Project Site

⛪ Overview

Right out of undergrad, I was thrown into one of the most complex and high-profile construction projects in Chicago: the Second Century Expansion of Fourth Presbyterian Church. Located on the Magnificent Mile and adjacent to a 100-year-old landmark sanctuary, the project required surgical precision—blending new construction with architectural preservation, all in the heart of a bustling city.

It was a trial by fire. I started as a Field Engineer and was quickly promoted to the next level, gaining early responsibility across trade coordination, client interaction, and field operations. Looking back, this was one of the most formative system-integration experiences of my career.

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🎯 Objectives

Our team was tasked with building an 88,000 sq ft, 5-story community center while:

• Preserving and integrating with a historic stone church,
• Managing complex logistics in a high-traffic, high-scrutiny location,
• Coordinating across high-end interior finishes, MEP systems, and historic stone interfaces,
• Delivering on schedule with zero disruption to daily church operations.

I was responsible for trade scope execution, daily field coordination, punch list resolution, and client-facing leadership.

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⚙️ What I Contributed

• Field Coordination & Logistics:
  • Managed daily site activity on a tight urban lot with active pedestrian traffic and adjacent operations.
  • Resolved field conflicts across trades, especially where new construction met historic masonry and finishes.
• Trade Scope Management:
  • Owned scopes across MEP, millwork, elevator systems, glass and glazing, kitchen/cafeteria build-out, and high-end acoustic ceilings.
  • Ensured all work aligned with architectural intent while remaining constructible under tight sequencing windows.
• Scheduling & Quality Control:
  • Worked closely with the Superintendent to plan and adjust field operations.
  • Conducted pre-task planning, quality walkthroughs, and constructibility reviews.
  • Submitted RFIs and led resolution for on-site issues.
• Client Interface & Closeout:
  • Took on client-facing responsibilities, managing a $1M punch list and coordinating final turnover.
  • Became a trusted problem solver for both the design team and the Owner’s Representative.
  • Helped translate field conditions into actionable solutions, often under time-sensitive constraints.

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✅ Outcome

We successfully delivered a complex, high-finish project in the heart of downtown Chicago—on budget, with architectural acclaim, and with zero disruption to the church’s operations.

I was recognized for my leadership and promoted early to Project Engineer. The experience gave me a deep understanding of what it means to sequence interdependent systems in real-world conditions—balancing architecture, logistics, safety, and communication.

That same mindset now guides how I approach robotic system design and integration. Whether it’s a construction site or a multi-sensor robot, failure only happens when systems don’t talk to each other—and I’ve built my career around making sure they do.

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