Building Team

Les Hiscoe, PE, is the CEO of Shawmut, a $1.5 billion national construction management company headquartered in Boston.

Major AEC firms took action – a new office, a relocation, staff hires and promotions – as construction activity picked up following the loosening of Covid restrictions in many parts of the country.

The Construction Cost Index, as tracked by Rider Levett Bucknall, was up 4.6% in the first quarter of 2021, compared to the same period a year eariler. Images: RLB

A survey of architects found that they expect more work on existing buildings, versus new construction, this year, a carryover from 2020, the year of the pandemic. All charts: AIA

Last summer, in response to the pandemic, Campus Advantage (developer) built an outdoor fitness facility at Liv+ Gainesville, its 618-bed student residence near the University of Florida medical, dental, and veterinary schools. “This has been our most used amenity, as residents are able to stay socially distanced in an outdoor area,” said Katy Smerko, CA’s Vice President of Operations. Demarest (architect) and CORE (GC) formed the project team with Campus Advantage. Photo: Campus Advantage 

   

Adaptive reuse for hospitality, with Frank Cretella of Landmark Developers

TimberQuest, which uses prefabricated mass timber components, can significantly reduce a project's design and construction periods. Images: Courtesy of XL Construction