C O M P A N Y O V E R V I E W
Turner Construction Alex Center at Kendall Square
Building Alexandria Center
Project manager Greg Heiges discusses the company’s un Alexandria Center project and how new technologies and s with contractors is helping to ensure the project exceeds e Written by: Robert Spence Produced by: Tom Venturo
exandria e Project
nique approach to the strong relationships expectations
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Turner Construction Alexandria Center at Kendall Square Project
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ince 1902, Turner Construction has earned a reputation for undertaking large, complex projects, fostering innovation, embracing emerging technologies, and making a difference for their clients, employees and community. Their latest project could be their biggest yet. Located in the thriving metropolitan center of Cambridge, Massachusetts, the Alexandria Center at Kendall Square is expecting its newest addition, a 910,000-sq mixed-use retail space that will include 10 stories and 6.5 levels of parking. 4
February 2015
Unique methodology One of the most distinctive aspects to the Alexandria Center project is the methodology being undertaken by Turner. In agreement with the owners, Turner Construction is utilizing the Up-Down construction methodology, a unique approach that requires the substructure and the superstructures to be built at the same time while the slurry walls are built around the building’s foundation. “The up-down methodology is bit of an artwork and economics and it takes a lot of on-site construction management to manage that and make it work,” says project manager
KENDALL SQUARE PROJECT
CONSTRUCTION
Turner Construction Alexandria Center at Kendall Square Project
of the Alexandria Center, Greg Heiges. “The approach helps to save time on the overall schedule and narrow the delivery time on the building. Turner was brought in for this project because of our expertise in up-down construction.” Commencing construction in July of this year, Turner is expected to have the shellcor aspect of the project completed by December 2016. “Right now we’re finishing up the slurry wall, which goes down 90 feet, and we’re putting in the down columns, which are 100 feet. Once those columns are set, we’ll start the race of digging down and putting those up,” says Heiges.
“Safety is paramount for not only our success, but the success of our employees and our contractors. We drive the value and criticality of safety into every single employee.” – says Heiges
Integrated lean approach In addition to the methodology, the company’s w w w. t u r n e r c o n s t r u c t i o n . c o m
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Proven Experience. Powerful Performance. State Electric Corporation is a dynamic, full-service electrical construction company providing commercial, utility, and renewable energy and innovative systems services to a wide range of clients throughout the eastern United States. Over the past 26 years, State Electric has grown to become one of the region’s most trusted electrical contractors by consistently providing the proven experience, expertise, and “customer-first” attitude needed to deliver project performance that exceeds our clients’ expectations.
2 DeAngelo Drive | Bedford, MA 01730 | Tel: 781-933-5255 | Fax: 781-933-6205 | www.stateelectriccorp.com
CONSTRUCTION
integrated lean approach is another interesting aspect to the project. According to Heiges, Turner is utilizing its design team and subcontractors in collaboration to bring the best of both worlds to designing and building the project. “We took a lean approach to find efficiencies for the project. First, the design team gets their work to 50 percent and then, based on the trade, they work with the subcontractors to finish drawing the job. Our subcontractors are drawing construction documents accompanied with the engineer of record.” “It’s a different approach but it’s interesting because we find that a lot of time the person with the hammer and nail understands a little bit better than the person with the mouse and keyboard,”
SUPPLIER PROFILE
Turner Construction Alexandria Center at Kendall Square Project
STATE ELECTRIC
State Electric Corporation is a dynamic, full-service electrical construction company providing commercial, utility, and renewable energy and innovative systems services to a wide range of clients throughout the eastern United States. We’ve built our reputation on the experience, expertise, and commitment to excellence in workmanship and safety of our teams of electrical construction professionals. Their “customer-first” attitude for effective problem-solving consistently goes beyond the ordinary to ensure every project performance exceeds the expectations of our clients. Since our founding in 1988, State Electric’s mission has remained the same: To be the partner our clients trust for outstanding service and uncompromising integrity. Website: www.stateelectriccorp.com
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INC.
TIMESMART PEOPLE Canatal fabricates and installs structural steel buildings. In the last 25 years, we successfully executed more than 1000 projects ranging from 100 to 10,000 tons.
Canatal Industries, Inc. | 2885 blvd Frontenac E. | Thetford Mines, Quebec | Canada G6G 6P6 Phone 418-338-6044 | Fax 418-338-6829 | Email : info@canatal.net | www.canatal.net
Masonry Construction • Waterproofing • Restoration Preservation • Concrete Repair With nearly 30 years experience, Commercial Masonry has grown to be a leading subcontractor in providing comprehensive commercial masonry and waterproofing services throughout New England. We take pride in being your reliable professional masonry and waterproofing experts by delivering quality results and exceeding your visions and expectations. 11 Aldrin roAd, Plymouth, mA 02360 -7245
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Heiges adds. “Bringing those two together and finding the best way to design and build something is like getting the best of both worlds.” One of the biggest reasons Turner is able to implement new approaches to the project is because of the owner. The owner of the building has allowed Turner to do what it does best, utilize new approaches and technology to develop the best possible outcome. “We’re in a fortunate situation because the owner is pushing new innovations and to find better methodology and better systems,” says Heiges.
And new technology is what Turner is implementing. The company is applying a wide range of technological advances to the project. “One of the big things we’re using is Bin360. The software allows us to virtually build the project in 3D, thus allowing the owner and their maintenance staff to virtually see the project before we build it,” says Heiges. “We’re always pushing technology and with this project, as a testament to it, we had a full time VDC consultant on board who is a Turner employee. They basically
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Turner Construction Alexandria Center at Kendall Square Project
manage, push and drive the whole technological effort.�
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February 2015
Relationships The one thing that really sets Turner apart from other construction
KENDALL SQUARE PROJECT companies is their strong relationships with subcontractors. One of the final pieces to the project has been Turner’s relationships with their subcontractors. In addition to helping with the integrated approach, the company’s long-term relationships have been an immense addition to the construction of the project. “We stand by our subcontractors through thick and thin. We see them not as an extension of Turner but a part of the Turner family,” says Heiges. “We work through difficult scenarios, through ups and downs, through tough economics and all kinds of stuff. They understand safety and quality is important to us, and we stick by them through difficult and complex scenarios on projects.” According to Heiges, a vital part to Turner’s success has also been their commitment to safety. “Safety is the very core of Turner Construction. Personally, I feel it’s our greatest attribute. We understand the ramifications of having an incident on site are not only detrimental to the person that could be injured, but its detrimental to the project and the value of the property if things are deemed unsafe. The ramifications and ripple effect for an unsafe work environment go well beyond the direct individuals involved in safety.” He adds, “Safety is paramount for not only our success, but the success of our employees and our contractors. We drive the value and criticality of safety into every single employee.”
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Company Information INDUSTRY
Construction HEADQUARTERS
New York FOUNDED
1902 EMPLOYEES
10,000
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TURNER CONSTRUCTION ALEXANDRIA CENTER AT KENDALL SQUARE PROJECT 375 Hudson Street New York, NY ,10014 (405) 307-6000 www.turnerconstruction.com