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News
The world of sustainable construction is changing every day, and the architectural millwork component is no different. Visit here often to find news and notes about how the green building movement affects the architectural millwork industry.
9/12/2011 - Response to President Obama's Jobs Act
The following is a statement by United
Brotherhood of Carpenters President Douglas J. McCarron, in response to
President Barack Obama's proposed Jobs Act...
The proposals outlined by President Obama in his American Jobs Act deserve bipartisan support as our nation struggles with an unemployment crisis unlike any seen in generations.
The United Brotherhood of Carpenters is heartened by the president’s focus on modernizing our schools and improving the country’s highways, transit, rail, and aviation systems. Our union has long advocated sensible infrastructure investment as a means to put people to work today and make American business more competitive in the decades ahead.
For far too long, political games have taken priority in Washington over prudent measures to help our nation cope with chronic joblessness and a stagnant economy. This must end, and a good first step would be for lawmakers of both parties to embrace President Obama’s call for $105 billion in needed infrastructure investment, including an immediate $50 billion upgrade of our nation’s outdated transportation system.
With unemployment in the construction industry hovering near 15 percent, there has never been a more urgent need for action. For each $1 billion spent on infrastructure projects, 40,000 much-needed jobs are created.
The president was right when he said, "Building a world-class transportation system is part of what made us an economic superpower." That lesson has sadly been lost on too many in Washington, as evidenced by our clogged highways, deteriorating bridges, overburdened airports, and outdated rail system.
We can no longer afford to put off these types of projects. A recent study from the American Society of Civil Engineers warns that continued neglect of these investments will cost almost 1 million jobs and depress the economy by nearly $1 trillion over the next decade.
Our union of nearly a half-million men and women stands
ready to put our skilled hands to work at the task of rebuilding our nation and to support elected officials who recognize the importance of this moment and are prepared to act. We urge Congress to move swiftly to implement this vital jobs legislation.
The proposals outlined by President Obama in his American Jobs Act deserve bipartisan support as our nation struggles with an unemployment crisis unlike any seen in generations.
The United Brotherhood of Carpenters is heartened by the president’s focus on modernizing our schools and improving the country’s highways, transit, rail, and aviation systems. Our union has long advocated sensible infrastructure investment as a means to put people to work today and make American business more competitive in the decades ahead.
For far too long, political games have taken priority in Washington over prudent measures to help our nation cope with chronic joblessness and a stagnant economy. This must end, and a good first step would be for lawmakers of both parties to embrace President Obama’s call for $105 billion in needed infrastructure investment, including an immediate $50 billion upgrade of our nation’s outdated transportation system.
With unemployment in the construction industry hovering near 15 percent, there has never been a more urgent need for action. For each $1 billion spent on infrastructure projects, 40,000 much-needed jobs are created.
The president was right when he said, "Building a world-class transportation system is part of what made us an economic superpower." That lesson has sadly been lost on too many in Washington, as evidenced by our clogged highways, deteriorating bridges, overburdened airports, and outdated rail system.
We can no longer afford to put off these types of projects. A recent study from the American Society of Civil Engineers warns that continued neglect of these investments will cost almost 1 million jobs and depress the economy by nearly $1 trillion over the next decade.
Our union of nearly a half-million men and women stands
ready to put our skilled hands to work at the task of rebuilding our nation and to support elected officials who recognize the importance of this moment and are prepared to act. We urge Congress to move swiftly to implement this vital jobs legislation.
8/16/2011 - AIA Predicts Building Rebound in 2012 Led by Hotel Sector
According to a recent report posted by Reuters, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) is predicting that nonresidential construction will improve in 2012, led by offices, retail and hotels.
Overall nonresidential spending is expected to rise 6.4 percent in 2012, a slightly stronger recovery than it forecast six months ago.
In 2012, spending on hotel construction is seen rising 18 percent. The AIA report said spending on factories and other industrial buildings will rise 8.4 percent; office buildings up 9.8 percent; and retail up 11.8 percent. The AIA forecast more modest recoveries next year in institutional categories that include churches, schools and healthcare facilities.
The AIA Consensus Construction Forecast Panel is conducted twice a year with leading nonresidential construction forecasters, including McGraw Hill Construction, IHS-Global Insight and Moody's economy.com.
Overall nonresidential spending is expected to rise 6.4 percent in 2012, a slightly stronger recovery than it forecast six months ago.
In 2012, spending on hotel construction is seen rising 18 percent. The AIA report said spending on factories and other industrial buildings will rise 8.4 percent; office buildings up 9.8 percent; and retail up 11.8 percent. The AIA forecast more modest recoveries next year in institutional categories that include churches, schools and healthcare facilities.
The AIA Consensus Construction Forecast Panel is conducted twice a year with leading nonresidential construction forecasters, including McGraw Hill Construction, IHS-Global Insight and Moody's economy.com.
7/28/2011 - Pittsburgh Millcab Apprentices Help Local Charity Sail
Pittsburgh millwork and cabinetry apprentices recently gave a local charity clear sailing to a unique fundraising opportunity. The apprentices, led by instructor Wayne Babjack, built two custom-made canoes, complete with paddles, which was raffled at the Greater Pennsylvania Regional Council's annual Training Center Open House.
The $600 worth of materials and 11 days of work netted more than $1,400 for the organization Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh, a non-profit group that helps keep low-income elderly and disabled homeowners living in warmth, safety, and independence via home repair and rehabilitation. The winner of the raffle donated the canoe back to the Regional Council, allowing it to be raffled off again next year. The second canoe was donated to Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh for use at its annual fundraiser, which earned the group another $850.
"The apprentices gained valuable experience in this project. Most every piece of equipment in the shop was used, and the students needed to have a grasp on technology to get the canoe to a certain level, and then turn back to hand skills," Babjack said. "For instance, to make the paddles, the students needed to research which wood species had the appropriate cell structure to withstand exposure to water and not split on expansion."
Each 50-pound canoe needed three coats of epoxy resin, 1,600 staples, and 64 wood strips to be completed. The inner haul is fiberglass, and the wood is a combination of ash, mahogany and maple, each ¼-inch thick.
(caption for photo: Instructor Wayne Babjack and the hand-made canoe constructed by Pittsburgh mill-cab apprentices)
The $600 worth of materials and 11 days of work netted more than $1,400 for the organization Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh, a non-profit group that helps keep low-income elderly and disabled homeowners living in warmth, safety, and independence via home repair and rehabilitation. The winner of the raffle donated the canoe back to the Regional Council, allowing it to be raffled off again next year. The second canoe was donated to Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh for use at its annual fundraiser, which earned the group another $850.
"The apprentices gained valuable experience in this project. Most every piece of equipment in the shop was used, and the students needed to have a grasp on technology to get the canoe to a certain level, and then turn back to hand skills," Babjack said. "For instance, to make the paddles, the students needed to research which wood species had the appropriate cell structure to withstand exposure to water and not split on expansion."
Each 50-pound canoe needed three coats of epoxy resin, 1,600 staples, and 64 wood strips to be completed. The inner haul is fiberglass, and the wood is a combination of ash, mahogany and maple, each ¼-inch thick.
(caption for photo: Instructor Wayne Babjack and the hand-made canoe constructed by Pittsburgh mill-cab apprentices)
6/24/2011 - LEED for Healthcare Announced
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recently launched its latest green building rating system, LEED for Healthcare. The rating system guides the design and construction of both new buildings and major renovations of existing buildings, and can be applied to inpatient, outpatient and licensed long-term care facilities, medical offices, assisted living facilities and medical education and research centers.
"Research has shown that when we are treated and heal in a green healthcare facility, one that has a healthy indoor environmental quality and connects us to the outdoors, we heal faster, have shorter hospital stays and fewer return visits," said Scot Horst, Senior Vice President of LEED, USGBC. "LEED for Healthcare is now six years in the making, addressing the healthcare industry’s unique green building needs."
Certified Custom Woodworkers Association (CCWA) contractors are keeping pace with green building trends in hospitals, thanks to training developed by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC). A "Best Practices in Healthcare in Occupied Facilities" is available for the millwork and cabinetry professionals hired by CCWA contractors.
"The highly skilled craftsmen of CCWA contractors are prepared to help meet green construction needs in healthcare related construction projects," said Dan Walbrun, administrator of the CCWA.
To learn more about LEED for Healthcare, pre-order a Reference Guide or participate in a rating system- specific workshop, visit www.usgbc.org/leed/healthcare.
"Research has shown that when we are treated and heal in a green healthcare facility, one that has a healthy indoor environmental quality and connects us to the outdoors, we heal faster, have shorter hospital stays and fewer return visits," said Scot Horst, Senior Vice President of LEED, USGBC. "LEED for Healthcare is now six years in the making, addressing the healthcare industry’s unique green building needs."
Certified Custom Woodworkers Association (CCWA) contractors are keeping pace with green building trends in hospitals, thanks to training developed by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC). A "Best Practices in Healthcare in Occupied Facilities" is available for the millwork and cabinetry professionals hired by CCWA contractors.
"The highly skilled craftsmen of CCWA contractors are prepared to help meet green construction needs in healthcare related construction projects," said Dan Walbrun, administrator of the CCWA.
To learn more about LEED for Healthcare, pre-order a Reference Guide or participate in a rating system- specific workshop, visit www.usgbc.org/leed/healthcare.
4/5/2011 - Visit CCWA at the School & College Building Expo
Education facility construction professionals who are able to attend the School & College Building Expo next week in Chicago are reminded to stop by the Certified Custom Woodworkers Association exhibit. CCWA national and Chicago-based representatives will be there to answer questions about architectural millwork and other custom woodworking associated with education facility construction projects.
Whether your project features decorative or functional elements, or requires a custom creation, CCWA contractors have the skilled manpower from the United Brotherhood of Carpenters to deliver positive results, on time and on budget, in everything from trim, molding, cabinetry, and ceiling treatments, to doors, windows, staircases, and much more. Click here to learn more about the CCWA.
The CCWA will be at booth #523.
The Expo will be based at the Convention Center at Chicago's Navy Pier, with show hours on April 12 from 4-5:30 p.m. and April 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, visit www.scbexpo.com.
Whether your project features decorative or functional elements, or requires a custom creation, CCWA contractors have the skilled manpower from the United Brotherhood of Carpenters to deliver positive results, on time and on budget, in everything from trim, molding, cabinetry, and ceiling treatments, to doors, windows, staircases, and much more. Click here to learn more about the CCWA.
The CCWA will be at booth #523.
The Expo will be based at the Convention Center at Chicago's Navy Pier, with show hours on April 12 from 4-5:30 p.m. and April 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, visit www.scbexpo.com.
2/28/2011 - Skilled Professionals Leverage Technology Training to Deliver Complex Project
A unique project done in the college community recently is found at Rockefeller University in New York City. Eastern Millwork, Inc. (EMI) of Jersey City, New Jersey, used a combination of 3-D modeling, field integration through Trimble total station, and highly skilled millwork professionals to tackle part of $4.8 million project.
Rockefeller University is a world-renowned center for research and graduate education in biomedical sciences, chemistry, bioinformatics and physics. Since its founding, the university has embraced an open structure to encourage collaboration between disciplines and empower faculty members to take on high-risk, high-reward projects. Two of their facilities, Smith and Flexner Halls, are situated on the northeast corner of the university’s 14-acre campus on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Both Halls were in need of structural repairs and modernization.
Architect Mitchell/Giurgola and General Contractor Turner Construction brought to life a design for a Collaborative Research Center to not only transform the two buildings into modern, up-to-date laboratory space, but also to facilitate scientists from dozens of labs to build informal relationships with people they see every day. Featuring a sweeping six-story glass “bridging building” connecting the completely renovated historic limestone and masonry Halls, the project includes about 125,000 square feet of lab space, enough to accommodate 460 scientists.
Eastern Millwork Inc. fabricated and installed the architectural millwork, including a complex atrium design. Work spanned about five months and was completed by eight professional millworkers from the United Brotherhood of Carpenters who possessed the technological training to deliver the complex project. EMI’s solid grasp and leverage of technological solutions played an important foundation in completing work to the satisfaction of the customer.
“The geometry of this project was complex,” said Drew Campbell, President of EMI. “I think the biggest showcase on this project was our 3D drawings and engineering, along with all of the scripts that helped to create these intricate drawings. Connecting these 3D drawings with the Trimble total station had to be precise, but the skills of our professionals and their training in this elite technology allowed for us to deliver exactly what the customer wanted.”
For more information about EMI, visit: www.easterncompanies.com