Early Contractor Collaboration

This article originally appeared in the November 2025 Planning and Construction Issue of School Construction News.

 

School construction, whether it is for a TK-12 school district or higher education institution, is a complex undertaking, particularly when it occurs on existing, occupied campuses. Challenges may be endless – and include a combination of structural upgrades, seismic retrofit, mechanical-engineering-plumbing-fire (MEP-F) enhancements, safety-related issues and more – budgets and schedules, however, are not.

Modernization is frequently considered a more effective choice for upgrading outdated facilities. But is it truly? Before embarking on any kind of project, it is important to weigh the various options and their implications. This will help determine if a renovations-oriented approach is the most efficient solution to achieve programmatic aspirations and budget and schedule goals.

Experience indicates, more often than not, that a better approach is identified once a project is already well underway. When this occurs, Districts can be faced with seriously compromising decisions that not only may exceed anticipated budgets and schedules but also add undue stress. It is for this reason that best practice calls for collaboration amongst all project stakeholders as early in the design phase as possible. Doing so will add optimal value and lasting impact to any school construction project, which is particularly important for structures devoted to educating today’s students.

“Early teaming and coordination, regardless of the delivery method selected, is a sure-fire way to put a project on a path to success,” said Aaron Jobson, Principal, CEO and President, Quattrocchi Kwok Architects. “There are always going to be unforeseen issues, but articulating objectives, identifying potential challenges and exploring all avenues together is a pre-emptive secret to a seamless project experience.”

Case Study Insights: Sunnyvale Middle School

A highly successful project that showcases the benefits of early, full-team collaboration is Blach Construction’s (Blach) Sunnyvale Middle School (SMS) Campus Renovation. Initially, the Sunnyvale School District (SSD) Master Plan called for the modernization of several buildings on the severely outdated SMS campus. Because Blach was brought in early, at the Schematic Design phase, the collective project team, with SSD’s blessing, was able to “pause” strategically, taking time up front to evaluate all construction options, cooperatively and holistically.

During this time, the team was able to:

• Fully engage stakeholders, securing valuable and impactful input – and subsequent buy-in – from both School Administrators and Community User Groups
• Review structural upgrade and other code requirements
• Complete thorough cost analyses and gather early estimates
• Devise comprehensive, efficient phasing and logistics plans
• Collectively reset priorities
• Appropriately reallocate funds

By investing in these efforts upfront, SSD was able to modify their Master Plan in a cohesive, timely manner, enabling critical changes that delivered optimal value to programmatic needs and SMS campus enhancements. Modernization remained a cost-effective solution for the structures that made the most sense, namely the SMS gymnasium and multi-use space due to their size and scale. New construction, previously at a minimum, became a more viable option and was incorporated more widely.

Along with a new, standalone 6^th grade classroom wing that utilizes a prefabricated Folia* design to match the recently completed new 7^th and 8^th grade Folia village, the team was able to include a new Administration building and create a more welcoming campus entry. Furthermore, updated plans enabled all-new locker rooms, efficiently combining both girls’ and boys’ facilities in a central location.

The outcome exceeded SSD and SMS expectations. Pivoting to new construction provided a faster delivery schedule than the originally scheduled modernization scope with minimal cost impacts, as well as significant enhancements to overall campus layout and flow. More importantly, each of the new buildings will provide high performing spaces where SMS students will learn and flourish for years to come.

Quick Step Back. Huge Leap Forward.

Given that construction is a very dynamic undertaking, early cross-team collaboration, coupled with transparency and open-minded flexibility are a powerful trifecta. The most informed decision-making can clearly maximize the near- and long-term impact of facilities improvements – whether newly built or modernized – and subsequently, educational outcomes.

For the SMS campus overhaul, SSD adopted a “do it once, right and well” attitude. Their concerted efforts to include Blach during the earliest phases of design was a seemingly simple yet sometimes overlooked decision. By strategically pausing to plan effectively and efficiently, the District not only began delivering campus improvements that will last for generations, they fostered a sense of collaboration, camaraderie and pride across their project team and the SMS community at large. The results of their forward-thinking have been substantial, intangible and quite clearly, very successful for everyone involved.

As validated by SSD Director of Facilities and Operations Brandt Burns, “I cannot emphasize enough how advantageous it was for us to stop during design, gather the necessary players and together, fully evaluate our situation. In successfully re-envisioning our SMS campus projects, we are able to deliver greater long-term value to both our District and school with no sacrifice to budget or schedule – exactly what our high-performing community so deserves.”

*Folia is an adaptable, prefabricated classroom building solution that blends modular and site-built construction.