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CASPIAN CONSTRUCTION
and calling it a day. Its integration into a
project, especially a design/build one,
pushes the team to explore its creativity
and find ways to maximize the per-
formance of the building.”
Given the expected completion date of
December 2009, Caspian had no choice
but to treat this as a fast-track project.
“Putting a project on the fast track basi-
cally means that we have to begin con-
struction before all of the drawings and
specifications are 100 percent complete,”
Babakhanians explains. “Instead, you
stagger the IFC drawings and release
them as they become critically necessary
to the projects schedule, so naturally the
first discipline we needed to get 100 per-
cent complete was our civil/underground
drawings. We were awarded the project
in July and were starting our under-
ground work in August. The main strate-
gy is to try and stay ahead of construc-
tion by at least two months.
“We just submitted our 100 percent
drawings and the roof deck is about to
go on,” he continues. “The biggest chal-
lenge at this stage is how to manage and
organize information so that everyone is
on the same page with respect to who is
doing what on all facets of the project.”
58 ■ WWW.CONSTRUCTION-TODAY.COM ■ FEBRUARY 2009
lic is kept safe while moving equipment
back and forth from the job site,”
Babakhanians explains. “Another chal-
lenging aspect of this project is dealing
with federal, provincial and municipal
authorities.
“The site ultimately falls under the
jurisdiction of the Winnipeg Airport
Authority who have their own unique
set of guidelines that we must respect.”
A Clear Vision
When Caspian Construction was found-
ed 25 years ago by Armik Babakhanians,
Shaun’s father, the firm had a clear vision
to focus on design/build work.
“We value design/build because it is
much more complex and adds a new
dimension to the construction process,”
Shaun Babakhanians explains.
Subcontractor Relationships
Caspian Construction stresses the impor-
tance of maintaining positive relation-
ships with subcontractors. “Over the years,
we have worked really hard to gain the
respect of subcontractors by treating them
The risks associated with the team fairly and earning their trust,” Babakhan-
having inconsistent information can lead ians explains. “It goes without saying that
to millions of dollars worth of errors on the mutual rewards from that kind of a
site. One way the construction team is relationship goes a long way.”
determined to overcome any potential When it comes to performance, Caspian
challenges is to have short, but productive Construction can foster a sense of loyalty
meetings that facilitate clear communica- in its subcontractors.
tion and accountability. “They adopt the same attitude and care
that we take on every project,” he says.
An Active Construction Market “I’m well aware of the fact that my dad
In addition to numerous smaller projects came to this country with nothing but a
under construction in the area, the strong work ethic and dedication to quali-
Winnipeg Airport Authority is in the ty to get to this level, so I use that to
midst of adding the long-anticipated humble myself.” ■
terminal addition
and furthermore, Caspian Construction stresses the importance of working together as a
the Greyhound bus team to ensure each project is completed successfully.
depot.
The combined
value of all con-
struction activity
in the area is well
over $500 million.
“All this construc-
tion activity makes
site access difficult
and we have to
work with other
contractors to
ensure that the pub-