Hear from our preconstruction experts what developments are impacting construction nationally. Learn more on page 12
Read more about how we overcome project challenges across the country. Page 6
“Fully Integrated, Future-Minded”
Groundbreaking developments at Timberlab are redefining the mass timber Industry. Page 8
“We Are Master Builders”
Learn how our legacy of excellence is driving the projects and workforce of the future. Page 16
Since 1888, Swinerton’s legacy has been defined by an entrepreneurial and innovative spirit. It is what pushed us to be early adopters and advocates of steel-reinforced concrete in the early twentieth century, and what continues to set us apart as pioneers of the modern-day mass timber movement. Our drive to succeed is the foundation for our position as one of the nation’s largest and most successful selfperforming general contractors—and for our reputation as true master builders. Alongside our subsidiary companies, we take pride in our ability to solve construction challenges in-house with our expansive portfolio of expertise, skills, and capabilities. From driving value to our clients through our selfperform operations and the mass timber preconstruction and design-build exertise of Timberlab, to completing projects with comprehensive building specialties packages, each of our service offerings exists because we saw a client need, and we addressed it. This issue of the SQ features a selection of these client-focused stories, exploring how Swinerton and its subsidiary companies partner and collaborate as master builders to deliver innovative solutions for projects across the country.
In this issue, we are also excited to introduce our newest section in the publication: Swinerton Insights.
As a firm that performs a significant portion of work in a design-build and design-assist capacity, many of our clients tap our expertise early in the design and preconstruction process. Swinerton Insights, formerly known as the Swinerton Quarterly Market Analysis, is a quarterly report of the current construction climate informed by our nationwide preconstruction experts. The purpose is twofold: to explore the opportunities we drive for clients in preconstruction through vertical integration and supply chain management, and to delve into the construction industry trends that affect how we approach and build projects.
Regional diversification and vertical integration at Timberlab are among the newest developments driving these insights and accelerating opportunities for more affordable mass timber buildings across the country. Recent projects for Swinerton Builders and Timberlab include the Responsive Arts & Steam Academy in Denver; The Joinery Phase II in Charlotte; and Orange County Sanitation District Headquarters in Fountain Valley, CA.
Our ability to self-perform trade work is also a key benefit for clients and is integral to our identity as master builders. Self-performing as much work as possible often allows us to exercise tighter control over a project’s safety, quality, and schedule, while ensuring the most competitive costs and budget control.
For example, in Honolulu, Swinerton Builders’ Self-Perform Concrete group completed a client’s project ahead of schedule, despite the State’s permitting delays. Self-perform delivery is also allowing Swinerton Energy, a Swinerton Incorporated subsidiary, to drive schedule and budget efficiencies for renewable natural gas facilities and other complex industrial projects. This increased control and higher level of quality is pivotal for the construction of these highly sensitive, but highly impactful facilities.
As the integration and partnership of Swinerton and its subsidiary companies show, construction is a truly collaborative industry. Expertise is built up over time, sharpened by trial and error, and supported by teamwork and mentorship. Not only do Swinerton and its subsidiaries maintain a robust suite of capabilities, but we have the
right leaders, experts, and teams in place to connect the dots of those capabilities and drive practical solutions for project challenges. In Texas, Griffin Swinerton is expanding our portfolio of public and civic projects with its expertise in public-private partnerships, and in the Southeast, Lindgren Development, Swinerton Incorporated’s investment arm, has helped create several construction opportunities which otherwise may not have happened through successful investment partnerships.
From our company and divisional leaders who show the importance of camaraderie and collaboration, to our talented craftspeople who demonstrate consistent quality and excellence in the field— we are a company of innovators, visionaries, team players, and master builders. That is the true heart of this issue, and of our company.
If we continue to honor this legacy, and if we remain nimble to answer the needs of our clients, then we are sure to see continued success for the next 135 years.
We hope you enjoy this issue of the SQ
Dave Callis
Dave Callis Chief Executive Officer
Scott Conrad
Scott Conrad
Executive Vice President and National Director of Self-Perform Services
Swinerton Builders’ Self-Perform Concrete team recently conducted its biggest concrete pour in Northern California at 555 Bryant, a new 16-story residential development in San Francisco. Through detailed coordination with the City, neighboring residences and businesses, the San Francisco Giants, and trade partners, the team successfully orchestrated installation of 7,000 cubic yards of concrete, which required 778 truckloads and five pumps. That volume is equivalent to filling two Olympic-sized swimming pools with concrete!
We recognize construction impacts the environment and local neighborhoods, and we take responsibility to ensure these impacts are positive. Read our 2023 Sustainability Report to learn more about how we develop thoughtful sustainability strategies for our company and our projects, engage our local communities, and cultivate safe and inclusive cultures.
Wins in education, healthcare, office, civic spaces, and more demonstrate the market versatility of the Swinerton Family of Companies.
Swinerton Builders and Timberlab are shaping the future of construction, with recent supply chain expansions accelerating mass timber opportunities nationwide.
Our nationwide preconstruction experts share the new developments and trends impacting the construction landscape.
Dive into Swinerton's legacy as pioneers of steel-reinforced concrete and mass timber to see how we are shaping generations of master builders.
Our leaders share how camaraderie, collaboration, and an enterprise-mindset benefit their clients and projects across the country.
Read about our project teams’ value-add expertise and master craftsmanship on projects in Charlotte, Denver, Honolulu, and Pasco.
New leadership appointments and our ongoing Faces in the Field craft feature demonstrate our continued commitment and investment in talent.
In this publication, "Swinerton" may refer to Swinerton Incorporated or Swinerton Builders, depending on context. The "Swinerton Family of Companies" refers to parent company Swinerton Incorporated and its subsidiaries, including Griffin Swinerton, Lindgren Development, MDBuilders, SAK Builders, Swinerton Builders, Swinerton Energy, and Timberlab.
A craft professional lays wood planking at San Francisco’s newest waterfront park project, where Swinerton is selfperforming a significant volume of work.
These project wins reflect our commitment to reinforcing our relationships with repeat clients across a diverse range of geographies and markets—including the education, healthcare, office, and civic sectors.
Village San Francisco Wellness Center Mass Timber TL San Francisco, CA | The Friendship House Association of American Indians
DOA Finance Interior Renovation at Hartsfield-Jackson
Atlanta International Airport SB Atlanta, GA | City of Atlanta
Holistic Airside Restroom Program Group Three SB Dallas, TX | Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport
Beverly Hills High School Athletic Facilities
Preconstruction SB
Beverly Hills, CA | Beverly Hills Unified School District
Boone Hall Office Remodel SB Caldwell, ID | The College of Idaho
David Douglas High School Future Careers Building Mass Timber TL Lake Oswego, OR | David Douglas School District
Durwood Hall Renovation SB Fort Collins, CO | Colorado State University
Farrand Hall Renovation SB Boulder, CO | University of Colorado Boulder
Washington Unified School District K-12 Campus
Improvements SB
Eight Sites in West Sacramento, CA | Washington Unified School District
Russell Elementary HVAC Renovation Phase I SB Smyrna, GA | Cobb County School District
Task Order Construction Agreement-Master Enabling Agreement SB Long Beach, CA | California State University, Long Beach
Los Angeles Trade-Technical College Design and Media Arts Building SB Los Angeles, CA | Los Angeles Community College District
PUBLIC/CIVIC
Celina Government Center and Parking Garage SB TL Celina, TX | City of Celina
Life Time Fitness Chula Vista SB Chula Vista, CA | Life Time Property Development
Elk Grove Skilled Nursing Facility MDB Elk Grove, CA | Continuum Care
Legacy Woodburn Health Center Diagnostic Imaging SB Caldwell, ID | Legacy Health
Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital Medical Office Building, Visitor and Staff Parking Garages Concrete MDB Tacoma, WA | MultiCare
Poudre Valley Hospital Multimodality SB Fort Collins, CO | UCHealth
Del Paso Country Club Restroom Renovation MDB Sacramento, CA | Del Paso Country Club
First Tech Branch Tenant Improvements SB Vancouver and Bellevue, WA | First Technology Federal Credit Union
Honeywell 14th Floor Renovation SB Charlotte, NC | Honeywell
PNC Union City Buildout SB Union City, NJ | PNC Financial Services Group
Wells Fargo Renovation Program SB 10 Locations in GA | Wells Fargo
PARKING
OC V!be Parking Structure D SB Anaheim, CA | Anaheim Real Estate Partners
Parking Structure Automation and Security Improvements SB Five Sites in Fresno, CA | City of Fresno
The City of Celina, TX, will soon feature a new centerpiece in its historic downtown: a four-story government center with an impressive mass timber atrium, accompanied by an adjacent three-story concrete parking structure. Swinerton Builders’ National Parking Structures team and mass timber affiliate Timberlab supported the project for over a year in preconstruction, tapping their collective experience from other public sector projects nationwide—including Griffin Swinerton’s public-private partnership in the neighboring City of McKinney. The new facility will double as both government hub and community venue, housing the city’s essential administrative services, a library, and office spaces along with a rooftop garden and gathering space.
Aquatics Facility at Memorial Park SMC Santa Ana, CA | City of Santa Ana
Willow Pass and Landana Sewer Capacity Improvements SMC Concord, CA | City of Concord
Key
SB Swinerton Builders
SMC Swinerton Management & Consulting
TL Timberlab
MDB MDBuilders
SAK SAK Builders
Swinerton has been pioneering the mass timber movement for nearly a decade. Alongside our mass timber subsidiary Timberlab, we aren’t just building innovative projects—we are shaping the future of construction.
Swinerton’s early commitment to mass timber began in 2016 with the design, permitting, and construction of corporate offices for First Tech Federal Credit Union in Hillsboro, OR, once the largest mass timber office building in the United States. Since then, we have successfully built some of the country’s most innovative and transformative mass timber projects—delivering the material’s inherent flexibility, sustainability, and biophilic benefits to a range of public and private clients nationwide.
With the 2021 launch of mass timber engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) company Timberlab, our reach and impact have only expanded. Landmark projects for Swinerton Builders and Timberlab include office spaces at Northlake Commons in Seattle, WA, along with residences at Ascent in Milwaukee, WI and The Joinery Phase II in Charlotte, NC.
Even with these successes, mass timber’s relative newness in the market remains a hurdle. Many owners and developers looking to build with engineered wood face significant challenges in cost and building code restrictions, brought about by a limited number of mass timber suppliers in the United States and a lack of governing authorities’ understanding of mass timber construction practices.
As a holistic mass timber partner from project inception to completion, Timberlab is on a mission to pave the way for the mainstream adoption of mass timber in the US construction market. The firm is enhancing its supply pipeline to maximize value for clients looking to build with engineered wood—all while engaging in research and development initiatives and delivering innovative project solutions that are revolutionizing the industry’s understanding of mass timber’s capabilities.
As more clients and communities embrace the elegance of mass timber, demand continues to grow. To meet that demand, the number of US-
based suppliers, manufacturers, and fabricators must also increase. Pinch points caused by one limiting link in the supply chain can lead to frustrating bottlenecks and higher premiums. To avoid this, building capacity is of utmost importance to the industry.
To stay at the industry’s leading edge, Timberlab has focused on expanding the supply chain in two directions: regionally and vertically.
Following the successful model of Timberlab’s flagship fabrication facility in Portland, OR, Timberlab recently celebrated the grand opening of its second glulam, or glued laminated timber, fabrication facility. Located in Greenville, SC, the new glulam facility is one of only three hubs east of the Mississippi River capable of fabricating engineered wood products, and is the largest of its kind planned in the region. It is located in close proximity to an abundance of Southern yellow pine—a fast-growing species that is emerging as a top aesthetic choice for many architects—and will operate as a critical link in the supply chain, connecting producers with the commercial construction market. The regional powerhouse will produce an estimated one million square feet of fabricated, load-bearing glulam annually. To date, the facility’s output has already been used in significant Swinerton projects including Live Oak Bank Campus in Wilmington, NC, and The Joinery Phase II.
“Now that we’re at full capacity, Timberlab is equipped to exponentially drive the adoption of this environmentforward building platform from coast to coast,” says Chris Evans, Timberlab President. “We’ve already seen the impact we’ve made with glulam producers and suppliers throughout the Southeast, enabling them to fully participate in the commercial, prefabricated mass timber industry—and, ultimately, making it more accessible to adopters.”
On the other hand, Timberlab’s vertical integration in the supply chain is even deeper: working back from installation and construction, to engineering
and fabrication, to manufacturing the engineered wood products from raw timber. Taken together, Timberlab’s aim is to seamlessly provide clients with the materials, precision, and efficiency to accelerate mass timber adoption nationwide.
"Timberlab's objective has always been to remove pinch points in the mass timber industry so that timber structures are affordable and widely usable in the US construction market," says Evans.
This spring, Timberlab announced two pivotal steps in its mission to further the mass timber industry and improve its vertical integration. The first is its plan to construct and operate a state-of-the-art cross-laminated timber (CLT) manufacturing facility in Oregon; the second is its acquisition of American Laminators, an Oregon-based glulam manufacturer responsible for producing some of North America’s longest-spanning glulam beams.
“
Timberlab’s objective has always been to remove pinch points in the mass timber industry so that timber structures are affordable and widely usable in the US construction market.”
– Chris Evans, Timberlab President
These developments are backed by investments by Swinerton Incorporated, increasing Timberlab’s capacity to deliver holistic mass timber expertise and services and underscoring the commitment of the entire Swinerton Family of Companies to a more sustainable future.
"The increase in mass timber demand, coupled with our success over the last seven years, is driving us to continue to expand the supply chain by adding our new CLT manufacturing facility in Oregon," Chris adds. “Acquiring American Laminators is another leap forward to advance our capabilities and services in the mass timber industry.”
By stepping into manufacturing, Timberlab is not only expanding the mass timber industry's capacity to construct with more engineered wood, but the company will be able to maximize clients’ project value with greater cost control and certainty earlier on. Additionally, this move allows Timberlab to bring its extensive experience with fabrication and construction to identify and implement solutions in the manufacturing phase for more seamless execution of mass timber projects.
Architects are keen to design with mass timber, and this appreciation for engineered wood has helped drive changes to International Building Codes (IBC). For instance, a Seattlebased architect authored changes to the 2021 IBC and worked with Timberlab and Swinerton to build Seattle’s first mass timber mid-rise workforce housing structure under the new codes. Similar project successes nationwide are driving municipalities to update their codes for mass timber.
In order to advance mass timber construction, Timberlab dedicates a team to pursue mass timber innovation and research, partnering with research institutions like Clemson University and others, as well as governing authorities like the US Forest Service. Research topics include fire testing, vibration testing, and more recently, seismic load testing for tall timber buildings. (Check out Timberlab’s recap of the NHERI TallWood experiment to learn more).
By actively exploring new techniques, materials, and technologies, Swinerton and Timberlab not only push the industry forward, but also accelerate their combined understanding of mass timber’s capabilities. From developing innovative structural connections that met stringent fire-rating requirements in Milwaukee and Seattle, to streamlining the mass timber designs that saved clients hundreds of thousands of dollars in Medford and Monmouth, OR—each successful project represents a leap forward in sustainable mass timber design and construction.
Swinerton and Timberlab share a passion for harnessing the natural strength and elegance of wood to build a greener, lower-carbon future. Swinerton’s longstanding expertise in mass timber installation and construction and Timberlab’s increasing vertical integration and supply chain management offer invaluable and unparalleled opportunities for clients looking to build affordable, awe-inspiring mass timber structures.
As Swinerton and Timberlab continue to collaborate, innovate, and deliver landmark mass timber projects from coast to coast, both firms emphasize the value of engaging our holistic expertise throughout the design and construction process. Together, our experts are pushing the boundaries of engineered wood and paving the way for the mainstream adoption of mass timber in the US construction market, making engineered wood viable even in regions and sectors where it was considered unimaginable.
With green buildings and decarbonization top of mind for many counties and cities in recent years, Swinerton and Timberlab have seen continued mass timber success in the public and civic sector.
Mass timber’s ability to sequester carbon as well as its speed and ease of construction make it a valueadd material in the construction of community spaces. As construction partners, Swinerton and Timberlab bring their collaboration and expertise to bear across the entire project, starting in the design phase. They perform mass timber feasibility analyses, constructability reviews, and other studies aimed at creating schedule and budget efficiencies and ensure projects meet clients’ aesthetic and sustainability goals.
This expertise also transitions seamlessly into the construction phase. The recently completed Orange County Sanitation District Headquarters building—the largest mass timber project Swinerton and Timberlab have delivered in Southern California to date—not only capitalizes on mass timber’s inherent benefits to meet sustainability goals, but reinforces the added value of deploying a combined Swinerton and Timberlab team on mass timber projects. Swinerton was the general contractor and Timberlab performed design in timber optimization, layout, and fiber utilization for the
facility, which includes a trio of threestory buildings totalling 109,000 square feet. The facility’s design capitalizes on mass timber’s high strength to weight ratio, helping the building withstand seismic events in an earthquake-prone area while maintaining functionality. The hybrid superstructure consists of mass timber and steel brace frames, with an impressive diagrid glulam timber roof structure feature at the main lobby entrance. In a first for the Swinerton and Timberlab team, the mass timber elements were delivered by rail, which helped reduce the carbon footprint of material transportation to achieve the client’s sustainability goals.
Once on-site, Swinerton’s Self-Perform Carpentry and Drywall teams were able to seamlessly install the Timberlabprocured mass timber. The carpentry team rigged and erected the structural members, while the drywall team installed the connection bolts and steel members that integrated the system.
Visit timberlab.com to read more about this project and other transformative mass timber builds across the country.
As a full-service construction partner, we exert complete mastery over every aspect of the building process from its earliest stages.
In a traditional sense, preconstruction offers clients a more detailed look at the cost, scope, and schedule of their project prior to breaking ground. At Swinerton, preconstruction is an opportunity to maximize value for clients by letting them look at their project through the eyes of a builder. Are the structural design and components working together as they should? Have sustainability goals been met? Are there opportunities to self-perform a scope of work or procure materials early to maintain the critical path of the schedule?
These are just a few questions Swinerton asks when engaging in preconstruction activities. What truly sets us apart, however, is how we answer these questions. Our position as a nationwide enterprise and member of an integrated family of companies means we don’t just bring ideas to the table. We bring practical solutions and a robust suite of capabilities to properly plan and execute these ideas once construction begins.
Swinerton Insights provides a glimpse into our preconstruction expertise and the expanding capabilities that are driving clients’ abilities to build more efficient, sustainable, high-quality projects. New developments at Timberlab are accelerating mass timber’s affordability and mainstream adoption in the US construction market. Our enterprise approach means we can put the right expertise on pivotal landmark projects, no matter what office our experts sit in or where our clients are building.
Because we are always innovating, growing, and learning, our nationwide team of preconstruction professionals leverages a myriad of sophisticated tools and processes to mitigate risk and lay the foundation for success—and we are always looking for opportunities to improve project outcomes. Whether advancing our technology, getting ahead of sustainability best practices, or leveraging our own self-perform capabilities and market insights, we are dedicated to one goal: delivering client projects seamlessly, sustainably, and above all, masterfully.
Estimating and preconstruction are never “one size fits all.” At Swinerton, we maximize value for clients by tapping the right experts and investing in valuable resources in all of our operations across the country. Our continuous efforts to innovate, expand, and improve our capabilities and expertise drive opportunities for cost savings and allow our clients to build more efficiently and sustainably, wherever they are.
At the Portland State University Gateway project, Swinerton’s new model-based estimating program, Destini, has provided real-time estimating within 3% of the targeted cost through the design phase. This continuous feedback loop provides greater cost certainty from conception to GMP and through construction.
Additionally, Timberlab’s acquisition of American Laminators, a prominent glulam mass timber manufacturing firm with facilities in Swisshome and Drain, OR, is accelerating the mass timber firm’s vertical integration and creating more opportunities for clients to build affordable mass timber projects across the country.
Texas
Griffin Swinerton is revolutionizing the development, financing, construction, and management of public facilities nationwide through the public-private partnership (P3) method. The firm has provided its expertise for the cities of McKinney and Celina, TX.
Southeast Timberlab’s new Greenville, SC, fabrication facility is now fully operational. This regional powerhouse marks a milestone achievement in Timberlab’s mission to expand the mass timber supply chain along the East Coast.
Whether our clients are designing for sustainability, need to meet a fast-track timeline, or are simply looking to maximize the project’s budget and schedule, our expertise and practical solutions to help clients meet their goals before work ever begins in the field.
At Swinerton, we believe that sustainability, at its core, is a preconstruction effort. Opportunities to make meaningful reductions in environmental impacts at a lowcost start in the earliest design phases. Ideally, sustainability work during construction becomes a validation of planning efforts made in preconstruction. For instance, we help clients meet resiliency goals by advancing the adoption of more sustainable materials (such as mass timber) and processes, particularly in early project visioning. Our Sustainability team leadership can speak to the latest sustainability practices, and bring a strong background in construction to provide leadingedge expertise steeped in practical building experience.
As one of the country’s largest self-performing general contractors, Swinerton Builders maintains a robust understanding of specialized trade scopes and can perform those in-house with our own highly skilled teams. Self-perform work can offer greater budget and schedule certainty throughout the project life cycle, starting in the preconstruction phase where we can prepare more accurate estimates and exercise greater control over the project’s timeline and critical path. Self-performing is not limited to just us, either. Our affiliate companies offer additional expertise and benefits, from holistic mass timber systems through Timberlab, to specialized concrete expertise through SAK Builders.
For over two years, our National Preconstruction team has developed and released a quarterly analysis of construction economic trends. The centerpiece of this market outlook is the Material Lead Times chart (see right). This chart is developed in-house and refreshed each quarter, offering clients a comprehensive and timely overview of material lead time trends affecting the construction market. Our preconstruction experts will walk clients through the data to identify what materials might affect their projects most, inform decision-making on manufacturer selection, and determine whether early procurement is necessary to avoid delays to the project schedule. Our professionals also keep a pulse on the ever-changing nuances of the construction market through analyses of trusted third-party data (see QR code for more).
Swinerton tracks material lead times on a quarterly basis, offering a comprehensive and timely overview of what key factors could affect projects.
Generally speaking, lead times have leveled out to the best we have seen in the past four years. This means greater predictability in scheduling and better pricing for owners and clients.
B SHELL
B10 Superstructure
Typical Wide-Flange up to 14 weeks
Metal Decking up to 12 weeks
B20 Exterior Vertical Enclosures
CMU up to 10 weeks
EIFS Materials, Wet Pails up to 6 weeks
Window Wall 14–16 weeks
Curtain Wall up to 22 weeks
Glass Handrail up to 8 weeks
Metal Panel, Standard Color up to 8 weeks
Metal Panel, Custom Color up to 10 weeks
B30 Exterior Horizontal Enclosures
Roofing up to 28 weeks
Polyiso Insulation up to 32 weeks
C INTERIORS
C10 Interior Construction
Insulation, Mineral Wool up to 16 weeks
C20 Interior Finishes
Acoustical Tile up to 10 weeks
Acoustical Grid up to 12 weeks
D SERVICES
D10 Conveying
Traction Elevators up to 34 weeks
Hydraulic Elevators up to 20 weeks
Cooling Towers up to 29 weeks
Air-Cooled Chillers 20-24 weeks
Centrifugal Chillers 23-28 weeks
Air Handling Units 15-22
As our past market analyses have stated, HVAC equipment has faced significant delays and fluctuations throughout the past year. We are now happy to report that, over the last few months, lead times for air-cooled chillers and air handling units have dramatically improved.
SEE WHAT INDUSTRY ADVISORS ARE ALSO REPORTING:
Swinerton also leverages data from trusted industry sources to build a holistic picture of the construction market and outlook. Dive into our compilation of additional information from Engineering News-Record, the American Institute of Architects, the U.S. Census Bureau, and more.
Swinerton planted roots as a builder 135 years ago, and continues to deepen them nationwide. Alongside our subsidiary companies, we leverage our knowledge, skills, and drive to build the projects and workforce of the future.
We take pride in the expertise and passion it takes to raise a structure from the ground up. Because, at our core, we are builders.
When brick mason Charles Lindgren founded the company that would become Swinerton at the end of the nineteenth century, the construction landscape looked very different than it does today. The industry was moving from a workforce of individual craftspeople managed by an architect or engineer to a more centralized system. Positions like those of superintendent and foreman emerged to be the expert eyes on the jobsite to manage installation and supervision, while contractorbuilders brokered materials, labor, and services.
An entrepreneurial mason turned builder, Lindgren saw the potential for greater speed and efficiency as technologies like steel-reinforced concrete emerged on the market. His business partner, Lewis A. Hicks, was a vocal advocate for this technology—writing two enthusiastic articles in 1905 for The Architect and Engineer of California and distributing brochures on the topic to local engineers.
When tragedy struck in the form of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, Lindgren and Hicks were completely equipped to help rebuild, and could legitimately claim that their steel-reinforced concrete buildings fared better than most in the devastation. Clients who were initially skeptical of the “newfangled” material were convinced. By 1908, when namesake Alfred B. Swinerton joined the firm, the company was well on its way to becoming one of the most recognized builders in the West, thanks in no small part to its expertise in concrete.
In the century that followed, Swinerton has continually invested in enterprises and people to keep the industry moving forward, expanding its markets and offerings nationally and internationally. From engineering canals and pipelines in the 1950s, driving value-add services like tenant improvements in the 1980s, to embracing sustainable materials and energies in the 2020s, we are always finding ways to build where the world is going.
In 2016, Swinerton recognized another opportunity: to drive construction forward by adopting mass timber. As a result, our mass-timber specialist subsidiary was launched in 2021, harnessing the structural and environmental potential of engineered wood materials and helping clients meet their vision for sustainable structures that soar with the beauty of timber.
Being a master builder depends on first-hand knowledge of the builder’s craft, which must be passed down with each generation. We continue our 135year builder’s legacy by supporting the workforce of the future: training the next generation of craftspeople in trade skills, and attracting more builders to the industry.
Through The Swinerton Foundation’s support of trade education programs at the Cypress Mandela Training Center in Oakland, CA, Portland YouthBuilders in Portland, OR, and The Roc in Charlotte, NC, partnership with organizations like SkillsUSA nationwide, and outreach efforts at colleges and universities, we are driven to support the young people who will become our next generation of master builders.
Alongside the industry’s evolution, at Swinerton we continue our master builder’s legacy through the present day, employing thousands of expert craftspeople on staff as laborers, journeymen, foremen, and superintendents whose direct experience in the field ensures our projects’ success. As a company, we invest in their safety, their training, and their well-being to ensure their expertise shines on every project.
Swinerton Builders' self-perform teams include concrete, drywall, doors, frames and hardware, carpentry, millwork, and demolition and clean-up. Our family of companies also includes a broad range of professionals whose expertise encompass concrete at SAK Builders, mass timber at Timberlab, trade work at MDBuilders, and engineering, procurement, and construction of renewable gas plants at Swinerton Energy.
On every project, we also draw on our experts who understand the non-physical components of building: financing, logistics, planning, permits, site entitlements, and more. Our administrative teams at Swinerton, Lindgren Development, and Griffin Swinerton work in tandem to make our clients’ buildings possible.
Combined with our expert knowledge and skill, our pride of ownership, passion, leadership, integrity and excellence are what truly make us master builders.
Construction is a truly collaborative industry, with every project’s success riding on teams working together.
As our company grows and times change, effective leadership is as front-of-mind as our operations’ effectiveness. Collaboration is at the heart of effectiveness, but it’s not always easy. Without a linear path to follow, decisions have to be strategic, and there is no guarantee of success. But, as Swinerton's history and success have shown us, when our leaders collaborate and innovate together, they promote trust and growth among their entire teams.
We asked a few of our leaders across the country to share what collaboration means to them. Here’s what they had to say:
How has collaboration with other leaders supported you and your division?
A Collaboration with our Corporate Services leaders has been instrumental in helping us win defining work with major technology clients over the last several years. The team is adept at navigating clients’ executive leadership and making sure we are aware of and aligned with what is important to the client. Their continuous involvement is what adds most value and what makes me especially confident that we are servicing our clients in the most consistent and effective manner nationwide.
– Lia
Without the collaboration from company leadership nationwide, we could not achieve the accelerated growth that we are pushing for in Dallas. What has been great to experience is the willingness of everyone to help and support the growth, like we saw on the City of Celina Government Center project win.
– Tyler
The Swinerton and Timberlab collaboration is a true symbiotic relationship that helps us deliver a high-quality product to our clients. We have countless success stories of building projects that possibly would not have been built without the collective knowledge of the team. – Chris
Tyler Whittaker Vice President and Division Manager, Dallas, TX
QHow did you receive support from the greater Swinerton organization in times of challenge?
AStarting a new construction business is a huge challenge, and most fail in the first few years of operation. We get support on a daily basis across Swinerton’s network of resources, which makes it possible to launch new business ventures in a way that leaders can focus on strategy without being bogged down with the learning curve of starting up a new operating group or business. Support comes from every portion of the company, including shared services, local divisions, and other self-perform groups within the organization. We truly have an amazing support network within Swinerton!
– Chris
In the healthcare group, we've got many opportunities in front of us, so we will need to propose teams that draw from other groups. For example, while pursuing a recent project, an esteemed client advised our group to name additional Project Management and MEP resources. Swinerton teams around the region promptly gave their assistance, and we are now better positioned to win the job. We can also support the growth of healthcare across our enterprise as well as our local teams.
– Scott
When I was a new Division Manager, the support and engagement from other Division Managers had a huge impact in terms of both technical and moral support. They have broadened my perspective, and helped me learn new strategies, approaches, and solutions that I might not have encountered on my own.
Scott Grubb Vice President and Division Manager, Northern California Healthcare
Lia Tatevosian Senior Vice President and Region Manager, Southern California and Hawaii
John Spight Vice President and Division Manager, Arvada, CO
AIt’s easy to see that we are a stronger enterprise when we share our understanding of our clients, their processes, and key performance indicators. Sharing resources also helps us support each other’s growth and better positions us to win work.
– Scott
Chris Evans President, Timberlab
There are many benefits to our company’s integration: streamlined operations, cost savings, a unified strategy that delivers a consistent vision and brand cohesion, and a seamless customer experience. While these may have their challenges in terms of the complexity of implementation and management across our company at a national level, we are committed to navigating these challenges with careful planning, clear communication, and strong leadership.
– John
We leverage the Swinerton Family of Companies to pique client interest— especially when projects are still in the idea stage. By showcasing all that our enterprise offers, from our subsidiary companies to national groups like Aviation and Parking, we can bring solutions to our clients in advance, and create opportunities.
– Tyler
Being one of the more mature regions in the company, we provide a tremendous amount of support to growing divisions. Sometimes this presents a challenge in terms of resources, as we are also focused on winning work in Southern California. As Region Manager, my goal is to overstaff our talent in the next few years, knowing we will be supporting other regions and their accelerated growth while still being able to meet the needs of our own growth and success.
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Renewable natural gas facilities are on the rise. Building highly specialized, complex infrastructure requires a multi-faceted construction partner with the capabilities to deliver on ambitious budget and scheduling needs.
As the United States looks to lessen its dependency on fossil fuels and diversify its energy sector, the number of renewable natural gas (RNG) facilities continues to grow. These highly specialized facilities capture harmful greenhouse gases released from agricultural and livestock waste, landfills, and wastewater treatment processes and refine the gases into a usable biofuel for vehicles, electricity generation, and other applications.
Not only does this process subvert the need for traditional fossil fuelbased gas, but it is consistently replenishable and compatible with existing gas infrastructure and equipment, thus preventing an additional load on already taxed
electrical grids. Widespread adoption and use of RNG would significantly impact decarbonization goals across the country, accelerate the transition to a more circular economy, and—with more RNG facilities popping up across the country—would lead to more energy independence for the United States.
As of 2022, more than 173 RNG projects are operating across 31 states and approximately 40 more are in progress according to the EPA1, presenting significant opportunity for construction firms to serve these highly specialized spaces—including Swinerton Energy.
An engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firm, Swinerton Energy helps industrial clients achieve
their energy resiliency goals. The team’s portfolio ranges from clean energy generation to industrial process facilities, all of which rely on sophisticated and expensive infrastructure. As transformative as the facilities themselves, Swinerton Energy is focused on industrial self-performance for the pipe-fitting, welding, millwright, and boilermaker work associated with these projects. This expertise is crucial to successful design management, detailing, quality, safety, and scheduling.
In Washington State, the team is well underway providing EPC services at an industrial wastewater-to-RNG facility. The bio-refinery will accept food processing plant wastewater and, through a series of steps, will refine it into usable
RNG. As with other similar remote facilities, the project encompasses the installation of heavy equipment and machinery for the RNG process, but also includes extensive pipework.
Swinerton Energy is self-performing the process and power piping for the water treatment, gas collection, and gas upgrading, including the installation of equipment. Additionally, SAK Builders, another Swinerton Incorporated company, self-performed over 73,000 square feet of shotcrete walls and patching for the project.
By self-performing certain scopes of work, Swinerton Energy exercises tighter control over the project’s schedule, cost, quality, and safety, as well as combatting
the adverse effects of a tight labor market. This leads to more accurate timelines and cost forecasting over the project’s lifecycle—a key advantage in the construction of RNG facilities, which are comparatively expensive projects by nature due to their complexity.
In cases where Swinerton Energy does not opt to self-perform a scope due to a better alternative for the project and client, the firm’s experience still provides unique advantages. This deep well of specialty expertise in industrial facilities allows the team to circumvent supply chain issues, lead times, and other critical market conditions. They are also able to verify constructability and mitigate common scheduling and budget concerns while helping
clients make informed choices for their facilities that meet project goals.
As RNG continues to gain traction as a viable resource for a lower-carbon future, Swinerton Energy continues to prove why having a hands-on, selfperforming master builder is essential to maximizing the value of these highly complex, but highly impactful facilities. Whether exercising direct cost, budget, quality, and safety control of the project’s driving trades, or contributing specialty expertise steeped in practical experience, Swinerton Energy is dedicated to empowering a cleaner, brighter future, one successful project at a time.
To learn more, visit swinertonenergy.com.
Swinerton and Lindgren Development have created a powerful relationship with local developer Space Craft that has led to the success of two transformative projects—and soon, a third.
This spring, Swinerton kickstarted the construction of Oxbow, the latest multifamily development in The Mill District of Charlotte. The $97.8 million project is Swinerton’s third endeavor with Space Craft, a national multifamily developer known for building urban communities that emphasize walkability and sustainability. Previously, Swinerton partnered with Space Craft on Phase I and Phase II of The Joinery, also located in The Mill District just a few blocks away from Oxbow.
Targeting completion in late 2026, the Oxbow project covers just over four acres of land. The development will feature six floors with 389 rental units ranging from studio apartments to four-bedroom units, a gym, rooftop patio, bike storage, a resident courtyard, and nearly 14,300 square feet of commercial space. The street-level
retail will be ideal for boutiques, coffee shops, and other neighborhood services.
Plans call for a two-story concrete podium with below-grade parking, topped with a five-story hybrid structure of stick frame with CLT slab fabricated by Timberlab at its new Greenville facility. Approximately 50% of the structure will feature exposed mass timber ceilings using Austrian spruce timber.
However, Oxbow is not the first of the trio of projects to leverage mass timber. The Joinery Phase II—the second project in Space Craft’s Brevard Development Master Plan in Optimist Park—featured five stories of a hybrid CLT and prefabricated structural system, supplied by Timberlab and set atop a two-level concrete podium. The mixeduse development provides 115 apartments and 15,000 square feet of retail space.
“Swinerton’s in-depth know-how of everything mass timber really allows us to build this hybrid structure and supports our vision for elevated, sustainable urban living. The construction of Oxbow—our biggest project yet—continues a productive and successful partnership with Swinerton that has already resulted in a quality product [at The Joinery Phase I and Phase II].”
– Harrison Tucker, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Space Craft
In addition to its general contractor and construction manager duties, Swinerton is also responsible for the design-build of Oxbow’s mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection (MEPF) systems. The team plans to embrace additional Virtual Design and Construction processes to aid planning, documentation, and future references to the project by deploying OpenSpace, a 360-degree reality capture platform that collects data via helmet devices during walkthroughs. The photos and data are tied to the building information model, enabling virtual walkthroughs, tagging and resolution of quality issues, and as-built conditions over time.
“The project is complex due to its hybrid structure and the site’s tight conditions,” explains Kevin Smith, Vice President, Division Manager of Swinerton’s Carolinas Division. “This tool is vital to our success on this project by establishing efficiencies and maximizing precision.”
Oxbow and its predecessors, The Joinery Phases I and II, are redefining the future of urban communities and mark milestone achievements in Space Craft’s long-term vision for sustainable developments—one in which Swinerton and its subsidiary companies remain deeply invested.
In addition to Swinerton and Timberlab, a third subsidiary has also contributed to the success of all three projects. Lindgren Development, the national investment arm of Swinerton Incorporated, provided balance sheet support to Space Craft, allowing the developer to secure construction financing for The Joinery Phase I.
Now complete, the innovative development contains 83 units, 2,000 square feet of retail space, and no structured parking. Instead, residents can rent scooters, electric bikes, and electric cars, including Tesla models. The building’s prime location also
ensures walkability and close access to the Parkwood light rail station.
Since The Joinery Phase I, Lindgren has also provided investment support to Phase II and Oxbow. Lindgren's involvement in this trio of projects has created a powerful and successful alignment between investor, builder, and developer, focused on bringing Space Craft's vision to fruition.
“Our partnership with Space Craft continues to deliver high-quality projects that are redefining urban living in one of Charlotte’s most popular neighborhoods,” says Smith. “Our goals closely align with Space Craft’s— namely, building sustainable and wellconstructed mixed-use communities that create pedestrian, non-motor dependent connectivity for residents and visitors alike. Add the integration of mass timber to the mix, and you have the ideal showcase for development that sustains the environment.”
Swinerton’s longstanding mass timber expertise provides peace of mind to clients taking their first steps into sustainable construction.
In collaboration with DLR Group, Swinerton provided general contracting services for Denver Public Schools’ (DPS) Responsive Arts & STEAM Academy, a transformative project that marks the first all-electric school for DPS and one of the first schools in Colorado to leverage mass timber construction.
As the largest school district in Colorado, DPS serves over 93,000 students in 207 schools. DPS is leading change with an ambitious climate action plan that aligns with the City and County of Denver’s overall goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 65% by 2030. The Responsive Arts & STEAM Academy is the foremost school in this initiative, featuring mass timber elements and sustainable all-electric design. In addition to these sustainability goals, the district aimed to complete the project's first phase by July 2024—just in time for upcoming school year.
Swinerton provided design-assist services during preconstruction, imparting valuable insights on constructability, budget, and scheduling concerns. The original structural design called for the use of long-span steel joists; however, these came with a lead time of more than nine months. To help the district meet its schedule, Swinerton engaged Timberlab to discuss the feasibility and benefits of incorporating mass timber into the design to complement the precast concrete elements. Together, the two firms and the DLR team shortened procurement lead times by two months
by replacing long-span steel joists with glued laminated timber (glulam) and cross-laminated timber (CLT) decking. The team also identified other strategic locations to use glulam and CLT, including the gymnasium and common area. The final design is highlighted by an exposed mass timber vaulted ceiling that spans an open two-story space.
In addition to Swinerton’s longstanding expertise and continued success with mass timber construction, the firm’s self-perform capabilities allowed the team to maintain the schedule, maximize the budget, and ensure high quality and safety standards. Swinerton self-performed concrete slab-on-grade, drywall and framing, firestopping, specialties, stormwater, and cleanup.
In late 2023, DPS received funding for a second phase at the Responsive Arts & STEAM Academy campus. The district awarded Swinerton and DLR Group the expansion project thanks to their success on the first phase. The new 35,000-squarefoot classroom building will provide additional capacity to support middle school students.
Having Swinerton on board as general contractor for Phase 1 allowed for construction to wrap up seamlessly, and has allowed Swinerton and DLR Group to bring their expertise and experience to bear on the earliest stages of concept design for Phase 2. Swinerton’s project team is remaining onsite and will begin construction in fall 2024.
By self-performing the expansive concrete scope of a new warehouse in Honolulu, HI, Swinerton not only provided budget efficiencies—but successfully mitigated the worst of permitting schedule delays.
In July 2024, Swinerton completed construction of a new last-mile logistics delivery station for a confidential online retailer. Set on a 14-acre site west of Downtown Honolulu in the heart of the industrial port area, the facility is the client’s first of its kind in the State of Hawaii.
Nearly all of the client’s similar facilities on the mainland have much larger sites, some of which are up to three times the size. To maximize the efficiency of the constrained Honolulu site, the warehouse was imagined as a three-story enclosed parking structure, with the ground floor allocated for warehouse and office space, and the upper two levels as parking decks. The client awarded the project to Swinerton based on the firm’s previous success with a similar six-story, 1,300-stall parking structure delivered in Southern California, among various other ground-up office buildings, film production studios, and interior renovations.
Early on in project discussions, Swinerton’s Parking Structure group proposed switching to cast-in-place concrete rather
than precast concrete, which saved the client roughly $3 million. The cast-in-place concrete structure utilizes a Cunningham long-span beam forming system, allowing for expansive 45foot bays. Swinerton opted to self-perform the extensive structural concrete scope, marking the firm’s largest self-perform project in the State of Hawaii to date. A total of 118 Cunningham beams were prefabricated at Swinerton’s fabrication yard in Riverside, CA, and shipped across the Pacific Ocean with the formwork.
Self-performing the concrete scope not only allowed Swinerton to provide budget efficiencies and specialized expertise—but allowed the team to mitigate the worst of challenging schedule delays.
Permitting bottlenecks in the State of Hawaii caused a number of challenges anticipated by Swinerton and the client at project onset. The structural permitting lead time was roughly two years when the project was awarded, and the construction plans required multiple rounds of review. Although Swinerton was able to
receive the foundation permit fairly quickly, the project team eventually had to halt progress for three months until they received the structural permit.
To prevent excessive delay to the overall progress of the project, Swinerton received a temporary permit that allowed the team to perform additional scope while the official permit remained in review. The selfperform concrete and general contracting teams worked closely with the client and the design team to determine what work could be completed out of sequence. Although Swinerton could not set the rebar down without receiving the official permit, the team was able to set anchors in the formwork up to the point of setting the rebar down, and forming the second floor of the building—an atypical approach that allowed work to begin right away once the official structural permit was received.
A testament to the expertise, efficiency, and professionalism of its Self-Perform Concrete group, Swinerton successfully completed the project two weeks ahead of schedule despite the three-month permitting delay.
At Swinerton Incorporated’s Annual Shareholder meeting in June, Swinerton’s executive leadership announced the promotion of Tim Kretzschmar to Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of Swinerton Incorporated’s subsidiary companies, to support continued integration, efficiency, and growth.
Tim Kretzschmar
Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, Swinerton Incorporated Subsidiaries
Tim brings 30 years of trusted construction industry expertise to his new role, where he will support Swinerton’s subsidiary companies in their efforts to diversify product lines and exercise greater control over every aspect of project delivery—including the supply chain—to withstand market fluctuations and, ultimately, maximize value on clients’ projects. Ray Haj will continue as Chief Operations Officer of Swinerton Builders, as announced earlier this year.
New talent brings fresh ideas and diverse ways of thinking to our company. The following strategic new hires will provide thoughtful direction for Swinerton’s growth in several key areas.
Marcella Ayala
National Director of Life Sciences
Bringing a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to her role, Marcella will lead the national growth and strategy for Swinerton’s Life Sciences market. Tapping her past experience in leading market diversitfication and expansion, she will foster key partnerships and equip teams with the right direction and training to capture new work and execute projects successfully.
Rory Abbazio
Director of Product and Enterprise Architecture, Business Technology
In his role, Rory will provide strategic direction for the acceleration of Swinerton’s digital journey and bring intentionality to our technology stack, maintaining cohesion and optimization. With his thoughtful approach to procurement, he will ensure we remain ahead of the rapid pace of technological advancement.
Meet a few of the exemplary craftspeople who strengthen our business and showcase the expertise and skill of our field crews.
Aaron Shields
Warehouse and Field Support Laborer, San Diego, CA
Aaron embodies Swinerton’s core values of ownership and passion with his talent for problem-solving, eye for making continuous safety improvements, and long-term focus. Whether he is accepting deliveries at the yard or tackling jobsite challenges head-on, Aaron is known for his dedication, commitment, and willingness to take on any responsibility that contributes to the success of the teams and projects he supports.
Rafael Barriga
Lead Journeyman, Drywall, San Francisco, CA
Committed to Swinerton’s core value of integrity, Rafael is known among his peers for always doing what he says and following through on his responsibilities, regardless of who is watching. He enjoys solving problems and takes the lead on difficult tasks, always looking for opportunities to improve the safety, efficiency, and quality of his team’s work.
Kat Ngo
Carpenter, San Diego, CA
Kat is known for her contagious “can do” attitude in the office and on the jobsite. She recently completed her apprenticeship, and has already established herself as a jobsite leader who takes personal pride in her work. She brings an ownership mentality, commitment to excellence, and outstanding productivity to every area of her work.
Nalei Sooto
Labor Foreman, Seattle, WA
A proud graduate of the Seattle division’s Foreman Builder Program, Nalei is characterized by his professionalism. attention to detail, and strong sense of integrity which together him a reliable team player. He actively contributes new ideas, communicates openly and clearly, leverages his problem-solving acumen to overcome challenges, and ensures all documentation is filled out correctly.
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2001 Clayton Road, Floor 7
Concord, CA 94520
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