Improvements taking shape at Carle Foundation Hospital will increase entryway visibility, and upgrading to modern and more-effective amenities will improve visitor and patient experiences.
As a former Big 10 athlete, Brian Malich knows the importance of staying focused and positive results. He also knows hard work leads to success. That said, we are excited to announce his promotion to Senior Preconstruction Manager. In this new role, “My goal is to create and maintain client relationships that continually evolve to meet new challenges in construction,” said Brian.
With over 15 years of experience, Brian has been a vital asset to Findorff’s preconstruction team. He has collaborated on facilities across the Midwest, offering his constructability and budgeting expertise to projects of all sizes. Brian’s success is not only because of the high standards he has set for himself, but also is a result of his passion for excellence.
When Brian is not occupied with helping clients determine how to construct projects efficiently and economically, he enjoys spending time with his wife and six kids, as well as visiting local festivals and events.
Every summer, Findorff takes time to celebrate its core values. As we recognize character this July, we pledge to bring the highest level of service and craftsmanship. It drives everything we do, from constructing iconic buildings to supporting our communities. We’ve remained steady on this commitment throughout our history. Most recently, we led our first Construction Camp. This was a fun, hands-on opportunity for local students to learn what it means to be a general contractor.
As part of the undertaking, we teamed with the Dane County School Consortium, trades professionals, and school districts. Over the course of a week, students received hands-on experience and industry insights on the many facets of construction, both on and off the job site.
Findorff’s staff, ranging from business development and preconstruction personnel to project managers and superintendents, shared what it takes to construct a building. These included efforts to pursue a project, budgeting, and construction management. Students even received “on-the-job” training with a visit to an actual construction site and tips on how to stay injury free.
From this experience, students also learned the various job opportunities available in the construction industry. “Exploring career opportunities in construction was great,” said Verona Area High School student Ryan Christensen. “Trades professionals walked us through the building process and helped us understand the many parts of construction.
UW Credit Union announces planning for a new full-service branch in Verona, Wisconsin. The new Verona branch is scheduled to open in mid-summer of 2019. The Verona location will offer members world-class technology, including in-branch services and a range of online and mobile digital banking solutions.
The Dodgeville hospital, Upland Hills Health (UHH), is one-step closer to starting construction on a new central building that will connect and modernize critical care areas of the facility. A groundbreaking ceremony was held at the construction site on Friday, June 29, 2018.
A piece-by-piece dismantling of the J.H. Findorff & Son tower crane has marked progress in the construction of the new Sentry office building on Northpoint Drive.
Blog written by Findorff’s Prefabrication & Construction Process Manager Justin Mitten and Senior Virtual Construction Specialist Joel Powers
Long before a shovel hits the ground, key factors drive a building’s design. In the world of construction, two driving factors that go hand in hand are prefabrication and virtual construction. Findorff has been performing these services on countless projects for years, offering unique insight into the industry.
Prefabrication is a process that typically starts during the design development phase or earlier. At this time, we can apply lessons learned from prior work, as well as identify and optimize different elements of a building’s design. From here, we determine what parts of a building can be fabricated offsite in a controlled environment. In turn, we expedite schedules, increase quality, determine cost-saving solutions, and streamline construction efforts.
Like prefabrication, virtual construction takes place early on. It involves developing and managing digital models of a building’s physical components, ranging from MEP/FP systems to load-bearing structures. No longer do we have to solely rely on specification drawings or traditional blueprints. Virtual construction offers our project managers, consultants, and clients 3D representations of how a facility will be built. We have also recognized other benefits including improved communication, risk reduction, increased productivity, and streamlined schedules.
As these two design drivers are key to a project’s success, our prefabrication and virtual construction teams routinely collaborate with each other. An example of this is how we engineer wall panels. Initial plans and shop drawings are developed by our prefabrication team. A Virtual Construction Engineer then models the wall panels with detailed information to guide prefabrication efforts. We routinely meet with field leadership to identify potential constructability issues and installation strategies for prefabricated building components. Together through such coordinated efforts, we are better prepared before the first footing is even poured.
The new headquarters for Summit Credit Union is a great example where prefabrication and virtual construction offered major efficiencies. Slated for completion in February 2019, it will be a six-story facility spanning 190,000 square feet. As part of the scope, our virtual construction team modeled 700 exterior wall panels, over 170 of which were specifically developed with shop drawings used by our prefabrication team. In turn, quality issues have been reduced where no rework has been required, saving time and money. Findorff’s prefabrication team also provides “kitting” services. This involves precutting and presorting lumber, which was purchased in bulk. The sorted lumber is divided into parts, each of which is treated as a “kit” for various areas of the building. Lumber is then delivered to correspond with the time prefabricated wall panels arrive to the jobsite. As a result, jobsite waste is minimized, costs are reduced, safety is improved, and project efficiency is increased.
Undoubtedly, prefabrication and virtual construction play significant roles in the built environment. As technology continues to develop for these major drivers of design, so have our various construction practices. We have started to incorporate reality capture, augmented reality, robotics, and drone technologies into every phase of construction. Through such efforts, we are advancing our position as a leading construction manager in the Midwest and trusted partner for our clients.
The Ronald McDonald House Charities in Madison is adding more rooms and community spaces to house families who have children staying at the American Family Children’s Hospital. Organizers say they have spent the last year and a half raising money for the addition, and kicked off the process Saturday with a groundbreaking.