Archer School for Girls

Complete Preconstruction Service

cost

approx. $100m+ hard cost

represented

General Contractor

About Project

Uni Construction represented the General Contractor for the preconstruction phase of Archer School’s ambitious master plan. This plan envisioned a significant transformation of the school’s campus, aiming to enhance educational facilities, athletic spaces, and the overall student experience. Due to on-going operation, the project had to be divided into two phases. Overall construction cost was estimated accounting the phasing, on-going school operation, and delineation between construction and school activities.

Project Scope

Reviewing Design Plans and Specifications: Evaluating the architectural and engineering documents for the various project components, including the underground parking structure, new athletic fields, north wing addition, and standalone facilities for athletics, performance, and visual arts.
Cost Estimating & Budgeting: Developing detailed cost estimates for each element of the master plan, ensuring the project remains financially feasible within the school’s budget.
Value Engineering: Collaborating with the design team (architects, engineers) to explore cost-saving measures or alternative materials and construction methods without compromising the functionality or aesthetics of the planned facilities.
Master Plan Studies: Conducted various studies during preconstruction, such as constructability analyses, phasing plans (Phase 1 and Phase 2), and logistical considerations for construction on an existing school campus while minimizing disruption to ongoing learning activities.

Project Challenges & Solutions

Upgrading a historic school campus while ensuring a seamless learning environment for students presented several unique challenges. Uni Construction’s preconstruction efforts played a vital role in addressing these challenges and paving the way for a successful project:

Minimizing Disruption to School Activities: Construction on a functioning school campus necessitates careful planning to minimize noise, dust, and overall disruption. Developed a phased construction plan that strategically sequenced construction activities to avoid impacting ongoing classes and school events. This might have involved evening or weekend work for specific phases and open communication with the school administration to ensure everyone was informed and prepared for potential disruptions.
Integrating New with Old: The master plan involved seamlessly integrating new construction with the existing historic school building. Our preconstruction analysis focused on material selection, architectural details, and construction methods to ensure the new additions complement the historic character of the campus. This involved collaboration with specialists in historic preservation to ensure adherence to relevant guidelines.
Obtaining Permits in a Timely Manner: Large-scale construction projects within city limits require various permits and approvals. Uni Construction’s preconstruction team developed a comprehensive permitting strategy, identifying all necessary permits, and expediting the application process to avoid delays in the construction schedule.

Benefits Included

Early Cost Control: Uni Construction’s proactive approach to cost estimating and value engineering during preconstruction helped Archer School identify potential cost overruns early on and make informed decisions regarding the master plan’s scope and budget.

Feasibility Assessment: By thoroughly analyzing the design plans and conducting master plan studies, We could assess the overall feasibility of the project, considering factors like constructability, logistics, and potential permitting challenges.

Informed Decision Making: The detailed information and analysis provided by Uni Construction during preconstruction empowered Archer School’s leadership to make well-informed decisions about the direction and priorities of their ambitious campus transformation.

Streamlined Construction Process: A comprehensive preconstruction plan developed by Uni Construction can lead to a smoother and more efficient construction phase for the master plan’s various elements.