The Constructive Approach

Portfolio

Industry standards expect a well planned and crafted portfolio. Here are a handful of samples for you to scrutinize. We hope that you enjoy seeing the quality or our work and learn a bit more about how we can solve your technology problems.

We will gladly discuss our portfolio in greater detail. Feel free to contact us. Let us show you how The Constructive Approach is the best solution.

Residential Construction Documents

Project:
Bedzyk Residence
Client:
Bedzyk Bros., Inc. Construction
Scope:
Custom 3,500 SF ranch on 2 acres, with frontage on a high traffic street. The personal residence for a local builder with discriminating taste and detailed expectations.
Description: This traditional ranch with walk-out basement. Large lot with adjoining county property that is heavily wooded and has a river and watershed area. A great setting in a suburban city.
Challenge:
This project required special design elements to achieve the highest possible energy efficiency. The homeowner wanted large first floor spaces to be free from any interior structural supports.
Solution:
ICF's from ARXX were used for the foundation, as well as a radiant heating system in the slab. CertainTeed Form-A-Drain was used to control ground water level around the foundation. The above grade exterior walls were 6” SIPS. To control the open floor spans and allow maximum mechanical access, TrimJoist was used for the floor framing. A first floor radiant heating system controls the temperature. Pre-engineered wood trusses were designed to bear on the exterior walls allowing the full 3,500 SF first floor to be completely free from interior bearing walls. The homeowner is completely pleased with the results and enjoys a comfortable, efficient living environment.

Retail Construction Documents

Project:
Staples
Client:
James Pappas, Architect – while at NCS.
Scope:
Construction documents for new retail building.
Description:
Design/build for a new white box construction.
Challenge:
Integrating new Staples standards into documents. Providing for the fastest path through the design process.
Solution:
We started with the establishment of a standard template from the defined client CAD Standards. From this template we used the new Sheet Set tools to manage all the documents, create archives of review sets, and publish for final bid sets. We also used innovative solutions for speeding the drafting process. The total design/drafting time was 76% that of a similar project, and allowed for accelerating the project schedule.

Shop Drawings

Project:
Detroit Michigan Temple
Client:
Wolverine Stone Company – while at NCS.
Scope:
Shop drawings for all exterior stone applications.
Description:
This project involved thin veneer marble applied to the exterior, completely covering the entire building.
Challenge:
To minimize material waste and maximize field production rate.
Solution:
With accurate CAD drawings we calculated and graphically showed every piece of marble on the exterior. We engineered for maximizing cut pieces and provided exact material take-offs. Custom stone pieces were able to be manufactured to tight tolerances and specifications. The stone surface has stood for almost a decade maintenance free. The end users are appreciative of the appearance and performance.

MEP CAD Coordination

Project:
University of Michigan – Kellogg Eye Center Expansion
Client:
Gillis Electric, Inc. – while at NCS.
Scope:
CAD Coordination Team for the MEP contractors – representing the Electrical contractor's interests.
Description:
This project required design and coordination with the MEP trades while meeting all plans and specs.
Challenge:
The design phase engineering model (BIM) was faulty and had thousands of clashes left unresolved. The project went to bid and construction with a clear understanding that it wouldn't work as designed. It was left to the MEP Coordination Team to resolve all issues and provide a design that worked.
Solution:
We reworked all the electrical conduit racks and cable trays to harmonize with the other trades and requirements of the construction documents. This required customized solutions for the CAD drafting and quality control process. Through the use of NavisWorks and Revit MEP Suite, all clashes were resolved and final design was approved and installed. The threatened CPM project schedule was resuscitated and even enhanced as field teams were provided a better work flow and a safer work environment.

Engineering Drawings

Project:
The Book Cadillac Building
Client:
Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. Detroit office – while at NCS.
Scope:
Engineering Drawings for exterior Masonry and Stone repairs.
Description:
Landmark Detroit Hotel, the victim of blight and neglect, undergoes major renovation to become useful once again.
Challenge:
Create drawings of exterior elevations from high quality black & white photographs.
Solution:
Large, high resolution photos were scanned and imported into AutoCAD. Elements were traced and created so that multiple instances could all be updated at the same time. Eight different elevations were created from scratch in only 4 days. Then we incorporated the field notes for all the masonry/stone repairs. These final documents helped renew a key historical landmark for Detroit and the world. Now, instead of rotting to dust, it is enjoyed by thousands as an upscale mixed use facility.

BOMA & CAFM

Project:
Occupancy Management System
Client:
BearingPoint – while at NCS.
Scope:
North America US Properties. Capture all existing conditions, verify accurate drawings, collect employee data, polyline and integrate into MACO system .
Description:
Over one million square feet of CAD, as-built drawing updates and data collection. Then drawing polylines and integration in to MACO system.
Challenge:
Capturing all the data and verifying the existing conditions in the fastest possible time frame, with the highest accuracy. Creating and maintaining a standard across all the properties and for the team members involved industry foresight and leadership.Coordinating team efforts across the US was the largest challenge to overcome.
Solution:
Through regular teleconferences and web training meetings our team became proficient and productive at collecting the required data for delivery. Then a careful quality control process merged the data and the final accurate drawings. These were organized into the web based MACO system that would allow managers to maintain and coordinate all the occupancy changes for this large company.