The $250 million Samsung Research America (SRA) Silicon Valley Research and Development Center in Mountain View, California, consisted of two six-story Class-A office buildings totaling approximately 385,000 square feet, and two parking structures that are five and six stories tall, respectively. The project achieved LEED Gold and LEED Platinum certification standards in design, construction, operations, and maintenance. The state-of-the-art buildings include solar panels to increase energy efficiency as well as several charging stations for electric vehicles in the garages.
Spire served as the owner’s representative during the core and shell, and tenant improvements (TI) phases of the project and provided a wide range of construction management services. Our team was responsible for providing budget and schedule management support, managing change orders, and conducting meetings with the owner, architect, contractor, and other parties. In addition, we supported the quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) program, monitored construction progress, prepared progress reports, and managed the project close-out process.
During the project, Spire reviewed and evaluated the master budget for the project and the project contractor’s GMP budget, revised and updated the master budget through completion, reviewed and provided recommendations on approval of project contractor and (where applicable) subcontractor progress billings, and reviewed all architect and consultant payment requests. We also processed all owner-furnished vendor invoices (photovoltaic, exterior signage, etc.), followed up on disputed payments and negotiated invoice adjustments as required, and delivered detailed project contractor GMP budget status in a biweekly progress report. Spire provided a GMP budget forecasting biweekly progress report assessing GMP allowance reconciliation, GMP savings, and GMP overages, evaluated current project budgets developed by the project contractor and made recommendations for lowering costs and creating value, and reviewed project contractor ROM pricing for TCRs and COs as needed.
Spire has developed a construction project management approach based on our origin as a claims consulting firm. This background gives us a unique and in-depth understanding of what can go wrong on a project. We use this knowledge to identify potential trouble spots before they develop into problems, and to recommend or initiate preventive action through strategic planning and controls. We vigilantly watch over all aspects of a project, from design review and long-lead items through schedule and budget updates and inspection during construction. As Project/Construction Managers or Owner’s Representatives, Spire has managed all phases of the construction process from pre-design through completion, including cost/budget controls, scheduling, estimating, expediting, contract administration, inspections and control of contractors and suppliers.
Successful construction project management of complex jobs demands a proactive approach, managed by professionals who have the experience, skills and technical support each project requires. Spire’s professionals have hands-on experience in managing even the most challenging projects.