Citing strong business growth and anticipated continuing gains, especially in its growing environmental services business, Troy-based G2 Consulting Group call 2016 a yar of steady…[Read More]
Category: Media
If drones can deliver burritos for Chipotle and goods for Amazon, what other business uses might these unmanned aircraft serve in today’s world? One local business that’s been an early adopter of drone technology is finding out.
G2 Consulting Group, a Troy-based geotechnical and environmental services firm, has been flying drones over and around its clients’ construction sites to provide a clearer, more comprehensive view of a project’s scope and progress.
G2 Consulting Principal Noel Hargrave-Thomas is an FAA licensed drone pilot who started flying drones “just for fun” in 2014 and soon recognized how helpful they could be in providing overhead visual inspections of potential and actual job sites. As a result, G2 Consulting became one of the earliest businesses to use drones to assist clients in visualizing their projects.
“We’ve used our drones on projects like telecomm towers and commercial buildings to improve job safety. We can fly close to existing structures and audit them for a number of issues without having to send a climber up,” Hargrave-Thomas says. “This enables significant cost savings to building owners while helping to determine the exact scope of work required.”
In addition to documenting construction projects, the drone footage also gives clients a much better understanding of work site progress because they’re actually able to see everything that’s occurred, Hargrave-Thomas says. (Click HERE to watch drone video of a new auto supply building ‘from dirt to delivery.’)
He describes mapping construction sites on a daily basis to provide a 3D model of the site and creating scaled 2D mosaic imagery that contractors use to document progress and material usage. New 3D cameras can provide aerial 360-degree access footage to show clients what their project will look like and how it will fit into the surrounding environment. There are also drones with upward pointing cameras that enable project managers and their clients to visually inspect the bottoms of bridges, overhangs and indoor roofing, as well as, thermal imaging cameras for roof inspection and facility energy audits.
Drone technology is evolving so quickly that Hargrave-Thomas believes their future uses are almost limitless. On a recent site, he programmed a drone to follow an exact flight grid. By repeating the same flight weekly, G2 was able to create a detailed time-lapse video of the construction process.
“All of these innovations will enable us to better serve our clients’ needs by giving them a more complete understanding of their projects while also reducing costs and improving outcomes,” Hargrave-Thomas says. “Drones are becoming an increasingly important tool in the construction engineering business. I’m glad we’ve developed this expertise.”
Other Publications: CAM Magazine September 2017
The Country Club of Detroit (CCD) has completed a renovation of its historic clubhouse, including the addition of a new fitness and bowling center as part of a long-range plan to offer current members a resort-like experience. The club was founded in 1897.
Located on 212 acres in Grosse Pointe Farms, the new fitness and recreational spaces occupy a former bowling center originally built as a natatorium wing of the Tudor-style clubhouse. To create the 13,100 square feet of new facilities, the building basement was lowered by seven feet to provide taller ceilings and larger interior spaces in the basement and on the main level.
“We used the language of the original architecture so the new spaces look like they have always been there, while updating and modernizing the interiors,” says Michael Poris, principal of McIntosh Poris Associates in Birmingham, which oversaw the renovation and interior design.
He adds that the design team drew on the Tudor Revival-style aesthetic of the clubhouse for the updated trim profiles, wall treatments, lighting fixtures, and other details. Originally designed by Albert Kahn in the early 1920s, CCD was destroyed in a fire and replaced in 1927 with a new clubhouse designed by Detroit-based Smith, Hinchman, and Grylls (known today as SmithGroup) in a Tudor style to match the original.
“McIntosh Poris Associates stood out in the interview process because they understood the Country Club of Detroit’s vision to take a big step forward while paying due respect to its storied past,” says Craig Cutler, CCD’s general manager. “The result was the transformation of an underutilized wing of the clubhouse that effortlessly combines with the existing architecture.”
To preserve the building’s historic structure, 120 steel piles were installed to shore up the building during excavation. Sensors were also installed to monitor any displacement of the foundations, which only moved 1/100th of an inch throughout the entire construction process. The steel piles were kept in place.
Throughout the renovation, the club sought to repurpose older materials into the new design. For example, while the original metal windows were replaced on the main floor, the trim was fitted with mirrors and installed in the lower level bowling alley. In turn, wooden planks from the original bowling lanes were repurposed into tables, benches, and an antique chalkboard.
The structural changes allowed for a new six-lane bowling alley in the basement level with a bar, buffet, and casual dining facilities. Additionally, the fitness clubs were updated to include new exercise machines and programs, including stationary bikes and yoga and aerobics classes. Sound absorbent surfaces were also included to minimize noise transference.
In addition to McIntosh Poris Associates, the renovation team included McCarthy and Smith, Peter Basso Associates, Desai/Nasr Consulting Engineers, Soundscape Engineering, and G2 Consulting Group. In 2011, the club renovated its 18-hole golf course.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Tuesday, May 17th for a new 39,000 square foot early childhood center to serve the Port Huron Schools community. TMP Architecture is providing architectural services for the $10.5 million project, which is scheduled for completion in time for the 2018-2019 school year… READ MORE.
Kirco Manix Construction LLC recently delivered 350,000 square feet of construction for American Axle & Manufacturing Inc., Detroit. American Axle & Manufacturing enlisted the construction services of the Troy-based firm to convert one of its vacant former manufacturing facilities into a…Read More
G2 Consulting Group, a nationally recognized Troy, Michigan-based geotechnical environmental and construction engineering services firm, is part of the construction team that earned two separate industry awards for the Downtown Fenton Streetscape and Road Reconstruction project.
Downtown Fenton retains much of its historical charm while offering modern shopping, dining and lifestyle experiences. The city was looking to improve portions of its streetscape and hired Champagne & Marx as general contractor and OHM Advisors as project engineer.
G2 Consulting managed all aspects of geotechnical exploration during the design phase of the project and provided quality assurance materials testing during project construction. Eastlund Concrete Construction performed the site concrete work and Modern Concrete provided the concrete materials.
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) SE Michigan branch named the project the “James F. Bliskey, P.E. Quality of Life Project of the Year” winner at its annual meeting. Also, the Michigan Concrete Association recognized the team in its “Municipal Flatwork” category with an award during its annual meeting.
In both cases, the significant enhancements to the downtown area, including work on the water mains, sanitary and storm sewer, roadway pavement and sidewalks, now fully ADA compliant, were noted as exceptional. As a result, there is an improved quality of life for residents and visitors to Fenton. It’s hoped that the improvements will encourage more development in adjacent neighborhoods.
Three years after opening its Ann Arbor office, G2 Consulting Group has completed work on more than 150 public and private geotechnical projects, quadrupled its employee count and is nearly tripling its office space including expanding its full…[Read More]
Three years after establishing its Ann Arbor office, Troy-based geotechnical engineering services firm G2 Consulting Group is doubling its space here and adding staff.
The geotechnical, geoenvironmental, and construction engineering services firm’s work revolves primarily around testing soil, rock, and groundwater for building projects and developing solutions to the challenges the resulting data may present. G2 will move from a 2,700-square-foot space at 1590 Eisenhower Place to a 7,900-square-foot space at 1350 Eisenhower Place at the end of April.
“We’re at a point in our old office that, even if we wanted to hire another engineer, technician, or scientist, we don’t have a desk or chair to put them in,” says Jason Stoops, the firm’s Ann Arbor office manager. “We talked about whether we wanted to stay the same size and service the clients we’re already working for or try to expand our client base. But if we want to expand, we need staff to do that.”
Stoops says the new location has more space than the Ann Arbor office currently needs. However, the office is expecting to add at least four new staff members and warehouse some equipment on site, allowing Ann Arbor to be more of a full-service engineering firm instead of just a satellite office to the Troy headquarters.
G2 has worked on several major projects since opening in Ann Arbor. The Ann Arbor office’s first big project was the Arbor Hills shopping center on Washtenaw Avenue. The firm has since worked on Bank of Ann Arbor’s headquarters renovation and the downtown Ann Arbor Residence Inn by Marriott.
Although the firm is headquartered just an hour’s drive away, Stoops says G2 has worked hard to engage with the Ann Arbor community. A May open house for the new facility will feature Arbor Brewing Co. beverages and Zingerman’s food.
“We’re trying to create the feel that we’re culturally in step with Ann Arbor,” Stoops says.
Stoops raises the possibility that another three years might bring more exciting news for G2. The firm is currently considering opening another office in Ohio or western Michigan.
“We’re hoping to take the success of our Ann Arbor office to other markets,” Stoops says.
G2 Consulting Group, a nationally recognized Troy, Michigan-based geotechnical environmental and construction engineering services firm, is part of the construction team that earned two separate industry awards for the Downtown Fenton Streetscape and Road Reconstruction project.
Downtown Fenton retains much of its historical charm while offering modern shopping, dining and lifestyle experiences. The city was looking to improve portions of its streetscape and hired Champagne & Marx as general contractor and OHM Advisors as project engineer.
G2 Consulting managed all aspects of geotechnical exploration during the design phase of the project and provided quality assurance materials testing during project construction. Eastlund Concrete Construction performed the site concrete work and Modern Concrete provided the concrete materials.
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) SE Michigan branch named the project the “James F. Bliskey, P.E. Quality of Life Project of the Year” winner at its annual meeting. Also, the Michigan Concrete Association recognized the team in its “Municipal Flatwork” category with an award during its annual meeting.
In both cases, the significant enhancements to the downtown area, including work on the water mains, sanitary and storm sewer, roadway pavement and sidewalks, now fully ADA compliant, were noted as exceptional. As a result, there is an improved quality of life for residents and visitors to Fenton. It’s hoped that the improvements will encourage more development in adjacent neighborhoods.
“At G2 Consulting Group, our mantra is Smart. Results. Fast.,” said Jim Berry, project manager. “These two awards are a nice tribute to the collaborative nature of the project and our ability to help the City of Fenton continue to enhance its vibrant downtown area.” Berry noted that G2 Consulting has been involved in several urban redevelopment projects for local municipal clients, including the cities of Birmingham, Auburn Hills and Southfield.
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has named G2 Consulting Group, a nationally recognized Troy-based geotechnical, environmental and construction services firm, as one of its pre-approved engineering teams through a two-year “as-needed” indefinite services contract for state-wide projects.
“Year in and year out, MDOT tackles many of the largest and most complex engineering projects imaginable,” said Mark Smolinski, one of the G2 Consulting principals. “So, we take our opportunities to work alongside MDOT very seriously and believe that earning our second consecutive state-wide contract is a reflection of the results we deliver.”
G2’s recent efforts with MDOT include the M-20 replacement bridge over the Tittabawassee River in Midland. “The M-20 bridge carries a heavy load of daily traffic over a river and a former rail line converted into a nature trail. In order to maintain traffic as long as possible, numerous foundation types were evaluated that would allow partial construction of foundations before traffic closures were required. G2’s role relates to understanding those geotechnical and environmental factors in support of the bridge construction plan,” said Dave Wanlass, G2’s project manager.
In the recent past, G2 has partnered with MDOT on many notable projects including; I-75/University interchange, I-94/I-69 interchange in St. Claire County, I-94/Cadillac bridge and the I-96 Reconstruction to name just a few.
Road reconstruction and infrastructure improvements continue to be a top priority for Michigan state officials. In addition to providing a more efficient and safer transportation network, the state sees economic opportunities in growing Michigan’s role as a logistics center.
“We have the know-how and capability to bring added value to road design and construction,” said Smolinski. “With all the infrastructure work being done in Michigan these days, our goal is always to deliver on our promise of Smart. Results. Fast. This new contract will hopefully bring even more opportunities to do just that.”
G2 is licensed to work in over 35 states and has completed thousands of public and private projects, including commercial, industrial, transportation, telecommunications and civil infrastructure developments over its two decades in business.
After years of debate, in late 2015 Governor Snyder and the Michigan legislature passed a road funding bill to address the state’s crumbling roads, bridges and infrastructure. Included in that bill is…[Read More]
The country club where the late Arnold Palmer had what he called the turning point in his legendary golf career is at a turning point of its own.
The Country Club of Detroit, on 212 acres in Grosse Pointe Farms, is scheduled soon to complete a $9 million renovation of its Tudor Revival-style clubhouse to add a fitness center and move bowling lanes to the bottom level of the building.
Palmer, who died Sept. 25, took his first step toward golf greatness on the club’s 18-hole course with a 1954 U.S. Amateur victory at the 119-year-old club, which says its construction efforts are designed to provide year-round amenities to its 800-plus members who are paying about $100 per month extra in dues to pay for the construction.
“Country clubs generally concentrate on the 100 days of summer we have in Michigan, but you have to offer more,” said Craig Cutler, general manager and COO of the club. “This helps us with a year-round operation. We don’t close anymore.”
The projects add a modern fitness center to the clubhouse’s ground level to replace an emptied indoor swimming pool that had been closed since the early 1930s. Completion is expected next month.
A six-lane bowling alley, expected to be complete this month, is being added to the bottom level.
Work began on the two projects about a year ago.
Troy-based G2 Consulting Group provided engineering services for the project. The club required that the footprint or historical architecture of its existing clubhouse — which is actually the fourth in club history — not be altered.
Excavation was done under the building so the foundation could be lowered to make room for higher ceilings and larger interior spaces. To accomplish that without disturbing the footprint, the building was put on stilts, according to Mark Stapleton, G2’s project manager.
Concrete was then poured to encapsulate the stilts, which provided stability for the renovations without disruption to the structure; the new foundation walls will also serve as long-term support.
In all, the building moved just 1/32 of an inch during the entire process.
Birmingham-based McIntosh Poris Associates was the architecture firm. Farmington Hills-based McCarthy & Smith Inc. is the general contractor, and West Bloomfield Township-based Desai/Nasr Consulting Engineers Inc. also provided engineering services.
The casual dining area and kitchen also have been renovated recently.