A joint venture between George B.H. Macomber Co., Boston, MA, and Jay Cashman Inc., Marine and Civil Contracting, has taken on an ambitious project to build a new theater and landmark east wing for Boston's New England Aquarium.
The aquarium's 21st century mission — to give the public a sophisticated in-depth view of aquatic life and ecosystems — called for state-of-the-art technology to be used in its expansion.
Bricsnet.com, a building industry e-marketplace, allowed the project to be completed faster and more affordably than conventional processes by providing integrated Internet services to streamline the entire building process online.
"The New England Aquarium's past, present and future represent creativity," said Kenneth H. Stowe, P.E., director of project services at Macomber. "The aquarium project expects the best in planning, CAD modeling, and project control. Resolving complex geometry using architecturals and getting clear information to every team member in a timely way is a vital part of our project approach to meeting the Aquarium's expectations."
Software Solutions for the Aquarian Age
The aquarium expansion uses two Bricsnet.com software solutions: ProjectCenter, a project management system, and Bricsnet Architecturals, a 3-D parametric modeling application.
ProjectCenter enables geo-graphically dispersed team members to share information, documents, drawings and strategies online, reducing the likelihood of errors, miscommunication, and missed deadlines. According to Bricsnet, ProjectCenter users often estimate saving 25 to 30 percent on overhead and administrative costs.
Bricsnet Architecturals frees architects from the constraints of traditional 2-D drafting, giving form to complex designs, such as the aquarium's new theater — a structure that will have no right angles. Working in Bricsnet Architecturals, designers create an intelligent 3-D model, from which accurate quantities, specifications, and engineering drawings are generated automatically.
At Bricsnet.com, architecturals and other design applications are integrated with ProjectCenter, ensuring that all team members work with up-to-date data and documents. The integration creates a steady digital data stream that is maintained and referenced throughout the project's life cycle.
No one is happier with Bricsnet than the project's owner: "Bricsnet.com gives the whole team — owners, architects, engineers, contractors — access to the cutting-edge tools they need to work more efficiently, helping us get the job done on time and on budget," said Jerry Schubel, president of the New England Aquarium.
An IMAX Theater to Present Underwater Odysseys
The aquarium's new theater will be used for a variety of educational, professional, and entertainment purposes, and the east wing will hold major new permanent exhibits that focus on New England animals and ecosystems.
The Matthew and Marcia Simons Theater, scheduled to open in the fall of 2001, will host conferences, forums, lectures, and films about aquatic issues for a variety of audiences. The centerpiece of the 400-seat theater is a four-story, 84-ft. wide by 64-ft. high flat screen that will show the latest in large-format, 3-D IMAX films. Films will transport audiences to the underwater habitats of marine animals.
Geometric Challenges on the East Wing
The East Wing — set to break ground in early 2002 — which highlights habitats of New England, presented a unique challenge for the builders: "Ongoing aquarium operations, monel [nickel-copper alloy] panels in a unique facade geometry, construction logistics, and rigid cost and schedule requirements were all challenging," said Dan Lenyo, project executive at Macomber. "However, Bricsnet.com architecturals provide the CAD modeling to help us over these hurdles and allow collaboration between architect, builder, and fabricator." The completed exhibits will combine live animals and interactive technology to vividly connect visitors to the natural world. New exhibits will include:
• The Gulf Stream — Visitors follow the Gulf Stream along a water-filled wall that graphically illustrates the importance of the phenomenon.
Illustrated panels will describe animal migration patterns and the Gulf Stream's impact on our weather as it travels from the Caribbean to the North Atlantic.
• Gulf of Maine — A large 20- by 30-ft. window will offer a panoramic view into the 550,000-gal. open ocean tank filled with pelagic fish such as tuna and sharks.
• Coastal Habitats — Ocean and land interface at the coast in salt marshes, estuaries, and tidepools — all represented by live animal exhibits. A bright area, open to daylight with a window on Boston Harbor will feature puffins, shorebirds, and harbor seals. In a virtual coastal weather space, you might encounter rain, fog, wind, sun or snow.
"Driven by the Internet, the New England Aquarium expansion demonstrates that Boston is uniquely positioned to capitalize on the promise of the New Economy," said Boston Mayor Thomas Menino. "This project showcases skilled workers using high-tech tools to build a world-class cultural and educational facility for the enrichment and enjoyment of all our citizens and the millions of visitors who come to Boston."
The George B.H. Macomber Co. is a full-service builder and construction manager with a focus on New England institutions and corporations. The fourth-generation-owned company has been recognized locally and nationally for innovation in the construction process.
In a single work-centric portal, Bricsnet.com integrates all the tools and services building professionals need to design a building, manage a geographically dispersed project team, bid on and procure building materials and services, access building product specifications from manufacturers worldwide, and exchange news and information. The company currently hosts more than 400,000 visitors each month.
For more information, visit www.gbhmacomber.com or www.bricsnet.com.
(Reprinted from the October 2000 issue of "Constructor," the national magazine of the Associated General Contractors of America. For more information, visit AGC on the Web at www.agc.org.)
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