We are builders who love design. There, we said it. We love design beyond a mere knee-jerk aesthetic reaction. We love design because it can push boundaries, ask questions, make us question, and often unearth opportunities that may have otherwise remained dormant. Enter Becker Architect’s latest creation: the hydroelectric power station on the banks of the Iller River in Germany. It’s at this location, and for this specific assignment that an opportunity was unearthed that could have been passed over in favor of another lifeless structure tacked along the water’s edge. Instead, their intervention creates a playful relationship between the existing industrial language while supplementing it’s context with an attractive river walk. The Kempten station replaces an existing hydroelectric plant that dated back to the 1950′s, powering 3,000 households and producing up to 10.5 million kilowatt hours per year.

For a more eloquent and thorough description of this project, head to yatzer.com to read more.

Kudos, Becker Architects. Kudos.

photo © Brigida González

The Detail Design Phase of the Marlborough Hospital Cancer Pavilion project has just finished, meaning that the majority of the design decisions and validation have been worked out by the project team. Additionally, the team has begun making material selections, based on S/L/A/M’s design options, helping to further shape the design. The interior will feature light-hued wood accents and specialty art ceilings in the treatment areas. The infusion section will look out onto a landscaped healing garden which is expected to incorporate fountains and pieces of sculpture. Finish work for the Linear Accelerator and CT Simulation rooms will include custom millwork to enclose the medical equipment.

Parallel to the design process, we have begun bringing contractors on board for the Fire Protection, Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing systems. Contractors will begin their processes by utilizing the Fitzmeyer & Tocci developed BIM, and working backwards from the devices down to the distribution, in order to assist with their design drawings.

Tocci welcomes Cosmas Papanikolau, LEED AP, who will be joining the Planning and Cost Engineering department. Cosmas has over a decade of experience in project management, engineering, and cost engineering – adding to the breadth and depth of Tocci’s cutting-edge planning team.

Cosmas holds a BS in Civil Engineering from Northeastern and has worked at a variety of New England companies, including: Suffolk Construction, Northeast Building Movers, and Boston Steel & Precast Erectors. During his employment at Northeast Building, he was involved in relocating hundreds of structures throughout the entire Northeast. His most recent project prior to joining Tocci was the Town of Framingham’s water and sewer infrastructure improvement. In his spare time, he enjoys skiing and scuba diving.

Cosmas’ wide assortment of experiences will help expand the Planning and Cost Engineering department’s knowledge and expertise, as Tocci continues its quest to implement innovative methods within the industry.

There’s a lot of talk in Washington, DC about pulling out of Afghanistan, but right now the US has thousands of “boots on the ground”– and boots belong to people.

Lorrie Guthrie, Tocci’s Human Resource Administrator, has her son Jason serving in Afghanistan. Each week she sends him a box of creature comforts.

Her efforts to show Jason and his unit that their service is appreciated birthed Tocci’s latest “We Restore” project:  donating and assembling “care packages” for men and women serving in a very inhospitable environment–120 degrees and a week or more between showering.

Using guidelines from www.anysoldier.org Lorrie sent employees a list of suggested items to donate.  Most of these items could be purchased at Walgreens or Stop & Shop: magazines, powdered Gatorade, wet wipes, granola bars, pop tarts.  Items were collected over a two-week period and packed during lunch hour. Tocci volunteers enclosed personalized notes of encouragement.

Our goal was to gather enough supplies to fill ten large flat pack postal boxes.  We filled almost twice that many.  We coalesced around the mission of sharing our abundance and showing our appreciation—making our world a better place.

Tocci Building Corporation has been implementing Virtual Design & Construction (VDC) since 2006. We have moved past the BIM basics (clash detection, quantity extraction, and logistics) and are well on our way to a total transformation of how we execute our projects. We are expanding our team to support current work, pave the way for new utilizations of BIMs (like field layout, code checking, high performance building analysis, rapid prototyping and building operations), and define new project relationships under IPD contracts.

Job Title: Virtual Design & Construction Manager

Position Description: The VDC Manager’s main responsibility will be overseeing all BIM strategies and activities for a life sciences campus that Tocci is currently managing. This includes directing overall project BIM strategy, ensuring standardized implementation across all buildings within the campus, directing management and supervision of the four modelers on the project, and developing and implementing “FM BIM”.
The project currently uses a variety of software, including Autodesk Revit, Bentley Navigator, Tekla Engineering, Solibri, fabrication-specific software, and other VDC software programs. Since new VDC software comes out every day, all team members test new software programs and functionality to make sure we are using the best out there.
The position requires a self-motivated, detail-oriented, open-minded, and dedicated individual that has an intuitive sense of the constraints and opportunities related to VDC. Successful candidates will be prepared to emotionally engage with Tocci and its projects. The VDC Manager will be based in Woburn, MA, but will also be required to work on the campus in Cambridge, MA. Future projects may require travel to jobsites and partner offices for co-location throughout the country (mostly in the Northeast). The position reports to the Director of Virtual Design and Construction.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage the campus team that is developing and coordinating BIMs, collocating with architects and training the construction team
• Direct VDC strategy and execution on the campus, and address potential/occurring delays and setbacks
• Ensure quality assurance/quality control on models
• Work with cost engineering staff to develop accurate and easy-to-use quantity takeoffs
• Work with project managers/visual scheduling to ensure high level of schedule optimization 
• Work with project managers and superintendents to guarantee models reflect as-built conditions
• Perform other tasks related to Virtual Construction implementation
• Understand and promote Tocci’s Virtual Construction process, and educate project partners as needed
• Participate in general office “chores,” such as emptying the dishwasher, moving boxes, decorating the Christmas tree, and re-stocking soda in the fridge– Tocci is very much a family, so we all pitch in

Qualifications:

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in architecture or construction-related field or equivalent work experience
• 8+ years in building or design industry required; work experience with VDC or BIM using Revit, Bentley BIM, and ArchiCAD required
• Preference will be given to candidates who are Registered Architects or Registered Engineers, with experience on life sciences projects
• Strong written and verbal communication skills required
• Experience with team management and leadership required; supervisory experience of 5+ employees desired
• Excellent technical skills– using computers, the internet, and file sharing required
• Strong personal management skills, dedication, organization, and open-minded required
• Creative thinker with ability to work in a close knit environment with like-minded personalities

Tocci Building Companies is a progressive construction services firm providing construction management, design/build, real estate development, and preconstruction services. Tocci is housed in a restored 19th century mill building that blends old-world charm and contemporary design. Tocci staff members are dedicated professionals who work hard but relax together at weekly breakfasts, monthly lunches, and occasional cocktail parties. Tocci provides a supportive business environment, competitive salary, and excellent benefits package.
Equal Opportunity Employer

Please submit resume, references, and salary history to: Laura Handler, Director of Virtual Design and Construction. Or, use our online job application form to apply now.