Renovation-Award of Merit

Vantage House
Columbia, Md.

Carefully phased construction and astute attention to residents' needs allowed Harkins Builders of Marriottsville, Md., to successfully renovate a 14-story continuing-care retirement facility that was fully occupied.

"This project is noteworthy for social reasons," said one judge. "It was complicated in terms of its ongoing use while renovations took place."

The $7.5 million job at Vantage House in Columbia, Md., included the renovation of the corridors in the Independent Living Units tower and extensive upgrades in the assisted living units building.

Throughout the 17-month project, crews took painstaking efforts to keep residents comfortable. Renovation of the dining room, for example, was completed in two phases so it could remain available to residents. The number of seating for meals was increased to address compromised capacity.

In the second-floor common area, two sets of restrooms were renovated one at a time so one set was always functioning.

The renovation project started July 15, 2002, with demolition of the corridors on the independent living tower's 13th floor. A deliberate pace of four weeks was set for each of the first two corridors during the learning curve phase, and then crews turned over a corridor to the owner every two weeks to complete the tower's renovation in just five months.

Preassembled door-frame covers were made at the factory, and Harkins paid extra for the covers to be precut for the handrails, which limited the amount of dust and debris on residents' floors.

Work in the Assisted Living Units area was more extensive. The second floor's public areas received a new commercial kitchen and café and a new prefunction area with serving bar outside of the main dining room. A state-of-the-art audio/visual system was added in the auditorium.

Crews relocated the library, renovated the living room and reconfigured the clinic, exercise room and staff lounge in the first floor's common area. The balconies attached to the living units were enclosed to create additional living space, and previously unfinished areas were built-out.

Communication was important throughout the project. Biweekly meetings were held between the owners, architect and general contractor, during which the team reviewed the schedule, submittal process, changes in scope, safety and upcoming activities affecting the residents. A planning meeting between the GC and the executive director of the facility was held every Friday to discuss progress during the week, the upcoming week's schedule and to share information regarding special requirements and system shutdowns.

Residents were also involved in the renovation process. Crews placed a "Bob the Builder" doll in the elevator lobby of the renovation area before the project started, reminding residents of the upcoming activity. At project kickoff, Harkins crews met with residents to thoroughly explain the construction plan and sequence of activities. Weekly updates of the construction schedule, facility shutdowns and safety issues were issued via an activity newsletter and in-house CCTV.

Harkins intensely monitored the renovation, ensuring that no debris or equipment presented a tripping hazard. Workers were given a strict code of conduct, and a zero-tolerance policy regarding their safety, dress code and behavior was enforced.

Owner: Vantage House
Owner's Representative: Lloyd Bernstein
Management Company: Life Care Services
Architect: "Cochran, Stephenson & Donkervoet, Inc."
Structural Engineer: "Morabito Consultants, Inc."
Mechanical/Electrical Engineer:"Siegel, Rutherford, Bradstock & Ridgeway, Inc."
General Contractor: Harkins Builders
Ramp/Bridge: "Eddy's Welding, Inc."
Concrete Work: Bryant Concrete Construction
Stone Work: McHale Landscaping
Structural Steel: "Eddy's Welding, Inc."
Finish Carpentry: "Ashely Construction, Inc."
Millwork/Trim: The James Wood Company
Plumbing/HVAC: "BGE CBS, Inc."
HVAC: "BGE CBS, Inc."
Electrical:"Tenelec, Inc."

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