Dear CSI Albuquerque Members and Friends,

This month’s president’s message highlights a change in our December 14th luncheon program.  Our planned presenter had a conflict and will not be able to attend.  We are fortunate to announce that the new December program will showcase the New Mexico Tri-Lab Building currently completing construction in Albuquerque.  The presentation will be given by representatives of Jaynes Corporation General Contractors who are building the project. 

The NM Tri-Labs project is truly a great and unique example of home-grown innovation in local construction delivery.  As a case study, it is instructive in many ways.  First of all, the building type itself is amazingly complex and an enormous amount of attention to detail in the planning and design stage was obviously demanded from the architects, Studio Southwest Architects, Inc. The presentation by Jaynes will briefly explain the qualifications-based process used to select the contractor and will go into detail on the creative tools and systems that are being used to administer the construction.  This will be a good opportunity for our members to hear about such things as BIM, electronic submittals, creative tools used for quality assurance in the field, employment of special consultants by the contractor, and commissioning – just to name a few.  The local nature of this project lends special educational value to this program since we hear about many new means and methods of constructing a project, but have few opportunities to hear from local companies who are actually exploring them.  BIM is a great example of a national trend in design and construction technology that for many reasons, has not reached its full potential in New Mexico.  Here we have a case study that shows the value of BIM, which, even in its limited use on the project, illustrates some cost and time saving benefits.  It also makes us think of taking the next logical step to more extensive implementation.  As more design firms become comfortable with and knowledgeable about incorporating BIM produced by parties usually not part of the design team (subcontractors), the full potential of the technology will be approached.  As we know in New Mexico, it takes a while to absorb and decide how to utilize new things happening elsewhere in the U.S. whole-hog.  No one wants to be a ‘guinea pig,’ and most often, for good reason.  But here we have some local folks dipping their toe in the water of innovation and they seem to like it.  I assume they also consider the experience to be profitable to the bottom line for most everyone involved.  Come to the December 14th luncheon presentation and be well-prepared to ask questions.  Did I also mention that they are striving to achieve LEED Silver?

See you there,

Andre Larroque, CSI, CCS, CCCA, AIA, NCARB