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 Table of contents

1. THE CONTRACTOR.................................................................................................................................... 1

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Document 1 of 1

THE CONTRACTOR
Author: Pexton, Kimberly A

Publication info: Environmental Design + Construction 7.3 (Apr 2004): 50.

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Abstract (Abstract): Using integrated teaming to investigate alternative building materials, a general contractor
can help determine whether the material is suitable for the intended application, identify constructability issues,
and provide real time cost information. This may eliminate the concern of unnecessary price inflation. While
detailed specifications may constrain the role of the contractor in material choices, a contractor can work to
complement the process.

Full text: Headnote

THE VALUE OF THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS SHOULDN'T BE
UNDERESTIMATED.

Though environmental implications loom in every corner of a construction project, not much thought had been
spent on these implications prior to the advent of the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. Construction personnel already come to the table with a well-
established foundation for enhancing a green or sustainable building project with their value engineering,
budgeting, subcontractor relations and material procurement expertise. All of these are all critical tools when
building a sustainable project.
Recently, the general contractors' traditional view of these services began to experience a paradigm shift.
Bringing a project in on time, under budget, with quality and environmental commitments may now summarize

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the expanding goals of a general contractor.
TEAM INTEGRATION
A recent thesis project out of Penn State University focused specifically on what the expanded role of a general
contractor, on green building projects, might encompass. This research identified what industry professionals
(from architects to construction managers) thought about the importance of the general contractor on a green
building project. Findings illustrated that even the most sustainable-savvy professionals did not understand their
value on a project.
It is important to note that integrated design is not completely achieved without the involvement of the general
contractor in the early design stages. Fostering seamless integration of sustainability goals happens through the
development, implementation and monitoring of special programs. Again, these programs that
enhance/compliment environmental requirements and certification guidelines can be more efficiently achieved
through a general contactors' early involvement. Important elements of these programs include:
* Identifying critical events in the construction schedule,
* Educating project teams about green or LEED requirements,
* Educating field personnel,
* On-going monitoring and site visits,
* Scope writing,
* Qualification of subcontractors, and
* Requiring compliance plans from subcontractors.
General contractors need to take the lead to foster an understanding amongst and to educate specialty
contractors. We can provide a good first source of information for identifying what can be 'lean and green'
opportunities for specialties. As we require more from our subcontractors, the more interest and action we will
see on their part. This also works to provide a valuable research function to a project that would otherwise be
filled through unbudgeted design time and decreased profitability on the job.
Allowing a contractor to come to the table in the design phase can work to minimize and eliminate changes that
lead to costly delays, additional fees for re-design, and compromise of environmental objectives. Time spent on
integration of team and project planning is increased. The effectiveness of the team integration depends on the
nature, complexity and experience of the team. However, when time is invested before a problem arises, it will
translate to cost and waste savings in the end.
BUILDING MATERIALS
Using integrated teaming to investigate alternative building materials, a general contractor can help determine
whether the material is suitable for the intended application, identify constructability issues, and provide real
time cost information. This may eliminate the concern of unnecessary price inflation. While detailed
specifications may constrain the role of the contractor in material choices, a contractor can work to complement
the process. Basic building grade material choices are product selections that can be enhanced by a
contractor's insights. Caulks, sealants, sealers, drywall compounds, fireproofing materials, adhesives, duct
cement, insulation, basic carpentry and temporary structures are areas that would round out the procurement of
building materials to meet the environmental objectives of a project. General contractors have a responsibility to
know the composition of the materials that they are using.
Ensuring the proper handling, storing, installation, finishing, final cleaning, and even training of maintenance
personnel, further illustrates how important it is for a contractor to understand the characteristics of conventional
and green materials.
COSTS
Cost is one of the biggest questions general contractors face in green building. With economies of scale, the
dynamic nature of both a design and of the client, it is hard to say exactly what a high performance green
building design might cost. There are different combinations, variable design depth and associated synergies

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that can attain different levels. Educating ourselves about those combinations so that we can anticipate the
integrated systems, passing that information to subcontractors and acting as a good first source of information
to subcontractors has proven to minimize unknowns in pricing.
We have seen architects and general contractors use 'alternate' pricing methodologies that were successful in
communicating price comparisons. There are always green options that can be described and priced in different
categories, in mechanical or finish materials; a specially designed air distribution system is an excellent
example. The Capital One Northern Virginia Consolidation project utilized this option. This project involved the
implementation of an underfloor air distribution system, throughout 12 typical floors, with the majority of
mechanical equipment located in a sub-basement. The end result of this initiative was better indoor air quality
(IAQ), and a more energy-efficient system with cost savings passed on to the client.

Another successful cost approach is total project costing methods, where a client has redefined their definition
of a conventional building and treats green building design as conventional construction. This method was used
successfully on the World Wildlife Fund project in Washington, D.C.
The architect usually describes all environmental benefits associated with green building design; however,
understanding of these associated benefits by the general contractor is vital. Specialty contractors play an
important role in pricing; they should be able to answer to lean and green methods as well. For example, the
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) buildout at 601 New Jersey Ave., Washington, D.C., entailed hiring an IAQ
consultant that developed a program during construction planning for the 180,000-square-foot project. The
mechanical subcontractor changed the filtration medium used in the air-handling units on a-four-day-a-week
rotation during construction. This upfront, proactive approach brought cost savings by eliminating the need to
clean ductwork after completion of construction.
On the FTC, the drywall contractor was required to order materials to length. This translated to a small change
upfront but this kept a problem material out of the construction waste stream and increased the productivity of

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installers on site.

WORKING TO EXPAND THE ROLE

Evidence that a paradigm shift is taking place in construction is being communicated by organizations and
associations that service the construction industry. They provide ever-increasing information that works to bring
a new level of importance to environmental issues on projects. Contractors can use this platform to bring
practical and relevant experiences of IAQ implementation plans, commissioning, product procurement and
material costs that should be welcomed into true integration of design and construction.
As more contractors gain experience on green building projects, they will develop valuable services and
programs that work to enhance and compliment green building design, increase profitability and ultimately help
protect natural resources.
Sidebar
INTEGRATED DESIGN IS NOT COMPLETELY ACHIEVED WITHOUT THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE
GENERAL CONTRACTOR IN THE EARLY DESIGN STAGES OF A GREEN BUILDING PROJECT.
FOSTERING SEAMLESS INTEGRATION OF SUSTAINABILITY GOALS INTO A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
HAPPENS THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING OF SPECIAL
PROGRAMS.
Sidebar
AS MORE CONTRACTORS GAIN GREEN BUILDING EXPERIENCE, THEY ENHANCE AND COMPLIMENT
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN, INCREASE PROFITABILITY AND PROTECT NATURAL RESOURCES.
AuthorAffiliation
BY KIMBERLY A. PEXTON LEED AP, ASSOCIATE AIA
AuthorAffiliation
Kimberly A. Pexton is the Sustainability Director for James G. Davis Construction Corp. She is a LEED

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Accredited Professional and an Associate AIA member. She has a diverse educational background and more
than eight years experience in the building industry.

Subject: Contractors; Construction industry; Green buildings; Project management; Research

Location: United States, US

Classification: 8370: Construction & engineering industry; 9190: United States; 5400: Research & development

Publication title: Environmental Design + Construction

Volume: 7

Issue: 3

Pages: 50

Number of pages: 4

Publication year: 2004

Publication date: Apr 2004

Year: 2004

Section: STUDIO

Publisher: BNP Media

Place of publication: Troy

Country of publication: United States

Publication subject: Architecture, Building And Construction

ISSN: 10958932

Source type: Trade Journals

Language of publication: English

Document type: Feature

ProQuest document ID: 235024725

Document URL: http://search.proquest.com/docview/235024725?accountid=38628

Copyright: Copyright Business News Publishing Company Apr 2004

Last updated: 2010-06-11

Database: ABI/INFORM Trade & Industry,ProQuest Science Journals

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