Description
Construction of an 8,788 sf two story 68-bed dormitory within the existing 10-acre Yuut Elitnaurviat People's Learning Center Campus in Bethel, Alaska. The building provided a combination of bunk-beds and efficiency apartments on both floors.
Modular construction was proposed to build the YE Dormitory. This allowed the YE People's Learning Center to get the full 68 beds they required and still maintain their budget for the project. Upon award of the project Builders Choice, Inc., the module manufacturer, was brought into the design meetings to help the design team modify the design to suit the modular construction better.
Bethel assumed full management of the design phase of the contract, running weekly design meetings through the entire pre-construction portion of the project along with managing daily communication between the design team and the module provider. This allowed the project to go from 35% drawings in February to full 100% design drawings in April. The Modules were complete in South Dakota before the end of April and delivered to Washington to sail on the first June Barge. This aggressive management and drive on the pre-construction portion of the project allowed Bethel to complete installation and turn the dormitory over for full occupancy at the beginning of September, a full month before scheduled completion and three months before the date stated in the Owner's original RFP.
Bethel managed the installation of the modules on piles installed months earlier when the ground was still frozen. After the modules were set Bethel performed the module tie in, installed the roof trusses and managed the sub-contractors that were brought in to install the siding and roofing, and all the mechanical and electrical tie in work.
Bethel was deeply involved in the design effort. Bethel was involved in modifying the room layouts to shift storage units between dormitory rooms and laundry rooms so there was less noise in the bunkrooms, also helping decide shower stall sizes. Bethel worked with the Mechanical Engineer and the Owner to design a mechanical system that would provide adequate heat and controls while also reducing long term maintenance and fuel costs.
Client
Yuut Elitnaurviat - The People’s Learning Center
Location
Bethel, Alaska
Period of Performance
1/2013 - 9/2013
Contract Value
$4.2M