IDEA Factory Design Builder Request for Proposal; The Struggle for the Future of Energy-Efficient Building Construction in the United States

Construction offers interdisciplinary solutions grounded in engineering principles. A general contractor must understand these fundamentals and apply them to real-life buildings or infrastructure projects. General contractors provide solutions and advice to clients during both the construction and design phases. One powerful delivery method for both owners and general contractors is the design-build contract, which allows a single contract to be awarded for a building project. This method gives the general contractor an additional level of input, driving innovative solutions. By developing a plan of action and technical design elements in a Request for Proposal (RFP), the wide range of input in this field becomes evident. The role of sustainability in the industry is increasingly important. Examining the adoption of energy-efficient buildings in the United States provides valuable perspectives from all participants. A thorough investigation into sustainability adoption and the alignment between general contractors and owners in a simulated RFP highlights these connections.
This capstone project addresses the unique challenges of designing and constructing the Innovate, Design, and Engineer for America (IDEA) Factory Building at the University of Maryland. The project involves responding to a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a 61,000-square-foot facility that includes a basement and four above-grade stories, connected to the Jeong H. Kim Engineering Building via a pedestrian bridge. The project scope includes developing solutions for groundwater management, material selection, site logistics, and interdisciplinary coordination within budget and time constraints. Specific deliverables include construction documents for dewatering and drainage, a 3D site utilization plan, a detailed project schedule, and a cost estimate. The team has recommended sheet piles for excavation support and a mat foundation, with a comprehensive groundwater mitigation plan involving sump pumps, perforated piping, drainage boards, and French drains. The project budget is approximately $39.5 million, with considerations for exclusions and assumptions such as demolition costs and hazardous materials. The formal RFP response and presentation will be developed to demonstrate the team's technical expertise and justify design solutions. The project schedule aims for substantial completion by December 2026 and final turnover by January 2027. In conclusion, the project provides a detailed approach to managing the design and construction of the IDEA Factory, emphasizing cost efficiency, sustainability, and effective site logistics. Future work could involve evaluating the success of the proposed groundwater mitigation system and its long-term operational costs.
The construction industry has undergone significant changes with the adoption of new technologies and policies since the 2000s. This research focuses on the industry's perspective on sustainable construction design. Construction is a pillar of society, creating all infrastructure and being visible in every market. The introduction of third-party certifications has created a new dynamic in the industry, leading stakeholders to view sustainability as a competitive advantage. This research paper aims to analyze the current state of energy-efficient building construction in the United States and characterize the trends to expect. The construction industry has a key group of stakeholders, referred to in this research as participants. The primary five groups highlighted in this analysis are general contractors, owners, suppliers, trade organizations, and governmental agencies. The research question is: “How do social groups influence the adoption of energy-efficient building practices in the construction industry?” The STS framework is Actor-Network Theory, which analyzes the complex interactions among the varied participants to identify trends. This comprehensive review will examine how these relationships among participants have led to the increasing adoption of third-party sustainability/energy-efficient buildings. This research aims to identify which participants hold the most power and how their interactions with others can increase adoption within the United States. These findings can be used to enhance interactions and incorporate them into energy-efficient building construction to create a more sustainable industry.
Working on these two projects simultaneously allowed me to gain hands-on experience in developing an RFP and investigating an area that I will encounter in my career. By looking at the actual requirements of an owner and responding to them in a technical manner, I gained valuable insights. The investigation into the adoption of energy-efficient buildings allowed me to understand the social framework of decisions made in industry and identify opportunities for success.

School of Engineering and Applied Science

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

Technical Advisor: Diana Franco Duran

STS Advisor: Bryn Seabrook

Technical Team Members: Michael Rogerson, Katy Dominguez, Logan Holsapple, Zubaidah Al Jumaili, Duy Tran, Faythe Way