Day 155 - HVAC Installation for Vertex

Day 155 - HVAC Installation for Vertex, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

We start this week with another view from inside the Vertex Pharmaceuticals job site at Boston's Fan Pier. Today we get a closer look at installed chilled water piping as well as its associated hangers and support steel.

Day 154 - Plumbing Coordinators

Day 154 - Plumbing Coordinators, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

Throughout the spring and summer, various renovations were being made to the offices at Cannistraro headquarters. In the spring we covered the new space occupied by the Cannistraro Service Group. Last month, the Plumbing Department expanded its space as well, giving Coordinators and Detailers a comfortable new workplace for the many ongoing projects including the Broad Institute, Watermark II, Waterside Place and the Novartis Cambridge Campus Expansion.

Day 153 - Rigging a Chiller at Fan Pier

Day 153 - Rigging a Chiller at Fan Pier, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

The view from the Turner Construction field office at Fan Pier looked like this yesterday, as Cannistraro crews rigged chillers into place for the Vertex Pharmaceuticals project.

Day 152 - Cogeneration Power

Day 152 - Cogeneration Power, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

In the past couple of months we've covered the DCAM Energy Upgrade projects underway in Danvers and Wrentham, MA at great lengths. With each passing week these projects get increasingly more interesting...as demonstrated in today's photo. The photo documents the arrival and installation of the energy-saving Cogeneration unit. If you take a closer look you can see the sound-reducing enclosure that will surround the machinery once fully installed. We'll continue to keep you posted as the project nears completion.

Day 151 - In Honor of Today

Day 151 - In Honor of Today, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

It's hard to believe but today marks the 11th anniversary of the horrific events of 09/11/01. There is no more appropriate photo for today's post than that of an American flag. In this case, the flag waves in front of the new MassArt Residences (a Cannistraro project). Please take a moment to reflect upon this day eleven years ago, and today we are prouder than ever to say God Bless America.



Special thanks to Philip Boucher for providing today's photo (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27672048@N00/7517763934/)

Day 150 - BIM at Logan Airport

Day 150 - BIM at Logan Airport, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

Cannistraro's very first project was for the Massachusetts Port Authority at Logan Airport. Today, nearly 50 years later, the company is still performing work at Logan on a regular basis. Today's image is a BIM screen shot from an HVAC equipment upgrade project for the airport's Terminal E that began in 2011.

Day 149 - Charlestown Navy Yard

Day 149 - Charlestown Navy Yard, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

Seeing as today is the 149th day of blog posts in our Building with Intelligence 365 project, it is only fitting that we share a photo from the Charlestown Navy Yard Building 149 project. Cannistraro performed an Air Handling Unit replacement project for Partners Healthcare at Mass. General Hospital's Charlestown facility. This interesting photo from the Winter of 2008 shows the newly installed prefabricated HVAC piping that would soon service the new AHU.

Day 148 - Networking with AEC's Emerging Leaders

Day 148 - Networking with AEC's Emerging Leaders, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

Cannistraro is a proud member firm of the Massachusetts Building Congress. Last night many of our own emerging leaders were in attendance for the inaugural meeting of the 20:30 Club. Our own Laura Cannistraro co-chairs this exciting, new sub-group of the MBC that enables AEC professionals in their 20s and 30s to build a network of colleagues, clients and friends in the industry.

Day 147 - It all Starts with Estimating

Day 147 - It all Starts with Estimating, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

Today's post includes a cool photo (featuring employees both past and present) taken in the middle of the Cannistraro Estimating Department. Estimating is always one of the busiest places within JCC walls and rightfully so. After all, all of the work we're awarded is looked at in great detail by our team of talented Estimators. For many young employees, Estimating is a common first stop for learning the ropes of the construction business.

Day 146 - Toilet Batteries

Day 146 - Toilet Batteries, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

One of the most commonly prefabricated areas of a building's plumbing infrastructure are the toilet rooms. Today we share a great photo of a prefabricated assembly that will ultimately result in working toilets and urinals, or as we like to call it: a "Toilet Battery."

Day 145 - Cranes in the City

Day 145 - Cranes in the City, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

It seems like you can see the cranes and steel rising from the Vertex job site at Boston's Fan Pier almost anywhere in the city. We took this photo on the way to an A/E/C industry event last evening at the New England Aquarium and could appreciate the different view of the Waterfront project that is making headlines as one of the biggest construction projects in the country.

Wherever you're headed this holiday weekend, have a safe and happy Labor Day.

Day 144 - Design-Assist Makes way for Modular

Day 144 - Design-Assist Makes way for Modular, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

Much like our own journey towards our 50th Anniversary, our good friends at Cambridge 7 Associates celebrate their 50th tonight! In honor of their achievement, we share a photo from a 2009 Design-Assist project in which Cannistraro worked closely with C7A to turn the historic Ames Building into a luxury hotel. In today's photo, we share a section of the hotel's modular mechanical room that was ultimately installed on the hotel roof.

Day 143 - Are you ready for some football?

Day 143 - Are you ready for some football?, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

The final preseason game for the New England Patriots is being played tonight. In anticipation of the upcoming season, Cannistraro held a football-themed luncheon for all office and warehouse employees. A Plumbing Coordinator and two CAD Systems Coordinators were the big winners of the office-wide Jersey competition. Congratulations and enjoy your winnings!

Day 142 - Special Rigging & Installation

Last week shared an overhead view of some boilers at a energy service project that Cannistraro has currently underway.  What you didn't see was how these massive boilers are rigged and installed.  Today's photo gives you a better idea of the pre-planning and thinking that goes into a major mechanical installation such as this one.

Day 141 - Back to School

Day 141 - Back to School, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

With Labor Day approaching, students are heading back to school. Today's photo is a cool shot of two of New England's many higher ed institutions: Wentworth Institute of Technology and Massachusetts College of Art. Cannistraro has been working on both of these campuses in the past year, rebuilding Wentworth's Ira Allen Building and constructing the new student residences at MassArt.

Photo Source: Phillip Boucher (www.flickr.com/photos/27672048@N00/6421269581/)

Day 140 - The Latest in Field Technology

Day 140 - The Latest in Field Technology, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

A trip through the Cannistraro Plumbing Department yesterday found one of our Assistant Project Managers getting acquainted with the newest generation of Trimble Total Station products. This equipment (the company's newest of four total station devices) is a driving force behind the company's lean construction efforts in the field.

Day 139 - Sparking the Interest of Students

Day 139 - Sparking the Interest of Students, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

Cannistraro welcomes many college students to apply for co-op positions each and every semester. This talented bunch never ceases to amaze us with their skills, hobbies and willingness to learn. We share today's photo because it was taken by one of our summer co-ops (an amateur photographer), who spent the semester in the office and out on the job site shadowing the Cannistraro Plumbing Department. Thanks to all of our co-ops for their hard work.

Day 138 - Posters of the Process

Day 138 - Posters of the Process, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

Anyone who has attended a coordination meeting in the main conference room in the Cannistraro headquarters has visited this meet and greet area. Today we have redecorated the walls of this space to follow some of the company's core operations and processes. Next time you're in the office, stop by and check out these impressive posters.

Day 137 - BIM Meetings

Day 137 - BIM Meetings, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

The agenda for the Fall AGC BIMForum was released last week, and it has us excited to attend and sponsor this informative October event. In fact, we were inspired to share a BIM meeting of our own; one including the the HVAC project team members for the MGH Lunder Building project, which was one of the most BIM-enabled projects in Cannistraro history.

Day 136 - Boiler from Above

Day 136 - Boiler from Above, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

Just a couple weeks ago we gave you an overview of the tremendous amount of work being performed on two DCAM projects in Wrentham and Danvers, MA. Delivery and installation of some major mechanical equipment began last week at the Wrentham Developmental Center, where today's photo was shot. Taken from above the boilers, this is truly a unique viewpoint that was snapped prior to any piping connections being made.

Day 135 - Lab Renovation in a Historic Setting

Cambridge's famous Athaneaum Building (also known as 215 First Street) is home to a state-of-the-art laboratory space for tenants.  Cannistraro performed the Plumbing, HVAC and Fire Protection on this 85,000 sf, core and shell renovation project for General Contractor The Richmond Group.

Day 134 - Throwback Thursday (PHCC Edition)

Last week we received our invitation to the Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors (PHCC) of Greater Boston's Biennial Celebration "Industry Night!"  This very special event provides colleagues from the Boston-area Plumbing industry an opportunity to reconnect and be entertained, all while raising money for the organization's valued Scholarship Program.  As we get ready for this important September event, we look back at an Industry Night of years gone by.

Day 133 - Inspiration from Mirebalais

Our friends from Partners in Health recently forwarded us some updated photos from the Mirebalais Hospital project in Haiti.  While we've shared many photos from our "Stand with Haiti" campaign over the past few months, every time we see the progress being made, we can't help but be inspired!  Today's photo is taken right out front of the new hospital that is now welcoming patients.

Photo Source: John Chew (via Partners in Health)

Day 132 - Freshly Cored

Today's photo not only provides a great view of downtown Boston, but it also indicates that the automatic coring machine has been near by. 

Day 131 - Monday Morning Delivery

On this blog we've shown you our almost-famous, often-recognized vans and our new Ford Transit Service Vehicles, but our piping deliveries require other vehicles entirely.  When piping and prefabrication deliveries are needed on site, trucks like the one in the photo above will arrive "just-in-time."

Day 130 - Transformer Protection

Day 130 - Transformer Protection, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

Today's image is an interesting one that provides a peek inside the central hub for fire protection at a large New England power station. With dozens of transformers just a short distance away, Cannistraro installed a complex deluge system to protect against fire.

Day 129 - Throwback Thursday (Preseason Edition)

Day 129 - Throwback Thursday (Preseason Edition), a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

A couple of weeks ago we took you inside the Patriots' locker room back when Cannistraro was performing the Plumbing and Fire Protection on the stadium.  The team take the field tonight for its first 2012 preseason game, so we thought we'd share another photo from ten years ago.  In the photo is Cannistraro's Purchasing Manager, and if you look closely, you'll notice that Gillette Stadium wasn't even Gillette Stadium quite yet...

Day 128 - A Summer on the Links

Day 128 - A Summer on the Links, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

Earlier this summer, Cannistraro joined its fellow subcontractors from the ASM (Associated Subcontractors of Massachusetts) for a fantastic day on the links at Pinehills Golf Club in Plymouth, MA. Included in the JCC contingent were our Executive Vice President, CFO, Service Sales Manager and Plumbing Estimator.

Day 127 - High Rise Residences in Cambridge

Day 127 - High Rise Residences in Cambridge, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

Taken from high atop the 17th floor of the new Watermark Residences project, today's photo shows how Cannistraro plumbers, pipefitters and sprinklerfitters are busy with the mechanical installation; including these welded connections for fuel-oil containment piping.

Day 126 - The View from the Channel

Day 126 - The View from the Channel, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

On a hot, summer day like today, families may be taking their children to Children's Museum in Boston's Fort Point Channel. As it turns out, there's a great view from there of the construction being done on the Waterfront at Fan Pier. Cannistraro is proud to be working with Turner Construction on both the core and shell, and laboratory fit-out of this Vertex Pharmaceuticals project.

Photo Credit: Philip Boucher

Day 125 - HVAC Piping at a Power House

Day 125 - HVAC Piping at a Power House, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

In our final day profiling the energy upgrade projects in Danvers, MA and Wrentham, MA, we take a look inside the power house where boiler and associated piping installation has begun. High pressure steam piping has been prefabricated, delivered and installed on site at the Wrentham Developmental Center plant.

Day 124 - Energy Upgrades include Solar

Day 124 - Energy Upgrades include Solar, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

The extensive scope of the energy upgrades at DCAM's Hogan Regional Center and Wrentham Developmental Center includes work for multiple trades. Cannistraro partnered with Broadway Electrical Co. to perform the many electrical-related tasks including the installation of the PV array that will generate power from solar energy.

Day 123 - Mechanical Replacements in Danvers

Day 123 - Mechanical Replacements in Danvers, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

We continue our week-long look at the energy upgrade projects going at two state facilities: While demolition and electrical work was being completed at the Wrentham DCAM project, some of the new mechanical infrastructure and equipment was being installed at the Hogan Regional Center in Danvers, MA.

Day 122 - Out with the Old, in with the new

Day 122 - Out with the Old, in with the new, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

At the Wrentham Developmental Center, one of DCAM's two project sites undergoing comprehensive energy upgrades, Cannistraro oversaw the removal of the inefficient, existing boilers. Before doing so however, each existing boiler had to undergo careful asbestos abatement, as shown above.

Day 121 - Spotlight on State Energy Projects

Day 121 - Spotlight on State Energy Projects, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

Some of Cannistraro's most unique and interesting projects currently in the pipeline include Energy Upgrade initiatives at two state facilities in Danvers, MA and Wrentham, MA. In the Commonwealth's ongoing pursuit of green energy, these health facilities are undergoing some major renovations. This week we will highlight some of the work being done on these two projects. Today's photo was taken outside of the central plant at the Hogan Regional Center, where equipment removal for various HVAC upgrades began back in April 2012.

Day 120 - A Moment in Time

Day 120 - A Moment in Time, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

We have a perfect post for a summertime Friday afternoon. The Cannistraro facilities staff has been managing a number of office renovations at our Watertown headquarters. While these renovations are being made, we have the perfect opportunity to capture this moment in company history with a time capsule. Let's see how well our Shop Talk Newsletter and other items hold up over the next few decades, buried beneath the conference room floor!

Day 119 - Throwback Thursday (Training Camp Edition)

Day 119 - Throwback Thursday (Training Camp Edition), a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

Training camp for the 2012-2013 season begins today for the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Cannistraro played a big role in the construction of this stadium, performing the Plumbing and Fire Protection throughout. In today's Throwback Thursday photo, we see field Cannistraro Plumbers getting an early look at the Patriots' locker room.

Day 118 - New Wheels for the Service Group

Day 118 - New Wheels for the Service Group, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

Something new pulled into Cannistraro headquarters yesterday afternoon: a new Service Group vehicle. Keep your eyes on the roads to try and spot Cannistraro Service Group technicians on-call in their stylish new wheels.

Day 117 - Prefab on the Move

Day 117 - Prefab on the Move, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

Starting this week, we are excited to have both our Plumbing and HVAC prefabrication shops under one roof. The size, resources and storage capacity at our Wilmington, MA facility help make offsite prefabrication a major component of the Cannistraro advantage.

Day 116 - A Real Harbor View

Day 116 - A Real Harbor View, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

We've documented the Vertex Pharmaceutical project at Boston's Fan Pier on numerous occasions on this blog. Those who attended the IFMA Schmooze Cruise last Thursday night were treated to an amazing view of of the project from the decks of a boat in the harbor. As nice as it is, this view of the Boston Skyline will change even further in just a matter of months as new projects continue to break ground in the Innovation District.

Day 115 - Piping Arrives on Site at Fan Pier Project

Day 115 - Piping Arrives on Site at Fan Pier Project, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

The new headquarters for Vertex Pharmaceuticals currently under construction on Fan Pier retook headlines this week for its "topping off" ceremony with Boston Mayor Tom Menino. Meanwhile, onsite piping assemblies have begun to arrive and are being readied for installation.

Day 114 - Throwback Thursday (Early BIM)

Day 114 - Throwback Thursday (Early BIM), a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

Nearly ten years ago, Cannistraro was performing the "Biosquare" project for Boston University. We refer back to this project as the one that started it all in terms of fully-coordinated, 3D modeling. Long before BIM was an industry buzz word, Cannistraro modeled the entire laboratory building for this project; including non-mechanical trades like architectural detail (as shown in the laboratory photo above). Today, Cannistraro a nationally-renowned, industry leader in BIM.

Day 113 - Hotel HVAC

Day 113 - Hotel HVAC a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

On a hot day like we are all grateful for indoor cooling. Cannistraro is currently performing a large HVAC renovation project at the Boston Tremont Courtyard Marriott. Today's photo gives you a unique look at the hotel's rooftop units and associated piping.

Day 112 - Building the Old "New" Waterfront

Day 112 - Building the Old "New" Waterfront, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

Last week we shared a photo of the Seaport World Trade Center just after it was built. This week, we come across an old photo from when the East office building at the WTC was still under construction. Upon closer inspection, you can begin to see just how much has changed in the area since this photo was taken. Stay tuned for more posts about some of the work being done in this revitalized area today!

Day 111: Splish, Splash

Day 111: Splish, Splash, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

Nothing says summer quite like a swimming pool on a hot day. This particular swimming pool is one that many of you might have visited, and is home to the seals of the New England Aquarium. Before this fantastic exhibit was ready to open back in 2010, Cannistraro's Plumbing Department custom-designed and installed a piping system that could work in congruence with the complex marine life support system.

Day 110 - Some Assembly Required

Day 110 - Some Assembly Required, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

In some of our early posts on this blog we highlighted the lean approach to building prefabricated utility racks. Today's photo shows the early stages of assembling such racks in our fab shop. John Cannistraro, Jr. often jokes that in this picture, the fabricator is working so efficiently that his motion cannot be caught on camera.

Day 109 - Mission Critical

Day 109 - Mission Critical, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

The boom in web-based technology has increased the importance of corporate data centers. Data center projects are truly unlike any others due to the high level of security and the substantial cooling needs. Cannistraro has both the resources and the experience needed for new construction or HVAC service/maintenance of mission critical projects such as the one shown above.

Day 108 - Company Softball Team

Day 108 - Company Softball Team, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

In addition to its charitable initiatives, Team Cannistraro provides Cannistraro employees with team building sports opportunities such as softball and basketball. Team Cannistraro has fielded a company softball team since 2008 and starting next week, the team will enter the 2012 playoffs as part of a Boston Ski & Sports Club (BSSC) league. Best of luck to the team!

Day 107 - Salute to an Outstanding Career in HVAC

Day 107 - Salute to an Outstanding Career in HVAC, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

Last week Cannistraro wished Bon Voyage to its longtime HVAC Division Manager Bill Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick retired after more than 30 years as an HVAC Project Executive. Bill was a prefabrication pioneer for the company, as well as a leader and a mentor to the JCC HVAC Department (shown above). Everyone here at Cannistraro wishes him the very best in the next stage of his life.

Day 106 - The Growing Seaport District

Day 106 - The Growing Seaport District, a photo by JC Cannistraro on Flickr.

We are back from the 4th of July holiday, and if anyone visited the Tall Ships last week, you undoubtedly saw the changing face of Boston's Seaport District! This photo (courtesy of Mark Flannery Photography) was taken when the World Trade Center was the new kid on the block. Cannistraro worked on building these buildings, and almost ten years later, they have more than a few new neighbors.