SAN FRANCISCO—Using a modern-day version of the familiar adage, "measure twice and cut once", some of the recognizable projects dotting San Francisco's skyline follow build smart processes to save time and money. The concepts Suffolk Construction uses allow more predictability in complex projects where the margin of error is sometimes unforgiving.
This innovation mindset has led to various technologies and tools used on project sites, such as all teams using iPads to share drawings and communicate with each other in real time, and implementing 3-D virtual design and construction tools to work through dimensions with architects to construct a project on the computer screen early in the process. Another tool used is clash detection, which ensures that multiple objects do not occupy the same space. These methods are essentially constructing the building virtually before breaking ground, which minimizes conflicts before the construction process begins.
Andy Ball, president and CEO, west region, of Suffolk Construction, tells GlobeSt.com: "Pixels are cheaper than bricks. This method results in tighter dimensions in the field because a structure is built in a virtual world and laser tools check all components first. Everything fits with our method."
Suffolk Construction is the general contractor on several projects currently in process which use these build smart methods. Mission Bay 360 is a residential apartment project consisting of two separate complexes located at 1200 4th Street (Block 5) and 701 Long Street (Block 11) in Mission Bay. The Block 5 complex contains a total of 172 apartment units including leasing office, amenity spaces, outdoor spa, utility and support spaces, retail space and approximately 185 parking spaces. The Block 11 location features a total of 188 dwelling units as well as amenity spaces, outdoor pool and spa, utility and support spaces, and roughly 188 parking spaces. The project is targeting LEED Silver certification. The owner of the property is Essex Property Trust Inc. and the architect is MVE Architects.
One Henry Adams is located on a 1.624-acre site in the Potrero Hill neighborhood consisting of 241 units in two buildings separated by open space. The North building will include 85 residential units above a residential lobby. The South building will contain 156 standard and flex units above a structured parking garage. Both structures will consist of five stories of Type III construction over a Type I podium. The development consists of approximately 5,450 square feet of amenity space which include a roof deck, outdoor kitchen, fitness center, club room, resident lounge, bike shop and a dog wash. The buildings will share a single parking garage located at the South building, with the majority of parking being provided by a mechanical parking system. There will be a total of 164 parking spaces including five accessible spaces and two car share spaces. The owner is Equity Residential and the architect is BAR Architects.
Eviva Mission Bay/360 Berry is a 180,000 square-foot, five-story residential project consisting of 129 apartment units constructed using Type V wood framing over a Type I concrete podium. The owner is Urban Core-Integral LLC and the architect is LDA Architects.
Suffolk is in the pre-construction phase with another San Francisco project, One Oak, and several East Bay multi-family projects in Oakland, CA, including 1900 Broadway, 1700 Webster and Jack London Square, as well as mixed-use and hospitality projects in Berkeley, CA, including Berkeley Residences at Shattuck Cinema and 2101 Center.
Ball concludes: "We have a strong corporate culture at Suffolk that emphasizes innovation and creativity, and our project teams are always innovating and trying to find better ways to manage projects and deliver the best service. We implement lean construction principles on all our projects, which creates efficiencies and minimizes waste, saving clients time and money. Planning, planning and then planning saves a year in the construction process."
As previously reported, another Suffolk project, 340 Fremont, celebrated its topping out.
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Lisa Brown
Lisa Brown is an editor for the south and west regions of GlobeSt.com. She has 25-plus years of real estate experience, with a regional PR role at Grubb & Ellis and a national communications position at MMI. Brown also spent 10 years as executive director at NAIOP San Francisco Bay Area chapter, where she led the organization to achieving its first national award honors and recognition on Capitol Hill. She has written extensively on commercial real estate topics and edited numerous pieces on the subject.
