PWC hosts Higher Education Forum at Allsteel Showroom; January 23rd event keynoted by Bushell of DASNY

New York, NY Professional Women in Construction (PWC) hosted a Higher Education Forum on January 23rd at Allsteel Showroom, focused on the development of educational spaces in New York City. Refreshments and networking were followed by a keynote presentation and a panel discussion. The topics discussed ranged from women and minority involvement to overall funding of the projects, covering important issues in our industry such as energy efficient work and community integration. 

The keynote, Gerrard Bushell, president & CEO of Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) was introduced by Jacqui Bascetta of Pullman, a Structural Group Company and on PWC’s membership committee.

Bushell captured the audience with his engaging presentation and passion towards inclusion in the industry. “The economy is strongest when everybody is able to participate,” said Bushell. “Education needs to be a critical component to breaking the barrier.” 

Working with CUNY and New York Power Authority, DASNY is spending $380 million reducing their carbon footprint by implementing everything from efficient lighting, to replacing outdated heating and cooling. In addition to a sustainable plan, DASNY is also focusing on higher education becoming an extension of the community. With a goal to maximize their impact on the New Yorkers they serve, DASNY has successfully used design build to speed up the construction process and lower costs in their residence hall project at the College at Brockport campus. 

Following Bushell, three panelists presented what is happening on their campuses, and then joined Luis Vildostegui, senior principal, Stantec for a moderated discussion. Maria Wilpon of Stantec and VP of PWC’s board of directors introduced Vildostegui.

Diana Allegretti, director of design & construction at Cornell Tech shared insight into the development on Roosevelt Island. The Cornell Tech campus features four buildings, including academic space, offices for companies to locate on campus, a residential building for students, faculty, and staff, and a utility plant. Cornell Tech’s mission of collaboration and innovation is reflected in the physical design of the campus and it pioneers new standards in sustainability and energy efficiency. There is also a significant art program, including the restoration of three murals that are historically significant to the pre-WWII hospital previously on Roosevelt Island.

John Fogarty, director of capital planning at Stony Brook University, focused on the capital improvements of renovation, research, and residence halls. Fogarty touched on the obstacles that are encountered on an already established campus, such as the relocation and disruption of the classes and faculty during renovations to achieve needed building repairs, mechanical system replacements and energy efficiency improvements.

Fanny Gong, associate VP of design management at Columbia University Manhattanville Development. Gong stressed the importance of integrating the community into the Manhattanville project. This ranges from the design process of making the ground floor of all buildings at the new campus open to the public with retail and community service space, to noise mitigation during construction by ensuring that the contractors rented new equipment and used sound blankets on the construction fences.

The panel discussion shed light on the changes happening in the higher education construction world, for example, faculty offices have gotten smaller while collaboration spaces are getting larger; the goal is now group work and open environments. The panel also discussed the challenges of designing such technologically advanced spaces. The designs are cutting edge for today, but two years from now when the products are being installed, the technology is already obsolete. This is why all panelists agreed that who they hire to help construct campuses is determined by who can offer the most forward-thinking design strategy and vision. 

PWC’s mission is to promote, support and advance women in the construction and related industries. With informative industry programming we are able to raise awareness and continue the discussion of positioning the construction industry to advance women. 

The sponsors of the event were STV, Stantec, Pullman, HNI One, Allsteel.