I cut my teeth in construction as a carpenter apprentice in my teens. I then moved up the ranks as a carpenter, superintendent, project manager and a chief estimator. Then, I earned an MBA-and still stay fully connected to the industry. Why do I stay with the most cyclical, hyper-competitive industry in America? Because being a builder is more than a job-it can be a calling. Few industries share the arts, design, hard sciences and economics like this one does. I like to think of construction encompassing three distinct components or "verticals"-each no more important than the other: the art of building (design), the science of building and the business of building.
The Art of Building
From the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, to the complexity of a Frank Gehry design, to the beautiful simplicity of well-done craftsman details, buildings are an expression of art. I like to think that each time we create a thoughtful space, we are clarifying man's ingenuity and ability to adapt his environment to his surroundings. In addition to providing shelter like the early homes of humans, today's public and private spaces can often create emotion and a sense of well-being as well. Monuments are built to look at. Yet, the structures we build are not passive monuments meant to gaze upon, but instead are active monuments through which and in which we live. Our structures not only provide shelter, but they also help express our ingenuity and capabilities and serve as lasting monuments to our creativity.
The Science of Building
Perhaps my personal favorite of the three is the science of building. Construction has been the testing ground for technologies, which have made life better-double pane windows; gas-filled multiple pane glazing; space-age closed and open cell insulation; "smart" homes that link to the Internet and virtually speak to us. Advances in this discipline have made our lives healthier and our buildings "greener."
One key advantage of the growth in green construction is that millions of dollars are being pumped into developing techniques that will ultimately make our buildings less demanding of energy and more appeasing to our personal demands. I firmly believe the façade of green will eventually melt away. But once the hype is over, we will be left with techniques, tools and equipment that will make our buildings, and thus our lives, even better. Many of the techniques that are cutting edge today will become best practices tomorrow. We will store rainwater when available. We will use geo-mass systems to heat and cool our homes. We will work toward net zero energy usage. This is the onward advancement of science that can be so exciting and motivating to young people thinking of future careers or older folks worried of becoming stale in their careers. Our industry, especially in the sciences, is incredibly dynamic.
The Business of Building
This leads us to the hyper-competitive business of building. There are few businesses that must deal with so many different and unique partners as construction. We can earn a considerable sum and lose it just as easily. We deal in commodities, finance, exchange rates, etc., on a daily basis. Our businesses must be finely run, appear solid and substantial, yet remain as efficient and fluid as possible. Owning and operating a construction business is not for the faint of heart. Those of us who enjoy a challenging business environment that is in a constant state of change will gravitate toward our industry.
So what does all this mean? To me, it means that our industry is vast enough to handle (in fact, requires) folks of all different tastes, styles and capabilities. Our industry can appeal to the art critic as much as the science "geek." It appeals to the tradesman and the estimator.
Our industry will always be cyclical, but our survival depends on our ability to adapt and improve. The key factor in all of this is that building, done well, is the combination of many different people from many different walks of life. Each group has their own perspectives and ideas, and our industry provides an outlet to relate these ideas to the world through talent and effort. Just as the best organizations understand the need to solicit competing ideas with singular goals, the industry in which we operate requires unique perspectives in order to adapt to changing environments. Our collective tent is plenty big for all ideas to sit at the same table.
Why do I like this industry? Each day will provide me with a different response. Pleasant and successful building to each of you.
