At Graham Construction, being a Construction Solutions Partner is not just a slogan; it represents the dedication to values that distinguishes them as a leader in multi-faceted construction. Serving the multi-family residential, hospitals and healthcare, energy and power, and civil & infrastructure sectors, Graham Construction is one of North America’s most diversified construction companies that build to the very highest standards of innovation, service, safety, and quality.
The company’s most recent residential development, the O2, is situated at the junction of Sussex Avenue and Beresford Street in the Metrotown-Burnaby neighbourhood by Keltic Development. This 30-story building consists of 285 condo units and draws inspiration from the principles of the WELL Building Standard certification. Scott Fletcher, Senior Operations Manager for the O2 project joins us to discuss Graham Construction’s role in the development, their team-based strategies, and their collaborative approach with clients to ensure successful project delivery.
BC: As the construction of O2 in Metrotown progresses, what project delivery approach did Graham Construction implement that will integrate people, systems, and structures for maximum efficiency across all construction phases?
Scott Fletcher: Building on our strong relationship with Keltic, Graham was invited to join the O2 team during the early design stage, allowing our team to maximize the benefits of Early Contractor Involvement (ECI).
Graham was first engaged in January 2020, working closely with Keltic and the design team for the next three years to develop a project that would best deliver Keltic’s objectives for design density and budget. The added benefit of ECI is it allowed Graham to provide constructability assessments during the design phase. This not only helps to prevent potential coordination issues that would normally surface during construction, but it also allows the team to identify opportunities for efficiencies in construction and procurement.
BC: With so many moving parts during construction, communication is key. What role does collaboration play in your building process?
Scott Fletcher: Collaboration is absolutely critical to the success of any construction project. Regardless of contract model, Graham is committed to building a collaborative team approach that involves all of the project’s stakeholders – client, consultants, trade partners. Through that collaboration, we create an environment where the entire team is proactive in early identification of any challenges and opportunities, providing solutions and wins. Without collaboration, a project is likely to end up in that out-dated approach of construction that is largely adversarial, inefficient and costly.
At Graham, we tend to align ourselves with clients who also place value on collaboration, and Keltic is certainly one such client. It is those shared values that form the foundation for a strong, ongoing relationship.
“Through collaboration, we create an environment where the entire team is proactive in early identification of any challenges and opportunities, providing solutions and wins.”
Scott Fletcher
Senior Operations Manager
Graham Construction
BC: Graham Constructions’ goal is to be an industry leader in providing sustainable value for all. How does Graham infuse sustainability principles into your strategic business objectives?
Scott Fletcher: Graham is committed to our three pillars of sustainability – Environmental, Social and Governance. We continuously monitor our performance in these areas, and expand our goals to align with these beliefs, while staying accountable for delivering long-term value to all clients, partners and other stakeholders.
At the corporate, regional and project level, Graham has undertaken a number of initiatives aimed at achieving our sustainability objectives. These key initiatives include:
- Community investment through engagement, sponsorship and volunteerism.
- Active engagement with, and commitment to, Indigenous communities and partners in the areas Graham works.
- Commitment to minimize the impact of our activities on our environment and our surrounding activities.
- Implementation of socially responsible supply chain practices by working honestly and collaborately with clients, trade partners and suppliers.
- Ensuring Graham values of commitment, integrity and reliability guide everything we do, and ensure that our business practices at all levels are measured against the highest ethical standards.
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10840 27 Street SE
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Canada
Phone: 403.570.5000
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