Messiah College Engineering students got an opportunity to tour the new Kim S. Phipps Admissions and Welcome Center currently being constructed on their campus as part of a seminar on Tuesday afternoon. Mike Klinepeter, President of Pyramid Construction Services, Inc., began the afternoon by providing background on Pyramid’s history, our work, and a description of the project taking place just a few short steps away.
Using the Kim S. Phipps Admissions and Welcome Center as a case study, Klinepeter walked students through the different engineering challenges that are presented with the a construction project of this size and complexity. He highlighted Project Management, Engineering, Leadership, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering and MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) Engineering, subsequently showing the students how each discipline works together to solve complex design and construction issues.
The tour continued to the project site where the group was introduced to Mike Kerstetter, the project superintendent. Mike was able to talk about the approach to developing the current project phasing. He pointed out with most of the steel in place, the next step was to pour concrete floors and enclose the building envelope so interior work could begin. The students learned that the primary responsibility of a superintendent is to coordinate activity with all the contractors and subcontractors on site so that work flow progresses efficiently.
At the end of the tour, the students were able to ask questions and were invited back for smaller group tours to see the interior construction as it progresses.
