SANTA ANA, CA – Driver SPG – C.W. Driver’s Anaheim, Calif.-based construction affiliate that focuses on renovation, modernization and smaller new construction projects – has been awarded the expansion project for the addition of the “Discovery Pavilion” to the Discovery Science Center (DSC) in Santa Ana, Calif.
The addition of the two-level, 43,340-square-foot pavilion will provide space for new interactive exhibits and programs, including the new Education Wing with galleries and exhibit areas and a Natural Resources Pavilion with various labs and unique exhibits. Driver SPG’s scope of work also includes the addition of a 10,000-square-foot showcase theater with 500 retractable seats in the new pavilion and the renovation of 4,000 square feet in the Grand Hall of Science. Construction will begin in December 2013 and the project is slated for completion in December 2014.
The DSC, an innovative hands-on institution, was founded in 1998 with a mission to inspire students to pursue careers in science. The museum, which houses 120 educational exhibits, currently receives more than 500,000 guests each year. This guest capacity will double to one million upon completion of the new pavilion.
The project presents unique challenges as it is located on a tight, urban site that leaves little room for construction staging and materials storage. As a result, the Driver SPG team will schedule the project precisely, and bring in equipment and materials when needed, in order to avoid crowding the construction area. Just-in-time deliveries and lean construction techniques will be incorporated to efficiently manage all aspects of the project.
“The key to this project is effective coordination and timing of the entire process,” said Karl Kreutziger, president of Driver SPG. “Because of the limited staging areas, and since the Discovery Science Center will be fully operational during construction, we are taking the necessary measures to ensure the fun, educational experience of patrons is uninterrupted.”
The architect on the project is John Sergio Fisher & Associates, Inc. Driver SPG’s project team includes Karl Kreutziger, president; Matt Loorya, director of operations; Kelly Eliason, chief estimator; Brett Montgomery, project manager; Matt Moser, superintendent; and Mike Sosa, senior project engineer.
About Driver SPG:
Driver SPG (Special Projects Group) was formed in 2011 as an affiliate of C.W. Driver, backed by nearly 100 years of construction experience, extensive resources and financial strength. Driver SPG is a standalone company headquartered in Anaheim and serves the Los Angeles, Orange County, Ontario and Ventura regions. Driver SPG specializes in tenant improvement, renovation and new construction projects in many market environments. SPG provides a complete solution borne from proven experience in successfully executing challenging, specialized projects involving tight sites, occupied facilities and aggressive schedules. For more information, please visit www.driverspg.com.