Inspiration. It can occur in the strangest of places and often when it’s least expected. For John C. Hall, the 55-year-old CEO of Chapman Construction/Design, Newton, Mass., inspiration struck him atop a ladder, nearly 30 years ago.
In 1982, his business, then known as John C. Hall Construction, was purely a means for Hall to pay living expenses and tuition as he studied for his BArch in the night program at what is now the Boston Architectural College. Ultimately, his goal was to grow the company into a successful design-build firm that specialized in sustainable construction.
“I remember being up on a ladder that day and thinking that if I ever grew this company in the way I envisioned, I wouldn’t want it to be directly associated with me by name,” says Hall.
By 1984, Hall’s ladder-top inspiration had come to fruition as Chapman Construction/Design, which is based on Hall’s middle name. Nearly 28 years later, the company has grown to more than 50 employees and completed hundreds of construction projects. More to the point, Chapman has become one of the nation’s leading sustainable construction firms, which is one of many reasons why Building Design+Construction has recognized Chapman as a “Best AEC Firm to Work For.”
Sampling Chapman’s benefits
- $250 annual allowance for work clothing for all employees
- $500 annual tool allowance for field staff
- The Battle Buddy mentor program, in which a senior staffer is assigned to a younger field-based employee to offer personal guidance and professional development
- Vehicle reimbursement and priority parking at the Chapman offices for employees using hybrid vehicles
- “Personal Growth Sabbatical” for employees who have been at the company more than 10 years—some have used this time for volunteer work in Africa and Hawaii.
More than half of Chapman’s 55 employees have been with the company for more than 10 years.
COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES
In the early years, Chapman grew its client base by word of mouth, repeat business, and a reputation for excellence. Hall wanted the business to grow by pursuing the kind of projects that fit the business model. He took a pass on opportunities for growth that were simply for the sake of growth.
In the intervening years, the company has built a solid client base: 70% of the firm’s work consists of commercial interior work for corporate, educational, and medical/biotech clients; 20% supports area nonprofit organizations and institutional clients; and the remaining 10% involves consulting clients in the LEED rating system, building performance, and renewable energy.
Led by Hall and vice presidents John Ferreira, Bob D’Amico, and Rich Elliott, the firm’s 55 employees, from the president to site supervisors to office staff, are committed to implementing the most advanced environmental sustainable construction practices in the AEC industry. Operating under a team approach is a philosophy that Hall says guides the firm’s dedication to sustainability at all stages of the construction process. “Sustainability isn’t something you can just dabble in,” says Richard Elliott, a Chapman vice president. “To be successful, it has to become a mindset that everyone on the team shares. We’re lucky to have a staff here that not only understands that but is enthusiastic about it, making sustainability part of everything we do.”
In 2009 Chapman renovated its own two-story, 17,000-sf headquarters, which received the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED-CI Platinum rating. “We use the building as a teaching tool with our clients and other industry partners, as well as students and the local community,” says Hall.
INTEGRATING PROFESSIONAL GROWTH, DEDICATION, AND DEVELOPMENT
An integral part of Chapman’s success has been the professional development and continuing education of employees. The firm provides quarterly industry-specific seminars on building science, innovative methods and materials, and LEED training.
“The dedication of our employees and our companywide commitment to sustainability has been a major differentiator from the competition,” says Hall.
Currently, 26 of the 55 Chapman staff members have earned LEED accreditation.
“It’s an exciting, progressive place to work with a close-knit culture,” says Hall. Every Chapman employee has the opportunity for personal and professional growth. Chapman’s key business ideas and initiatives are driven by nine Working Groups and focus on:
- Building Science and Education
- Client Relations
- Corporate Management
- Field Operations and Safety
- Human Resources
- Marketing
- Project Management Process
- Subcontractor Development
- Technology
The Working Groups, which range in size from five to 10 members, consist of a diverse cross section of staff, including senior management, field staff, and new employees. The goal is to encourage the employees’ sense of ownership so they can see their ideas develop from conception to implementation.
“The Working Groups have been a win-win for Chapman and its employees,” says John Ferreira, senior vice president of construction. “The groups provide a venue for everyone to share ideas, and the company benefits from having so many people thinking about how to improve our business, whether by streamlining an existing process or developing a new program.”
It is from these Working Groups that many of the employee benefit programs have evolved.
SUBCONTRACTORS SUBJECTED TO CHAPMAN’S STANDARDS
Chapman’s relationship with its subcontractors is providing positive results on the job site. “An increasing number of clients are seeing the value in having a construction manager involved early in the process, as well as the benefits of transparency and true collaboration among the team members,” says Hall.
Click here to see a video on Chapman’s clients appreciate the firm’s team-first approach.
In order to work for Chapman, subcontractors are subject to a detailed application process. Subcontractors that exceed Chapman’s expectations qualify for inclusion in Chapman’s Subcontractor Phonebook, which currently lists more than 2,000 subs.
Once the job is completed, Chapman puts the subcontractors through a rigorous review and evaluation. The goal is two-fold: first, to give Chapman’s project managers detailed information on the subcontractors for reference on future contracts; and, second, to provide the subs critical information they can use to operate their companies more efficiently.
“We have many dedicated and respected subs that we work with again and again,” says Hall. “We even have a Working Groupfocused entirely on our relationships with our subs, constantly evaluating them and providing constructive feedback.”
The Subcontractor Phonebook record so far: less than 1% turnover, and many subcontractors have been used repeatedly.
CHAPMAN’S OFFICE
a showcase of sustainable strategiesIn 2010, Chapman Construction/Design self-performed the LEED-CI Platinum renovation of its two-story, 17,000-sf headquarters in Newton, Mass.—at the time, only the third LEED Platinum project in Massachusetts. Chapman CEO John Hall envisioned the office reconstruction as a showcase of cost-effective sustainable strategies that the firm uses to educate clients and partners.
Guy Compagnone, Chapman’s director of sustainable practices, says implementing green strategies in the firm’s own offices gives Chapman the opportunity to show clients a wide range of products. “It gives them a real sense of how different strategies might work in their own spaces, and it allows us to zero in on the most practical and cost-effective measures,” he says.
A 47-kW photovoltaic system satisfies more than 90% of the company’s electrical demands. Other factors contributing to the LEED Platinum status:
- Improved building envelope
- Window filming to reduce cooling load
- Overhanging solar array that doubles as a shade awning, cutting solar heat gain
- White roof with vegetated sections to reduce cooling load
- Gas-powered furnace and high-efficiency condenser to replace inefficient HVAC system
- Solar thermal system that provides domestic hot water
- Tubular skylights to increase daylighting
- High-efficiency plumbing and lighting fixtures to reduce water and energy consumption
They cut the number of light fixtures by 40%. The remaining fixtures were replaced with high-efficiency lamps and ballasts, bringing the office lighting load to 35% below ASHRAE standards. Water consumption has been reduced to 60% below ASHRAE standards.
Chapman estimates the firm is saving as much as $20,000 a year on electricity. The total retrofit investment is expected to be paid back within five years.
The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources has recognized Chapman’s office building as the first near-net-zero commercial building in the Commonwealth.
WORKING FOR CHAPMAN ON THE JOB SITE
For every project, Chapman recommends sustainable alternatives to meet or exceed LEED standards. Chapman selects and utilizes materials that are high in recycled content, including drywall and acoustic ceiling tiles. Specified paints, sealants, and adhesives contain low or no volatile organic compounds. Chapman also explores every avenue and opportunity for rebates, grants, and tax incentives associated with efficiency upgrades incorporated into the work.
Safety is of critical importance to Chapman. The firm recently submitted its Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses summary to OSHA on the heels of more than 117,000 man-hours in 2011. “We had zero recordable incidents or illnesses for the year,” says Hall. “We attribute this success to our comprehensive safety program and our outstanding employees, who go above and beyond to ensure that safety is the top priority on all job sites.”
CHAPMAN AWAY FROM THE OFFICE
Life outside the office is important to Chapman employees. The close-knit Chapman employees spend time together away from the office several times a year for team building and social activities.
An employee favorite is the Bill Rich Memorial Challenge. The annual summer fishing trip and picnic honors the late Bill Rich, a much-loved Chapman supervisor who passed away in 2009. Other team-building events include the “Ode to Summer” cookout every September at the Chapman offices.
Chapman is also dedicated to supporting the next generation of engineers and construction professionals. The firm awards a $2,000 annual scholarship to a student at Boston’s Wentworth Institute of Technology and the Minuteman Career & Technical High School, Lexington, Mass.
“Our partnership with Chapman is truly a model for collaboration between higher education and industry,” says Wentworth president Dr. Zorica Pantic. “The Chapman Construction/Design Sustainability Scholarship Program will make a difference in the lives of students and help to further the studies of sustainability.”
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY REACHING FOR THE NEXT RUNG
As for the future of the construction industry, Hall says he believes it will progress well beyond the sustainable practices currently employed by the industry. “I think we’re already seeing that green thinking and sustainable practices are becoming more and more expected,” says Hall. “Over the next decade, they will become standard practice, and new approaches and technologies are going to make construction exponentially more efficient than it is today.” +
Related Stories
Healthcare Facilities | Apr 13, 2023
Urgent care facilities: Intentional design for mental and behavioral healthcare
The emergency department (ED) is the de-facto front door for behavior health crises, and yet these departments are understaffed, overwhelmed, and ill-equipped to navigate the layered complexities of highly demanding physical and behavioral health needs.
Office Buildings | Apr 13, 2023
L.A. headquarters for startup Califia Farms incorporates post-pandemic hybrid workplace design concepts
The new Los Angeles headquarters for fast-growing Califia Farms, a brand of dairy alternative products, was designed by SLAM with the post-Covid hybrid work environment in mind. Located in Maxwell Coffee House, a historic production facility built in 1924 that has become a vibrant mixed-use complex, the office features a café bordered by generous meeting rooms.
Urban Planning | Apr 12, 2023
Watch: Trends in urban design for 2023, with James Corner Field Operations
Isabel Castilla, a Principal Designer with the landscape architecture firm James Corner Field Operations, discusses recent changes in clients' priorities about urban design, with a focus on her firm's recent projects.
3D Printing | Apr 11, 2023
University of Michigan’s DART Laboratory unveils Shell Wall—a concrete wall that’s lightweight and freeform 3D printed
The University of Michigan’s DART Laboratory has unveiled a new product called Shell Wall—which the organization describes as the first lightweight, freeform 3D printed and structurally reinforced concrete wall. The innovative product leverages DART Laboratory’s research and development on the use of 3D-printing technology to build structures that require less concrete.
Market Data | Apr 11, 2023
Construction crane count reaches all-time high in Q1 2023
Toronto, Seattle, Los Angeles, and Denver top the list of U.S/Canadian cities with the greatest number of fixed cranes on construction sites, according to Rider Levett Bucknall's RLB Crane Index for North America for Q1 2023.
University Buildings | Apr 11, 2023
Supersizing higher education: Tracking the rise of mega buildings on university campuses
Mega buildings on higher education campuses aren’t unusual. But what has been different lately is the sheer number of supersized projects that have been in the works over the last 12–15 months.
Architects | Apr 10, 2023
Bill Hellmuth, FAIA, Chairman and CEO of HOK, dies at 69
William (Bill) Hellmuth, FAIA, the Chairman and CEO of HOK, passed away on April 6, 2023, after a long illness. Hellmuth designed dozens of award-winning buildings across the globe, including the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company Headquarters and the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi.
Contractors | Apr 10, 2023
What makes prefabrication work? Factors every construction project should consider
There are many factors requiring careful consideration when determining whether a project is a good fit for prefabrication. JE Dunn’s Brian Burkett breaks down the most important considerations.
Mixed-Use | Apr 7, 2023
New Nashville mixed-use high-rise features curved, stepped massing and wellness focus
Construction recently started on 5 City Blvd, a new 15-story office and mixed-use building in Nashville, Tenn. Located on a uniquely shaped site, the 730,000-sf structure features curved, stepped massing and amenities with a focus on wellness.
Smart Buildings | Apr 7, 2023
Carnegie Mellon University's research on advanced building sensors provokes heated controversy
A research project to test next-generation building sensors at Carnegie Mellon University provoked intense debate over the privacy implications of widespread deployment of the devices in a new 90,000-sf building. The light-switch-size devices, capable of measuring 12 types of data including motion and sound, were mounted in more than 300 locations throughout the building.