Here at Sussex, we pride ourselves on our ability to tackle every construction project with precision and expertise – from simple renovations to full-out design builds, and everything in between.
And while nothing in the construction world goes exactly as expected, our most recent project with Navy Federal Credit Union truly showcased our team’s capacity to adapt to unforeseen challenges along the way.
With an estimated project duration of 6 months, we kicked off this million-dollar demo/renovation in February of 2023 by fully revitalizing the upper-level break room, offices, waiting area, and bathrooms. As we steadily drew nearer to our July end date, we progressed to the lower level, transforming the ATM area, teller stations, and other offices. But about mid-way through the renovations, we noticed a large gap in the original brick of the structure which raised serious concern about potential structural issues of the full building. Upon investigation, our team discovered rusted and swollen steel lintels which had been causing the masonry of the entire building to bow out.
In collaboration with HBA Architecture and NRW Engineering, we worked to devise a comprehensive plan to replace all deteriorated materials, reinforce structural integrity, and fortify the building against future water infiltration. By the time everything was said and done, our team had fully redone the brickwork of the building, and installed new metal studs, insulation, and sheathing to ensure the building’s longevity and resilience against the elements.
Beyond the full brick removal and rebuild, the project underwent another 40 change orders ranging from structural modifications to aesthetic enhancements. In one of these instances, we discovered a pivotal structural beam within a wall during demolition, resulting in a prompt redesign and consequent addition of a stylish glass partition to accommodate it. Now, this wall blends in seamlessly as if it was a part of the initial design!
From day 1, we had committed that Navy Federal Credit Union would remain open and servicing customers throughout the entire renovation, and despite the changes, we were proud to stand by this every step of the way.
Said Lewis Hardin, our Project Manager on the job, “It was a challenging project due to a lot of unforeseen conditions, but we were able to overcome the challenges, and in the end, the client was very happy with the way it turned out. It looks really good – the original interior work turned out really well and the brick replacement looks great.”
Here at Sussex, unforeseen challenges are just opportunities for innovation, for problem-solving, and for proving our reputation of excellence in the construction industry. As we look to the future, we remain committed to surpassing client expectations one project at a time.