Day 244 - Throwback Thursday: Educational Edition

Day 244 - Throwback Thursday: Educational Edition, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

Last week we shared a photo from a 20+ year old rooftop HVAC installation in Cambridge. For this week's addition to "Throwback Thursday" we head to a 1980s institutional lab project at Tufts University (the alma mater of John Cannistraro, Sr., John Cannistraro, Jr. and Michael Cannistraro).

Day 238 - BIM & Prefab Thought Leaders

Day 238 - BIM & Prefab Thought Leaders, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

Back in November we shared some screenshots from the Autodesk University 2012 Convention where Cannistraro was afforded a great opportunity to impart its wisdom and experience using BIM and lean prefabrication techniques. Select presentations have been posted live to the web as part of Virtual Autodesk University. We are proud to share our stories with the industry and encourage you to check out the presentation here: au.autodesk.com/?nd=class&session_id=10790

Day 237 - Three Trade Infrastructure

Day 237 - Three Trade Infrastructure, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

We've often shone the spotlight on specific Plumbing, HVAC or Fire Protection projects, but one of Cannistraro's biggest competitive advantages is its ability to offer a complete three trade package. Today's outstanding photo from a three-trade project demonstrates Cannistraro's ability to perform multi-trade work.

Day 236 - Topping the Charts in Greater Boston

Day 236 - Topping the Charts in Greater Boston, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

Last week the Boston Business Journal published its annual Book of Lists. This year, three times are a charm for Cannistraro as it was recognized as a top firm on three separate lists: Largest Family Owned Businesses, Largest Mechanical Contractors and Largest Privately Owned Companies. Congratulations!

Day 235 - Looking Back at Biosquare

Day 235 - Looking Back at Biosquare, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

We close out the week with another look back at projects from the past. The Biosquare Building "D" project for Boston University was a signature laboratory project back in 2005-2006. Cannistraro really reached its stride in terms of 3D Modeling/BIM capabilities on this project, and gained some valuable lessons learned.

Day 234 - Throwback Thursday; Eighties Edition

Day 234 - Throwback Thursday; Eighties Edition, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

As we get closer and closer to our 50th Anniversary, the photos from Cannistraro's past are resurfacing from the archives. Check out this photo from the Canal Park project in Cambridge back in the mid-1980s. According to our records "This four-story office building was erected on one of the tightest sites in Cambridge where delicate coordination enabled five of the rooftop A/C units to be hoisted and set in place."

Day 233 - Mechanical Systems and the Cloud

Day 233 - Mechanical Systems and the Cloud, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

Whether your using an iPhone or a Droid, a tablet or a laptop, more and more of your data is being stored in the cloud. As mobile devices make their way on to construction sites, an increasing amount of project information will be stored in the cloud as well. With more cloud computing comes an increased need for datacenters, and not just anyone can care for the vital mechanical systems that cool these facilities. Cannistraro and the Cannistraro Service Group have been specializing in this growing, niche market sector for many years and today's photo was taken at a datacenter project back in 2008.

Day 232 - AEC Young Professionals

Day 232 - AEC Young Professionals, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

In previous posts we've discussed how important the mentoring process is at J.C. Cannistraro. This morning we share a photo of two of the newest members of our team, who are busy learning the AEC industry and the role that a mechanical contractor plays. We're confident that there's a bright future ahead in our industry for these young professionals and the many others that pass through the Cannistraro mentorship program.

Day 231 - From inside the Pipe

Day 231 - From inside the Pipe, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

No, today's photo is not a snapshot from the opening credits of Skyfall or another James Bond movie. This amazing photo is the product of bringing a professional photographer to watch a welder at work! We present you the view from inside a length of pipe.

Day 230 - Team Cannistraro on the Court

Day 230 - Team Cannistraro on the Court, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

Roughly four years ago Team Cannistraro began participating in after-work sports leagues as an opportunity for fun, team building exercises. Our first team played in a basketball league just outside of the TD Garden in Boston. While some of the players have changed over the years, our team is now stronger than ever and playing throughout the year as part of Boston Ski & Sports Clubs.

Day 229 - Vertex Buildings A & B

Day 229 - Vertex Buildings A & B, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

For many months we've been documenting the progress and the work being done at Boston's Fan Pier. (And rightfully so as the Vertex Pharmaceutical project is the single largest privately-owned development project in the U.S.). If you've driven through the area now known as the "Innovation District" recently then you'll begin to recognize this view. What was once simply cranes in the sky has been replaced by two new laboratory buildings. While construction is by no means complete quite yet, watching these buildings rise into the Boston skyline has been a sight to see!

Special thanks to Photographer Phillip Boucher for today's photo. (View more of his work at: www.flickr.com/photos/27672048@N00/8369711574/in/photostream)

Day 228 - Winter in Wrentham

Day 228 - Winter in Wrentham, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

It has been a while since we last shared an update from the DCAM energy projects in Danvers and Wrentham. As the project winds down, the project team tackles the demolition of the Wrentham facility's power house smoke stack.

Day 227 - Built, Renovated or Serviced

Day 227 - Mechanical Service, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

One of the truly amazing things about celebrating 50 years in the New England construction industry is the tremendous portfolio of work that Cannistraro has amassed over the years. When it comes to a building in metropolitan Boston...if we didn't help build it, changes are we've helped to renovate it or provide mechanical service (such is the case for the chiller plant for the property shown above)!

Day 226 - Multifamily Field Work

Day 226 - Multifamily Field Work, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

The Greater Boston area is booming with construction of new multi-family buildings. As residents flock to cities like Boston and Cambridge, Cannistraro is busy coordinating and installing the mechanical infrastructure for these soon-to-be residential hot spots. For today's post we share an insider's view of field work at a Cambridge multi-family project, where Cannistraro Plumbers are focusing on the pipe support system on the building's 7th floor.

Day 225 - 500 Atlantic

Day 225 - 500 Atlantic, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

For today's post we share a photo of the Intercontinental Hotel, previously known in the construction world as the 500 Atlantic Avenue project. Although this project was built a number of years ago, in many ways it was the start of the expansion and renovation of the Fort Point Channel district; now known as the gateway to the Innovation District. Cannistraro performed the Plumbing and Fire Protection work on this building, but stay tuned later this year for some more interesting information about this iconic location!

Day 224 - BIM: Myth versus reality

Day 224 - BIM: Myth versus reality, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

This morning a contingent of Cannistraro representatives attended the Massachusetts Building Congress's panel on BIM: Myth versus reality. For us, the reality is that BIM is an integral part of our processes. Put plainly, every project is a "BIM Project" here at JCC. For mechanical construction firms, BIM enables prefabrication. It was great to see so many familiar faces at such a valuable BIM-centric program, and we're excited to see our industry take this tool to the next level.

Day 223 - Driving Through the Seaport District

Day 223 - Driving Through the Seaport District, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

It struck us today as we drove down Congress Street toward Boston's Seaport District just how much is changing in this vibrant, revitalized area of the city. We've been reading the headlines and sharing our involvement in the new "Innovation District," but passing through the area you can't help but be impressed at the construction and expansion at locations such as Suffolk Construction's Waterside Place (pictured), Turner Construction's Vertex Pharmaceuticals at Fan Pier, Seaport Square, and Pier 4. We can't wait to see how this area progresses throughout 2013!

Day 222 - Meeting JCC's Founding Father

Day 222 - Meeting JCC's Founding Father, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

We're a few weeks removed from the holiday season, but today we share a photo from Cannistraro's recent annual Holiday Party. More than 400 employees and invited guests attended the 2012 holiday festivities, including all field and office staff. This great moment was captured on camera as company Founder John Cannistraro, Sr. (now retired) met a new field employee while reacquainting with some old friends.

Day 221 - Sustainable Dorms for a Sustainable University

Day 221 - Sustainable Dorms for a Sustainable University, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

With 50 years of construction experience in the New England market, Cannistraro has built and renovated countless academic and residential buildings at the area's many colleges and universities. When forward thinking Universities sought to build sustainable into their campuses, Cannistraro was ready. In 2007-2008 Cannistraro completed the Harvard Riverside Housing complex for Harvard University. The project was awarded a LEED Gold Rating from the USGBC and set an example for green dormitories moving forward.

(A Robert Benson Photo.)

Day 220 - Expert Opinions

Day 220 - Expert Opinions, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

Cannistraro is fortunate to be regularly considered a thought leader in the construction industry, often on topics such as prefabrication, construction technology, BIM and preconstruction. In the latest issue of The Professional Contractor Magazine (an insert to the Banker and Tradesmen), two of Cannistraro's executive leadership made the headlines. As President of the Associated Subcontractors of Massachusetts, David Cannistraro provided his perspective on the 2013 industry outlook. VP of Service and Engineering Michael Cannistraro, P.E., LEED AP provided his insight into the future of BIM and collaboration. To read the full magazine, visit the ASM website (www.associatedsubs.com/)

Day 219 - Panoramic on Deck

Day 219 - Panoramic on Deck, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

Before the holidays we took you out to the Assembly Row project in Somerville, MA. This much anticipated multi-use project is located just off of I-93 and will have easy access to a new T station. The area will ultimately hold an apartment/condo complex, a hotel, office space, retail and entertainment venues. For now, Cannistraro is on site preparing floors for mechanical installation. This panoramic image shows a Cannistraro Plumber finishing up a floor layout using the Trimble Total Station.

Day 218 - New Year, New Projects

Day 218 - New Year, New Projects, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

All of us at J.C. Cannistraro wish you a Happy New Year! We welcome in 2013 with open arms, as it is the year of our firm's 50th anniversary. The new year also brings new projects to the mix here at Cannistraro and we are excited to share those stories and photos as we move forward with our Building with Intelligence 365 blog!