Joining Forces to House Returning Soldiers25 disciplines working together to build a moveable Army complex in 306 calendar days to house troops returning from Iraq…for B&N and our partners, it was
Mission: Possible
The Mission
Urgent schedule, massive scope and 25 interdependent disciplines
The Savannah Corps of Engineers faced an ambitious task – to design and build a new Brigade Combat Team (BCT) facility at the Fort Bragg, North Carolina, United States Army Post to house troops returning from Iraq in under one year.
The $114 million project included designing and building approximately one million square feet of modular structures – 152 buildings – and all infrastructure for 3,250 people. As part of the new modular Army organization, the facilities had to be able to quickly be dismantled, relocated and reconstructed.
The Agents
- B&N
- Archer Western Contractors
- Alutiiq Global Solutions, LLC
- Comark Building Systems, Inc.
- Parsons Corporation
- Sand Hills Utility Services, LLC
Within the first two months of the project, the team provided 392 civil/site drawings. A total of 486 project drawings were finished in less than one year. Within that same one-year period, the group also worked diligently to fulfill local, state and federal permitting requirements, construct the facility and complete a successful systems start-up.
The Tactic
Working as a single unit
The design team entered into an innovative, formal partnering plan to address concerns, manage communication, foster goals and allow for simultaneous design work.
At the onset, each member made a personal commitment to help the team meet the overarching goals of the project instead of working for individual gain. The definition of “project team” was expanded to include everyone associated with plan development, permits and approval. A professional facilitator guided groups to expedite schedules, resolve differences and foster teamwork.
Mission: Accomplished
Designed and built in 10 months
Although optional items were added and changes made during the construction phase, in 10 months time, a new home and workplace was ready at Fort Bragg for the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division.
“The aggressive schedule prevailed in spite of the requested changes, interdependence and even inclement weather,” said B&N Project Manager Craig Galant, PE. “This project was successful because each individual was part of an innovative, cohesive team working to provide a new home for our returning troops.”
Due to the extra hours and expertise put forth by 125 B&N employees, the new Brigade Combat Team facility also achieved the Corps of Engineers’ Sustainable Project Rating Tool (SPiRiT) Bronze rating.
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