While most academic institutions go on hiatus during the summer, the Watkins Building at American University (AU) in Washington, D.C., was undergoing an amazing transformation. One of two dozen projects under a large Task Order Contract with AU, the stodgy, old art building was outfitted with state-of-the-art classrooms, administrative offices, technology and interiors.

No stranger to building classrooms under a tight timeline (see TMG Moves, Rebuilds Modular Facilities in Record Time), TMG was able to redesign and install mechanical, electrical and high-tech systems throughout the building in time for classes to resume for the fall semester. The project was completed in a record 10 weeks.

TMG won praises from the university’s architects for the team’s "magnificent" renovation. "Clients, users and visitors, who have curiously been sneaking into the building within the last week, have all been in awe of the wonderful transformation that has occurred within the last two and a half months," noted AU construction coordinator Anna-Maria Vincent at the end of the project.

The state-of-the-art AV system was particularly impressive. Subcontractor Corbett Technology Solutions Inc. outfitted each classroom with 3500-lumin projectors, a custom audio package, motorized projector screens that recess into the ceiling, DVD and CD players connected to overhead projectors and a "Smartbox" wall-panel control system. Merical Electrical Contractors Inc. wired all the AV packages as well as the lighting for the entire building.

The project was not without its share of challenges, however. One of the most daunting hurdles was not having enough lead time for equipment the client had specified. The fan coils and large air handling unit, for example, typically require a 12- to 14-week lead time. "We spent countless hours on the phone, working through sales representatives and calling the factory almost every day to check on equipment status and delivery, so we would have everything on time," noted TMG Project Manager Wes Ballinger. Bill Ball led the project team as superintendent with Tait Nelson as the construction engineer.

Another challenge was redesigning 26 fan coil units to ensure timely installation. The original design called for a special architectural finish to camouflage the units, which would have delayed the project. Ballinger worked with mechanical subcontractor Jett Mechanical to redesign the units so they could be recessed into the ceiling, eliminating the need for the architectural camouflage. "The finished product was better than what was originally designed," noted Ballinger. "The units run quieter and you don't have to see them."

Once that problem was solved, there was some doubt whether the fan coil units would arrive on time. Fortunately, a Jett Mechanical foreman was willing to meet the equipment courier en route to ensure a more timely delivery. TMG created additional cost and time savings by upgrading existing radiators instead of replacing them with a more costly heating system.

AU’s Anna-Maria Vincent applauded TMG for a "superb team effort and patience exhibited by all TMG's employees and subcontractors." Vincent singled out the TMG carpenters for their "great temperament" when there were four other contractors onsite and TMG project engineers for their "efficiency and diligence and most of all a great sense of humor" under pressure.

TMG completed the project two days before classes resumed. "I am personally pleased that we made it through the hurdles of this large ‘not-to-exceed’ contract in good form, with new experience and the great feeling that we can do this again," noted Vincent. "I enjoyed working with TMG once again."