Brown Mackie College (Tulsa, OK)
This was a competitively bid project designed by Burt Hill Architects. The concept for this project was to completely demolish including all mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems approximately 25,000sf in the Exchange Center West and renovate this area for a new college that would offer degree programs in Accounting, Business, Criminal Justice, Medical Assistant and Paralegal Assistant program. The existing building is a 6 six-story structure, Brown Mackie College, occupies the 1st 2nd and 3rd floors.
The existing structure was completely gutted including all Mechanical, Plumbing and Electrical Systems with installation of all new HVAC Systems, New Electrical Distribution and Lighting, Telephone and Data Systems, Security and new Plumbing Systems. Due to the age of the building all of these had to be replaced to meet current building codes.
LDKerns received notice to proceed on May 22, 2008 and achieved substantial completion on Aug. 10, 2008. This required a fast track schedule. The average crew size at the project was 30 people per day. This schedule also required daily updating and coordination to achieve. In today’s construction industry most materials have an 8 – 12 week lead time. This required us to provide timely submittals for the Architects review and working with all of our suppliers to ensure timely delivery dates so as to not negatively impact the construction schedule.
The material deliveries were a challenge, As the existing building utilized a pneumatic control system for the HVAC. Part of the project requirements was to change to a D.D.C. control system. This required all new V.A.V. units and F.P.B. units which are normally a long lead item. By working closely with the suppliers, we were able to receive this equipment in about six weeks.
Another major challenge was coordinating with the owner, architects and engineers. Each of these entities were located in other states. Most of our meetings were held via conference call and Burt Hill also has a web site where all document revisions were posted, R.F.I.’s are posted and answered and all related job info is updated for all parties to review.
The major challenge was working in an occupied building. The existing elevators at the project are very small. A 4x8 piece of sheetrock will not even fit in them. To solve this issue, we removed windows on each floor and created landing areas where all the materials for this project could be loaded through the side of the building and not impact the existing occupants of the building.
LDKerns performed this project in just under three months per the bid documents and provided the owner with an aesthetically pleasing project that was available for them to utilize for their fall class schedule. The owner and architects had told us several times that this was there smoothest project to date and would work with us again.
This project is unique for several reasons, we constructed a 2.5 million dollar, 25,000sf project in just under three months, with zero Lost Time Accidents.
This project also had an emphasis on not impacting the environment, out of the 17 tons of debris generated, over 50% was recycled.
