Problem
During the preconstruction phase on this high-profile project, Convergent’s structural engineers identified a problematic interaction between the PT deck and seismic joints which could have led to a serious stability issue had it not been caught and corrected early on.

Expertise
Convergent’s knowledgeable team optimized the building design and developed cost-effective solutions to the structural issues, avoiding major expense, delay, and redesign. In this instance, the precon effort not only achieved significant savings in hard cost and schedule to construct, but “saved the day” by addressing flaws in the preliminary plans that would have created an unbuildable circumstance. Convergent delivered a superior finished structure that surpassed the client’s expectations – all while adhering to a tight construction schedule and saving over one hundred thousand dollars off the budget.

Problem
UCSD issued a set of DD level bridging documents, which included structural plans. This project required structural re-engineering while maintaining the building’s architectural integrity. In addition, Turner asked Convergent to target a 10% cost reduction.

Expertise
Convergent’s structural engineering team re-engineered the bridging documents using the most efficient combination of post tension, rebar, slab/wall/column and foundation systems. Our cost effective design solutions yielded a 13% reduction in project costs, representing nearly $1,700,000 in savings for the client.

Problem
Roel came to Convergent with high expectations and an aggressive building schedule. They wanted up-front guaranteed pricing and help through the design phase to reduce the overall cost of the project. The remote location and demanding environmental conditions of this project in Yuma, AZ presented additional challenges.

Expertise
Convergent's design-assist precon service provided on-the-spot structural input and their in-house structural engineers, in collaboration with the Roel team, were able to move quickly through the design process. By redesigning and engineering structural components, Convergent was able to produce a design that was more efficient in both material usage and schedule to construct – all while shaving over $1 million off the budget. The owner was very happy to put a cool $1.2 million back in his pocket – and Roel, expert builders and structural concrete specialists, were impressed by Convergent’s precon design-assist methods and fast-paced scheduling plans.

Problem
While being highly accomplished and savvy in design, the engineer did not have extensive experience in post tension podium garage design, nor were they aware of the most economic construction methods and materials for the Las Vegas market.

Expertise
We were able to use our local market knowledge, along with our optimizing strategy to save the owner $3 million. That was one happy customer. Convergent expertise always pays off, sometimes quite big. For more details on this success story, call the owner. He's definitely a Convergent convert.

Problem
The Morena Vista case history isn't so much problematic as it is heroic.

Expertise
Convergent delivered the quote on a $2.6 million job in only three weeks. The client approved the budget and from concept to completion, we optimized every phase of the project. As a result, we managed to finish the project early, a month earlier than the estimated four-month projection. Our client, formerly the president of Sundt Construction, remarked that it was the fastest he’d ever seen a garage built. That’s a testament to the design-build process and to the expertise of Convergent.

Problem
At one point during the design-development phase, the plans changed. Column spacing needed to be adjusted, ever so slightly. Even though the re-drawn column spacing seemed to be an insignificant change, it would have resulted in an increase of $1.63 per square foot. Costs would have drastically increased without anybody knowing why.

Expertise
Convergent immediately noticed and brought the situation to light. In a multi-faceted construction operation, often involving many players and variables, it's all too easy to inadvertently increase the cost of the garage structure. That's where Convergent expertise makes a difference. If we wouldn’t have caught the oversight, nobody would have been the wiser. That is, until the project soared over budget.