LAKE HIGHLANDS TOWN CENTER
Cutting My Teeth On A
Controversial Project.
RENDERING O’Brien Architects / CLIENT Cypress Real Estate Advisors / FIRM O’Brien Architects / DESIGN TEAM Tien Ngo, Amador Saucedo, Cade Hammers, Sean O’Brien / PRODUCTION TEAM Derek Dizon, Andrew Finney, Lance Lily / GENERAL CONTRACTOR Spring Valley Construction / STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS Technistructures / MEP ENGINEERS Salas O’Brien / CIVIL ENGINEERS Kimley Horn / LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS GFF
MY ROLE ON THE PROJECT: Project Leader from Design Development thru Construction Documents and Administration
Once displacing low income housing, this medium density, transit-oriented destination breaks ground over a decade later as a lower density retail center with two plazas, a grocery store, and a very expectant community. With a liquidated damages clause attached to the deadline and a consultant closing its doors mid-project, my first project to be team lead couldn’t have had more urgency to deliver.
A collaborative relationship with the contractor enabled us to catch and problem-solve the issues that derived from the consultant, and supportive team members helped with drafting at critical deadlines. I was responsible for the construction documents on the four retail buildings, and coordinating all of the consultants for the entire project from design development through final punch walk. However, one of my teammates did the drawings for the grocery store component, and as a Senior Project Manager guided me throughout the project.
The Town Center was completed on-time and on-budget, and was well received by the community at large. This success warrants accolades for all team members involved. Being one of the least experienced members and trusted with this level of responsibility was the result of much patience, guidance, and willingness on the part of my colleagues to allow me this learning opportunity.
