have your own sub-steps in place to help manage the work and keep your team on track. The difference between a successful and an unsuccessful construction project often comes down to how well you can execute on those small sub-steps. With a million moving parts, a diversity of contractors and team members, and potential project risks that could jeopardize your final deliverable, it’s critical that your team stays on top of all of the little details, every time. If you’re working on a project similar to a past initiative, there’s no reason for you to reinvent the wheel. Instead, look for a way to templatize your processes. That way, you can plug and play when you have a new construction project — without worrying that you’re going to miss a step. By streamlining the project process, you’re also giving your team more time to execute, rather than plan. Real-time updates on the go. A lot of the time, you need access to information when you aren’t at your desk. Walking through the construction site and notice something amiss? You need a way to log that information into your project management software so you can solve the issue as quickly as possible. Look for a tool with a really good mobile app that allows you to update your work in real-time. That way, everyone — in the office and on the job site — is on the same page. Better Project Management with Asana Construction management is a high-intensity field, and you need a way to keep up with all of the changing plans and unexpected changes. There are construction project management tools out there, but that’s not what Asana focuses on. Asana is a work management platform — which means they think about processes, not just projects. With Asana, you can plan and execute any project. From centralized decision making to streamlined information sharing, Asana is an all-in-one tool to help your team get their best work done and hit their goals. About Asana: Asana helps organizations orchestrate their work, enabling cross-functional collaboration from small projects to strategic initiatives. Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, Asana has more than 139,000 paying customers and millions of free organizations in over 200 countries and territories. Global customers such as Amazon, Affirm, Japan Airlines, and Sky rely on Asana to manage everything from company objectives to digital transformation to product launches and marketing campaigns. For more information, visit www.asana.com. This article is reprinted with permission from Asana. ©️ 2023, Asana, Inc. Construction Project Delivery Methods A ll construction projects require a mixture of services, including planning, design, and construction. Construction project delivery methods provide different ways to organize those services contractually in order to execute a project. While each project team generally consists of an owner, a designer, and a builder, how each project is executed differs. Choosing the right project delivery method is a crucial step before design begins. Before you choose a project delivery method, there are a few things you should consider. This includes the owner’s bud- get, the scope of the project, the risks involved, the schedule, and the owner’s experience with similar projects. The following is a breakdown of the three most common types of project delivery methods: 1. Design-Bid-Build (DBB) 2. Design-Build (DB) 3. Construction Management-at-Risk (CMAR) Design-Bid-Build (DBB) Design-Bid-Build is the most popular project delivery method and is thought to result in the lowest construction price. The designer/architect and general contractor work directly for the owner under separate contracts, so this method provides a lot of opportunities for input on the project from the owner. The design team works with the owner to develop the contract documents: drawings, specifications, and other exhibits. Once the design is finished, it is sent out for general contractors to provide a bid on the project. Then, the design team and owner evaluate the proposals from the GCs and select the one the owner wants to go to contract with. Design-Build (DB) Design-Build is becoming more popular in recent years; a recent report claims that this delivery method is now used on up to 40% of the US-based construction projects. DB creates a very straightforward process for owners, as they are only contracted with one firm. In this method, both the design and construction phases are covered under one contract with one company. The entire project is handled by either the architect or the contractor from start to finish. DB projects can be architect- led or contractor-led. The process from start of design to completion of construction is usually shorter too, so it is often used for fast-track projects. Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) With the Construction Manager at Risk method (CMAR), a construction manager, similar to a general contractor, acts as the owner’s representative during both the design and construction phases. The CMAR method separates the design and building processes. The construction manager is involved from the beginning with the design process, mainly as a cost controller, and also oversees construction like a general contractor would. The difference is that the CMAR accepts the risk of meeting the project deadline and owner’s cost requirements, which are usually expressed as a guaranteed maximum price. Choose the Best Project Delivery Method for your Project Deciding which project delivery method is best relies a lot on the type of project, how much control over the project the owner wants, the project timeline, and the budget. Each method provides a different amount of control and ties the parties together contractually in a different way. Every project is different, so you’ll need to choose the right method on a case-by-case basis. 12 /May-June 2023T he R.W. Kern Center, in Amherst, Massachusetts, is the 17th certified Living Building in the world, a model for sustainable design in action. It meets the stringent requirements of the world’s most advanced green building standard, the Living Building Challenge: it generates its own electricity, collects and treats its own water, and is built with local, non-toxic, and low-carbon materials. The 17,000-square-foot building supports Hampshire College’s efforts to make campus operations carbon neutral. This multi-functional building also serves as a living laboratory where students and the public can study innovative systems and evaluate performance. The Living Building Challenge The Living Building Challenge requires buildings to meet 100% of their energy needs with on-site renewable energy, to provide 100% of water demand using on-site rainwater collection, and to process their own wastewater and stormwater on site. The Challenge also sets strict guidelines for material selection, including a banned “Red List” of toxic building substances and requirements for local sourcing. Perhaps most uniquely — and in alignment with Hampshire’s educational ethos — Living Buildings must put people first, emphasize a relationship with nature, and inspire and educate all who interact with them. Centered on Nature The design team incorporated biophilic design elements deliberately and identified specific attributes early in the process. The commitment to biophilic design was maintained from design through construction with regular workshops that included both the design team and the faculty and staff, and students who would ultimately call the Kern Center their own. A central design driver was to celebrate the project’s context, a rural setting that includes inspiring views of the Holyoke Range. The building form, consisting of a central atrium from which two stone-clad wings emerge, was oriented to preserve and highlight these views. With a common area, community living room, and café on the R. W. Kern Center ground floor and gallery above, the two-story glass atrium maintains a connection to the outdoors and serves as a hub of campus activity, while the wings house administrative offices and classrooms. Environmental Features Natural Materials: Dominated by stone, wood, and glass, the Kern Center was built using a simple palette of local materials that are left largely unfinished and exposed. The distinctive Ashfield mica-schist stone that is used both externally and internally was extracted from a small quarry only 25 miles away and delivered to the site in small batches. Stacked on the façades of the two wings, the stone layers evoke the geomorphic strata in natural formations. The warm gray-blue tones, rich sheen, and ridged patterning of the stone complements the bands of concrete and horizontal wood cladding. Inside the building, the aggregates are exposed in the diamond-polished concrete floor. These materials, unpainted and minimally finished, celebrate the work of human hands and evoke a sense of reverence and affection for the building and the place from which it comes. Habitats and Ecosystems: Planted beds run along the south-facing wall. Not only do these plants provide pleasing greenery for the atrium, they treat greywater from all sinks in the building and create natural habitat. Given the cold climate in winter, the plants provide a welcome green buffer when snow is on the ground. The planted beds also help students understand how plant roots and bacteria treat wastewater naturally by extracting and consuming nutrients. Views and Vistas The R.W. Kern Center’s location was deliberately chosen to orient future students on tours of Hampshire College, helping them comprehend the campus layout and appreciate the beauty of the rural location. The building is oriented to celebrate significant views, and the design uses windows and large openings to frame and emphasize a Photo courtesy of Bruner/Cott & Associates The building form, consisting of a central atrium from which two stone-clad wings emerge, was oriented to preserve and highlight the views of the Holyoke Range. /May-June 2023 13hierarchy of these views. The south-facing central common area highlights expansive vistas of the Holyoke Range and The Notch, a prominent local landmark, while offices and classrooms offer glimpses of the amphitheater, rainwater harvesting reservoirs, solar farm, and wildflower meadow. Natural Patterns and Processes Central Focal Point: The two-story glazed atrium serves as the R.W. Kern Center’s heart. In contrast with the solid forms and more enclosed spaces of the office and classroom wings, this central common space is open and energetic, with expansive views out to the campus and landscape beyond. With puzzles incorporated into the interior materials, a second-floor overlook, quiet corners, and bustling café seating, the atrium provides a variety of experiences, as well a place where people can gather. In a broader sense, as the gateway into the campus from the north, the Kern Center serves as a central focal point for pedestrian traffic, introducing visitors to the culture of Hampshire College along the way. Linked Series and Chains: The atrium serves as a hub, linking the two wings of the building to this central point. From this public common area, the building’s more private program elements branch off. Progressing from the atrium into each wing, the orientation, views, and light all change, scaling down from open and expansive to more intimate and enclosed. The building itself also serves as a hub and vital link to other parts of the campus. Several footpaths intersect at the building, and views through the glazed atrium reinforce the link between the northern outer campus and central quad. Information Richness: In addition to the sensory stimulation that comes with the interplay of materials, light, and views, ten puzzles are embedded into the building. A series of letters emblazoned on the underside of stair treads; a curious pattern of light and dark squares and rectangles inlaid into a floor board near a bench; a pattern of red and white painted pipe clamps high on the ceiling — these puzzles draw attention to aspects of the building people might otherwise not notice, inviting the visitor to pause and look more closely while contemplating the puzzles’ meanings. Light and Space Natural Light: The building’s shallow width and passive solar orientation allow every space to be flooded with natural light. In the two-story atrium, open expanses of glass create a visual connection through the building. The atrium gathers light and distributes it to adjacent spaces, while open layouts help occupants maintain a connection to the outdoors from wherever they are inside the building. Light and Shadow: The dramatic south-facing glazed wall allows sunlight to penetrate deep into the space, creating shadows that change during the day and throughout each season. The exposed wood beams and concrete floor of the atrium reflect the changing sun angle with colors that shift and deepen. Spaciousness: The high ceilings and proportion of glazing in the atrium creates a sense of spaciousness, where the walls disappear and the ceiling seems to float above. The transparent staircases and open layout enhance the open, lofty quality. Built Experience Lessons Learned: The R.W. Kern Center provides a much-needed heart for the Hampshire College campus — a place to welcome prospective and current students. The Center translates the identity of Hampshire College into a built form that communicates the college’s values and unique approach to education. Entering the building through its main entry, visitors find themselves in a light-filled, two-story commons. Prospective students begin their tour of the campus on the second floor, where large windows frame views of the hills, meadows, and woods, which turn a patchwork of green, russet, and yellow in autumn. Students and faculty alike can find a quiet corner or join the bustling atmosphere of the café. Many take the time to enjoy a moment of calm relaxation and appreciate the beauty of the setting. Students who have a little more time explore the curious numbers, letters, shapes, and other markings embedded in many of the interior features. The R.W. Kern Center serves as a welcome center for staff, students, and their families — and the central meeting point for the campus community. As an embodiment of the values of Hampshire College, the Center sends a strong sustainability message, and redefines the concept of “green campus.” About The International Living Future Institute: Living Future is premised on the belief that providing a compelling vision for the future is a fundamental requirement for reconciling humanity’s relationship with the natural world. Their community of architects, engineers, manufacturers, builders, business leaders, and other stakeholders are creating regenerative buildings and products globally to restore the health and resilience of economies, cultures, and people. For more information, please visit https:// living-future.org. About Bruner/Cott Architects: Bruner/Cott is dedicated to enhancing quality of life, economic vigor, and sense of community through thoughtful and sustainable design. They believe architecture is a site-specific art rather than an imposed style, and their practice thoughtfully considers each project within the context of mission and community. See www.brunercott.com. (Reprinted with permission from Living Future Institute.) “The R.W. Kern Center provides a much-needed heart for the Hampshire College campus — a place to welcome prospective and current students.” 14 /May-June 2023Schweiss setting up the interior of the new door manufacturing facility. caption Photo Courtesy: Schweiss Doors Owner Schweiss Doors Northeast Shop Rebuild, Schweiss Distributing Hector, Minnesota S chweiss Doors is the premier manufacturer of hydraulic and bifold liftstrap doors. Their doors are custom made to any size for any type of new or existing building, allowing architects and builders to do amazing things with their buildings. Schweiss also offers a cable-to- liftstrap conversion package. Schweiss recently erected a new manufacturing facility which will also serve as a showcase for the company’s new freestanding header frames. A post- frame building erected in 1960 was torn down to make room for the 90'×94' metal building with an inside clearance of 20 feet. The building features three hydraulic doors that illustrate the company’s free- standing header frames integrated into the hydraulic doors, allowing the doors to support themselves with no reliability on the building structure itself. “The freestanding header frames are another unique innovation from Schweiss Doors,” says Mike Schweiss, owner of Schweiss Freestanding Headers allow for the door to be self-supporting with no need to tie back to the building. /May-June 2023 15o Courtesy: Schweiss Doors Building Envelope: Schweiss Doors Entrances & Storefronts: Schweiss Doors Product Information The expansion will serve as an additional door building shop. 16 /May-June 2023 Demolition of 1960 pole barn to make room for new door shop. The building features three hydraulic doors that illustrate the company’s freestanding header frames. Schweiss Doors. “The building and freestanding hydraulic door design will be a real exhibit that displays the new stand-alone hydraulic door. There’s nothing on the market like it.” The doors measure 20'×14'; 28'×17; and 37'7"×17'. The gray wall panels of the building are 3" expanded polyurethane sandwich panels with an R-value of 21. The doors are all sheeted with 2" ribbed tin, with a black exterior and a flat liner inside sheeting, allowing for two inches of insulation for an R-value of 14. Schweiss added that the expansion will serve as an additional door building shop, featuring six welders and custom-designed hoist systems throughout the facility to help maneuver the door frames. Production in the new facility started during the first week of March 2023.Project Team DIVISION COST % OF SQ.FT. SPECIFICATIONS COST COST GENERAL REQUIREMENTS 8,433 2.10 1.00 — CONCRETE 31,826 7.93 3.76 — METALS 17,900 4.46 2.12 — THERMAL & MOISTURE PROTECTION 181,467 45.20 21.45 — OPENINGS 56,379 14.04 6.66 — FINISHES 3.000 0.75 0.35 Ceiling replacement, painting. EQUIPMENT 26,203 6.53 3.10 — PLUMBING 15,801 3.94 1.87 — HVAC 33.347 8.31 3.94 Air handler units, VAV boxes, relief & exhaust fans, air distribution, variable frequency device, ductwork, piping, controls, testing & startup, insulation, change orders. ELECTRICAL 21,092 5.25 2.49 — ELECTRONIC SAFETY & SECURITY 6,000 1.49 0.71 Fire life safety. TOTAL BUILDING COSTS 401,448 100% $47.45* EXISTING CONDITIONS 24,505 Demolition. EARTHWORK 400 TOTAL PROJECT COST 426,353 UPDATED ESTIMATE TO JUNE 2023: $50.67 PER SQUARE FOOT *Installing contractor overhead and profit not included. Regional Cost Trends This project, updated to June 2023 in the selected cities of the United States. Architect Owner Schweiss Doors 72121 470th Street, Hector, MN 55342 Bifold.com Northeast Shop Rebuild, Schweiss Distributing INDUSTRIAL ID230515 EASTERN U.S. Sq.Ft. Total Cost Cost ________________________________________________ Atlanta, GA $34.84 $294,736 Pittsburgh, PA $49.32 $417,224 New York, NY $67.87 $574,161 WESTERN U.S. Sq.Ft. Total Cost Cost ________________________________________________ Los Angeles, CA $57.46 $486,123 Las Vegas, NV $55.20 $466,984 Seattle, WA $50.67 $428,707 CENTRAL U.S. Sq.Ft. Total Cost Cost ________________________________________________ Dallas, TX $33.48 $283,253 Kansas City, KS $47.96 $405,740 Chicago, IL $61.53 $520,573 For more information on this project and similar projects visit www.dcd.com Structural, Mechanical & Electrical Engineer General Contractor Schweiss Doors 72121 470th Street Hector, MN 55342 Location: Hector, Minnesota Date Bid: Jun 2022 Construction Period: Oct 2022 to Feb 2023 Total Square Feet: 8,460 Building Sizes: First floor, 8,460; total, 8,460 square feet. Building Height: First floor, 33'1"; total, 33'1". Number of Buildings: One. Basic Construction Type: Structural steel. Foundation: Slab-on-grade. Exterior Walls: CMU. Roof: Metal, insulated sandwich panel. Floors: Concrete. Project General Description /May-June 2023 17A s construction continues at The Mather, a Life Plan Community opening in Tysons, Virginia in 2024, a unique wellness philosophy is literally being built into the community. Incorporating biophilic design (a way to integrate nature into design; an approach to facilitate access to nature or things that replicate natural patterns), and Mather’s unique Person-Centric Wellness Model, created by its research area Mather Institute, will bring a fresh perspective to wellness. Mather, founded in 1941, is bringing innovation not only through its wellness model but also in its most recent senior living development in Tysons for those age 62+. With construction of The Mather, they seek to capture the many benefits of nature by incorporating biophilic design. “Bringing the outdoors in” connects residents to the natural world, while providing beneficial sensory experiences. “Research shows that a connection to nature provides positive benefits to mental states and overall well-being,” observed Mather CEO and President, Mary Leary. “At The Mather, biophilic design is the intersection of buildings and programs with nature in a vibrant urban setting.” Examples include: • Interior spaces with sightlines to green spaces, like a park • Choosing natural wood and stone as interior materials • Incorporating fragrant flowers and plants indoors to spark memories and provide tactile opportunities such as gardening Wellness, Personalized Biophilic design is just one example of how Mather Institute’s Person-Centric Wellness Model is being applied at The Mather. In a world of custom offerings and amenities, Mather recognizes that everyone’s wellness journey is unique to their individual life experiences and influences, which is a key focus of their Person-Centric Wellness Model. The model identifies three universal psychological needs, which the Institute calls the three As: Autonomy, Achievement, and Affiliation. “The Person-Centric Wellness Model recognizes that Mather — Bringing a New Perspective to Wellness The Mather, opening in 2024, incorporates biophilic design to capture the many benefits of nature. 18 /May-June 2023 wellness doesn’t look the same to everyone, and it doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It focuses on the unique individual characteristics and external factors that influence each person’s personal wellness needs,” explains Cate O’Brien, PhD, Vice President & Director, Mather Institute. The Institute’s model was shaped knowing that people are more likely to benefit from a healthy pursuit when it’s something that they are choosing to do (Autonomy); when they feel enabled to reach their goals (Achievement); and when their efforts are encouraged by others (Affiliation). “For example, when people voluntarily help others, they’re engaging in an activity of their own volition, they have an opportunity to apply their skills, and it fosters a sense of closeness to others,” O’Brien added. Mindfulness and Vibrational Therapy Mather Institute also has a special focus on mindfulness to support older adults’ practice of present moment awareness, which can lead to increased overall well-being, compassion, and joy. Its influence is helping shape wellness programs and offerings at The Mather. “The Mather is attracting a diverse group of older adults,” says Leary. “As a result, we aim to incorporate wellness practices from around the world, including Wyda movement theory of the Celtic Druids, which helps people achieve harmony with nature and contentment through mindfulness.” This holistic regenerative approach is similar to Qi Gong and yoga, while born in a different part of the world. Another unique example of wellness at The Mather is the Gharieni Welnamis spa wave bed, which uses computer- controlled vibrational therapy and audio frequencies to train the brain to relax. “The bed increases mindfulness, concentration, and creativity — all of which support our mission of creating Ways to Age Well,” adds Leary. These and other personalized ways to wellness will provide residents of The Mather seemingly countless ways to focus on their well-being, inside and out. Visit themathertysons.com for more information.The new Critical Access Hospital replacement facility is a one-story 63,620-square-foot structure. The new replacement facility improved the functional and operational efficiencies for each department. Photo Courtesy: Ron Blaylock Photography, Ridgeland, MS Architect Dean Architecture, P.A. Replacement Facility for Tippah County Hospital Ripley, Mississippi T ippah County Hospital originally opened its doors in 1950 after being one of the first land sites approved in the Nation under the Hill-Burton Act. The aging facility was due for an upgrade to help better serve the rural area of Tip- pah County. TCH solicited Dean Archi- tecture to provide planning and design services for a new replacement facility that would improve the functional and operational efficiencies for each depart- ment within the hospital. Dean Architecture worked closely with the hospital administration and staff to program and develop a design that met TCH’s needs to serve the community and surrounding areas for decades to come. The new Critical Access Hospital replacement facility is a one-story 63,620-square-foot structure which consists of 25 ADA-compliant med-surg patient rooms, a full service nine-room Emergency Department, Imaging Suite with mobile MRI, Outpatient Surgery Suite, Specialty/Outpatient Clinic, Inpatient Rehab Suite, Intensive Outpatient Program Suite, Respiratory Suite, Pharmacy, Lab, Cafeteria/Dietary Service, and requisite ancillary spaces. The facility provides a six-exam Rural Health Clinic that is connected to the Emergency Department Waiting Room for patient convenience. The facility has a physical connection to the existing county-owned nursing home for the new food service department to serve the Interior: National Gypsum Gold Bond Roofing: Firestone Windows: Kawneer Curtain Wall: Kawneer; Entrances & Storefronts: NABCO Flooring: Mannington Lighting: CBD Product Information nursing home patients and staff. The new cafeteria is designed to serve the public and provides a separate exterior entrance for patrons. The new hospital is Tippah County’s premier health care facility. The staff is committed to providing a resource for quality services and compassionate care for the immediate and surrounding community. /May-June 2023 19Next >