Recently, Bill Weber, Jr. joined Lonnie Cumpton of NECA National and Tauhira Ali of Milwaukee Tool to discuss offsite prefabrication, pre-planning, and the push for greater efficiency in construction during the “Innovation Studio” podcast.
During the discussion, Bill talked about the history of prefabrication at Gaston Electrical, the hard work to build the division, and the benefits seen on the jobsite today. He also offered advice and best practices for other electrical contractors who may be in the process of establishing their own prefabrication division.
To learn more about Gaston’s Prefabrication Division, you can visit our website by clicking here.
Gaston Electrical Principal Bill Weber was recently featured in ConstructionDive.com’s Offsite Construction Series. In his discussion with writer Kim Slowey, Bill comments on the many benefits of pre-fabrication and the efficiencies it creates.
From the article: Prefabrication can even encompass entire smaller-scale structures, like a house, that are built and shipped in pieces and put together on site. Prefabricated systems and components can be built in a factory designated for such work or in a contractor’s warehouse. Bill Weber, principal at Gaston Electrical, in Norwood, MA, told Construction Dive in June that the ability to work with other subcontractors in order to assemble multi-trade racks ahead of time can reduce onsite skilled labor requirements by as much as half. And, according to Weber, companies that don’t take advantage of the efficiencies prefab offers could be setting themselves up for failure.
Recently, John “Buck” Buckley , Gaston Service Division Manager, spoke with Boston Business Journal Real Estate Editor Catherine Carlock about the steps that building owners and managers are taking to make facilities safer, more attractive to tenants, and ready for increased energy requirements. Topics included the importance of ample lab space in the Boston and Cambridge markets as well as the financial hurdles involved with office to lab conversions.
The article also includes valuable insight on air quality and cleaning processes within buildings from industry leading companies such as Skanska, ABM Industries, Aircuity, HqO, and Analogue Studio.
Below is an excerpt from the story featuring Buck’s discussion. The full BBJ / Catherine Carlock article can be read by clicking here.
HIGHER ENERGY USE
Some hospitals and health-care facilities are already planning to improve their facilities systems in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, said John Buckley, service division manager with Norwood-based electrical contractor Gaston Electrical Co. Inc. Whether that extends to the commercial office side remains to be seen.
Converting an office building into something that can handle life-science type systems is neither easy nor cheap, Buckley said. The facilities would go from basic infrastructure — cooling, heating, hot water, and data for computers — to running continual power, installing emergency generators so the power never goes out, and upgrading ventilation and exhaust systems.
“It’s mammoth, on the mechanical side, when you got to a life-science type operation as opposed to an office building,” Buckley said. “It’s a lot of design, and it’s expensive.”
Some area landlords have converted a floor or two to life-science standards, versus an entire building, which Buckley said there could be more of in the future.
Recently, Bill Weber Jr. joined Joe Kelly of the Mass Construction Show for an in-depth discussion on the important role of prefabrication in the construction industry.
In the wake of Covid-19 contractors, are faced with new challenges regarding workplace productivity, scheduling, and worker safety. With a lot of communication and planning – leading construction firms have been able to adapt to new guidelines, and develop new protocols for a safe return to work.
Recently, Mike Weber and Greg Skalaski, Executive Vice President for Shawmut Design and Construction’s western division spoke with Kim Slowey at ConstructionDive.com – sharing industry insight and best practices.
“Continuous Improvement” is one of our four core values at Gaston Electrical. More than just words, we try to put them into practice daily. This particular core value takes special attention and effort however – as it requires all of us to think outside the box, question the way we (as a company and industry) have always done things, then develop innovative solutions to meet our goals.
Creative problem solving won’t be found as a daily responsibility in most electrical job postings, but in today’s competitive construction market, it is essential. Our electricians, project managers, and prefabrication team members are continually solving problems and developing innovative solutions.
Once Chestnut Place residential tower in Quincy, MA
They are highly-skilled at identifying opportunities for greater efficiency and increased safety, then putting plans into practice – all the while coordinating, adapting, and communicating across multiple departments (and with our clients) to ensure success.
Once such example is the successful collaboration between Project Manager Adam Stanieich , General Foreman Jim Ferris, Project Superintendent Mike Martinelli, and the Prefabrication Department Manager DJ Murray at our One Chestnut Place residential tower project in Quincy, MA.
For this 140-room, 18 story apartment tower project, the team worked together to identify prefabrication opportunities at the outset – resulting in the creation of prefabricated load centers which could be assembled in our 15,000 SF shop and delivered to the jobsite, and wheeled into place per our schedule.
Please click here to view the video of this successful load center installation process and learn more about our prefabrication services.
On June 10th, The Boston Preservation Alliance announced the winning projects for their 2020 Achievement Awards. This list of winners includes some amazing renovation/rehabilitation projects including The Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Graves Lighthouse, The Revolution Hotel, and our project with Shawmut Construction – Boston University Myles Standish Hall.
Gaston Team during Construction Safety Week
The Myles Standish Hall Project was a 14-month renovation/rehabilitation of the well-known Kenmore Square landmark building. The Gaston Team provided full electrical services upgrades for the building systems, common areas, and student units as well as a new electrical service, all new lighting, fire alarm and power throughout.
Rooftop view toward Kenmore Square from Myles Standish Hall
Below is the project and award description from The Boston Preservatiuon Alliance website. Click here to visit the site directly.
Myles Standish Hall, formerly the Myles Standish Hotel, stands on the corner of Beacon Street and Baystate Road in the Kenmore neighborhood. Designed by Arthur Bowditch, the architect behind Paramount Theater (2010 Alliance Preservation Achievement Award winner) and constructed in 1925, it housed VIPs such as Babe Ruth and the Yankees. It hosted everything from grand social events like society weddings and balls to two basement level speakeasies during Prohibition. To house an influx of soldiers entering college under the G.I. Bill after WWII, Boston University purchased and transformed the hotel into the Myles Standish Hall dormitory, where a wide variety of notables graced its halls from Howard Stern to Martin Luther King, Jr.
Over time the exterior of the building began to deteriorate due to the dampness of the alcoves of the E-shaped floor plan. Significant water infiltration led the University to undertake a major renovation of the 90-year-old building. As much as 65% of the exterior masonry required careful replacement with matching materials and an entire exterior wall required re-building; repointing and cleaning the masonry not replaced was required as well. Extensive granite repair, cast stone replacement, and rebuilding of the facades at the first and second-floor walls were required to restore the storefronts which had been removed in 1949. Most of these materials were re-used in the construction process, and the entire building was made more energy efficient. The main entrance on Beacon Street and secondary entrance on Bay State Road were re-constructed to reflect the original entrance design, complete with a canopy. The interior of the building was also updated to create a contemporary and accessible space for students. The surrounding intersection and sidewalks were upgraded to create a safer area for pedestrians. Bike paths and a park plaza were added to create outdoor space for residents and neighbors to enjoy the historic surroundings.
“The fact that Boston University took on this restoration project rather than argue for replacement, particularly within a neighborhood undergoing dramatic change and loss of historic fabric, makes an important statement about the importance of preservation and about sustainability,” says Greg Galer, Executive Director of the Boston Preservation Alliance. “Older buildings such as Myles Standish Hall are ripe for transformation, retaining the history that happened within their walls and holding firm to the historic context of the surrounding neighborhood while meeting the university’s needs.”
With construction beginning a slow restart in the Boston market, industry leaders are focused on a safe return to work for their employee teams and project partners. Recently, Gaston Principal Mike Weber chatted with Catherine Carlock of the Boston Business Journal about enhanced safety measures and the importance of communication in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Below is a screenshot of the article and you can read the full article by clicking here (with BBJ subscription).
Recently, Gaston Principal Bill Weber held a zoom meeting discussion with Joe Kelly of The Mass Construction Show to review best practices for managing a company, clients, and employees in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak.
As Construction leaders across the country adapt to a rapidly-changing business environment, many cities/metros like Boston and Cambridge are implementing temporary work stoppages to combat (and slow) the spread of the coronavirus.
Recently, Gaston Principal Bill Weber spoke with Reporter Kim Slowey of ConstructionDive.com to share some of the effective management and project shutdown practices Gaston is using during the coronavirus pandemic.
