We talk a lot about the future of our industry here at Tocci. Many aspects of our field are changing by leaps and bounds these days. What will the most successful builders of the future look like? We believe they will be highly trained in three core areas: team integration and partner appreciation, Virtual Design & Construction, and sustainable building practices. This month we are sharing with you what we are doing to become the builders of the future.

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According to the McGraw Hill Construction’s 2009 BIM Smart Market Report, builders site “marketing new business to clients” as the #1 use of BIM. We disagree.

The reason that Tocci is nationally recognized for our pioneering work with BIM and VDC is because of our use of models in the field. Our original implementation of BIM included Virtual Construction Coordinators navigating and dimensioning models for superintendents and field personnel, but it quickly became clear that our superintendents wanted to do it themselves.  Since then, we’ve trained our superintendents and project management staff to use BIM reviewing software programs. Now, superintendents are becoming capable of grabbing dimensions as they need them and analyzing areas of the model on the fly. These images were taken from a recent training session.

As a new decade dawns in the 21st century, it has become apparent that Green and Sustainable buildings are not only imperative for the well-being of our planet but they no longer deserve their own category. Each and every building should be green. Green is no longer news. Yes, we should still strive for advancement in green technologies, materials and processes, but to not use every sustainable option available to each project represents an archaic way of building.

So why are we blogging about it right now if we believe this is no longer news?

Because we know this is a vital part of who the “builder of the future” is. The builder of the future will recommend green options over all others, the builder of the future has the health of our world inextricably woven into their thinking and fundamental project approach.

To facilitate this, Tocci is implementing a series of training sessions that will cover LEED credits and credentialing, Zero Emissions Buildings (ZEB), strategies for a greener site and green products.

It was standing room only at last night’s third Architectural Training session here at Tocci. This week we covered Romanesque, Byzantine and Gothic Architecture. This period covers roughly 1,000 years in western history which we studied by looking at the prominent architecture of the time: cathedrals. Starting with Romanesque, we looked at basilicas and cathedrals from ~ 300 AD – 1050 AD and we also learned that this style had a strong revival in the late 1800′s, in fact one of Tocci’s favorite architects H.H. Richardson designed many buildings in this style. When we present around the country on Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) we use H.H. Richardson’s Trinity Church here in Boston as an example of how collaborative the building process used to be. In Richardson’s day he and his builder Norcross were completely integrated; Richardson would produce perhaps a dozen sketches, communicate his design intent, and then Norcross would completely detail the building. We refer to IPD as going “Back to the Future” because it brings back this level collaboration, communication and trust.

Next we moved on to Byzantine, the style of the Eastern Roman Empire. This was a fascinating period for architecture because it reflected the cultural melting pot that was taking place at this time. Then it was on to the Gothic period which, we learned, is characterized by ” light, verticality, dematerialization, pointed arches and rib vaults.”

It was a great evening, and at one point our superintendents and project managers got so excited that they stood up and started asking so many questions Professor Pierce didn’t have time to answer them all.

Tocci Building Companies is passionate about giving back to the communities we build in and around the world. In 2008 we started a partnership with World Vision’s Boston AIDS Africa, a program that provides caregiver kits to friends, relatives and neighbors treating loved ones with HIV or AIDS in communities througout Africa.

Please help us reach our goal, and whether you give $30, $60, $150 or any other amount, know that Tocci and World Vision Boston AIDS Africa appreciate your support.

Please visit this page to make a donation.

Together we can make a lasting difference in lives affected by AIDS! Thank you for your support and caring!