Setting the Record Straight on Design-Build Modular Construction for Texas Schools
Why do school districts in Texas as well as many architectural firms believe that design-build is not a superior method of contracting for public school construction? The arguments often center on the schools not knowing the final cost of the project until it is completed; that many school projects come in over budget; and that the design-build team will lower the quality of the construction in order to meet the district’s budget. While this could be an issue with some common applications of design-build that other companies take, Ramtech has developed a vertically integrated permanent modular construction approach to design-build that eliminates these concerns while providing a less expensive school facility which can be completed faster than using the design-bid-build or construction manager delivery methods. (more…)
- Published in Education
Redwater ISD Approves Ramtech Proposal for New Permanent Modular Building
During their scheduled board meeting on February 24, 2014 the Redwater Independent School District’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved Ramtech’s lump sum proposal for the construction of a new 18,348 square foot middle school. The new modular school building will employ Ramtech’s Accelerated Building System, a permanent modular construction process which provides for a modular building that utilizes a poured-in-place five inch concrete slab as the building’s structural floor. The approval of the lump sum proposal now paves the way for the construction portion of the design-build project to begin.
Ramtech’s two-step approach to design-build construction provides for a fixed fee design that enables us to determine the actual construction costs. These costs are then presented to the school district in the form of a lump sum proposal. If the lump sum proposal is accepted, construction can begin. If they are rejected, then the district is only out the amount of the fixed design fee. This approach provides Texas ISD’s with a low-risk way to take advantage of one of the many benefits that design-build construction offers.
Redwater ISD’s $2.7 million project will provide them with a new state of the art facility that includes 13 standard classrooms, three large instructional spaces with dedicated storage areas, a teachers work/break room, two student restroom groupings, faculty toilets, and a central corridor with 300 lockers. The building also features a full masonry exterior, rigid panel steel roofing, and extensive glazing. Construction is slated to begin the week of March 10, with a scheduled completion in September of this year.
- Published in Ramtech News
Randy Van Zandt appointed Vice President of Construction for Ramtech
Ramtech is pleased to announce that Randy Van Zandt has been promoted to the position of Vice President of Construction. In his new role, Randy will be in charge of managing the day-to-day modular construction operations, all in-house construction personnel, and subcontractor relationships. He will also be responsible for developing the construction department budgets, and will work closely with our sales and estimating departments to insure that our client needs and expectations are being met. Randy will continue to report to Linc Moss, Ramtech’s President. (more…)
- Published in Ramtech News
Ramtech Releases Video Featuring West ISD Modular School Building Replacement Campus
Ramtech has released a new video that highlights the recently completed modular construction of the instructional and support facilities for the West (TX) ISD’s replacement middle and high school campus. Narrated by Dr. Marty Crawford, the District’s superintendent of schools, the video highlights the modular school buildings that are located on the West Middle School site which was destroyed by the massive fertilizer plant explosion on April 17 of last year. (more…)
- Published in Education
Annunciation Orthodox School Modular Building Video
Ramtech has released a new promotional video that highlights a five-classroom relocatable modular building recently designed, manufactured, and constructed for Annunciation Orthodox School in Houston, TX. The new 6,400 square foot facility allowed Annunciation Orthodox to relocate their existing pre-K program from an older facility to the new modular school building as part of the private school’s long-range master plan. The modular construction project required the demolition of an existing building adjacent to the main campus structure which had been used as a storage facility for several years.
- Published in Ramtech News